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
I'm waiting for the official UK position to be elucidated by Nigel Farage: another man whose bust should adorn the White House.
Sep '10
Re: Romneyshambles
King George was unavailable for comment but did send a note saying that he found the colonials somewhat uppity and suggested taxing them more: particularly the ones who live and work in Boston.
Dec '11
Re: Romneyshambles
Nor will I, particularly in light of the fact that FLOTUS gave the Queen a "bear hug" at their first meet-up. Honestly, that was far and away the more egregious offense; it was ... downright ignorant. Mitt was at least discussing an economic issue with which he is highly familiar.
Edited on July 28, 2012 at 3:22amMar '11
Re: Romneyshambles
I am so tired of conservatives beating the heck out of our own, especially over such a non-issue. Virtually every conservative commenter from virtually every corner of the media keeps trying to one-up one another in their attempts to tell us what a bad candidate Mitt Romney is. We'll see how clever you-all are when President Obama is inaugurated for a second term. Romney is not perfect, but he is FAR SUPERIOR to the alternative. Get in line folks; this election is too big to lose.
Re: Romneyshambles
Finally, someone who detests the Olympics even more than I do.
Mar '12
Re: Romneyshambles
Time will tell if Romney was right. What are the Brit bookies' odds on Romney's remarks being justified?
Sep '10
Re: Romneyshambles
Mormon, Muslim, what's a few vowels between transatlantic allies?
Feb '11
Re: Romneyshambles
Real Men Faux Pas.
Oct '10
Re: Romneyshambles
My understanding was that the way to win over the Brits was with a good insult. Romney just wasn't prepped very well.
Apr '12
Re: Romneyshambles
James, you Brits slagged off the hosting of the winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. Your own media were saying way worse. Besides, Romney was a guest of the Olympic Committee, not Boris or Dave. The opening ceremonies were spectacular so you can have traffic jams and no one will care. James Bind with the Queen and corgies, Mr. Bean, the entire history of Britain.
Dec '11
Re: Romneyshambles
Romney doesn't waste time on insults. He focuses on creating job opportunities and wealth.
The Brits might have done better for themselves by listening to or better yet, consulting with this expert to begin with.
Edited on July 28, 2012 at 4:19amJul '11
Re: Romneyshambles
Let us hope that, in this case, he is wrong.
Apr '11
Re: Romneyshambles
James Delingpole:
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? · ·
He didn't "drag it up". He was asked if they were ready. He said that they had great volunteers, and that the athletes were awesome, but that we'd have to wait and see how the country did, because you can't tell that until the games start, and that the strike and security personnel issues were disconcerting.
To be clear, in an interview not broadcast in Britain, he didn't insult anyone. It looks as if he did because the BBC were ecstatic about this, and flooded the zone with the news that he had insulted Britain, followed by quotes, followed by pundit confirmation.
I expect this of the BBC. I'm saddened but not surprised that James' Romney dislike exceeds his other principles.
Apr '11
Re: Romneyshambles
Misthiocracy
Stephanie_:
Brits are always bashing Americans. I read many of the blogs in the Telegraph and it is a constant thing over there.
So, the Britishmediais always bashing Americans. That means it's perfectly fair game for the American media to bash the Brits.
When the Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland bashes the United States, inthatcase itmightbe appropriate for a presidential candidate to return the favour.
The office of the President of the United States is largely (mostly?) a foreign affairs position. Diplomacy comes first. ·
In this instance, Romney said that you couldn't tell how the Olympics were going to go, but said that the volunteers were great; the strike, which was disconcerting, was called off (possibly partly thanks to Romney). Cameron responded by insulting America (it's easy to hold the Olympics in the middle of nowhere, apparently).
If this is your view of diplomacy, I'm curious about how outraged you are over Cameron's insult. I'm guessing not at all, because there's no substance to either one (everyone knows that Cameron doesn't believe the Utah dig).
Apr '11
Re: Romneyshambles
DutchTex: 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." ·
I don't think I've read a single objection to his statement that suggested he said anything that wasn't obviously true.
Paul Dougherty: 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. ·
Boris was far and away the most depressing moment of this. He's not just the Mayor of London. He's the leading candidate to be the next Conservative Prime Minister. Having him use anti-Americanism to whip up a crowd for a festival in the park was a sickening moment that may be of genuine importance for the future as an indicator of who he is.
Jun '11
Re: Romneyshambles
Everything Mitt said was true. The security firm debacle is inexcusable and passport control at Heathrow has always been a joke (so much for the "special" relationship). It's just an excuse for your whinging press to sell newspapers with an almost manufactured story.
Edited on July 28, 2012 at 9:59amMar '11
Re: Romneyshambles
Methinks James is playing the Friday evening home edition of "Crank Up the Yanks."
All Mitt did was prove that he pays attention to what Fleet Street has been moaning on about for the last four years, and he's taken it somewhat seriously. The former may be a moral failing, but the latter is just silly.
Mar '11
Re: Romneyshambles
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.: James,
Do you think Romney will lose the British vote?
Most certainly he will, for the simple reason that, as James well knows, the UK is way to the left of the US - even Mr Cameron and Mr Johnson (who has gone down in my estimation after his rant on Mitt).
I rarely agree with Piers Morgan, but he is exactly right to say that Mitt said nothing outa the ordinary, as anyone who has followed the Olympic preparations will know.
He shouldn't have mentioned MI6, for sure, and he should have called the UK's next leader "Mr Supreme Leader", but, other than that, no problems - at least he didn't apologize for the US - what a refreshing change :-)
Jan '12
Re: Romneyshambles
Barbara this will come as a shock. You are not correct. When EII passes away the next monarch is selected by all the governments which have the monarchy as part of their system of government. Yes it is HIGHLY likely that Charles will be the man but not certain. It is also possible that some countries will take it as an opportunity to change to a democracy or republic. Just to further clarify the point, Parliament can remove EII from the job (this is simplistic but close enough) and the reason is Parliament is sovereign. Now that 'll get you thinking.
Jan '12
Re: Romneyshambles
As far as I know Nigel Farage has no blood connection with the US whereas Churchill's mother tongue was American.