Kos: "Does Romney Have Alzheimer's? Seriously, Does He?" -- lots of examples

[ailsagirl]

Alzheimer's is no laughing matter and this Diary is not meant to be funny. I seriously wonder if Romney has Alzheimer's. In my opinion, he is showing the signs of a person who is in the early stages of Alzheimer's or some other type of dementia.

One of the early symptoms to Alzheimer's is short-term memory loss, forgetting what you recently said or did. Confusion and poor judgment are also early signs. In the early stages, the patient can still function in society but lacks good judgment so usually family members will step in to correct any problem the poor judgment may have caused.

For months, we have literally witnessed Romney say one thing, then within seconds tell the media he did not say it. Then we go back to the video, and sure enough, Romney said what we thought he said. Now, I know Romney is a pathological liar -- but I think there is something more going on.

I remember several, several times when Ann Romney has had to step in to correct comments Mitt has said and then the campaign puts Mitt on a Media Blackout.

=snip=

Most Recent Example: Yesterday at 8:00pm, the day Romney got back from his Foreign Policy PR Tour, Romney had an Op-Ed published in the rightwinged blog, National Review online. In Romney's Op-Ed, Romney doubled-down on saying the Palestinians are culturally inferior. But, just 10.5 hours before Romney published the Op-Ed, he ran to Fox and denied he ever compared the Israel culture to the Palestinian culture. But wait a minute! Romney's Op-Ed does compare the Israel and Palestine cultures. (confused? is your head shaking?)

=snip=

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/08/01/1115628/-Does-Romney-Have-Alzheimer-s-Seriously-Does-He

[ohheckyeah]

1. I think it's clear

something is wrong with Romney - as to what it is I don't know.

The Republicans would like nothing better than another puppet president.

[hifiguy]

5. Agreed. There is something about him that is profoundly "off."

Fake laugh, inability to admit saying what he said on the record, total lack of compassion or empathy. Complete woodenness and lack of normal human reactions. He ain't right in the head and I say that in all seriousness.

[ohheckyeah]

15. Absolutely.

It's not normal to contradict yourself in the same sentence. He has a problem but since I'm not a doctor I couldn't begin to say what his problem is.

[WCGreen]

31. Psychopathic behavior. No shred of empathy.

[roguevalley]

37. he appears to be sociopathic in his unconcern about things that drop the rest of us

to our knees. He also has an asperger's like focus on what he wants and will walk in a straight line through dung up to his chin to get it. He's been a bully and assaulted people both literally and figuratively all his life. He is missing his soul.

[XemaSab]

42. I wouldn't go so far as to call him a sociopath

I think it's that he doesn't believe in anything.

If you don't tell lies, then you never have to keep your story straight. Since everything out of that guy's mouth is some sort of spin or bullshit, you can't expect him to keep it all straight.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

36. In a Romney Presidency (aka repubbie wet dream)

he could be very Reaganesque and sleep through most of his cabinet meetings.

The repubbies would love that.

[ailsagirl]

2. I'm not saying it's true-- but it would explain a lot of things

[randome]

22. Yes, it would. Excellent find.

[ecstatic]

3. He has arrogant piece of shitzia

When someone not only spouts BS, but is super arrogant and uninterested in keeping track with what s/he just said, you end up with Rmoney. While early onset of Alzheimer's is possible, there isn't sufficient evidence to show that yet.

[ailsagirl]

4. We'll stay tuned

[madaboutharry]

6. There is something wrong with him.

I would think he is going to have a hard time when he refuses to release medical records.

[Bluenorthwest]

7. The thought has crossed my mind.

Absolutely no joking matter, also not something to overlook in a person seeking any sort of leadership or power. Or car keys for that matter.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

8. Too bad candidates aren't required to produce medical treatment records

I'd be willing to bet Romney has had psych counseling somewhere in his background, especially with all the bizarre dress-up behavior, the fits of anger, and the near-fatal traffic accident. As far as signs of pre-dementia, I can't tell if it's just Romney brazenly thinking he can take every side of an issue without suffering any political consequences (a psychological problem in itself) or if he genuinely has problems with forgetfulness.

[goclark]

23. Whatever treatment he had it didn't work

I believe he is a sociopath and I believe his family and friends should have never allowed him to be in the Race.

But ~ he may have pushed their face in their dinner plate AGAIN if they tried to assist him in his decisions.

He is out to lunch , breakfast and dinner that is for sure.
Lost in space.For treatment, he would need to be put in a facility for a long time.

[Kalidurga]

9. I don't know what is wrong with him either...

Alzheimer's maybe even a pathological liar can get it. Psychosis, probably he is an animal abuser, pathological liar, and fires people for sport as much as financial gain. He ain't right that is for sure.

[ailsagirl]

11. He sure as hell doesn't belong in the WH, whether or not he has it

He doesn't care about us-- we all know that. It would be the ultimate power trip for him, but it would be a disaster for us.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. Remember kiddies Reagan did

for at least half of his presidency. One of the early signs of it was his use of candies to help with memory.

I doubt Romney has Alzheimers, but if he does, time to back away from the Presidency run.

[IDemo]

12. Mental lapses are not a particularly troubling thing for RW candidates or voters

[ailsagirl]

16. Good pix!!

But to say something one minute, be questioned about it the next minute, and then deny saying it at all... I mean, that's weird. David Corn was talking about that yesterday on Lawrence's (I think) program. Corn recounted an instance (it's in the Kos link) where this happened to him when he was questioning Romney. He was just shaking his head in disbelief.

[KegCreekDem]

28. My thought exactly...

Republicans seem to prefer mental light weights who are easily manipulated by their handlers. Don Regan and Nancy Reagan ran Ronnie. Cheyney and Rove ran Bush II. Who are the powers behind Romney?

[IDemo]

35. -

[Fumesucker]

13. I think he's just an entitled asshole who is entirely unused to ever being questioned about anything

Practically everything he does is what most Republicans do but just taken to a higher plane..

[Poll_Blind]

14. Nah, I think he's just a sociopath. Now, if you haven't seen it you should see this short...

...video comparing the mental acquity of George W Bush during the Texas gubernatorial race vs. his performance in a debate with Kerry.

That is a strong example of someone who clearly has acutely diminished or changed cognitive abilities over a short period of time.

I don't see that kind of decline/change in Romney and I've seen candid video of him from a number of different events.

PB

[tk2kewl]

29. Yep, it's hard to keep track of all the lies.

Nt

[backscatter712]

17. He's doesn't have Alzheimers, he's a psychopath.

Rmoney doesn't have a memory problem. He has a lying problem, and a lack-of-conscience problem.

[ailsagirl]

19. He's a lousy liar, then

If you're going to lie, you should space the lies out, not reverse yourself practically in the same breath.

[doohnibor]

21. Not lousy, prolific.

He's not telling lies to be believed, he's telling lies so that each one in his audience will hear a little piece of their own special truth. Doesn't matter that there are three contradictions in two sentences, everyone gets to hear a phrase that they like.

When you are dealing with suckers who only get excited when their favorite bullshit neuron fires (i.e., the "Freedom" neuron, the abortion neuron, the tax cut neuron, the illegal immigrant neuron, etc.) you have to keep throwing out the lies to keep your base excited. What's amazing is how Mitt's been able to ride it this far.

[ailsagirl]

18. Remember: "I don't remember if that's what I said, but if that's what I said...I stand by it."

One of Lawrence's favorite video clips.

Now it makes me wonder. He could just be monumentally absent-minded...
Whatever it is, we DON'T want him!!!!

[surrealAmerican]

20. The most likely explanation for your example ...

... would be that Mitt didn't actually write that op-ed. He probably authorized one of his "advisors" to write it under his name.

[TeamPooka]

50. outsourced yes, but was it offshored?

[DearHeart]

24. I just think that he's got so many lies going...

and he has become totally confused!

[Raine]

25. I don't think it's Alzheimers but there is something wrong with him. nt

[Brickbat]

26. It's a feature, not a bug.

[kentuck]

27. Strange you should bring this up...

I was just telling my wife a couple of days ago about how old he looks sometimes - the way he walks and moves. It is no laughing matter.

[ailsagirl]

32. YES

I know what you mean. But all of this (alzheimer's) is just conjecture-- I suppose we'll find out what's what soon enough. I just noticed the post on Kos and moved it over here.

[targetpractice]

30. Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Folks with NPD lie constantly to avoid experiencing shame... I know someone with NPD that will deny saying something they said only 30 seconds before. It's very bizarre.

[ailsagirl]

33. That IS bizarre

Have you ever recorded the person then played it back to show that, indeed, he/she did say it? Seriously

[targetpractice]

38. Funny that you asked that...

I have. Narcissists will avoid confrontation with facts AT ALL COST to avoid shame. The narcissist in my life literally plugged their ears and left the room to avoid hearing the recording. Immediately thereafter, they embarked on a massive campaign of character assassination to preempt any fallout from me playing it to anyone else.

Narcissist are beyond hope. They believe they are perfect and control everyone around them like chess pieces. Narcissists appear vain, incapable of empathy, and are eager to please... but, they actually are deeply insecure and must please all audiences. They will reflexively say whatever they think will please their audience in order to quickly move past uncomfortable topics to avoid feeling any kind of shame. They aren't evil. They are a result of very early childhood trauma or neglect or overbearing parents.

[ailsagirl]

45. Also, narcissists don't really have friends because they can't focus on anyone but themselves

Sometime it's not immediately apparent but it shows up at some point.

[renate]

34. yes, I think that's more likely

And look at the way he gets visibly pissed off--on camera! while asking people to vote for him!--when he's challenged or disagreed with. I think you're right.

[targetpractice]

39. Have you watch his expressions when he gets applause during speeches?

He soaks in the applause, smirks, and look so proud of himself — despite the fact that he just read something from a teleprompter.

Obama, on the other hand, seems to be motivated by applause and eager to move on to the next point... pushing forward.

I dunno if that observation makes sense.

[renate]

41. nice catch!

You're right on both counts.

[awoke_in_2003]

40. Could be...

but I think it is arrogance. He was a CEO- who would dare call him on his bullshit. People kissed his ass for years, and he cannot comprehend why isn't still happening.

[ailsagirl]

43. If nothing else, he's really looking harried these days

Stressed-out, nervous with inappropriate laughter, panicky eyes...
While the President continues to be cool as a cucumber (and earnest and passionate in his speeches)
What a contrast!

[ailsagirl]

44. I just re-read all the responses to this thread

and you guys provided some really insightful feedback. Thank you!!

DEMS ROCK!!!

[RobinA]

46. Was Just Discussing This

The thing that gets me is the dumb things he keeps saying. Just politically dumb. And it's not like he's a newbie to politics. I was worried about him vs. Obama as opposed to Santorum or Newt because I figured he could run a decent campaign. He's experienced for heaven's sake. The stuff he says just boogles the mind. I agree something is wrong with him.

[grantcart]

47. Its not Alzheimer's

It's Halfheimber's.

He's been half nuts for decades.

[mercuryblues]

48. some interesting points

and I am going to throw another one into the mix. Brain damage from his car accident in France.

according to this article the police thought he was dead. He awoke from a coma in the hospital. He could very well be suffering from short term memory loss. Combine that with his penchant for lying and he would be a grade A disaster as president.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2085412/The-shocking-pictures-Mitt-Romney-died-young-Mormon-missionary.html

[wordpix]

52. brain injuries including strokes can cause dementia after patient has recovered

My mother's friend at age 87 had a stroke and recovered from it, but ever since she's had mild dementia.

[intaglio]

49. It might explain why press access is so limited n/t

[2pooped2pop]

51. Lets test him

can he count money?
can he understand time?

Yes and I think so.

Not alzheimers. Just years and years of everyone kissing his rich ass so he never had to learn to actually deal with real people or real situations.