Romney Gushes Over Life in ‘Magnificent’ Paris

[Hissyspit]

Source: Agence France-Presse

Romney gushes over life in ‘magnificent’ Paris

By Agence France-Presse
Monday, April 23, 2012 18:32 EDT

WASHINGTON — White House hopeful Mitt Romney got a bit wistful Monday while on the campaign trail as he recalled time spent with his wife in “magnificent” Paris, where he hopes to enjoy more vacation time.

Romney, the all-but-certain Republican nominee to face President Barack Obama in November’s election, spent two years as a Mormon missionary in France in the 1960s and gushed about his time in the country.

“I think the best memories were with my wife on vacations from time to time in France,” he told reporters before a town hall event in Aston, Pennsylvania.

- snip -

The comments came just days after Romney rebuked Obama for “jetting around the world,” playing too much golf and failing to rein in widening scandals that have hit two federal agencies.

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/04/23/romney-gushes-over-life-in-magnificent-paris

[nolabear]

1. He's right, Paris IS a beautiful city.

And I hope he keeps on talking about his vacations.

[CTyankee]

7. Paris is incomparable! It is magical. I was there a year ago and I had a smile on my face for

weeks after my visit. Of course, he was charmed. He had to be.

How sad is all of this for Americans who have heretofore had the idea that the French are some kind of devils and live in a horrible slum of socialism. Parisians live in beauty and great food. It is pathetic what so many Americans think about such a fabulous place...

[pinboy3niner]

29. The site of the fabulous Paris Peace Talks!

But some of us, not having the option of living in a Paris mansion, ended up drafted to live in a place that...lacked those amenities...

&feature=related

Fortunate Son
Recorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Written by John Fogerty

Some folks are born made to wave the flag
Ooh, they're red, white and blue
And when the band plays "Hail to the chief"
Ooh, they point the cannon at you, Lord

It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no senator's son, son
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, no

Yeah!
Some folks are born silver spoon in hand
Lord, don't they help themselves, oh
But when the taxman comes to the door
Lord, the house looks like a rummage sale, yes

It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no millionaire's son, no
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, no

Some folks inherit star spangled eyes
Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord
And when you ask them, "How much should we give?"
Ooh, they only answer More! more! more! yoh

It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no military son, son
It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, one

It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, no no no
It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate son, no no no

It's a powerful song that became an anthem for us. I bolded the words that hit me the hardest...

[CTyankee]

30. You'd think that Mitt would just shut up about living in a Paris mansion while doing

"missionary" work...

[66 dmhlt]

31. Rmoney: "Use a bucket for a lavatory & a hose for a shower"

At least that's what Rmoney claimed. Let's take a look at that "hovel" poor Mittens had to live in:





Yeah, it was such a ramshackle shack that the United Arab Emirates decided to make it their Embassy!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-election/8959440/US-election-2012-Mitt-Romneys-life-as-a-poor-Mormon-missionary-in-France-questioned.html

[Faygo Kid]

2. Meanwhile, his peers were spending time in "magnificent" Saigon.

Mostly in the countryside, actually. While the chickenhawk was in France. And now he has five chickenhawk sons. Perfect.

Aren't these guys great? Ready to get us into wars using other people's kids.

[MNBrewer]

3. That'll be a BIG hit with his base!!!!!!

I suppose he ate cheese and drank chardonay while there, too. hehe

[Populist_Prole]

10. Yeah really!

Seems every conservative I know is hardwired in such a way they must hate France and the French.

[MNBrewer]

56. If it weren't for the French, we'd have Queen Elizabeth II's picture on our money.

[arely staircase]

57. and we' d all be speaking english

[wendylaroux]

4. It is beautiful!!!

on PBS specials,and National Geo magazines.

[onehandle]

5. Mitt Romney is a cheese-eating surrender monkey. This is how he wants to make over Americans...

[global1]

6. Ahhh... From The Mouth Of The Presumed Nominee Of The Repug Party - The Same Party That Brought Us.

Freedom Fries. Shouldn't Mitt be hating the French?

[Alcibiades]

8. Out of touch

Of course, you remember what they did to Kerry for the crime of "looking" French. But then, Kerry never said what Romney said today:

“I think the best memories were with my wife on vacations from time to time in France. The last vacation we had there walking around the city of Paris and walking not just the Champs-Elysees but also over to the Jardin of Luxembourg and around the city. It’s one of the most magnificent cities in the world and I look forward to occasional vacations again; it’s such a beautiful place.”

I.
In a world where folks are not taking vacations because they have had to cut back, it is smart to remind everyone that your favorite place, where you've had the best times of your life, is Paris, and not just any old part of Paris, but the Jardin du Luxembourg, an ever-lasting memorial to the opulence of the Medici? Of course, Romney is so out of touch he does not realize that most people will get the reference: he probably assumes that most people have been there and stayed at the sort of place his own inherited wealth allows him to stay, such as this: http://​www.fivestaralliance.com/​luxury-hotels/paris/​four-seasons-hotel-george-v​-paris

II.
This only confirms what I have long suspected: the main argument against tax cuts for people such as Romney is that they will not use the extra money to hire people in the US, but will rather use it to fund yet another vacation in Paris at the Four Seasons George V so that they can once again visit the Palais du Luxembourg and fantasize about putting in an unsolicited bid on the joint.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

9. Paris is expensive and smells like piss

I will stick to Toulouse,

[CTyankee]

11. Oh, please. I was in Paris last year and it was no such thing! What the hell are you talking about?

It might be expensive, but you can't get bad food ANYWHERE, even where it is less expensive. And I have never found it bad smelling. And its culture is superb. Nothing against Toulouse, but really, what in the world are you talking about?

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

12. I have been all over France, from Saint-Tropez to Pas-de-Calais

And compared to other large French cities I don't particularly like Paris.

[CTyankee]

25. Different towns, different charms.

It is probably my heady intoxication with the arts that I am so entranced with Paris. There is always another church, another museum, to seek out. I have a trip all planned out in my head to go by train to several cities with famous cathedrals in day trip range of Paris. I guess it's just my "thing."

[Inuca]

26. Chartres!! n/t

[CTyankee]

27. Amiens, Rheims also...

[Surya Gayatri]

19. Umm, no "bad food ANYWHERE" may be a

bit of a stretch...! LOL!
I've downed some pretty disgusting over-priced, day-old sandwiches (Croque Monsieur, panini) re-heated in the micro-wave.

And I've eaten some "plats" in company canteens that would make the "Gault et Millau" guide shudder in revulsion.

OTOH, rents are much more reasonable than in NY or London, and just a simple trip across town is always a treat for the eyes and the soul, whatever the weather.

Along with Rome, Paris is certainly among the Top Ten modern and historical cities of the world.

[harmonicon]

21. Your nose must have been stuffed up.

I've been to Paris a number of times, and it definitely smells. It's also one of my favourite places in the world.

[CTyankee]

24. I think it is all comparative. I've also lived in New York and I go to New York severaltimes a

year. It doesn't have a particular smell to me, but I can understand how it would to some people.

So it is mostly likely with Paris. Having ridden the NYC subways regularly,the Metro didn't bother me in Paris. But I can imagine someone not used to a crowded, fast moving Metro would be a culture shock to people from cities that don't have that particular characteristic.

[Surya Gayatri]

20. Rents are lower than in either NY or London...

The overall cost of living is lower than in London.

P.S. As for it smelling like piss, you may have frequented a café that didn't maintain its restrooms very well (not an unusual phenomenon), but I'd say Paris "smells" better than London at street level.

[truebrit71]

48. Paris smells waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than NY or LA...

...London, depends what part, and what time of day

[jberryhill]

34. Chamonix

[LanternWaste]

43. Maybe going to attractions other than port-a potties would afford you additional olfactory sensation

Maybe going to attractions other than port-a potties would afford you additional olfactory sensations.

To me, Paris smells like a combination of freshly-baked bread and pastries... but again, we probably visit different attractions (or, more likely, we simply see and smell what we pre-decide to see and smell...)

[Angry Dragon]

13. Why does Willard hate America??

[JoePhilly]

14. Some one needs to tell him that the right wing thinks Paris is "French and Gay".

Poor Mitt.

[truthisfreedom]

15. WTF? After his huge speech about how he was going to spend his vacation time at Camp David instead

of jetting to Hawaii like Obama's family does for their vacation? When will his campaign reach the point where he looks like a real threat rather than someone we might need to rescue from gagging on his own foot?

Can you imagine being this fluff-head's campaign manager?

[goclark]

32. Bingo~ he just can't stop putting his Big Foot

in his mouth.

What is with this fool ~ most people that are even near rich, don't brag about where they have gone and what they have in life.

They may share information with others that have similar experiences but I can't recall bragging being part of their experience..

He acts like he is getting a big kick back/donations from the Tour Industry.

Please keep talking Mi$$TY , brag, brag, brag!

PS/What is that personality disorder called??

[Canuckistanian]

16. There's no draft in France, is there?

Oh, right. And France never sent any troops to Viet Nam after 'independence'.

THEY realized what a fucked up region it was and decided NOT to send any more of their citizens to die there.

So, if one were to... say, AVOID going to Viet Nam.......

[groundloop]

17. Priceless. I wonder what RMoney thinks about French healthcare.

nt

[cilla4progress]

18. Is he the most tone-deaf candidate ever?

I imagine his staffers are holding their heads in their hands!

[goclark]

33. Good point

Are his staffers in favor of this or is he simply a "my thoughts or the highway" kind of guy.?


He is mentally ill.

This is NOT a person that is fit to lead this nation!

[ScottLand]

22. I wanted to go to France but had to settle for Macon. Are they about the same?

[DFW]

44. Well, yeah, pretty much. Both have electricity and running water

So, any differences are pretty much superficial.

[HughBeaumont]

23. Giftastic strikes again, but to be honest . . .

. . . some DUers and co-workers are just as bad when it comes to bragging about travel.

"My God, I've been to this place and that place and that 6500 miles from my home place and they're just SOO beautiful and an eye opening experience and why doesn't everyone travel? Everyone should travel abroad to experience how other cultures and people live and their beautiful countrysides and beaches and . . . ."

Well, yeah, it's a nice idea in theory. It's the whole "being able to afford it" thing that's the problem for most of us.

And really, it doesn't matter that you were able to go at a time when it was affordable or you could bunk at some stranger's house for free or very little a night. The fact is, all aspects of travel are extremely expensive now, especially for those of us who wouldn't be going alone. My passport is pretty much getting me to within-driving-distance Ontario and that's about it. My trip to Denver last year cost me close to $1500 for two people . . . I'm not even contemplating what an overseas trip's going to run me. I wouldn't be able to even afford the flight (and, not being a frequent flier, there are no "miles" to cash in).

But hey, that's OK for you, and all. If your single with no kids about to go to college and have the means to do so, by all means do it. Don't wait.

[Javaman]

28. I think I just heard a few heads pop over at freeper land...

I thought repukes hated all things French?

no worries, tomorrow, mittens will retract his statement and claim he never said anything about "Magnificent" Paris.

The right wing mouth breathers will reset their brains yet again and all will be right with their world.

[lonestarnot]

35. Did he promise all of us a French Riviera wallyworld vacation?

[SOS]

36. "Vive la France!"

"These cookies suck"

"You're fired!"

This guy is a political genius.

[mac56]

37. He is the gift that keeps on giving.

Let him speak, more and more and more.

[eppur_se_muova]

38. Let him spend the next year there.

Four years, if he wants.

[Marthe48]

39. Mr. Howell (Gilligan's Island millionaire) voiceover for Romney

Now that I've thought of it, can't get it out of my head. If he calls his wife Lovey, I probably won't stop laughing...

[redqueen]

40. Oh lord...

I believe I may have the same voiceover going in my head after reading your post. It's just too fitting.

[LibDemAlways]

41. I have no problem with Romney vacationing in France or

wherever the hell he wants. I'm just hoping the GOP flag wavers who hate anything foreign hear about it.

[4th law of robotics]

42. I preferred Germany to Paris

the place is imacculate. Seriously I think you could safely perform surgery in any of their streets at any given time (well maybe not during Oktoberfest).

But Paris is nice as well. A bit pricey.

[DFW]

45. Libbruls and France

Both are subjects about which Republicans know next to nothing.

Of COURSE France is wonderful if you have $200 million to back up your AMEX card. Most anywhere in the world
is pretty pleasant if you can afford to live like King Louis at Versailles.

But France didn't want to join us in the useless invasion of Iraq, so Dick Cheney started up the huge anti-France
machine and forgot to turn it off when he was done. The Bush administration even started up sites called "Germany
sucks" and "France sucks" when both countries refused to help Halliburton, er, sorry, the coalition of the willing,
invade Iraq. A French friend showed me them, and hacked into them to find where they originated from. I don't
know if they're still up there.

I'm in Paris once a week for work, and it's a big city. If you have the time and the money, it's a wonderful place.
If you don't have a lot of money, but do have a lot of time, it's still a wonderful place.

Most American right-wing idiots that dis France have no idea about the place, just like most American right-wing
idiots that dis liberals have no clue what that word means.

[alp227]

47. Then I wonder how John Batchelor for away with this segment about French food

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002603052

I heard it Saturday, hard to believe a CONSERVATIVE show have such topic

[SammyWinstonJack]

46. "where he hopes to enjoy more vacation time..." on the taxpayers' dime, of course.

Because it's his turn.

I've had about I can stand out of him, and his snooty snob wife!

[GoneOffShore]

49. I'm sure that went over really well in Aston.

That's a real blue collar area.

[auburngrad82]

50. So can we stop calling the "freedom fries" now that the GOP likes France again? nt

[unc70]

54. NC GOP Rep Jones apologized for Freedom Fries years ago

While nowhere close to being a Dem, Jones now and then has taken a reasonable position, sometimes even changing from an earlier one that was totally asinine.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

51. He looks marvelous... nt

[DesertDiamond]

52. As soon as the election is over he'll be free to move there permanently if he likes.

[Crunchy Frog]

53. Let's not forget the gnat-like American attention span.

I doubt very many people in this country even remember that we're supposed to hate France.

Freedom Fries Forever!

[Prometheus Bound]

55. Paris does rock!

Speaking as a tourist, so does all of France. I have wonderful memories of every visit.