How did Mitt do? He seemed flustered at one point and legitimately surprised that he had to answer some of the same questions Bret has asked him in every interview since 2008. On the other hand, Mitt had a great push-back for the flip-flop accusations. I’d love to hear what you think.
It’s gotta be frustrating when Bret Baier picks up DNC talking points instead of actually doing his job and trying to tell the truth. If Bret was just trying to give Mitt a chance to refute the lies, that’s one thing, but it felt like Bret was attacking at some points instead of just asking questions. On Bret’s “Special Report”, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard commentators make the suggestion that Mitt explain the health care issue or complain that Mitt doesn’t explain his flip-flops. Mitt has addressed both of these issues to Bret Baier himself several times in the past, and that is probably a big reason why Mitt was almost dumbfounded as to why he was getting these questions again. If Baier was doing his job, he would save the tape from past interviews and play it to correct people when they falsely assert that Mitt never talks about these issues. To sit idly by while people on his show spew ill-informed information or, even worse, to agree with them, is inexcusable.
Update: It seems Kathryn Lopez from townhall has some sympathy for Mitt.
Jayde do you really want to know what I think? If so thanks for caring.
First people do not freak out because of shifting poll numbers. Much will happen before Iowa and New Hampshire. Keep the faith and stay focused on the task at hand. We have the best candidate and the best team.
Give em hell Mitt!
@stuntman
Somehow the post says it was written by Jayde, but I actually posted it and yes, I do want to know what everyone thinks of the interview.
I think Mitt handled himself very well as usual. I do not believe he was flustered, but a bit annoyed at the same baseless questions. In the end it will be Mitt’s discipline that pushes him over the top for the nomination.
Ok Rebel I’m glad you care too. But I got a sweet spot for Jayde.
With a Rebel yell give em hell Mitt!
I think Mitt is capable of doing better, without so much hesitation. However, I sensed that he might have been a bit tired – his eyes appeared a bit puffy around the rims – traveling to FL and lots of activitiy with the endorsements and THEN having to, as you say, answer the same old questions aud nauseum. It is amazing how many times he is asked the same old things – I think he is legitimately weary of them and would welcome more substantive questions. However, the candidate has to be “on” every second or the media twists and turns every word. I thank God every day that Mitt has put himself through this circus again.
Mitt did quite well. Brett Baier asks tough questions but they are fair. Mitt needs to keep pounding on what he will do for the economy. When he gives facts and projected percentages he comes across as having a handle on the economy. It also indicates how much he understands what America needs now. That is jobs. He comes across as quite intelligent which is not surprising since I understand he got a perfect score on his SAT. Also being in the top 5%at Harvard Law school says a lot for his ability to comprehend ideas. Newt also is smart, but we need a businessman now. Where would we be if Mitt was elected last time? I feel confident we would not be in the financial crisis we are in now. People I talk to are scared and worried about America now and the direction we are going. We need to work hard to get Mitt elected.
Lets get him in!!
I actually thought Romney responded quite well–cogent, polished, intelligent and patient answers. Fox news is beginning to appear hostile to Romney and a part of the anyone-but-Romney crowd. It would be interesting to know the motivating undercurrents. That there is anyone with conservative leanings—especially socially conservative leanings—who would, for a milisecond, support a serial adulterer over Romney is just stunning beyond words. If you closely analyze Romney’s career, in actuality he exudes principle and consistency. Does anyone realize that Romney actually used his own finances to attempt to sway the Massachussetts public to oppose the stem cell bill he vetoed? Talk about walking the talk. And of course, as Ann Colter pointed out, if Romney had beaten Kennedy, conservatives would have chiseled his visage into Mt. Rushmore.
Am I the only one sick and tired of the old health care questions? Has Brett not listened to any of the debates? And I don’t care if he’s an attack dog on Romney…AS LONG AS he does the same thing to ALL the candidates.
Well, I thought Mitt did his usual standup job. Can you imagine any of the other candidates doing nearly as well in a similar interview scenario? Imagine Cain… There’s a mental image for you. It seems as though there are Mitt interview rules and then interview rules for everyone else. Very double standard. Finally, Mitt’s right. What a stupid interview path. How many times have those questions been asked and answered? Rediculous.
Nothing new here, move along. If Mitt wasn’t mormon, but rather say, baptist or presbyterian, we wouldn’t be seeing half the scrutiny we’re witnessing today from the REPUBLICAN side. There I said it.
I thought Mitt seemed unncomfortable and not ready. It wasn’t a horrible interview but it wasn’t his best. I don’t know why Mitt just can’t seem to relax and have a good time. Voters are looking for passion. Voters are looking to be inspired. I wish Mitt would speak from the heart sometimes. Help us feel it. He has to feel it first.
I’m a big Romney fan, but I must admit it was not Romney’s best interview. Have to bring your “A” game everytime. I wish he would pound the fact that he is the only candidate that can get to 270, and puts states that were won by the Dems. back in play for the GOP.
I thought Romney did well. One of Romney’s strengths is that he is a strong debater and a strong interviewee. I thought Romney’s counter to being a flip-flopper by stressing that he has stayed supportive of RomneyCare’s individual mandate was a good point. I thought it was interesting that he said the only issue he really changed on is abortion. I agree with him on that. The press has gotten way to loose with the flip-flop charge. He hasn’t flipped nearly as much as people pretend. Baier asked him about the number one misconception people have about his faith and I am surprised he answered the question. He normally refuses to go into religious territory. But I liked that he said the name of his church was the biggest one. Its amazing that many religious folk in this country don’t think mormons are christian. What do people think mormons are with a name like that?
I am disappointed in Brett. He’s using dishonest tactics by the Perry campaign and the DNC..words and sentences taken out of context. Has he taken time to look at Romney’s book? Does he have a computer? Did Brett sleep through the last debate? Gingrich wants to give amnesty to immigrants based on good behavior and length of time. This puts the government in charge of who stays and who goes. That is very problematic and it serves as a magnet. If he wants to get into the discussion of flip flops he’d better take a hard look at Gingrich who wants to walk back several positions.
I think Mitt could do better too. Whether it was fair of Brett to ask the questions or not isn’t really relevant. These are the questions the Tea Party types who are still wary of Mitt want answered and I don’t think that answer is going to satisfy them. Frankly it seemed to me he was dodging the flip flop question rather than giving a straight answer. You don’t have to convince me Mitt’s the man for the job but there are a lot of people out there that need to be.
Bair’s interview with Mitt was very good for several reasons. Mitt is running for president. He should expect tough questions. It serves no one’s interest to pander to a presidential nominee. Obama was given pass after pass. The results are very clear. Nine percent unemployment is a singular number that does not tell the depth of the true employment picture. The United States is at a crossroads of financial ruin or, possibly, growth of 4% a year as Mitt believes is possible.
Obama will get a pass by the main stream media again in 2012. The only person in the 2008 election cycle to ask Obama a tough question was Elizabeth Hasselbeck when she told the “sleeping in the back of the church Obama” that his preacher’s hate messages were for sale in the lobby. ELIZABETH HASSELBECK told the 2% of the United States that watch her pathetic show (I like Elizabeth, not the show) Obama was a member of a group espousing hatred for the United States
Mitt will not have the luxury of a loving press. Ask the tough questions now and when Mitt gets to the presidential debates he will be ready. Mitt is slowly taking the gloves off and I like it…..GO MITT 2012….!!!
Sean
Thought the interview went well. I think Mitt got annoyed at these same questions, but he answered them in a way that no one should really have any more questions. Good interview all around.
Romney did well. I disagree with those that claim his performance had something to do with him being tired. I think that Romney is making a conscious effort to be a bit more lose. That means not just sitting back and being polite anymore when he’s asked the same stupid questions over and over.
The Romney interview tonight is actually getting quite a bit of attention, and the way media is trying to pan it is almost comical. No other candidate has been put through so much scrutiny during an interview, and Mitt Romney did extremely well under such intense light. Instead of focusing on the important statements he made in the interview, the media is focusing on what the last book he read was or whether he made a flubb on which George Bush held what position on abortion. As desperate as they are to tear him down – that that’s the best they can come up with.
I thought Mitt got derailed a bit on immigration. But the questioning was fair. Really tough, but fair. That said, I guarantee you, one of these days, somebody is going to push Newt’s buttons and out will come the arrogant, belittling, and grating Gingrich that everybody is familiar with. It will be ugly. Regardless of what happens to Newt, Mitt had better get used to TOUGH scrutiny, because there is an agenda out there, and a DNC/Obama team that will incessantly charge–albeit falsely–that Mitt is a jelly-spined, flip-flopping, soul-less, pandering, power-seeking elitist who wants NOTHING MORE than to be the President. Mitt’s answers on healthcare, the flip-flopping assertion, and so many others were home runs.
FOX has been part of the anti-Mitt team all along. Beginning w/Palin and then Bachmann and then the rest of the ABRs. They praise the FLOTM to the high heavens while dissing Mitt for picyune things. Mitt has been dissed to the max by FOX, Rush, Levin, local talk shows and I don’t know who else. It’s mystifying since they backed him last time.
Here’s my theory. The Tea Party morphed into the Teavangelicals and the evangelicals wants Anybody But Mitt (even Obama by the way they are acting.) I believe most of the listeners on FOX, Rush et al are Teavangelicals so they are pandering to this demographic. They have to as they get paid by sponors by the number of listeners.
Conservative talk loves a demon and I guess their listeners love Mitt as their demon.
Mitt has looked tired and stressed the last two debates and in this interview. Brett Baier has been complaining that Mitt won’t come on, but then when he did, Brett did everything he could to make him look bad. Same old dang things that have been asked and answered 100 times. Mitt is not having fun at this point. Newt is having a ball. Mitt’s obviously the best man for the Oval Office. I imagine he could use some prayers right now. It’s going to be a long ugly slog.
I thought Mitt handled himself well as always. I have been for Mitt since 2008, and I’m still routing for Mitt. I just know.. that It’s his time to win the nomination and go on to defeat Obama, and I just know that Mitt will get this country back Into shape again. Routing for you Mitt! Mitt for president In 2012!
Considering Bret was attacking him continually through the entire interview, I think he did pretty well. I think Romney made the points he needed to. I couldn’t believe that Brit Hume was trying to make the point that Romney was out of line by saying that Newt supports amnesty. Did he fall asleep during the last debate?
Mitt held up pretty well. Honestly, Newt Gingrich is the more corrupt and inconsistent candidate than people understand. Just the fact that a NH newspaper supported his as a conservative makes me question the newspaper and their agenda. Newt is a politician–with a hidden agenda! The fact that he has made at least $37M from lobbying is just the surface of his hypocrisy!
Mitt, on the other hand, has stuck to his morals and values unlike Newt. He is trustworthy unlike Newt. He isn’t an embarrassment and doesn’t sleep around unlike Cain. He is intelligent unlike Perry. He is a natural-born leader that can make hard compromising decisions unlike Ron Paul. He desires a strong military–unlike Huntsman. And he is a legitimate candidate unlike Santorium and Bachmann.
At the end of the day, I can’t wait to have a president like Romney that I can actually look up to instead of shaking my head in disgrace.
Why is Brett Baier interviewing Mitt again on the same questions answered so beautifully on the hour long Hannity show just a week ago? Hannity did a completely fair and balanced interview that was fantastic. Mr. Baier should have looked at it and learned what the real Mitt Romney is all about before trying to pigeon hold him by DNC and Gingrich biased untrue standards. I have never been so disappointed in an interviewer as Brett Baier was. He could do many times better than that but instead seemed to be a purveyor of the left’s propaganda agenda. Mitt did answer the flip-flop charge beautifully and despite an exhausting schedule that would challenge any man half his age, came through at the end with flying colors. Mitt is incredible and the first real leader we have had that could out-Reagan Ronald Reagan in what he can do for the Nation at this critical time—if the American people see through the lies being bantered about by the DNC and its puppets, including Newt Gingrich.
Impressive Mitt! Keep up this type of interview. Your book is an excellent base for your views and everyone should have a copy, read it, and ponder the applications within as they apply to the future (as well as the history) of the United States. You have an unbelievable schedule ahead of you…stay healthy and focused! We are behind you all the way!
The gloves need to come off. Mitt is a nice guy but in politics nice guys finish last. I would like to see Mitt come out boldly against the flip flop narrative and jam it down his detractors faces. Mitt’s supporters aren’t going to leave him but he isn’t picking up any new support with the passive approach he has taken so far. In the end I think what is preventing Mitt from full control is the fact he is just too nice. There are good answers to the flip flop myths. he should be out front and center giving those answers. Address them head on so people will shut up about it and get back to looking at what the candidates will do if elected. Unfortunately so many people believe the narrative about Mitt right now that they don’t believe he will do the things he has proposed. It’s time to put the flip flop label behind you Mitt. You can do that by bringing it up yourself first and answering the charges one by one. It’s time to step up. The country needs you.
I was so impressed by Mitt interview! I watched all the debates and like Mitt said, Gingridge is a good man but he has No idea about how we will bring back the American Economy and he doesn’t know at all!! He will lose from Obama as a result!
We need a solid leader for America to change and get out of debts and our economy going then my country (Japan) will be happier! We need American to have a faith and a hope!!
Mitt, you are the ONLY MAN TO DO IT! WE WILL TAKE YOU ALL THE WAY TO THE WHITE HOUSE!!
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS ALL THE WORLD FOR PEACE AND PROSPERITY !!
Jim Tills et al: Meanwhile the ABM crowd and now some independents are running pall mall after a several time adulterer who cheated on his wives while they were seriously ill, was seen having oral sex in a car where his children might have seen him, made a ton of money as a lobbiest facilitator, who won the 1994 revolution only to implode and be cast out by Boehner no less, paid a $300,000 fine for hiding evidence, made nearly $4 million off of Freddie Mack, had 84 ethics violations, has more flip/flops than could be leveled @ Mitt in a 100 years, is an egomaniac who loves to hear himself talk and makes inane policy statements like having neighborhood panels determine if an illegal qualifies for “legal status.”
Powerful Richard Land is begging Newt to hold a press conference and “repent” so the ALL the Teavangelicals feel comfortable in supporting him. People are scratching their heads, mystified at the nutty hypocrisy. It’s becoming more and more clear. ABM: Anybody but a Mormon. Satan is abroad in the land.
I thought the interview went well and yes Mitt was annoyed with Baier and his baseless questions but I think that is what is coming up after the primaries. Those same baseless questions will come up over and over because Obama will not have anything else to try and smear Mitt with. Believe in America and not Obama’s America but Mitt’s America, our America.
Mitt under the tough interview gun hits his target 100%. Mitt is prepared to handle the constant pressure of the White House instead of working on his golf game like someone we know in the WH does.
I am very disgusted with Fox news and Bret Baier. I agree presidential candidates should get tough questions, but shouldn’t that apply to ALL the candidates? I’d love to see him interview Newt the same way. Mitt smiled and was polite, but Bret was not being polite. There was no chit chat between answers. He jumped from one leading, accusatory question to the next without even acknowledging Mitt’s answer at times. Any thinking person can see how biased this interviewer was. I agree with the FB poster up there who said, it’s all a lightning round for Romney. No kidding. This was ridiculous and Fox should be embarrassed by their own behavior. I appreciated Mitt’s performance. Of course he stammered during this speed interview, with random questions like “What would you do in this very specific situation with Pakistan?” and “Please solve the complex, nuanced problem of illegal immigration in under a minute.” But did you count how many obscure but relevant facts he rattled off? That was the stammer of a man recalling answers and solutions with the efficiency of a calculator, not to mention the alacrity of a man who can roll with the punches. How can he even smile when he’s being treating so unfairly by people who claim to represent shared conservative values? I could not.
I’m just absolutely disgusted. And I’m waiting for an apology from the whole network, not just for this interview but for the whole week of dishonest clip-playing and out-right lying about Mitt Romney’s positions in order to prop up a has-been politician whose ethics violations fill volumes (literally). Newt Gingrich as a conservative? Please. The only things Newt has that Mitt doesn’t is a sordid past and an generally accepted religion.
Katrina:
Excellent comment that I have shared(without your info) with Bret Baer and FOX News. We need to fight back. Everyone should forward their comments to them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVdp6XOpfvU
Watch this U-tube, but only if you have a strong stomach.
i thought the interview was great. my husband was like yeh….stick it to brett(my husband is not a political junkie like me). we discussed it and he said that mitt was strong and didn’t think mitt looked flustered just a little annoyed but thought it came off as showing brett to be stupid for asking the same questions and not asking more indept questions on what mitt would do for our country. journalists are suppose to get to know the candidate and how they would run america, just not rehash talking points and it made bret look like unproffesional. also watching brets’ face when mitt was answering really showed his distain for mitt, which helped with the idea that bret was not being fair and balanced. so my take is that mitt is going to start turning the media interviews into an interview that shows the media is trying to manipulate and choose the GOP field and show that mitt is everything we need right now as a prez.
Thanks, Renna. I found some typos after posting, but oh well. :) I’m glad you did the legwork of sending it to Fox. They’re probably going to ban my email address soon for all the corrections I send them.
I thought Mitt was excellent in the interview with Bret Baier.. He answered all the questions
as a great man with knowledge.
He did not seem flustered to me. He needs to put the boxing gloves on not take them off as some of you suggest.. MITT will stick to his morals and yes his church so just keep pushing and maybe we all will see what he can do. His values are what the church teaches all of us.. Let Newt apologize to his church . confess, confess, confess, yes, pay the church to save him from his sins….
I stand behind Mitt 100% he is a good honest trustworthy man.. KEEP ON THE TRACKS MITT – YOU ARE FLYING HIGH. WE STAND BEHIND YOU ALL THE WAY…………
Yes, I am standing behind you and praying for you also. If you go down, it’s Obama for another four years and you know what that will do to our country.
Strong interview! I can certainly understand your Frustration! My take is that you are so focused on your fight for all of us and our country. You, Ann, your family are working night and day to bring back our country to All Americans. We have so many problems in our country, the world and this is not a big game for you! We cannot thank you and Ann for all you are giving up to want to be our President. I know you are not doing this for your own selfish reasons! We so appreciate your commitment and drive and hard work night and day! That to me is why you were frustrated! We need good honest questions to go with the real problems a President would face. We Romney supports know that you are the man for this job! We know that you will work night and day to serve us, as I always tell my friends and family “Mitt wil hit the ground running”
We all know that Character Does Matter! We all need to Keep fighting with Mitt!
KG I thought Newt did a pretty good job answering those hand picked questions by FOX and Monica who probably does Home Garden Shows I think. Where were the tough questions like: did he help elect Al Gore when he was a Democrat or when did he start practicing Taoism? Was he a Republican when he was stepping out on his 2nd wife or was he still a screaming liberal Dem. When did he take up studying Futurism and pantheism. I guess he’s not even a Christian and quite honestly I think he claims to be nothing. A pantheist doesn’t believe in any deity. Nope I guess FOX is handling Newt with kit gloves.
What’s all the hoopla about this interview? It was fine. If he seems exasperated, then I agree with the FPP, Baier should stop letting the DNC (Huntsman included) do his research and find his own talking points… ;)
Just watched the Gingrich interview. I like him as a speaker (not so much his personal life), but he has no managerial skills (his campaign is a mess). I like him better for White House Press Secretary, or on the cabinet. Generate ideas, and then sell them. That’s his forte, not execution.