Goaded by his rivals, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has finally staked out his position on the controversial deal to raise the federal debt ceiling.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the GOP frontrunner opposes the plan and places the blame for the “crisis” squarely on the shoulders of U.S. President Barack Obama.
Color us stunned …
“As president, my plan would have produced a budget that was cut, capped and balanced – not one that opens the door to higher taxes and puts defense cuts on the table,” Romney said on Monday. “President Obama’s leadership failure has pushed the economy to the brink at the eleventh hour and 59th minute. While I appreciate the extraordinarily difficult situation President Obama’s lack of leadership has placed Republican Members of Congress in, I personally cannot support this deal.”
Translation?
After “pulling an Obama” and refusing to offer his own proposal for resolving the dispute, Romney is now blaming the president for a failure of leadership. Meanwhile, he’s telling Republican members of Congress that if they feel the need to sell out again by supporting this plan (like they did during the “shutdown” debate), well … that’s fine by him.
Sheesh … and this is the GOP standard-bearer?
Of course Romney’s own “failure to lead” during the debt debate was shared by the vast majority of the GOP field – which for the most part avoided the issue like the plague.
We credit U.S. Reps. Michele Bachmann (R-Minnesota) and Ron Paul (R-Texas) for sticking to their stated position of opposing any debt increase, while we credit Jon Huntsman for at least articulating a position (even if it was to support the weak ass compromise offered by House Speaker John Boehner).
But Romney? Rick Perry? Tim Pawlenty? Sarah Palin? Where were their voices on this issue? Why weren’t they offering specific ideas or using the power of their respective pulpits to force the issue?
Yeah … no wonder people are so underwhelmed by this group of candidates …
Look, it’s painfully clear Obama failed to lead on the debt crisis, but it’s equally clear that the crop of Republicans vying to replace him did, too.
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By Crooner August 1, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Also no surprise that he followed the Republican playbook: wait for Obama to take a position and then take the opposite position.
I’m not surprised Romney took as long as he did to act. He is far to knowledgeable on the economic issues to go “all in” like Bachman and suggest the US shouldn’t raise the debt limit and should allow a default. But acknowledging that fact would be like agreeing global warming is a threat: toxic in the Republican primaries.
By BigT August 1, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Romney Finally Takes Debt Stance…
Wow: A hopeful GOP candidate has more interest in saving the country than the Idiot who was given the job as president in 2008…
Nov. 2012 cannot get here Soon enough…
By Lame August 1, 2011 at 3:08 pm
Basically all Romney has to do is coast to a win…the GOP field is so weak that they’ll never catch Romney so it makes sense for him to take no positions what so ever.
As long as he doesn’t insert his foot into his mouth he wins be virtue of an empty vessel/suit; good looking businessman that is “religious” is an instawin for the GOP…and let’s face it…they are gonna steam roll Obama due to the economy.
Only when Mitt gets in are the Republicans gonna realize that the titanic is sinking and no one can stop it.
Let’s at least all dance on the deck whilst she goes down….pour me another scotch please…Glenlivet, as I would like to go out in style before the dollars become toilet paper and I can’t afford an apple.
By Richard August 1, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Funny…..Nikki did the same with Amazon.
She and Obama have way too much in common.
By Nolff August 1, 2011 at 3:12 pm
@Crooner: It doesn’t matter if Obama’s right or wrong. Skip logic or reason and just demonize the naysayers.
I may not agree with Obama all a lot of things, but other people would give him shit for rescuing their children from a burning building. They’d complain that he got ashes all over the place.
By Pat Riot August 1, 2011 at 5:00 pm
A conservative politician from the most liberal state in the union? No f’ing way. The ultimate RINO.
By Larry, Darrel & Darrell August 1, 2011 at 5:48 pm
I have a better chance of being the GOP nominee than Myth Romney does. He has RomneyCare, the Big Dig, RomneyMarriage, Mormonism, polygamy, Mexico, RINOism and so much more hanging around his neck. I predict that Gov. Sarah Palin will be the standard-bearer, should she run and Ricky “Goodhair” Perry if not.
By Pat Riot August 1, 2011 at 5:59 pm
I believe Romney is just like Scott Brown. Talk the conservative talk until elected then act like a typical Mass. liberal.
By Pat Riot August 1, 2011 at 6:11 pm
Only something like 1.5% of US citizens consider themselves Mormon.
Despite my total lack of enthusiasm for Romney, I would vote for him if he is the nominee. Anyone but that asshole who occupies the WH.
By Andy August 2, 2011 at 8:15 am
Romney intends to walk into the White House through the back door. His strategy is to not shoot himself in the foot. It’s the strategy of a coward. Bachmann is batshit crazy but at least she tells you where she stands.
By 5 + 1 = 6 August 2, 2011 at 9:29 am
@Richard…exactly. They both gotta go.