There is something seriously wrong with Mitt Romney: He's a pathological liar

[ProSense]

Consider his remark labeled "racist" by Palestinians. This morning he made this claim:

Romney: ‘I Did Not Speak About The Palestinian Culture’

Benjy Sarlin

<...>

FOX News’s Carl Cameron grilled Romney on his remarks, which top Palestinian officials immediately denounced as “racist,” in an interview from Poland on Tuesday. The Obama campaign also accused Romney of needlessly inflaming tensions in the region.

Romney responded that he “did not speak about the Palestinian culture or the decisions made in their economy,” while adding broadly that a nation’s “choices” affect their outcomes.

<...>

Romney’s insistence that he was not addressing Palestinian culture seems at odds with his lengthy and detailed speech at a fundraiser in which he offered up a direct comparison between the per capita GDP of Israel and the Palestinian territories before launching into an explanation of why he thinks culture and perhaps a little divine help are so important to the stronger Israeli economy.

<...>

“Culture makes all the difference,” Romney said. “And as I come here and I look out over this city and consider the accomplishments of the people of this nation, I recognize the power of at least culture and a few other things.” One of the additional factors he cited was “the hand of providence.”

- more -

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/07/romney-i-did-not-speak-about-the-palestinian-culture.php

Then he turns around and pens an op-ed reiterating the "culture" claim.

Culture Does Matter

By Mitt Romney

During my recent trip to Israel, I had suggested that the choices a society makes about its culture play a role in creating prosperity, and that the significant disparity between Israeli and Palestinian living standards was powerfully influenced by it. In some quarters, that comment became the subject of controversy.

But what exactly accounts for prosperity if not culture? In the case of the United States, it is a particular kind of culture that has made us the greatest economic power in the history of the earth. Many significant features come to mind: our work ethic, our appreciation for education, our willingness to take risks, our commitment to honor and oath, our family orientation, our devotion to a purpose greater than ourselves, our patriotism. But one feature of our culture that propels the American economy stands out above all others: freedom. The American economy is fueled by freedom. Free people and their free enterprises are what drive our economic vitality.

- more -

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/312830/culture-does-matter-mitt-romney

Seriously, WTF? Mitt has issues.

h/t Ruby the Liberal http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021054239

[elleng]

1. Something definitely wrong.

Can't quite figure it out.

[Kalidurga]

2. Maybe he has etch a sketch brain....

Can't remember what he said 5 minutes ago.

[PatSeg]

20. I don't think he ever was held accountable

for what he's said or done before. He comes from a corporate world where all that counts is results.

He seems genuinely surprised that people are paying attention to what he says and does, like he's entitled to be president because he decided that's what he wants.

He is a very strange man.

[alittlelark]

3. Narcissists don't lie....

They speak the truth as THEY see it.


He is a malignant narcissist.

[gkhouston]

24. +1. They seem to believer that as long as they keep talking, they can explain anything.

How dare we not believe the wonder that is Mitt?

[Jackpine Radical]

39. I think maybe a composite of Cluster B traits--

well, at least antisocial & narcissistic. Psychopathy, which is not a DSM Dx, but is recognized by psychologists as a sort of syndrome, is a nearly perfect subset of Antisocial Personality Disorder. Technically, Romney probably wouldn't qualify for APD because his wealth & connections kept him away from the serious consequences his behavior should have earned him. Nevertheless, he is what I think of as a high-functioning psychopath, one who differs from ordinary street-criminal psychopaths by his ability to delay gratification & plan. But all the lack of compassion, lack of conscience, lack of principles, etc. is there in full strength. A Ken Lay with magic underwear.

[CitizenK9]

4. Sociopath trait: lying about lying

"Truth" is not a value for sociopaths/psychopaths; only manipulation is.

[backscatter712]

5. Mitt Romney is a psychopath. He is literally without conscience.

His entire life is marked by incidents where he shows no empathy towards others, no moral consideration, no remorse when he harms or violates the rights of others, and absolutely no care for anyone but himself.

He would be a truly dangerous president. He must be kept out of the White House.

[nc4bo]

9. ++1! nt.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

10. You are so right. You've summarized his life well. Sad but true. nt

[lonestarnot]

6. WTF. Did his jetsetting fuck up his brain? I mean he has to know we know what the fuck he said. I

think he's about to tell Americans to fuck off that we wouldn't appreciate a richie rich presidency.

[gkhouston]

25. It could be that he truly doesn't remember. He may pay little attention to the words that come out

of his mouth and not recall them later. It's all about winning the moment; there's no future or past that needs to be taken into account.

I knew a guy like this. When he and his wife separated, he told her that there had been some nights when he felt like he'd rather kill himself than come home to her. Two weeks later, he was asking me why she hadn't called or emailed him. I reminded him of what he'd said and suggested that she'd probably concluded that he'd rather not have any contact with him. He said something like, "oh, yeah, I did say that."

His first offer of a divorce settlement sounded very generous: he'd assume the debts (fair in my opinion, since he'd incurred a *lot* of debt) and she could have their townhouse. His lawyer was whomper-jawed when informed by her lawyer that the townhouse wasn't his to give: they were renters. Shortly after that, he had a different divorce lawyer, but the surreal exchanges continued. It got to the point that every time there was a hearing, the other lawyers hanging around the halls waiting for their turn would recognize my friend and her now-former husband and come into the courtroom to hear the latest cock-and-bull story.

[Jackpine Radical]

40. I read a lot of Borderline Personality Disorder into that account, as well as psychopathy.

It reminds me of why I don't do things like custody evaluations.

[flying_wahini]

7. I think he is just Stupid.

He IS a filthy rich pig who is used to people deferring to his opinions because of his power and money and now that
people are calling him on it he just can't understand why!

He can't believe that the rest of the world is throwing down the bullshit flag on him! He's always gotten away with it before>

He won't step foot out of the good old USA again until after the election.

[Jessy169]

8. Definite sociopath

I posted the classic traits of a sociopath on another article here. Romney qualifies on almost every trait that sociopaths exhibit. Not just lying, but wrapping themselves in an elaborate web of lies which they come to believe themselves is one of the defining characteristics. In Mitt's world, he's the Great Leader, and all await his pronouncements. When those pronouncements evoke ridicule and scorn, he simply tunes out and denies. It has worked so well for him his entire life.

[Pauldg47]

11. I can portray my father similar to Rmoney...

.....as being all business (Banker executive), a republican, highly critical of people, but portrayed himself as very positive. He was incredibly verbally abusive. He was very narcissistic and had very similar looks, mannerisms & inappropriate/awkward remarks that Romney currently has.

My dad now has Alzheimer's.

Just saying.


*Note: This is very hard to send.

[Jessy169]

13. Its good to understand where you come from, even if it hurts

Growing up with a dad like that had to be tough. I often wonder what Romney's sons are thinking and feeling. Seeing their father and how he is, I imagine there is some serious shit in that family just under the surface, hidden. Being able to admit means you're over it, or close. I wonder if we'll ever hear from one or more of Romney's sons.

[Pauldg47]

23. Thanks for your empathy and thoughts.....

...I am sixty five and past much of his abuse. I think I'm a better person through the experiences.

I brought the subject of my father to these blogs because in my viewpoint Romney would be very dangerous as a leader to our country. I watch him closely.....I believe he's a very ill individual.

[cleduc]

12. I go back to the Kennedy years

and I live in Canada so I've watched two countries politics pretty closely over that time.

JFK woke the concept of ideals in me when I was very young. At 8 years old, I asked my family what I could do for my country (""Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country"&quot and they laughed. It was a real knee slapper for them. I was a joke. I was 9 when JFK was assassinated and I asked again. They laughed. So I was going home from school and saw a campaign office looking for volunteers and they offered to allow me to distribute 20 brochures door to door. I did and went back the next day and got 20 more as they too wouldn't take me seriously. They sent me to a street that had already had brochures delivered. So the third day I put a wooden box on my bike and showed up. This time I didn't ask. I just took 3000 brochures and handed them a map of the streets I would be delivering them too. The old ladies cackled like hens upset with me but they knew they couldn't stop me.

After that election, I realized I'd only helped one party so I helped the other party in the next Federal election - to help the whole country (both major parties)- if you will. And so my political involvement began as a way to help my country - inspired by the Kennedys and MLK.

I campaigned for Bobby Kennedy. I mourned Bobby & MLK. I protested the Vietnam war. I streaked against Nixon's "I've got nothing to hide. I am not a crook". In the early 70s, I was part of an activist group for gay rights in college (one of just a few who were straight but I think we were a little ahead of our time). Etc., Etc. Somewhere along the way, the family stopped laughing.

In all that time, I've never seen a significant candidate for any party who was more dishonest and more bankrupt of conviction than Mitt Romney in either country in my lifetime. And in all that time, I've never experienced a better leader than Barack Obama. It strikes me as surreal that the polls are even close.

There was a time, when people in the media like Walter Cronkite, wouldn't tolerate it and a candidate like Romney would be toast by now. Unfortunately, the media doesn't appear to be up to the task (yet?), apparently forsaking their principles in journalism as an arbiter for truth in order to reap higher corporate profits.

America deserves better than Mitt Romney. In my opinion, America has one of the best ever now. I'm positive history will look kindly on Obama. My kids deserve Barack Obama. I hope you guys fight your butts off to get Barack re-elected. Like I've done for the last 50 years, I promise to do whatever I can.

[Kablooie]

14. Sounds like a true politician to me.

An awkward, clunky politician, but a politician nonetheless.

[Zoeisright]

15. That's a common repuke trait.

Liars, pathological narcissists, greedy, stupid, cruel.

[blkmusclmachine]

16. Mitt: "You didn't hear what I just said."

Robot needs an upgrade.

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. Worst. Candidate. Ever.

Seriously.

No personality. Zero charisma.

People vote for the guy they like, the guy they (yes) want to have a beer with. There is nothing to like about Romney. He's BORING. No one can relate to his elevator in the garage, his wife's dressage nonsense, or his 5 uninteresting kids.

I almost feel sorry for him.

But if he is the best candidate the GOP can find, they are in trouble for years to come.

[magic59]

18. Most republicans are

and those who are not are too stupid to know the truth.

[hifiguy]

19. The man is clearly not right in the head.

I've never seen anyone who could lie so glibly. Nixon lied his ass off, but there were always "tells." Romney lies so effortlessly and totally that he must have some sort of significant personality disorder.

[spike91nz]

21. comfortable with lies

Religion is the art of becoming comfortable with lies. To assert belief as thought it is truth and fantasy as though it is reality. Romney seems to have learned his religious lessons well.

[Quantess]

35. No, I disagree that his lying has anything to do with religion.

I am not a religious person myself, so it is definitely nothing personal, but religion is irrelevant here.

[YOHABLO]

22. Why Is He Even Running for President?

What, in his mind, told him he should be the leader of the free world? (I am not exactly sure about this being a free world of course) I mean look at the pool of candidates for President on the Republican side, they're all deranged. Look at Bush, OMG, 8 years of that mental case. I am hoping we will see the end of the Republican party altogether. Perhaps the end of the Democratic Party as well. We can't have Republican Lite ..no way. I would hope Obama wins with a landslide.

[thelordofhell]

26. Ride The White Horse

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_horse_prophecy

[dixiegrrrrl]

31. So the Repugs have destroyed the Constitution

in order for Romney to rise up and fulfill the prophecy of saving it?

Makes as much sense as any other logic they employ.

[cali]

27. You know what this is? It's a "No Shit Sherlock" moment.

[B Calm]

28. The corporate press give him a free ride

because they want a tight race. .

[ProSense]

29. Exactly the problem. n/t

[Doctor_J]

32. You're half right

They give him a free ride because they and the people who pay them millions are right-wing Repukes.

[Doctor_J]

30. Is it lying when you don't know what you're talking about?

His "handlers" told him what to say in Israel, and he said it. His "handlers" told him what to say to Fox "News", and he said it. His "handlers" wrote the NatRev piece and submitted it in his name. He is the etch-a sketch. I would bet he couldn't answer a tough unscripted question if his horse's life depended on it. Liar? Maybe. Sociopath? definitely.

[flamingdem]

33. To him everything is a prank or a giggle

He knows he's not a serious candidate in the end he's there as a puppet, so why should what he says matter?

[Baitball Blogger]

34. He's a man who is too accustom to being surrounded by like minded individuals

[yellowcanine]

36. Mitt's Etch a Sketch appears to be broken. Dang! I hate when that happens!

[Angry Dragon]

37. As long as Isreal is doing so good

there is no reason for the US to send them any more money

[malaise]

38. Rachel Maddow was the first to expose him

[Trekologer]

41. He's the sleazy boss everyone has had in their careers

The kind that talks out both sides of their mouth, listens to only what he wants to hear (and has yes men around him to make sure of it), is quick to take credit for successes ("due to my great leadership/vision&quot but never takes blame for failures ("because you didn't execute my directions&quot .

I think that is why Rmoney is giving people a bad taste in their mouth. He's better suited as a used-car salesman: he'll say anything as long as he thinks he'll make the sale.