Mitt Romney: Don’t Run For Office If You Need The Salary: TPM

[Wait Wut]

“I happened to see my dad run for governor when he was 54 years old,” Romney said. “He had good advice to me. He said never get involved in politics if you have to win election to pay a mortgage. If you find yourself in a position when you can serve, you ought to have a responsibility to do so if you think you can make a difference, and don’t get involved in politics when your kids are still young because it may turn their heads.”

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/01/mitt-romney-dont-run-for-office-if-you-need-the-salary.php?ref=fpa

I really don't think Mitt knows what it's like to be a human. Does he think this statement will win him the votes of the 99%? How generous it is of him to take the chance on only making a six figure salary just to lead us into his version of the future. Moron.

[barbtries]

1. only rich people can serve.

in a country that is supposed to be governed of, for and by the people.
he seems out of touch. as do all of the republicans.

[malaise]

2. Just discussed on Tweety

Unfuggingbelievable! Democracy for the Few!

[frazzled]

3. Noblesse oblige in every pot!

Wow, the presidency as an act of charity work or the equivalent of a weekend fox hunt on the estate.

[Ikonoklast]

4. Let me translate for the unwashed masses.

"Look you dirty Proles, only the wealthy need run for office, because we have money tand hat automatically makes us smarter and better than you."

[grantcart]

5. Wow he's not only wait out of touch

He doesn't even know how far out of touch he is.


It's like a famous quote of a wealthy trust kid decades ago, when asked what people should do during tough economic times he replied, "Well that's easy stop eating into the principle of your funds and cut your expenses so your only living on interest".

[Pirate Smile]

11. That's a great quote.

[warrior1]

6. sounds like America

can't afford him and he's letting us know.

Vote for Obama 2012

[Wait Wut]

8. I think you're right.

I also think that would be a great ad!!

[rumabel]

55. Vote for Obama 2012

This could be the 2012 campaign rallying cry.

We can't afford him and he's letting us know.

[Historic NY]

7. Ok Willard whats in it for you, then?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

10. He loves his country so much

that he can't allow Obama to keep making things better for everybody?

[rumabel]

56. It is his Goal.

That is what he needs to accomplish before he "retires". It is all about his accomplishments and his goals, it has nothing to do with you and me and the 99%. Some collect Cars and others Political Prestige. He is not in it to pay his Mortgage, and that is what he thinks qualifies him.

[kestrel91316]

9. Translation: If you aren't independently wealthy, leave politics for those who are.

I love how the 1% thinks.

[4dog]

12. "Mister 1 percent"

If we use this regularly when MR comes up, it will stick with a lot of people, ultimately beyond DU.

[Maynar]

13. I think the mantle of "batshit crazy"

just found a new owner.

[DissedByBush]

38. He's just clueless

He has a long way to go to Bachmann's batshit crazy.

[fasttense]

14. He'll serve as long as it involves other people doing the fighting and dieing.

"If you find yourself in a position when you can serve, you ought to have a responsibility to do so."

He'll serve as long as he can make a dollar out of it.

That's why Mitt got 3 (count them) deferments from serving in the military during the draft. He wants to serve his country, as long as it doesn't involve any sacrifice for him.

[Skittles]

44. his five sons failed to serve too

when this was pointed out, Mitt insisted they DID serve their country - by campaigning for their rich-fuck dad

[valerief]

15. I swear Disney built Romney. nt

[Wait Wut]

16. I was thinking Mattel!

I always saw him as Barbie's confused uncle!

[Johnny Noshoes]

30. nt.

[momrois]

35. By Calvin Trillin

"Mitt Romney as Doll" by Calvin Trillin in The Nation 1-21-08
MITT ROMNEY AS DOLL

Yes, Mitt's so slick of speech and slick of garb, he

Reminds us all of Ken, of Ken and Barbie-----

So quick to shed his moderate regalia,

He may, like Ken, be lacking genitalia.

[Wait Wut]

41. I figured I couldn't be the only one that saw the resemblance!

I feel validated.

[The Doctor.]

17. So I'm gonna get flamed now...

But his actual words don't sound so unreasonable. If you're running for office because you 'have to pay a mortgage', then you're not running for the right reasons to begin with. I also agree that running for office while your kids are very young will take away from time with them, but probably no more than any entrepreneurial venture.

I also wouldn't want my kids going to school with "My Mom/Dad is the _______", on their lips. I'd especially hate for them to be treated differently just because of my position. We see that all the time.

This really isn't that big of a deal. He didn't say you have to be 'rich'. I would never seek office, but if I did, I'd be sure to not have to worry about money.
Think 'Christine O'Donnel' who had to use campaign funds to pay personal debts.

If someone doesn't have much, but really wants to effect change and that's their reason for running, then fine. So long as they realize the higher levels of sacrifice they're committed to.

[renegade000]

18. your assessment is right

It's actually a thoughtful piece of advice trying to say, "don't be in a position where you have to sell your principles or other people out in order to make a living."

Unfortunately, it's completely irrelevant in Romney's case because he's so wealthy... Romney's just trying to sound like he's principled or something...

[The Doctor.]

19. His dad was more principled than he is.

He's very lucky to have some sense of perspective, but it's not his. Like a poster upthread suggested 'He was created by Disney™'.

[ProSense]

23. Yup,

"Unfortunately, it's completely irrelevant in Romney's case because he's so wealthy"

...he's probably trying to give the impression that he can't be bought, which is absurd.

[Wait Wut]

20. I won't flame you, but...

...I will add this from the article:

Romney later turned the mortgage line on one of his former opponents, the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), who he ran against unsuccessfully in 1994.

“I was happy that he had to take a mortgage out on his house to ultimately defeat me,” Romney said. He added that he never expected to win the election.

Sort of takes the "charm" out of his sage advice. If the previous quote had come from someone who wasn't filthy rich (and had a soul), maybe I could see your point. Mitt's history doesn't help your case, however. He's completely removed from the reality of life and his statement makes it appear he feels more entitled to the Presidency than someone who had to work harder and sacrifice more. If I were going to make a comparison, I wouldn't use O'Donnel. I would use Teddy Kennedy or some other rich asshole that actually had some compassion for us little people. I doubt very much that Teddy would have said something so out of touch. Mittens does it on a regular basis.

[The Doctor.]

21. Just because Romney is a soulless creep,

Doesn't mean what he said here was wrong. Besides, his father said it.

My point is that the words aren't an indication that he's at all 'out of touch' as suggested in the OP. Indeed, those words were deliberately misquoted to create such an impression.

You seem to think I've made a case that I have not. I'm curious what 'case' you believe I've tried to make beyond the above.

The fact that he has to quote his father instead of himself is kind of an indication that such pedestrian wisdom is beyond him.

[Wait Wut]

24. Your "case" would have been your comment.

I wasn't suggesting anything else.

And, I don't see the misquoting. What I do see, when you combine his words with other quotes from his past, is proof that he is, indeed, out of touch. "My house isn't that big", "I'm unemployed", "Corporations are people", the infamous $10,000 bet. These aren't the words and actions of a man that is empathetic towards the average American.

I do agree with your last sentence. I would go further and claim that he completely missed his father's point. That in Mitt's mind, he was being told, "Son, you're rich and can do what you want."

[JI7]

26. yup, it doesn't matter what his dad intended it's how Romney sees it

and when you add up everything it comes out to him being WAY out of touch and just not caring.

[Aviation Pro]

22. I smell a landslide in the making....

...for President Obama.

[Wait Wut]

25. And, Mitt knows it but is hoping that Pres. Obama...

...has to mortgage his house to do it.
----------------------------

Romney later turned the mortgage line on one of his former opponents, the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), who he ran against unsuccessfully in 1994.

“I was happy that he had to take a mortgage out on his house to ultimately defeat me,” Romney said. He added that he never expected to win the election.

[Jack Rabbit]

27. "Corporations are people"

. . . and people aren't.

[Wait Wut]

29. President Exxon

Okay, just typing that make me sick to my stomach.

[BE10sCoach]

28. The Imperial, Pompus Willard

Willard Mitt Romney is an arogant, pompus, rich BASTARD who can go staright to Mormon Hell!

[Johnny Noshoes]

31. Smarmy..

He's just a smarmy SOB. You just want to go up and do a Joe Pesci on him.

[Wait Wut]

32. Priceless!

I wonder if he's available!

[ChadwickHenryWard]

33. I remember reading a book by Jim Hightower as a teenager

in which he remarked that nobody ever got to Congress, looked at their six-figure paycheck, and went, "Wow, that's a lot of money." There's a reason the Senate is called the "Millionaire's Club." Nobody is ever happy on their first day to be making six times what they made as a mailman, a janitor, or a shoolteacher, and that's because these people don't get elected.

[ptownbro]

34. I hate to defend Romney here but...

I see nothing in his quote that says he thinks "only rich people should run for office". Come on now... there is PLETNY there to go after him about. Let's not exaggerate a relatively harmless comment. In other words, we shouldn't act like Republicans and twist and exaggerate something minor. It's silly when they do it.

[Utopian Leftist]

36. "and don’t get involved in politics when your kids are still young because it may turn their heads"

If only Mittens' papa had followed his own advice . . . .

[gopiscrap]

37. Willard is such an asshole!!!

In 1990 I ran in the Democratic primary for US Congress againt the incumbant DINO...our campaign spent 58K to do thi and got 42% of the primary vote. More importantly, we moved the conversation and political equation to the left. We challenged our congress critter and forced him to vote to quit funding the SOA in Columbus, Georgia. I knew I wasn't going to win, but the goal of the campaign was to move him to the lefct and to encourage our district to think in a more progressive manner. We did both. The tragedy of that is that i would not be possible today. The incumbants both D and R but specially R ad have seen to it, to ramp up the cost of taking part in the civic discussion of our nation and communities. Citizens United and the corrupt bought Supreme Court just about handed the R's the tools to provde the death knell for such campaigns as mine in 1990.

[Wait Wut]

40. I think that's one of the reasons this article pissed me off so much.

Instead of voting for someone with an education, experience, morals, ideals, whatever...the GOP is trying to force us to vote for the wealthiest. It doesn't matter that they're dumber that a pallet of boxes of rocks, they're richer than most of us, therefor more "qualified".

If Mitt had half a brain, he'd stop talking. But then, the richest guy in the room could possibly win. So...let him blabber on about his "small houses" and his "unemployment". Sadly, it's not doing much to alienate his own base, but it sure is firing up some Democrats.

Thank you for getting out there and running. It takes more than money, it takes courage and a thick skin. At least, on our side it does.

[gopiscrap]

54. Hey you're welcome

it's the least I could do after this nation granted me citizenship!

[Ferret Annica]

39. There is no real excitement for the GOP field currently

The only one I personally like is Ron Paul, though of course we disagree on many things.

Mittens just exudes untrustworthiness. He is a swarmy, two faced pice of shit I wouldn't trust to babysit my dog.

[Skittles]

43. he'd put your dog on top of a car

from what I hear

[Moostache]

42. I have a BETTER way...

IF you have more than $5M net worth, you are hereby barred from running for or holding public office in the United States. Further more, if you have an annual income of ALL sources (capital gains, salary, inheritance, etc.), you may have the patriotic honor of serving the union by paying taxes at a 90% marginal rate until such time as the war deficit of GWB and the Neocons is paid off and until such time as the nation has an unemployment rate of less than 4% for 4 consecutive quarters. After that, we will have a tax cut that reduces the top rate to a permanent level of 75% over the top excluded income.

Enough of these people who have money and nothing less, least of all a goddamn clue on how to run a country for the betterment of the citizenry instead of the benefit of the richest 0.01% of the citizenry!

[RickFromMN]

45. Trying to prevent the rich from holding public office won't accomplish what we want.

The rich will buy, I mean hire, a political puppet, err person, to run for public office,
much like they hire a gardener or a chauffeur or a housekeeper.

The rich might find this so appealing they will do this anyway.
They can stay out of the lime light.
The can pull the strings, anonymously; that's real political power.
All threats and criticisms will be directed at the political puppet.

When the puppet is old and used up, the rich can replace one puppet with another puppet.

I can't see my way to finding a solution to this problem.

We need to undo the Citizen's United decision. Corporations are not people.
I think this is a necessary step, but not a sufficient step.

Another part of the problem is the ability of a person to spend his personal wealth,
without limit, on his political campaign. The Supreme Court calls it free speech.
Something has to be done to limit all sources of money, including this source of money.

I hope, in some distant Utopia, the Internet will somehow level the playing field.
I don't think my hopes are justified.

I don't think there is a solution to the problem of money buying political power.

[Wait Wut]

48. You make some very good points.

I always wondered why there wasn't a "cap" on election spending. Making that cap relative to the office, of course. And, I'm not a big fan of "Clean Elections", either. Although, it is a step in the right direction and has helped a few Dems in Arizona.

We also can't demonize all wealthy candidates or politicians. Some have worked hard for the rest of us. But, those are the same politicians that would be more willing to go along with a spending cap than the corrupt pols that will do everything in their power to twist the system. SuperPACs need to go away. Because they're not funded or (supposedly) backed by a candidate, that cap wouldn't apply to them.

I'm giving myself a headache trying to figure this out. It's all unfair to less wealthy candidates, but I see no way around it, at this point.

[johnlal]

46. This sentiment seems to be playing out in the real world

It seems that those who "represent us" in government belong to a different economic class. This quotation goes a long way to show that none of this is by accident.

[caveat_imperator]

47. Great evidence of why all elections in the US need to be publicly funded.

[Wait Wut]

49. I somewhat agree, but...

...we'd also need to get rid of SuperPACs and Cit. United. There should be stricter standards for advertising. If a candidate is going to get public funding, they need to fact check their damned commercials and adher to certain criteria. If nothing else, take the ability of corporations to donate to political candidates away completely.

It all sounds good, but what do you think the chances of any of this getting past the GOP are?

[Bruce Wayne]

50. Nitwit. The Founding Fathers specifically wanted "middling class" law makers

This was debated in 1787-1788 when they wrote & ratified the Constitution. The whole point of having good salaries for public office holders was because the Framers believed that virtue rested with the "middling classes" and lawmakers from this class would be more responsive to the needs of the whole of the country.

They pretty much agreed that the very wealthy would dominate the Senate, but many Founders called the House the "democratical" branch of government

[hay rick]

51. He ignored his dad's advice.

"...don't get involved in politics when your kids are still young because it may turn their heads." In 1994, when he ran for the Senate, his sons Craig and Benjamin were 13 and 16.

[RoccoR5955]

52. I think the RepubliCON clown car

Just had another wreck! And here I thought Romborg was partially sane! Nope, he's just as nuts as the rest of those bass turds!

[Proud Liberal Dem]

53. What an idiotic statement

As if anybody really runs for office "to pay a mortgage"- although, of course, people like Herman Cain, Christine O'Donnell, and shadow candidate and serial grifter Sarah Palin don't seem to mind the money (and publicity) that is to be made by running (or pretending to run) for public office. Hey, I might even want to run for office if it means people will listen to my crazy left-wing ideas here in Indiana.