Juan Williams is 'Juang' on Romney
The first eyebrow raising statement is that “people don’t think Obama is beatable.” …Not true. According to the latest Rasmussen poll released just today, fifty-two percent (52%) disapprove of the President’s performance. The fact that more than 50% of people aren’t happy with the President, when the Presidential election is on the verge of commencement, is a good indicator that Obama is vulnerable and can certainly be beaten.
The second statement that Juan Williams made is nothing short of shocking — even Chris Wallace had to stop to confirm his statement. Williams claimed that Mitt Romney is too scared to run against President Obama in 2012 and is simply looking for ways to raise his speaking fees and book sales. You can hear the incredulity in Wallace’s voice when he asked if Williams really thought that Mitt Romney wasn’t in the race yet because he’s afraid of Obama.
Mr. William’s claims are flat out misleading:
Here’s what we do know about Mitt Romney: He hasn’t received any compensation from his books, Turnaround: Crisis, Leadership, and the Olympic Games or No Apology: Believe in America. Mitt Romney isn’t the kind of person to charge a high fee for his work. Mitt Romney contributed $1 million to the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics and refused to accept the $280,000 salary for his work unless the Olympic games broke even. He also refused monetary compensation while working as Governor of Massachusetts.
We’re also scratching our heads because its not like Mitt Romney really needs the dough — we all know that Mitt’s been a bread-maker, in that sense, his entire adult life. It makes no sense that the former governor would need to increase his book sales and speaking fees. Trust me Juan, Mitt has his finances in order — not many potential 2012 contenders can say that.
Finally, the idea that Mitt Romney is afraid to go up against Barack Obama is nonsensical. Mitt Romney has been itching to go up against Obama since the day of his inauguration. Romney has been an outspoken critic of the way Obama has mishandled our country; this criticism is evidenced in Romney’s many op-eds schooling Obama on a wide range of issues such as taxes, the START Treaty, the economy, health care, foreign policy, and other important issues. Romney has become the anti-Obama.
So let’s be real here — it is Obama, not Romney, who is shaking in his boots at the mere thought of a head-to-head with the competence and brilliance of the former Massachusetts Governor.
-Jared A
A few words from Nate Gunderson:
Mitt didn’t charge 2010 candidate campaigns to join their events, but legally the candidates’ campaigns are obligated to pay his traveling expense – otherwise his costs to attend the event would be considered an in-kind donation. I’ve heard a lot of candidates were grateful for his thoughtfulness when traveling for them as he didn’t insist on flying first-class or staying in 5-star hotels, or on bringing a huge entourage.
On another note – when Mitt was doing large speeches last year to promote his book he did not charge fees for himself, but the PAC did require the institution to purchase copies of the book to give to attendees (proceeds, as mentioned went ultimately to charity). This method got his book out to a lot of people who otherwise may not have purchased it, and assisted him to #1 on the NYT bestsellers list. Sounds pretty darn smart to me.
For Romney, his books were about sharing ideas, not about earning a buck.
Final note: When Mitt left Bain Capital to go back and bail out his old business, Bain and Co., he only took the minimum token salary of $1 a year.
Juan Williams drinking to much kool ade.
wow, I like juan williams, but here these wild assertions are so flawed and misinformed. Romney does not really care about the money. Romney could live quite comfortably on his current war chest.
Juan, come on. You’re better that this. Do some research! Base your opinion on facts!
I don’t think Mr. Williams can really believe what he said. I think he was forced to “take one for the team” and say something silly to stimulate discussion for the show.
“Mitt has his finances in order — not many potential 2012 contenders can say that.”
Was that a shot at Mike Huckabee? ‘Cause, if it was, I love you.
Mitt is not stringing his base along, talking about ‘maybe’ running, hoping they’ll buy his next book. This is not for cash and prizes, as the other fox candidates are running for.
MITT IS A THREAT… AND THE LIBERALS ARE SHAKING IN THEIR BOOTS… OBAMA IS OUT AND THEY KNOW IT… JUAN, LIKE THE REST.. ARE BACK PEDDLING.
So outrageously untrue its kind of funny. Juan Williams has taken the role of a comedian. Isn’t Fox News neocon? Romney isn’t neocon. If Fox News comes out against Romney, that’ll be the reason for it. That, and pure corporate interest.
Juan Williams tries too hard to be edgy. This isn’t the only instance. I recall him saying some pretty ridiculous things about Mitt Romney before.
Anyone who thinks Mitt is in this for money is seriously mistaken. Why would Mitt spend $43 million of his own money last time around if he were only in it for money? Does Juan think Mitt intends to make over $40 million out of being a candidate? LOL!
I sure hope that when Mr. Romney gets in this race, that truthful explanations will be a big part of his plan. I just spent the last hour on the comment section of RealClearPolitics ( Boy is that a negative Romney site). It really seems that they’re either uneducated libs, Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee fans, or just down right liars about Mitt. I’m so tired of hearing the regular slams against his Bain Capital years and how he fired people, sent jobs overseas, and tore companies apart. Also, how terrible RomneyCare is and how terrible a governor he was in Mass. All those standard mis-information lies need to be addressed by Gov. Romney when he starts his campaign.
If it was about the money, Romney would still be at Bain. His foray in politics has not enriched him but rather has cost him and his family to sacrifice so much. They gave up their personal time and time with their families, privacy, not too mention personal resources. I’m pretty sure its not about money but about helping a nation they love that needs Romney’s skills and leadership.
Naah, this was a tongue twisted Freudian slip. Juan is afraid Romney will run against Obama.
Why did Fox News hired Juan? He speaks, not from his mouth…but from a region a little lower…Wasn’t he fired from PBS because he makes crazy statements?
Juan’s firing from NPR was not justified. We do not agree politically, but he generally is reasonable, as much as possible for a liberal. His comment about Mitt, however, was way out in left field, and seemed more accurate if it was directed toward Newt Gingrich or Mike Huckabee or Sarah Palin.
@Lori*
Right on, Lori!
I wonder if Mitt Romney is the guy to take this columnist writer’s advice to the republican candidates in general, and it can’t be pandering like what Obama did, it’s got to be followed through on.
RE:
But not one GOP presidential candidate has said one critical word about the banking industry, the shadow banking industry or the financial services industry in general. GOP primary voters and caucus attenders are dying to hear someone address how to put the financial services industry back in its cage. None of the candidates wants to talk about it.
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-win-the-2012-gop-presidential-nomination-2011-3#ixzz1GCLDkr2y
Please vote for Mitt – It is a poll between Mitt and Odumbo – http://smd12364.newsvine.com/_news/2011/03/09/6227742-poll-obama-v-romney-2012
Williams just “misspoke”. He meant to say “Huckabee.”
Now everything he said makes perfect sense.
I really think Juan Williams has better judgement. I think he simply got the candidates and their campaigning methods misconstrued. His statement fits others to a “T,” especially Huckabee, but he surely must know that Mitt Romney is serious about running for president and serving his country, and he doesn’t have to promote his book or make appearances for financial gain. He is the least among the candidates that would have to do that.
Yeah, I think you’re right Jerald, he must have gotten his wires crossed and mixed up Huckabee with Romney. I seriously doubt Huckabee is going to throw his hat into the ring this time. He’s got too much of a good thing going. But if he can lead his minions along a little longer and have them buy his trashy book, he’ll hit paydirt. As for Romney doing that….just ludicrous.
Mitt-Romney Pioneered Health Reform in Mass Gets High Marks in New Poll – http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/10/massachusetts-health-care_n_834184.html