Mitt Romney: The president shapes the public character of the nation. Trump’s character falls short
It is not that all of the president’s policies have been misguided . . . but policies and appointments are only a part of a presidency.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Mitt Romney, a Republican from Utah and the party’s 2012 nominee for president, will be sworn into the U.S. Senate on Thursday.
By Mitt Romney
January 1 at 8:00 PM
The Trump presidency made a deep descent in December. The departures of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly, the appointment of senior persons of lesser experience, the abandonment of allies who fight beside us, and the president’s thoughtless claim that America has long been a “sucker” in world affairs all defined his presidency down.
It is well known that Donald Trump was not my choice for the Republican presidential nomination. After he became the nominee, I hoped his campaign would refrain from resentment and name-calling. It did not. When he won the election, I hoped he would rise to the occasion. His early appointments of Rex Tillerson, Jeff Sessions, Nikki Haley, Gary Cohn, H.R. McMaster, Kelly and Mattis were encouraging. But, on balance, his conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions this month, is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office.
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It is not that all of the president’s policies have been misguided.
He was right to align U.S. corporate taxes with those of global competitors, to strip out excessive regulations, to crack down on China’s unfair trade practices, to reform criminal justice and to appoint conservative judges. These are policies mainstream Republicans have promoted for years.
But policies and appointments are only a part of a presidency.
To a great degree, a presidency shapes the public character of the nation. A president should unite us and inspire us to follow “our better angels.” A president should demonstrate the essential qualities of honesty and integrity, and elevate the national discourse with comity and mutual respect.
As a nation, we have been blessed with presidents who have called on the greatness of the American spirit. With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable.
And it is in this province where the incumbent’s shortfall has been most glaring.
Romney has always been jealous of Trump and his ability to accomplish what Romney failed at.
Nice try . . . but no cigar!
Is that a "character of the nation" reference to Bill Clinton?
Romney has never been jealous of Trump and never will be. Anyone who envies Trump would have to be some sort of psychopath.
Of course he's worse than the average Democrat. He's a Republican.
Of course he's worse than the average Democrat. He's a Republican.
Nice comeback!
I am sure Romney is more than jealous - probably pissed off that Trump was elected when he was not. Probably still confused about how Trump (of all people) managed to be elected to the presidency.
Mitt shouldn't be jealous of Trump. After all Mitt got 47.2% of the popular vote while Trump could barley squeeze out an embarrassing 46%.
I think Trump is the jealous one since Mitt is the one who ended up with the better numbers in his race for President, compared to our current Big Orange Baby in Chief.
Kind of fitting that the only reason Trump is able to wreck such ruin in our Country today is because we didn't get rid of the EC back when we were clearing up several other problems left by the early compromises that were made with the slave States.
Too bad we stopped with just the 13th, 14th & 15th amendments when we were cleaning up the Constitution but hey, since the EC has only buggered the American people out of their choice for President 5 times in the Countries history, how could our forefathers foresee that such a cancerous outcome as a Trump presidency would one day come about just because they didn't jettison the EC back in the day.
Mitt shouldn't be jealous of Trump. After all Mitt got 47.2% of the popular vote while Trump could barley squeeze out an embarrassing 46%.
Good point!
Despite what Trump says, he (trump) did not get more votes than Romney.
Why? because he's critical of Trump?
If a Republican criticizes trump-- must it necessarily mean he's jealous and therefore what he said is false?
What about Ted Cruz-- do you think his criticism of Trump was only because he was jealous-- or is it possible he (Cruz) really believes what he said:
Ted Cruz: Donald Trump is a 'pathological liar'
Question answered in my comment.
(Hint) Romney not POTUS but Trump is.
Seems like you presumed a ton.
You're right- I typed my comment too hastily-- it is actually incorrect!
(I am trying to mutli-task, doing several things at once-- not a good idea when trying to communicate!)
I don't like Trump, and didn't vote for him or Hillary; but Mitt is still obviously butt hurt over not capitalizing on his chance to become president.
Where was he during the last administration's division of the US; or even Bush's? Of course both of them were Establishment so silence was the best policy.
OK-- but let's get back to the topic.
Be that as it may...do you agree or disagree with what he said about the tone that Trump is setting for the country?
So you don't think the top office of president sets any tone? You think a minority party in one house is running the entire country narrative? Because Nancy is just taking over TODAY.
Why don't you make up a lovely story about all the reasons you think Trump is a good person, of good character, and is fit to be president.
Ok. 3 government shutdowns in ONE YEAR (2018), ALL UNDER REPUBLICAN CONTROL, which they've enjoyed until TODAY. [deleted] We all know who can't govern, you can stop the projecting.
Not the moral tone of the country, no.
Which shut down was that?
apparently, Wally and yourself, are tone deaf
I am not so weak and pathetic as to allow another person to define my character or morals.
If that is "tone deaf", so be it. If you prefer to be a spineless minion of whoever holds office, be my guest.
but, but, that's my MO, so i can be just like so many on here that defend and/or fail to criticise leaders when they prove, to not be leading.
Said possibly in jest, as i'll call out ANYONE, and voice my opinion about what i feel is right or wrong, and there is so much wrong right now
i challenge others, irregardless of affiliation, to hold leaders accountable, though i know i can't count on them, cause just like the extremely hypocritical GOP, they bite their collective tongues, as long as their destructive agenda is getting done.
I have a word for them, cowards.
I have a full time job, and I'm not interested in another. Criticizing useless politicians would require an entire department working 24/7/365.
Yes. But I'm still not convinced it's as unusual as people like to moan about.
The president is an asshole. So what? It's not the first time we've had one of those.
I'm not convinced Trump or Ocasio Cortez or Sanders or Warren or any of them give a shit what I say on an internet forum between phone calls.
It's so cute to watch conservatives pretend that Trump is just one of the crowd.
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Trump is not setting the tone, that is coming is coming non stop from the left wingers, with all the negative coverage and their endless "investigations" based on some wacky conspiracy theories.
You may have a point.
After all, Democrats do that all the time-- and Republicans never do. Republicans are always courteous and sensible in what they say about Democrats.
And "all the negative coverage" of Democrats? Nope-- at least not on Fox News!
To cite but one example--extremely Look at the sensible...and courteous...way they treated Obama!!!!
And even the "birthers' would never, ever, have pushed any conspiracy theories about Obama-- "wacky" or otherwise!
And then there's the measured. intelligent way (and extremely courteous!!!) way they treated Hillary!!!
Why would the democrats get blamed-- when Trump himself admitted he is to blame. On camera!
Heck he even went beyond admitting he is to blame-- he is proud of it,.
In fact, he said to Schumer that he (Trump) assumes responsibility for it and he stated quite clearly that he will not try to blame the Democrats.
here's an actual video of exactly what he said!!!
After watching the video-- how can you say that Trump is not responsible-- when he himself admits it!!!
I think this is a legitimate perspective and criticism from Romney and largely echoes how I have felt about Trump. There's plenty about Trump I don't like but I agree with him a lot more than Democratic Party options on policy goals. If Mitt were running against him, I would probably vote for Mitt, but that choice has not been in front of us.
I'm not entirely sure of course-- but I think there's a strong possibility Romney will run against Trump in the presidential primary.
(And the odds of that are even greater if Trump gets impeached-- a possibility now that the Dems control the House).
I think trump has mental problems and represents a danger to this country-- I would vote against him in the Republican presidential primary).
You'd think after Romneys "Trump is a racist" speech during the primaries and then being outperformed in the minority vote by him that Romney would learn to keep a lower profile. Romney sets new records for ungracious behavior even when he actually wins for a change.
You'd think after Romneys "Trump is a racist" speech during the primaries and then being outperformed in the minority vote by him that Romney would learn to keep a lower profile. Romney sets new records for ungracious behavior even when he actually wins for a change.
What??
Are you actually accusing Romney (who is of course a politician) of acting like . . . a politician?
I am shocked...shocked I tell you!
(Oh wait-- could I be wrong? After all, might it not actually be true that no politicians exhibit ungracious behaviour...? I mean, like, Trump as well as his followers never exhibit"ungracious" behaviour-- everybody knows that!) )
And here we thought Romney was America's moral arbitor
Romney is correct, for forty (40) years, Trump has been know in New York as a con man, people in smaller states had no idea about Trump with his lies..I have not voted for a Republican, but, if my only choice is Romney over a Democrat I consider too far left, I would vote Romney, I hope he considers running against Trump..
What is too far left? Health care and birth control?
What is too far left? Health care and birth control?
That would be my personal consideration, I am not interested in been dragged into your web..
Yes.
Nonsense. Of course they did.
I preferred just about every Republican in the field over Trump.
I would happily vote for a solid democrat who has the balls to say that single payer healthcare is a stupid idea, but there are 90 million other ways to make things better.
Romney is correct even though he is also wrong.
"Public character of the nation?" Romney mentioned this? Really? Romney has just revealed his own personal 'character flaw.' After all, where was Romney when the 'specter of Birtherism' altered the course, character and destiny of this nation? Romney was nowhere, safely ensconced in Mormon World and the dissection of corporate America into fewer and fewer hands.
As far as the Trump? Yeah well, New York limousine to private jet dude who related to farmers and coal miners? Gotta laugh at that one. Not the NY dude, the dumb ass farmers and miners.
Romney presided over Bain Capital , which exploited vulnerable companies by paying off the owner and management of companies they took over and leaving the employees to suffer the results of vulture like leadership from Bain.
In a little different type of society he could be in prison. His business ethics are very questionable.
As far as him criticizing Trump, in today's climate he is an ankle biter. Never Trumpers in Congress are pretty worthless and ineffective. The conservative Never Trumpers in private life who can go on tv and write articles and editorials (Rick Wilson and David Frum for example) are much more effective.
Bain Capital, was a legitimate business which gave us;
A MC Theatres, Artisan Entertainment, Aspen Education Group, Brookstone, Burger King, Burlington Coat Factory , Canada Goose, DIC Entertainment, Domino's Pizza , DoubleClick, Dunkin' Donuts, D&M Holdings, Guitar Center, Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), iHeartMedia, KB Toys, Sealy, Sports Authority, Staples, Toys "R" Us , Warner Music Group, Fingerhut, The Weather Channel , and Apple Leisure Group,
Compared to Trump, he's a bishop among men.
Mitt has been married to the same woman for almost 50 years.
He has apparently never never broken the law or been charged with anything;
never been sued, never filed for bankruptcy personally or corporately.
never been accused by any woman for anything sexual in nature.
Unlike Trump, Mitt ans Ann are charitable and have donated millions to their legitimate charity Romney Tyler/ Family Foundation and the LDS church.
Mitt saved the 2002 Olympics ( Salt Lake City) and donated his 3 years of salary ( 1.3million) to charity as well as an additional million directly to the Olympics.
Trump doesn't hold a candle to Romney.
Greed and Debt: The True Story of Mitt Romney and Bain Capital ...
Under Romney's leadership Bain Capital acquired companies, paid themselves exorbitant consulting and management fees, stripped workers of their health care benefits and pensions, and ran the businesses into the ground and then stripped the assets.
Did they do that to everyone? no, but they did it to some and that is bad enough.
All legitimate business practices, reported by a biased source in the heat of the 2012 election cycle.
You can condemn the man all you like.
He is still worlds apart from Trump in basic humanity and morality and charitable giving.
btw, he left Bain in 1999 to work for the Olympics and never went back.
While Bain did many questionable things his history with Bill Bain is one of switching back and forth between Bain & Company and Bain Capital with years off to run for the Senate in 1993 & 1994.
it's a bit disingenuous to blame Romney for all of Bill Bain's business practices.
While Romney came out of that era of his life with roughly 250 million, the other partners in the Bain enterprises became billionaires.
One suspects that Mitt's life does not revolve around greed.
There is more than definition of the word "legitimate".
Most people who grew up in the shadows of Trump Realty ( New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania )
would probably disagree, especially if they were a contractor, realtor, or municipality whoever had the misfortune to deal with the Trump family.
His greed and over the top displays of wealth are legendary.
Almost as legendary as his inability to honor his contracts in full, without the Trump 'discount' of 20%.
He always felt that the cost of litigation for the contractor would exceed the balance of what was owed and that most people would give up and walkaway.
Which many were forced to do.
Neither of whom are the topic.
Mitt has been married to the same woman for almost 50 years.
Yes, but Trump has managed to cheat on Melania (at least twice that we know of)-- and get away with it!
(I suspect that's one reason many Evangelicals like him so much-- they're secretly envious!
The interesting thing about this information is that Trump asked Romney's niece to change her name, and she did. Sounds a little brainwashed.
While technically, correct, I think classifying Mitt Romney as a "freshman" in a political context is wildly unfair and misleading.
Romney trying to one-up Trump again. His Bromance with Trump is getting quite silly.
when losers like romney speak... only losers like liberals listen.
Dull as dishwater Mitt, back again.
Some people just can never get enough of holding office. Have to go back again and again.
I had to laugh, he was just on CNN saying that he will be the person that walks by reporters in the hallway as he isn't there to keep his name in the news. Yet there he is on CNN and several other articles.
Well already we know what happens when all a president has is character and all his his policies suck, I'll take lowest unemployment is decades and lowest unemployment for minorities EVER along with soaring GDP and the strongest economy in decades thank you.