Iowa: A Mitt Romney House Party
By TalkLeft Monday Dec 31, 2007 7:21pm
Today's afternoon delight was a Mitt Romney house party at the home of Ann Warren and family. It was in a suburban neighborhood where the houses are all white or beige and look almost identical.
Jane and I were among the first to arrive, well before any other media. Ann welcomed us in and didn't seem to mind we were bloggers.
After chatting with Oscar Poale, above, a former minister who now owns a Georgia Bar-B-Q place and shows up at a lot of Romney events, I began talking to Rich, who lives a few doors down from the Warrens.
Rich was in attendance because a Romney campaign volunteer knocked on his door and invited him. He's 37, has a wife and 2 kids and moved here a few years ago from Reno, NV. He's an evangelical, and at the start of today's house party, is undecided who he will caucus for -- it's between Romney and McCain. He thinks a Governor has a better chance than a Senator. But, he likes McCain's war experience and what he's said about Pakistan. On the other hand he said, Romney did some good stuff as Governor.
As an evangelical, he's not too concerned about Romney's Mormonism. He likes that Romney has been married to the same woman for so long and has a close family. I ask him about Huckabee and he says he has some concerns because he thinks Huckabee advertises his religion as a selling point.
The place fills up, mostly it seems, with reporters. There are huge video cameras on tripods with beefy cameramen behind them. I say hello to Dana Milbank from the Washington Post. I grab a seat on the floor in front of the videocameras and Andrew Romano, who writes Newsweek's Stumper blog, joins me. He's a 25, a Princeton graduate who very much resembles Toby McGuire from Spiderman. I comment on how squished we are in this den off the kitchen, a room about 12 feet by 20 feet, with video cameras, cameramen, toddlers, neighbors and tons of reporters already in place. He tells me the press bus hasn't even arrived yet.
The press bus arrives a few minutes later and now we're like sardines. I'm sorry I left my shoes at the front door because I just know someone is going to step on my sock-clad toes. Andrew and I part ways and I move all the way to the front.
Finally Mitt and the Mittmobile arrive and Mitt makes his entry.
He's at ease and confident. He looks good. I think he's more appealing-looking now that his hair is graying around the temples. He reminds me of Warren Beatty in his early days.
Since I was right in front of him, I turned on my camcorder and filmed the whole thing. I'll post some of the video when I figure out how to download it to the computer. He talked for 15 minutes or so, about jihadists, education, health care, religion and family. His son spoke too and told what he thought was a cute story about his own 18 month old son who's been on the campaign trail with him. Then it's over and the most of the press make a beeline to the door.
Romney stayed inside a while longer to chat with reporters. Jane heard him talking to the LeMonde reporters in French. Then he left, here's a picture I took just before I introduced myself and shook his hand.
On my way out, I found Rich, the neighbor, and asked if he had made up his mind yet. He told me he's now leaning towards Romney. Whether that's the way he caucuses though is anybody's guess.
As for tonight, Jane just left for a Huckabee event. Since I’ve had my fill of Republicans for the day, I’m going to stay in and catch up with news about the Democratic candidates. Tomorrow there will be more events as we get down to the wire. John Mellencamp will be stumping with John Edwards and that's a must-see for both Jane and me.
(Cross-posted at TalkLeft: The Politics of Crime.)
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Mr Poale seems like a decent fellow.
Which begs the question of why in the hell would he support that phony Mitt Romney?
...
Frankly, I wouldn't care if he looked like shit.
It's what inside that counts, and he's running on empty.
Nice conservative outfit. Very understated.
Excuse me, I'm sure I didn't understand correctly or maybe you had a minor stroke when you wrote that ;
Isn't it political suicide for a Republican politician to speak French? But then again, since Sarkosi got elected maybe not so much these days.
Is Oscar Poale related to Paul Wolfowitz, the mad hatter, or both?
I.O.K.I.Y.A.R.
They all seem like nice enough people.
Couldn't you convince them that the a vote for the repugs
is a vote for more of the same smelly bushco policy of lies, falsehoods,
torture, war mongering and further destruction of the
US Constitution?
onward christian nazis!
MY EYES!!!!!
Uncle Fester! I always wondered where he ended up. The perfect Republican, too.
[Deleted. Blogwhoring-Sitemonitor]
Most Republicans are indeed nice, normal people . . . who are terribly misinformed.
"Jane heard him talking to the LeMonde reporters in French"
Mitt speaks the socialist language of terrorist sympathizers? Wait till the base finds out.
Quelle horreur!
I have noticed that most of these people decide on who they like based on everything but their ideas and potential. I too think that it is lovely that Mitt has been married to the same woman; however I don't see how that makes him credible. I too think it is delightful that he has a close family; however don't see how that makes him fit to be President.
I truly have nothing against Evangelicals, but shouldn't deciding who should be President of the United States be given a little more thought and effort than picking out an appropriate Hallmark card?
If you asked a person to name three things that they liked about a person that they didn't know or didn't like, I would expect the exact same response as this person gave. As for the old fellow in the goofy outfit, I doubt if he even knew where he was.
Welcome to Nowhere. It is everywhere.
ashton @ 14:
But he fired his gardener, man. That's all you need to know.
"After chatting with Oscar Poale, above, a former minister who now owns a Georgia Bar-B-Q place"
Did anyone else find this odd? He retired from G-O-D for a little B-B-Q.
All this Christian morality bunk is such "American" hypocricy. I could care less if in his personal life he was a swinger, doing coke to the early a.m., and having Black Masses in the Oval Office., just don"t destroy the structure of the entire country, like the current assholes are.
I would guess Oscar Paole is a decent fellow.
But without a doubt he's captured the sine qua non of the phrase "gaudy ... without being tasteful".
Do you have any idea how wealthy you have to be to walk around in Amurca in that getup without getting arrested?
thebewilderness @ 20:
If Uncle Sam was molested by an uncle during his youth, that is exactly what I would picture him to look like.
Nice to see what the Mittsticks are up to.
Yes, because rich men who can hold onto their wives are such a good indicator of a great would be President!!! How long and George and Laura been married?
Just for once, I wish someone would be more concerned about whether or not the guy they elect can be a force for good change for all Americans, rather than a souless millionaire who says he's for Christ, and then gives more tax breaks to the rich while cutting benefits and services for the poor and our veterans!
Romney did good things as governor? I'd like to know what things he's talking about. Cutting services for the poor? Raising fees on just about everything, while boasting that he wasn't raising taxes (like there's a difference)?
cool. Romney freaks! I've only heard the stories about these smallish people who wear funny hats and smell like cabbage who believe the lies and accept his rampant flip-floppage.
On my way out, I found Rich, the neighbor, and asked if he had made up his mind yet. He told me he’s now leaning towards Romney.
First of all, Rich is a fucking reichwing zombie. If the Grinch would have showed up, this moron would have said he's "leaning" toward him. I wish I could say I give a shit about what wingnuts in Iowa think, but unfortunately I don't.
Jane heard him talking to the LeMonde reporters in French.
no kidding? bravo Mitt.
as for what he did as governor, here, in my home state, meh. It was fun to watch him run headfirst into the fray, and get taken out time and time again. His greatest successes had to do more with not breaking anything than starting anything himself. I mean, c'mon, it's MA. We elect republican governors just to keep our liberal legislature in some sort of check. It's not like we elect REAL republicans.
Hollywood Markvs @ 18:
Well HM ... you just about capsulated the whole picture in your comment. The current assholes should be on trial, as should half of the congress. Our country has taken a bigger hit from these jerks than the 911 attack, Osama Bin Ladin couldn't have asked for a better group to help him bring American down as the Bush Administration. may they all rot in early graves.
Ol' Oscar looks like the mad hatter.
L.A. Confidential @ 29:
He's Late ... He's Late!!
Just ask police, firemen, teachers and corrections officers here in Massachusetts what they think of 'Multiple Mitt' Flopney!
I've had friends who are life-long Republicans say the wouldn't vote for Romney again if he were only running for dogcatcher!
Bugsy @ 30:
Jeralyn in Wonderland! :-)
Geez-a-loo.
Good ole' Rich can hear Romney for fifteen minutes and be suddenly leaning towards him. It's that kind of in-depth analysis that makes the Iowans perfect to go first in helping to choose a president.
These Reich-wing loony evanagelicals need to go and form their own freakin' country. They can call it Iowa.
of course
god would slaughter
up some cattle and eat them
himself if he had
the chance
heh...
Bugsy @ 30:
Oh...that's pure genius.
I really had to do a double-take to see if dear old Oscar was wearing a halloween mask or somethin'. No way could someone be so f-ugly. Aye...these rethuglicons are just good for laughs. Just like the Doofus occupying the WH.
this freak should be reported to the gestapo er i mean repig party, hes not wearing his pigshit solid made in china tin american flag on his lapel , fucking traitor!
OK, I gotta say it-Oscar looks like a toe-tapping Grandpa Munster! I'm concerned about the Willard supporters, but the Ron Paul supporters are truly frightening here in north Alabama!
He gave me his business card... for the barbecue business in Georgia. That's his real face. He also said to look for him on wcbs tv (I assume his meant local Iowa network.) He was very nice. And funny looking.
I'm just glad Dennis Kucinich is asking his supporters to turn up for Obama. That speaks real well of Obama. Because Kucinich wouldn't mess around if he didn't feel Obama was the real deal. I hope everyone comes out strong for Obama.
Orangutan. @ 39:
The better question is what the hell does Kucinich have against Edwards, and why?
Frankly, I find either of them preferable (and more electable nationally) than Hillary, but I prefer Edwards' stance on how to deal with the big corporate interests over Obama's compromise approach.
No way would I buy Bar-B-Q from a guy who looks (or votes) like that.
my info got deleted again. what gives?
i watched Romney on the tube this AM and found him only slightly less loony than Rudy.
Did anyone see Giuliani's speech in FLA this AM? He's f&%king nuts!
Whoa...
Yikes, those are some... interesting photos! ("The Mitt Mobile"? Really)
Still, thanks for giving us at least a fair glance into the Republican folks. It is important to keep doing that every once in a while, I think, even if we are already beyond disgusted with ol' "Double Gitmo" and "Bomb, bomb Iran". Gotta remain a civil country, at least.
And Romney's politics completely disgust me, but DUDE!! Someone tell his security to wake the fuck up in that photo! We don't need any incidents here! Look alive man!
It scares and shames me to think a large part of my country is actually identifying with this clown in the picture.
romney is so white and absurd, there isn't anyone to compare him to. Good luck right wing nuts. This is the best we could give you. America is the laughing stock of the world, with these idiots to represent them.
LeMonde had a rather bland story today comparing Huck to Romney. No direct quotes.
By the way George H. W. speaks fluent French.
George H.W. Bush parle créole fluent peut-être mais il est très peu probable il peut rester fluent dans le Français standard s'il ne parle pas la langue régulièrement.
There is a point when what one displays to the public is no longer acceptable. It offends, terrifies or insults at such a base level that it can be said to be inherently obscene. I have never observed any picture that even borders on that definition of obscenity. I try to keep as open a mind as possible while trying to understand the intent or state of mind of the person who created the picture. The picture of the grim repug reaper in a Mittney button, Uncle Sam top hat and $2 suit has stepped over that line in my mind of what obscenity is.
Iowa = Idiots Out Walking About
Romney did good stuff as a governor? Ask those of us from Massachusetts how we feel. All I can say is we breathed a sigh of relief when he was done and most of us were glad to have him out. If he were preznut he would run the country like he did this state and we would never get out of the mess we are in!
xoites defends Constitution @ 3:
Big hat, no cattle !
xoites defends Constitution @ 3:
Grandpa Munster lives!!
Edwin @ 52:
The Rev. seems to have been a decent fellow and all but I've got to agree that in that outfit he looks a bit like a vampire.
Orangutan. @ 39:
Me too!
I,m not sure which one of these disgusting republicans, I would like to see, running against any one of the democrats, including Senator Clinton.
I tell you folks it is going to be a blast, so don't let anyone worry you about who can stand up to any one of these freaks.
Even republicans are embarrassed to speak out and stand up for these clowns.
"He’s a 25, a Princeton graduate who very much resembles Toby McGuire from Spiderman."
Bullshit! He looks like Romney, or one of Romney's brood. No, no, come to think of it, he looks like a carnival geek. I can well imagine him biting off the heads of chickens.
Herman Munster meets Uncle Sam
Funny to me that many posters find it detestable that 2 white men support another white man. How else would we keep the status quo?
25% of the population think the second coming is scheduled for this year.
50% of the population has a below average IQ.
And this guy made me jump a good centimeter out of my chair.
Romney could be president in a country like the US.
Grads supporting repubs proves Princeton is a diploma mill
Most of what Rich said echoes sound bites from everywhere. He likes McCain's war experience, but probably the only thing he knows about that is his days as a POW, which has no relevance to his candidacy. Romney has done some good things as governor, but did he mention any specifics?
He looks like the guy who played Grandpa on the Munsters.
With supporters like Oscar Poale, how can Romney lose?
I mean, he's a minister and bar-b-que's pigs.
If Romney has a bus, this photo should definitely be posted on the side.
andhakari @ 59:
Here's another scary thought: MA is one of the most educated states with the highest IQ... and yet he managed to sucker MA voters into electing him as governor.
BOO.
H1022 @ 46:
Yep, this is a piece from Corine Lesnes who also happens to be a famous french blogger, based in DC.
She blogs since the previous US presidential election :
http://clesnes.blog.lemonde.fr/
I think it's the first time the US primaries are followed so closely by french medias.
I've patronized Col. Poole's BBQ restaurant in Ellijay, GA several times over the years. I have a cousin who used to live in Ellijay for a while until she came to her senses and moved back to Metro Atlanta. The food is ok but the decor is quite unsettling. It's a collection of Republican memorabilia and photos of the Colonel with a myriad of Republican politicians. The big attraction is Pig Hill behind the restaurant. It contains hundreds of plywood pig cutouts all painted pink and emblazoned with the name of whoever bought it. Yep lots of Republicans are represented.
Yuck, wait 'til his base learns he's a polyglot.
[deleted]
Site Monitor: The policy of remaining civil extends to our contributers as well. We're appreciative that Jeralyn has agreed to give us an eyewitness account of what the Iowa primary/caucus is like. If it's not to your taste, move along.
Just a little concerned with the attacks on Iowa folk. They are probably pretty much like white folks all over the US; some of whom talk trash, and some of whom are very wise and write blogs.
I found the blog amusing, have no intention of beating up on anyone, and hope that Clinton gets the same percentage in Iowa as Giuliani. I guess I just have to live in hope.
Go Iowans go, and do your damnedist.
am i the only one who is sick and tired of the evangelicals and what they think????
if they cant see the folly of their shallow, "know-nothing" ways? i would ask----is george bush not vast evidence that being born-again is no indication of capability.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL "NO RELIGIOUS TEST" PHRASE??????
I looked at the picture above and was transported to a Fellini movie, did anyone ever tell this guy not to dress drunk?
Vampires for Mitt!
Go to Jesus' General to see what they've done with that old codger's portrait. Snark.
xoites defends Constitution @ 3:
A metaphore for the campaign cycle as a whole
All circus and no bread
Bela Lugosi's Dead
Oscar's wardrobe hurts my eyes!
Bleu Demon @ 75:
No no-no-no he's outside looking in
Holy shit, that guy's scary.
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