Romneyshambles
It's official: Britain doesn't like Mitt Romney. His visit has been christened by our media the "Romneyshambles" ("omnishambles" being a coinage of Armando Ianucci - writer of the political sitcoms The Thick Of It and its US variation Veep, much used of late to describe the incompetence of the Cameron administration).
Personally, I can forgive those of Romney's gaffes which had to do with protocol (such as mentioning he'd had a briefing from our security services; getting the proper title of the leader of the Opposition wrong), but what really didn't impress me was his total lack of diplomacy regarding our Olympics.
Look, I yield to no one in my detestation of the Olympics. It feels like being occupied by a foreign power - in this case, the International Olympic Committee. I deeply resent the needless expense and inconvenience it has caused Londoners. And yes, it is an embarrassing sign of just what a third-world country Britain has become that we couldn't get our security right and we can't get our transport system to work.
But while it's fine for a Brit to mention this stuff - self-deprecation is our national sport and if it were in the Olympics we'd win gold - it is not OK for a visiting US politician to drag it up. It's just plain rude. I thought Mitt Romney came from a good family. I thought he'd had an expensive education. Did no one ever teach him any manners?
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Comments:
Sep '10
Re: Romneyshambles
Next he'll be asking you to return the bust of Winston Churchill to its rightful place in Washington D.C.
The nerve of that guy.
Aug '10
Re: Romneyshambles
America's never gonna get Winston Churchill's bust returned.
May '11
Re: Romneyshambles
But did Romney bow to anyone?
Jun '10
Re: Romneyshambles
I didn't know the Olympic Committee had headquarters in Brussells?
Mar '11
Re: Romneyshambles
Actually, my biggest problem with Romney is he appears to be a liar who will change what he says to appease the masses. His response to the Olympics was a honest analysis and my opinion of him went up a little.
He brought up issues any respectable journalist answering the same question would highlight.
Feb '12
Re: Romneyshambles
Manners?
My guess is that when/if the mayor of London visits a city (say Salt Lake City, as random choice) his pointed slight will be forgotten and washed over with glowing praise, pro forma.
The stiff upper lip, it seems, has been replaced with egghell.
Jan '12
Re: Romneyshambles
At least we get to vote on him; you have Charles until he's good and ready to go!
Aug '10
Re: Romneyshambles
James Delingpole:
Look, I yield to no one in my detestation of the Olympics. It feels like being occupied by a foreign power - in this case the International Olympic Committee.
"I really hope there isn't a war. It's gonna be a nightmare; it's bad enough dealing with the [expletive] Olympics." - In The Loop
Edited on July 27, 2012 at 10:22pmMay '10
Re: Romneyshambles
Won't lose any sleep over it, James. Sorry.
Apr '11
Re: Romneyshambles
While I do agree that Romney's statement was a bit of a faux pas, do you think he has a chance of being liked over there? I've spent a lot of time in the UK the last few months for work and I have yet to meet the person who doesn't like Obama. Romney is always going to face an uphill climb with Brits no matter what he says or does.
Re: Romneyshambles
James,
Do you think Romney will lose the British vote?
Oct '10
Re: Romneyshambles
I had hoped that James, at least, would despair of the thin-skinnedness of his compatriates. Alas.
Jan '11
Re: Romneyshambles
Mr Delingpole, I've heard you speak somewhat disparagingly of Mr Romney on podcasts. Only Americans can do that(!?).
(Sigh, where did I put my interrobang now that I really need it) . . . . cheers from the Dominion!
Apr '11
Re: Romneyshambles
Obama way out in front in all the west midland ridings! Pip, pip, cheerio to Prime Minister Romney.
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.: James,
Do you think Romney will lose the British vote? ยท 3 minutes ago
Dec '11
Re: Romneyshambles
I understand the feeling. I don't like the muslim brotherhood yelling monica monica at hillary either. She is ours to tear down. They can get their own.
Some privileges are for people in the club only.
Edited on July 27, 2012 at 9:29pmFeb '11
Re: Romneyshambles
Nice tongue-in-cheek piece, James. I think it worked.
Nov '11
Re: Romneyshambles
The thing is, he briefly forgot that he was a visiting politician -- and said what he really thought, as someone with a little knowledge about running the Olympics. Inexcusably undiplomatic, but completely understandable. If it ever came time to actually forming a working relationship with President Romney, Cameron will get over it. (Especially if the Olympics go off without a hitch.) Besides, his own gaffe -- Salt Lake City as "the middle of nowhere" -- was pretty bad too. Typical British understanding of flyover country.
Frankly, I'm rather enjoying the whole thing. The British outrage that an American would dare to notice out loud what their papers have been going on about for weeks is worth watching.
London is more proud of the Olympics because of it, and no one in America will vote against Mitt Romney because of it. It's a win-win situation.
Feb '11
Re: Romneyshambles
James, did you rent your digs in London for a gazillion pounds while the crazy foreigners with deep pockets are in town and you're off to Wales? I had British friends living in Atlanta back when the Olympics were there who rented their house for a month and got a year's mortgage payment out of it plus trip back to the UK to visit relatives.
Sep '11
Re: Romneyshambles
Considering he actually brought the Salt Lake City Olympics back from the brink, I'd say he has unique expertise that reporters are free to query.
And, for probably the only time in his life, Piers Morgan agrees with Romney. "Everything he said was true."
Edited on July 27, 2012 at 9:45pmMay '12
Re: Romneyshambles
"Nobody makes fun of our Olympics, only we can make fun of our Olympics!"
Regards,
Prince Charles.