# Mr Candidate goes to London **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 26, 2012, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485 "2012-07-26T19:30:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/241 "2012-07-31T14:45:07Z")
Kerry was a lot more specific. Romney’s a pretty opaque candidate, and you’re right, his strategy is to be “not Obama”. The problem is, Obama is also trying to be “not Obama”, or at least, “Don’t think about me when you vote, think about how bad the other guy is.” ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/242 "2012-07-31T14:49:21Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > The problem is, Obama is also trying to be “not Obama”, or at least, “Don’t think about me when you vote, think about how bad the other guy is.” That’s not actually true, but yes, talking about the Republican view is part of his campaign. No surprise there. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/243 "2012-07-31T14:54:26Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > “Kiss my ass” is more polite than, “Geez, guys, I’ve already answered like, eight questions.”, but the substance is the same. These guys tightly control their press access, whereas McCain was one of the most open candidates to the press in history. And look what he got for it. The most cynical campaign in history against one of the most honest men to ever win a Presidential nomination. Wow, what a distorted lens you view things through. First of all- Romney took THREE, count 'm, THREE questions from the press in his entire trip. How was the campaign against McCain cynical? I think you’re giving McCain WAY too much credit. He said he thought Palin was ready to be president, so he’s either a moron or a liar. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/244 "2012-07-31T14:58:25Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > First of all- Romney took THREE, count 'm, THREE questions from the press in his entire trip. Which is three more questions than he wanted to take, of course. The media has no place reporting on what Mitt Romney says or does - their job is to facilitate him being elected president. He’s earned it, for Pete’s sake! ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/245 "2012-07-31T15:02:23Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Which is three more questions than he wanted to take, of course. The media has no place reporting on what Mitt Romney says or does - their job is to facilitate him being elected president. He’s earned it, for Pete’s sake! Paid for it, you mean. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/246 "2012-07-31T15:05:35Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > That’s not actually true, but yes, talking about the Republican view is part of his campaign. No surprise there. It’s 100% of his campaign to the general public. Sure, to friendly audiences, he’s willing to talk about his accomplishments. You won’t see any pro-ACA ads running in swing states, or any stimulus ads running in swing states. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/247 "2012-07-31T15:09:14Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > He’s earned it, for Pete’s sake! And even if he hasn’t, it’s his turn. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/248 "2012-07-31T15:22:47Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > It’s 100% of his campaign to the general public. Still nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/249 "2012-07-31T15:24:50Z")
The American people want someone who looks competent. Mitt looked like anything but during his tour. The focus for Democrats, after Mitt’s debacle, should probably switch to down ballot races. They seem safe at the top. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/250 "2012-07-31T15:45:39Z")
While this puts a ding in Romney’s argument about diplomacy - he’s saying he Obama is neglecting these alliances and he can do better - not much of what has happened this summer really changes the complexion of the race. It’s still close. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/251 "2012-07-31T15:49:11Z")
> [@BigAppleBucky](#): > > The American people want someone who looks competent. Mitt looked like anything but during his tour. > > The focus for Democrats, after Mitt’s debacle, should probably switch to down ballot races. They seem safe at the top. The polls say otherwise, unless a Romney fall due to this trip is imminent. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/252 "2012-07-31T20:16:09Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > The polls say otherwise, unless a Romney fall due to this trip is imminent. What polls? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/253 "2012-07-31T20:22:00Z")
[http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/general\_election\_romney\_vs\_obama-1171.html](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/general_election_romney_vs_obama-1171.html) All of 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/254 "2012-07-31T20:26:50Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > [2012 General Election: Romney vs. Obama | RealClearPolling](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/us/general_election_romney_vs_obama-1171.html) > > All of 'em. Your boy is losing in seven out of nine of those polls. ---
**Author:** ![2ManyTacos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/3da27b/32.png) [@2ManyTacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2ManyTacos)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/255 "2012-07-31T20:41:36Z")
It’s my understanding that Mttens can’t begin to spend his election money haul in earnest until he gets formally inaugurated as the GOP nominee at the convention. It’ll be interesting to see whether the Mittbot’s full-go mode in terms of spending will have any impact on the narrative or polls going into the election. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/256 "2012-07-31T20:43:24Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Your boy is losing in seven out of nine of those polls. **adaher** was responding to a claim that Obama is such a sure thing that the Democrats should start focusing on other races. I agree Obama is in a pretty good position, but the race is not over by any means. > [@2ManyTacos](#): > > It’s my understanding that Mttens can’t begin to spend his election money haul in earnest until he gets formally inaugurated as the GOP nominee at the convention. The pro-Romney Super PACs are already spending like crazy. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/257 "2012-08-01T08:55:51Z")
[World leader left wondering why he just met with the former Governor of Massachusetts](http://www.theonion.com/articles/world-leader-wondering-why-he-just-met-with-the-fo,29010/). ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/258 "2012-08-01T09:47:25Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > “Kiss my ass” is more polite than, “Geez, guys, I’ve already answered like, eight questions.” Am I wooshed? > [@adaher](#): > > The most cynical campaign in history against one of the most honest men to ever win a Presidential nomination. [Surely you jest?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keating_five). About the only honest thing McCain’s done is BCRA and we all know how you feel about that. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/259 "2012-08-01T10:38:55Z")
McCain was one of the Keating Five [Keating Five - Wikipedia](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keating_Five) ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485/260 "2012-08-01T11:01:08Z")
McCain was acquitted, and he and Glenn were added to the Keating Five for political reasons. They needed McCain so that the scandal would appear to be bipartisan, and they needed Glenn so that a Democrat would also be acquitted. In reality, three Dems were crooked and that was the extent of the scandal. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-candidate-goes-to-london/629485.md?page=14)