Newsweek Cover: "Mitt The Wimp"

[kpete]

http://newsweek.tumblr.com/post/28264293119/is-mitt-romney-a-wimp-thats-our-cover-this-week

[warrior1]

1. He's almost

human-like, except with no empathy gene.

[Cracklin Charlie]

16. He is...

The Insensate.

[roguevalley]

61. same idiot laugh as dumbya

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Oh, dear. That's not good.

[Lucy Goosey]

3. That's the real cover!?

Ouch. Awesome, of course, but ouch.

[pnwmom]

29. Here's Mitt on videotape, reacting to the cover:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/videos/2012/07/29/romney-the-wimp.html

[progressivebydesign]

35. Watching that vid was disturbing. He acts like he's in a job interview at Target, for lead cashier.

He is devoid of any real instinct or personality. He laughs inappropriately, his voice never changes. He is speaking like someone who went through charm school, but without receiving any charm.

Something is wrong there... he is absolutely saying and doing whatever he needs to do, to get elected. I also think that he is one of those dangerous people who, immediately after the interview, EXPLODED at his staff and may have picked up the phone to scream at NEWSWEEK's staff as well.

He is CONTROLLED. That's the word. He is too controlled. He shows no emotions, lets out that laugh, then you know he loses it when he's off camera. Just like that video of him taking on the AP reporter that had the audacity to challenge him. And the way he went after the people at his nearly-empty campaign event in the primaries, still smiling.. but screaming at them.

[PatSeg]

73. "...went through charm school, but without receiving any charm."

You said it so well. If this guy has any redeeming qualities, he's keeping them under wraps.

[BrendaBrick]

83. Body Language Expert Decodes Mitt Romney:

5-3-2012

Renowned body language expert Tonya Reiman joined the PIX11 Morning News to take a closer look at Mitt Romney's body language.

In this interview, Reiman talked about Romney's gestures and expressions, including what his actions in his face, hands and arms mean.

Watch the video for the full interview.

http://www.wpix.com/news/morningnews/wpix-mitt-romney-body-language-decoder,0,6229930.story

[MADem]

43. He's faking being pleasant, but if you put a pencil in his mouth, he'd bite it in half!

That's one simmering, pissed off dude.

There is an undercurrent of tension in his voice. He doesn't sound decisive, he sounds stretched tight as a drum.

[pnwmom]

47. He would indeed! Here's a link to the Daily Beast/Newsweek essay itself:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/125161796

[calimary]

80. They ponder - what's wrong with romney.

"The episode highlights what’s really wrong with Romney." Maybe we should start calling him wrong-ney?

[MADem]

93. That's delightfully destructive and devastating for the Twittster! nt

[BrendaBrick]

85. I might be over-thinking this one...

Here's a clip with Body Language expert, Tonya Raiman commenting on the body language of Sarah Palin. In the first analysis, Raiman observes that Palin shakes her head no while saying yes to Charlie Gibson's question: "Do you think you're ready to be President?":

Given that (from the Daily Beast clip beginning at 2:20 mark)...is it me or does Romney shake his head no while saying: "I believe as people look at me, they'll see a person who has dealt with a number of very difficult and challenging circumstances (no) and that I've been able to successfully navigate through those and create greater strength and greater opportunity (no)..."

[EnviroBat]

88. Every single answer, canned and scripted.

The guy is like a fucking dumb-bot. Did you also notice the errie imitation the George HW Bush that he was attempting to pull off? It's like another "RNC Strategy" as of late to attempt to re-invent this asshole in the image of a previous president that the base can relate to. They know he can't pull off Regan, as he lacks any semblance of "charm" that the duddering old grandpa Ronnie had, so might as well go for Bush, but NOT the dumb one...

[xtraxritical]

95. He'll do anything to change the subject from his United Kingdom visit.

[Coyotl]

98. WOW, who is the softball pitcher, and when did Mitt's writer get the questions?

[tridim]

4. Yes! Every grocery check-out line in the country.

[freshwest]

78. Hehehe! I need to check for that this week.

[catbyte]

5. wow. that pic should be in dictionary under the word smarmy

[progressoid]

6. Seriously?

[arthritisR_US]

7. If he steals the election, he'll be the first

Wimp in Chief

[Fozzledick]

18. No, the first was George Wimpy Bush.

What did you think the "W" was for?

[MADem]

45. You mean George HERBERT Wimpy Bush.

His son, George Wacky Bush, was a different thing altogether--but not a wimp.

[FourScore]

8. Seems to be a historic GOP problem...

[flamingdem]

13. That's why we'd better not celebrate, he's MUCH worse than "insecure" n/t

[patrice]

28. 1++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[nichomachus]

24. When was that -- first campaign or second?

And are you sure you want that address label on the Intertubes?

[FourScore]

33. It's not my address.

I think it was during his first term. I was living in Germany and heard about it while I was over there.

[yardwork]

74. It was the second campaign. Bush lost, of course. I remember it well.

I think that Newsweek is signalling that they are backing Obama.

[Scurrilous]

9. ...

[Tennessee Gal]

10. Is that for real?

If so, SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!

[procon]

11. OMG

That picture really needs some photoshopped vampire teeth... anyone?

[Ruby the Liberal]

12. Thats one way to frame it.

Is Mitt Romney a wimp? That’s our cover this week, which asks if the former Massachusetts governor—who’s dodging the press, hiding his tax returns, and fearing the base—is too insecure to be president.

I tend to go with smarmy and crooked rather than "insecure" but this is better than nothing.

Hopefully the article will push the meme of "whats he hiding".

Goodonya, Newsweek.

[flamingdem]

14. That's the point, independents might feel sorry for poor "insecure" Mitt

and vote him in figuring he'll gain confidence.

Focus: Tax returns, other illegalities, overseas bank accounts, flip-flops, Massachusetts record etc

[Ruby the Liberal]

17. The thought that someone would vote someone into office

as a "confidence builder" makes my blood run cold.

[Ruby the Liberal]

32. The article is online now.

Definitely written for independents (lots of St Ronnie references). Not a single word about whats lurking in the tax returns though.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/07/29/michael-tomasky-a-candidate-with-a-serious-wimp-problem.html

Romney will go at Obama hard until the election on Pentagon cuts and security leaks and Obama’s alleged apologies for America. Here and there he’ll score a point. But here, too, he’s just trying too hard. You watch something like his recent VFW speech, and you see that he so desperately wants people to see him and think: “He’s like Reagan.” Please. You would no more cast Romney as Reagan than you would Pee-wee Herman as James Bond.

[flamingdem]

44. Don't like how they list "hiding his taxes" w/ fearing his base, one is insecure one may be criminal

>>
Dodging reports, fearing his base, hiding his taxes—is Mitt Romney just too insecure to be president? In Newsweek, Michael Tomasky surves a history of presidential manliness and asks just where Mitt would fit amid the studly swagger of Dubya and Reagan.

[Andy823]

54. I don't think they will feel sorry for him

Romney is a multimillionaire, maybe even a secret billionaire, I really don't think people will feel sorry for him, on the contrary the more people hear him talk, listen to him lie and avoid question about policy, his taxes, his time at Bain, etc. the more they can't stand the guy! Maybe a few republicans might fee sorry for him, hold their nose and vote for him come election time, but I don't think anyone else will.

His problem with moderate republicans is that he is kissing up to the really crazy part of the party, the teabaggers and the loons, and they don't like that. He is afraid to come back to the center because he fears losing the far, far, far crazy right, and if he continues to stay out there kissing up to the crazies, he may lose some of the moderate republicans. That is a true sing of a "wimp"! He has really painted himself into a corner, one he is having a very hard time getting out of.

[flamingdem]

59. Good points all

I just would like to see him busted for his taxes!

But I see what you're saying -- the wimp idea is less harsh and could be more effective in sowing doubt.

[Drunken Irishman]

62. See, I think he is insecure and I think Mitt Romney has Daddy Issues.

[Ruby the Liberal]

63. I linked the article in #32 if you are interested.

It was actually an interesting read. Little too much Bush/Reagan worship for my taste, but I am not the intended audience. I think he made a great case for the insecurity (and yes, Daddy) issue - the latter was definitely hinted at as being the possible core of this Rombot personality.

[DCBob]

15. Notice the word "WIMP" is the largest font..

PERFECT!

[Spitfire of ATJ]

19. Remember this?

During the Primary when all the other Republicans piled on Mitt:

[img][/img]

[B Calm]

20. Well he was too insecure to go to Vietnam. .

[TahitiNut]

42. So was I, but I went anyway.

It's not a draft deferment. Sadly, a 2-year "sojourn" in France wearing a dark suit and tie with a white shirt was a deferment. I've never understood why the LDS calls that a "mission" since they did nothing for the poor and merely proselytized -- which is illegal in many Islamic countries.

[Submariner]

51. At least he could have served in the rear with the gear

instead of passing out mormon bibles door-to-door on the Champs-Elysées.

Mountain Meadows Mitt is nothing more than a draft dodging chickenhawk f'ing coward....period.

[charlie]

57. This nitwit had the brass to say that he "longed" to be in VietNam

Which is the most cowardly chest-puffery I've heard since Tom Delay complained about "minorities" stealing his opportunity to bust Cong ass.

[marlakay]

70. Well he sure didn't talk any of his 5 sons

Into joining up if he wanted the military so bad...

[lonestarnot]

21. He has to be the whimpiest, starchiest boiled turd and that phoney fucking smile and laugh...ee gads

[freshwest]

79. The rotting corpse of Andy Breitbart is telling you to BEHAAAAVE!

[Amaril]

96. ACK!!!

You are BAD!!

[BumRushDaShow]

22. Many of us have better headlines for him

including "Romney: The LIAR factor. He he just too untrustworthy to be President?" or "Romney: The Tax Evader. Is he just too shady to be President?".

[DCBob]

23. and the implication is that Obama is not one comes through clear as well.

This is good. Just adds to the list of things not to like about Romney.

[AllyCat]

25. Is this the Onion?

[patrice]

26. NO he's not! NOT with Cheney handing out atta-boys for "tough talk" in Israel. nt

[patrice]

27. E.V.E.R.Y word out of Cheney's mouth **IS** about WAR & those words are backing Romney. We thought

it COULDN'T happen with Bush and looked what happened to Iraq, Afghanistan, U.S., and now Pakistan.

Do not underestimate how far the world hegemony will go, ESPECIALLY with a mediocrity heading up the U.S. division. The financial de-stabilization of the World, due to the Derivative Crash of '08 and the bottom-less pit known as LIBOR, makes WAR a very very bullish market and BushKochChurchCoC will be right there backing Cheney and Romney up. WATCH who Romney picks for VP!

[Initech]

60. The war machine wants just that - endless war.

They're purposefully tanking our economy and killing the job market to make the military seem like it's the only choice to land a job that's not food service or retail. And they'll get it too.

[Auntie Bush]

90. How about Dick Cheney?

He has a nice new heart and experience...

starting wars!

[Poiuyt]

30. I like the British tabloids better

[nolabear]

31. Damn what an interview. "Reagan Reagan Reagan Grenada..." Hello? Last thirty years?

Iraq? Afghanistan? Syria?

Wimp, sure, but my overwhelming impression is, as always, that there's no there there. He's just programmed.

Creeps me the hell out. He'd sacrifice us and our grandchildren if he thought his powerful friends would benefit.

[patrice]

36. He's programmed to divert attention from NOW & dogwhistle to PNAC 2.0/American Exceptionalists in ..

CONGRESS!!!

[Berlum]

34. Typical Republican: a draft-dodging whimp who likes to act tuff

...only toooo happy to send your kids off far overseas to fight and die, while he and his
1% spawn stay at home to count up their war profits, and devise Cayman Island tax dodges.

Sooooooo Republican.

[progressivebydesign]

37. He had nerve comparing himself to Bush I. At least Bush Sr. was in CIA, and the military.

Romney took 4 deferments, and said that his own boys were serving their Country by campaigning for him. I don't think GHWB even likes the guy... who does?

[Berlum]

39. "Macho Republicans insist on 5 military deferments" - Dickie Cheney (R - chickenhawk)

?w=604

[Initech]

38. Careful - they called George HW a wimp - he went completely psycho.

[WilliamPitt]

58. ...only after he won.

An important step to take.

[uponit7771]

94. +1

[Cassandra]

40. So does Mitt trigger mass murders...

or does Newsweek?

[pnwmom]

41. LOL. Here's a link to the actual essay.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/125161796

[appleannie1]

46. Love it. Now to get a few more covers like that.

[FSogol]

48. I anxiously await their "Mitt the Fraud" and "Mitt the Liar" covers

[flamingdem]

52. Now we're talking!

[mountain grammy]

49. wimp will do for now

But there are a few good names for mittens!e

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

50. Yeah, but he dressed up like a fireman and a State Trooper

Isn't playing dress-up as a macho man the same as being a real macho man? Oh, and like W he was also a cheerleader. What could be more macho?

[Coyotl]

99. Wimps do not say "I like being able to fire people who provide services to me"

That is called the Sadistic Boss === NOT

[joost5]

53. This other photo almost made me lose my coffee

Relevant:

[renate]

64. that's pretty funny!

Welcome to DU!

[joost5]

92. Thank you!

The DU community has been so welcoming *group hug*

[DinahMoeHum]

55. OWWWWWCH !!!

n/t

[CTyankee]

56. I think the guy is DONE. I've never seen anything like this with the MSM on a presidential

candidate (from a major party).

[ificandream]

65. Damn liberal media ... :)

You can hear that echoing all through the echo chambers on the right.

[lostnote12]

66. I believe the headline misses the desired effect and possibly could lead to a "who's the toughest"

media contest.....with the media firmly in control by the RW I hesitate to think of the bloating that will ensue wrt the MICs supposed demise<again>.....maybe I'm just over reacting but I put nothing pass KKKarl Rove and his ilk!!!!

[Beacool]

67. Wow, Newsweek doesn't even pretend to be a news magazine anymore.

That's supposed to be a fair and balanced title for the cover of the magazine?

I hope that Mittens loses because the nation can't afford another Republican in the WH, but that cover is a joke. No wonder I read recently that Newsweek may seize to publish in print form in he near future.

[DonCoquixote]

71. Fair and balanced

Got America into this mess, remember during the Clinton presidency when they used that as an excuse to bash Hillary Clinton? And yes Mitt has something that leads people to distrust him, though I would not have used wimp. My article would have been "No confidence?", as Mitt is far weaker then he should be given the money he spends.

Please, do not give the GOP any crumb they can make into a loaf. If Mitt wins, they will make damned sure Hillary does NOT get to run in 2016.

[Beacool]

75. I don't care for either candidate, but the Republicans back in power would be bad for the nation.

I don't think that Romney is a wimp. Although I do think that he's more moderate than the RW faction of his party allows him to be, but to be a moderate would be the kiss of death to him or any other Republican. That party has been taken over by the extreme right Tea Party kooks.

[DonCoquixote]

77. I can grant that

And raise you that if Mitt TRIED to be moderate, he would be impeached or worse, especially if he is stupid enough to put someone like Paul Ryan or Rand Paul as his VP, someone who could do a LOT of damage.

And while I know you will probably vote Hillary in 2016, you know what she would advise, namely because the same GOP that acted like her friend would try to kill her.

[Beacool]

87. I read that Mitt will probably choose a governor.

We'll see.

As for Hillary, I hope that after some rest she changes her mind and runs in 2016. I still think that she would be a magnificent president. Another "we'll see".

[DonCoquixote]

97. She would be

IF she tells Bill "we should not attack Bain"
Bill "we should allow the pipeline"
Bill "let's hire Mark Penn"
if she tells Bill to get in the BACK SEAT..
and it would help if she told Bennie Netanyahu that too.

[rurallib]

68. Will that be the US edition? I know that they often have different covers for different countries.

[Zyzafyx]

69. Luvvit!

[jade3000]

72. This cover pisses me off

Is the Newsweek so desperate for readers that they'll throw votes to Romney? That's all this cover is going to do. It makes him more sympathetic that the so-called liberal media is attacking him.

And the "problem" isn't that he's a wimp. It's that he's socially awkward and has a difficult time connecting with people. The reason he made those statements in Britian was not to show he's tough. It's because he's awkward.

[Lint Head]

76. He's a dangerous wimp.

[calimary]

81. LOVED this comment:

BeastSlayer
9 hours ago

Coward, wimp, hiding in France to avoid Vietnam, spineless, lacking in moral courage...

But has the nerve to accuse Obama of appeasement. The same president who got Bin Ladin, two Somali pirates, the entire leadership of Al Queda and stare down Putin to pull back Russian ship bringing helicopters to Assad...

Let's see, is there even a comparison?


Good reminder!!! Don't forget the Somali pirates that he dispensed with, early in his first year.

[woo me with science]

82. Never a cover on militarization of police depts, NSA spy centers, warmongering....

Our corporate media pushes the fluff Jerry Springer headlines. Next week we will all be upset, because it'll be some fluff about Obama.

Never talk about NSA spy centers, militarized police, the million homeless American schoolchildren, the immunity for LIBOR banksters....

We are in deep, deep trouble in this country...

[Javaman]

84. This has been his pattern: fuck up then suck up. nt

[valerief]

86. He's not a wimp. He's a cruel, cruel asshole and a danger to the 99%. nt

[SmittynMo]

89. One more to add to his resume

A liar, a racist, out of touch, a deceptor, animal hater, and now a wimp. I could go on and on.

Wait, is he still running? Self destruction is nearing an all time high.

[cleduc]

91. My posted/buried comment under the article:

The troubling thing about Romney's many, many flip-flops is that it makes you wonder about his ability to think things through. Sure, there's some pandering involved. And I'm not suggesting he's stupid - he isn't. But when I read Audacity of Hope, it seemed to be written by a man who had deeply thought about the issues and we had his vision clearly articulated with an audit trail based upon facts, logic and reason on how he arrived at his positions on the issues. And since that writing, he's largely stuck to those thoughts or you can see how he evolved on those issues as he went along.

With Romney, he strikes me as having a swashbuckling management style. There is no deep under current of a long term vision. Yes, he'll use some visionary terms in his speeches but there's no substantive trail of how he got there and nor a trustworthy conviction on where he's going.

There are safe guards in the structure of the US government (congress and the judicial branch for example) to help minimize errors made by the executive branch. But the "most powerful man on earth" is described that way for a number of reasons. As we all know, the president faces critical moments during their term in office. I'm much less concerned with the wimp factor than I am the swashbuckling factor because once some of these critical decisions get made, flip-flopping isn't on the menu of what they can practically do next. The ability to think things through has to be an essential requirement for the job. Of the two candidates, only one of them has a decent track record demonstrating he has that ability.