Mitt Romney is in Europe this week for two reasons. He is there to watch his wife’s horse compete in a dressage event at the Olympics, and, by the way, to show that he has the diplomatic chops and foreign-affairs know-how to be president of the United States.
– Mitt Romney in London
On the latter bit, he has already failed.
Romney’s trip got off to a rocky start even before he left the country yesterday. Two of his advisers anonymously told the London Telegraph that Romney, whose father was born in Mexico and was white, is “part of an Anglo-Saxon heritage,” implying that President Obama, whose father was a born a British citizen but was black, was not. Now Romney has insulted his hosts by criticizing the London Olympics even before the opening ceremonies have gotten underway:
[Romney’s] problem Thursday is that he told NBC News of the London Olympics, “You know, it’s hard to know just how well it will turn out,” adding, “There are a few things that were disconcerting.” … Romney was referring to problems with security and threats of a strike from immigration officials. Then he had the gall to suggest that maybe British people just aren’t that into the Games. Romney said, “Do they come together and celebrate the Olympic moment? And that’s something which we only find out once the Games actually begin. It is hard to know just how well it will turn out.”
Prime Minister David Cameron responded to Romney’s dig about the London games with a swipe at the Salt Lake City games, which Romney oversaw 10 years ago:
“We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world,” Cameron said. “Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic games in the middle of nowhere.”
But Romney has chosen to ape the style of George W. Bush, especially when it comes to foreign relations, which means he will never apologize when he insults foreign countries or makes other mistakes.
After meeting with Cameron, instead of apologizing, Romney said, “I am very delighted with the prospects of a highly successful Olympic Games. What I have seen shows imagination and forethought and a lot of organization and [I] expect the games to be highly successful.”
“Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic games in the middle of nowhere.”
Nearly shot Pepsi out my nose!
Yo Smitty, it’s not wise to drink Pepsi whilst reading Pensito Review. We have a habit of inspiring spit-takes.