Romney's verbal spat with reporter

DemonGeminiX · 01-18-2008, 03:37 AM

Romney in heated exchange over lobbyist claim
Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:40pm EST

By Matthew Bigg (via Reuters)

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (Reuters) - Presidential candidate Mitt Romney was challenged on Thursday over the role of lobbyists in his campaign as he sought to portray himself as more of a Washington outsider than his Republican rivals.

A reporter took issue with Romney's assertion that no lobbyists were running his campaign, leading to a heated exchange with the former Massachusetts governor at a campaign stop in an office supply store in South Carolina.

"I don't have lobbyists running my campaign," said Romney, who is seeking to win the state's primary on Saturday after taking this week's Michigan primary, keeping alive his bid to become the Republican presidential nominee for the November election.

"I don't have lobbyists that are tied to my ..."

Associated Press journalist Glen Johnson interrupted at this point to say that Ron Kaufman, one of Romney's top advisors, is a lobbyist.

"Did you hear what I said, Glen?" a clearly irritated Romney said. "I said, 'I don't have lobbyists running my campaign,' and he's not running my campaign. He's an adviser. And the person who runs my campaign is Beth Myers, and I have a whole staff of deputy campaign managers."

Kaufman is a registered lobbyist for Dutko Worldwide. His clients have included Fedex, Sprint Nextel, Union Pacific and United Health Care.

"My campaign is not based on Washington lobbyists," Romney said. "I haven't been in Washington. I don't have lobbyists at my elbow that are arguing for one industry or another industry and I do not have favors I have to repay to people who have been in Washington for years or scores I have to settle."

Television showed a member of Romney's media staff telling Johnson after the briefing that he was "out of line" and not to be "argumentative" with the campaign.

The presence of lobbyists on a campaign team has become a issue because of the perception that they distort policymaking, making it beholden to industry and business interests.

Democratic candidate John Edwards tells audiences he has never taken money from Washington lobbyists in a bid to distinguish himself from rivals Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Romney has raised at least $229,475 from lobbyists for his presidential bid as of September 30, 2007, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a non-profit group that tracks money in politics. Only Sen. John McCain has raised more among Republicans, it said.

Romney has been criticized for changing positions on policies such as abortion and over the accuracy of some of his statements. In December, Romney said he had seen his father march with civil rights leader Martin Luther King. Campaign aides later said he was speaking figuratively.

(Additional reporting by Andy Sullivan in Washington; editing by Stuart Grudgings)

------------------------------------------------------

So, reporters aren't allowed to question Presidential candidates?

By the way, the video's on the internet on several news websites.

TheLancinator · 01-18-2008, 03:42 AM

I saw this on the news tonite...first Romney got into it with the guy and then Romney's press secretary did...

I hate Romney...he just looks like some shady lawyer or something ready to rip you off at a moments notice...

DemonGeminiX · 01-18-2008, 03:45 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15hVj29hH2k

Xmenfan · 01-18-2008, 07:06 AM

Democrat, Republican or Independent....you'll owe someone for getting you where you are and people are stupid to think otherwise.

Gone are the days when you could know a candidate and actually believe in them. I'm so sorry I ever started watching anything to do with politics. I was much happier without the soap opera.

**Meursault** · 01-18-2008, 11:31 AM

I don't mind the idea of lobbyism so much, as it is an inevitable aspect of any form of government. Even absolutist kingsor tyrants such as Louis XIV, Caesar or Stalin had people they owed favours to or whose support they needed.

What bugs me is the extent where lobbyism influences every single decision in politics, no matter how insignificant or important. And what bugs me even more is when politicians have the nerve to act as if they weren't involved with that at all. Sure, there must be shades of grey, but there certainly is no black or white in this.

01-18-2008, 03:37 AM	#1
DemonGeminiX Nothing's Sacred Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike Posts: 7,396 Thanks: 56 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Romney's verbal spat with reporter Romney in heated exchange over lobbyist claim Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:40pm EST By Matthew Bigg (via Reuters) COLUMBIA, South Carolina (Reuters) - Presidential candidate Mitt Romney was challenged on Thursday over the role of lobbyists in his campaign as he sought to portray himself as more of a Washington outsider than his Republican rivals. A reporter took issue with Romney's assertion that no lobbyists were running his campaign, leading to a heated exchange with the former Massachusetts governor at a campaign stop in an office supply store in South Carolina. "I don't have lobbyists running my campaign," said Romney, who is seeking to win the state's primary on Saturday after taking this week's Michigan primary, keeping alive his bid to become the Republican presidential nominee for the November election. "I don't have lobbyists that are tied to my ..." Associated Press journalist Glen Johnson interrupted at this point to say that Ron Kaufman, one of Romney's top advisors, is a lobbyist. "Did you hear what I said, Glen?" a clearly irritated Romney said. "I said, 'I don't have lobbyists running my campaign,' and he's not running my campaign. He's an adviser. And the person who runs my campaign is Beth Myers, and I have a whole staff of deputy campaign managers." Kaufman is a registered lobbyist for Dutko Worldwide. His clients have included Fedex, Sprint Nextel, Union Pacific and United Health Care. "My campaign is not based on Washington lobbyists," Romney said. "I haven't been in Washington. I don't have lobbyists at my elbow that are arguing for one industry or another industry and I do not have favors I have to repay to people who have been in Washington for years or scores I have to settle." Television showed a member of Romney's media staff telling Johnson after the briefing that he was "out of line" and not to be "argumentative" with the campaign. The presence of lobbyists on a campaign team has become a issue because of the perception that they distort policymaking, making it beholden to industry and business interests. Democratic candidate John Edwards tells audiences he has never taken money from Washington lobbyists in a bid to distinguish himself from rivals Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Romney has raised at least $229,475 from lobbyists for his presidential bid as of September 30, 2007, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a non-profit group that tracks money in politics. Only Sen. John McCain has raised more among Republicans, it said. Romney has been criticized for changing positions on policies such as abortion and over the accuracy of some of his statements. In December, Romney said he had seen his father march with civil rights leader Martin Luther King. Campaign aides later said he was speaking figuratively. (Additional reporting by Andy Sullivan in Washington; editing by Stuart Grudgings) ------------------------------------------------------ So, reporters aren't allowed to question Presidential candidates? By the way, the video's on the internet on several news websites. __________________ This one's Legmann's fault.

01-18-2008, 03:42 AM	#2
TheLancinator I love Post Icons Join Date: Jul 2006 Tournaments Won: 2 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 119,449 Thanks: 83 Thanked 875 Times in 613 Posts	I saw this on the news tonite...first Romney got into it with the guy and then Romney's press secretary did... I hate Romney...he just looks like some shady lawyer or something ready to rip you off at a moments notice... __________________

01-18-2008, 03:45 AM	#3
DemonGeminiX Nothing's Sacred Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike Posts: 7,396 Thanks: 56 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15hVj29hH2k __________________ This one's Legmann's fault.

01-18-2008, 07:06 AM	#4
Xmenfan Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 3,753 Thanks: 6 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	Democrat, Republican or Independent....you'll owe someone for getting you where you are and people are stupid to think otherwise. Gone are the days when you could know a candidate and actually believe in them. I'm so sorry I ever started watching anything to do with politics. I was much happier without the soap opera. __________________ Thanks to Teabelly for the cool sig!

01-18-2008, 11:31 AM	#5
Meursault Le Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Old Europe Posts: 38,948 Thanks: 141 Thanked 90 Times in 36 Posts	I don't mind the idea of lobbyism so much, as it is an inevitable aspect of any form of government. Even absolutist kingsor tyrants such as Louis XIV, Caesar or Stalin had people they owed favours to or whose support they needed. What bugs me is the extent where lobbyism influences every single decision in politics, no matter how insignificant or important. And what bugs me even more is when politicians have the nerve to act as if they weren't involved with that at all. Sure, there must be shades of grey, but there certainly is no black or white in this. __________________ sick sig courtesy of teabelly!