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The Spectacle Blog
Last night I saw the Mitt Romney interview on Special Report with Bret Baier.
It might have been unwise for Romney to do an interview in the middle of a juice factory because it appears that he downed a bottle of snark nectar before he sat down with Baier. Or perhaps Romney felt that Baier was squeezing him like a lemon because his disposition certainly wasn’t peachy.
Whatever the case, the interview was absolutely terrible. Romney was on the defensive when he did not need to be and was also unnecessarily condescending with Baier. Baier’s questions were entirely reasonable. For instance when Baier asked about support health care mandates, Romney replied, “Bret, I don’t know many hundred times I’ve said this too. This is an unusual interview,” before breaking out into awkward laughter. How exactly was it an unusual interview for Romney if he has talked about mandates “hundreds of times”? If Romney can’t handle questions from Baier I can only imagine how things will fare for Romney if he agrees to face the likes of Brian Williams, Scott Pelley, Steve Kroft or Diane Sawyer.
Later in the interview, Baier asked questions on behalf of Fox All-Star panelists Steve Hayes, A.B. Stoddard and Charles Krauthammer. When he did that I couldn’t help but wonder why Romney refused to do the center seat interviews with Baier and the Fox All-Star panelists. All the other GOP candidates sat through it. If Gary Johnson can do it then why can’t Romney? Is he afraid of A.B. Stoddard?
The bottom line here is if Romney can’t handle questions from Bret Baier then how he can possibly handle himself in a debate with President Obama?
Casey Abell| 11.30.11 @ 10:37AM
Don't mean to be snide, Aaron. But we know you don't like Mitt. The real question is, are you still supporting Herman? And a more direct question, do you believe he's telling the truth and all his accusers are lying?
Confounded Society| 11.30.11 @ 3:50PM
You mean both of his accusers, right? Only two women have come forward and Herman Cain has called both liars. They both have huge holes in their story and questions they refuse to answer. Since it's just their word against his at the moment, I'll go with his until I see some proof.
As for Romney, just becasue Aaron doesn't like Mitt doesn't change the fact that Romney had a horrible interview.
Casey Abell| 11.30.11 @ 4:21PM
Of course, there are five accusers at this point. And payments to three women that we know about.
But really, who cares? Gingrich has pried away most of Cain's support and is soaring in the polls. Only I fear for Quin Hillyer's blood pressure as he looks at the latest numbers.
Confounded Society| 11.30.11 @ 4:28PM
Wow! 5. Really? please name them and tell us what they accuse him of.
Jay Rome| 11.30.11 @ 10:44AM
Aaron, your article is a joke. We have heard Romney address these questions over and over. We are all sick of the insincerity of the media. Everyone knows that Ronald Reagan was a democrat that could have passed for a liberal Wall Street Occupier, but he became one of the greatest conservative presidents ever. Please stop with the 3rd grade interviews and start asking questions that are substantive and relevant. I like Brett, but he he blew it.
Confounded Society| 11.30.11 @ 3:52PM
If he has responded to these questions over and over, why did he get snippy and childish when asked? Why not simply answer like a grown up? Do you really think this is the last time he'll get those questions?
Shawn | 11.30.11 @ 11:08AM
Aaron:
Are you just a half-dimwit or a full dimwit? Fox News is out to stop Romney, for reasons that are completely irrational and insane. It could be that Fox News invested so heavily in Herman Cain that they are just pissed that Romney keeps on going and they can't stop him.
Fox News is full of its own BS. The media knows full well that Romney has already answered these questions. Romney DID handle the questions.
I know Romney isn't the perfect candidate but I am with Romney on this one. I am sick and tired of stupid worn out questions and topics from Fox News.
Stop trying to pretend that the media approach to Romney is rational, intelligent or legitimate. The media wastes its time in the minutia and nuances of these half-statements because they don't want to give any time to Romney to show his real strengths.
It's time to "occupy" the media outlets and start holding them to account.
eolsen| 11.30.11 @ 11:20AM
Romney could not handle a debate with Obama? Where have you been? He would eat Obama's lunch in a debate. He handled the questions just fine. He has answered the health care question a million times. Baier knew it. Romney was right to call him out on it. Reporters don't like to be "questioned" about their questions. The next guy might think twice before asking a question that has been answered a million times with clarity.
Bryan K Donnelly| 11.30.11 @ 3:44PM
How would Romney answer a debate question from Obama, "Mitt, how can you want to abolish Obamacare when YOUR program in your OWN STATE was the actual TEMPLATE for it?"
We in the south will NOT vote to nominate Mitt or any other former governor of the People's Republic of Taxachussetts.
teflon93| 11.30.11 @ 11:22AM
Romney is a liberal. He'll be perfectly fine sucking up to David Gregory.
It's conservatives he can't stand.
TSquared| 11.30.11 @ 11:48AM
Romney is not used to having a hand laid on him. He's been pressed very infrequently. The MSM is giving him a pass, hoping he get's the nomination so they can then pounce. The few times that I've seen Romney get attacked or pressured, he didn't come off too well - bristling and getting testy. If Romney makes it to the general, and he continues as he has done in the past, then how will this go over with the folks? What will their perceptions of Romney be?
Chuck| 11.30.11 @ 11:54AM
History is repeating itself, late '07-late '11 Romney's campaign is imploding. Romney needs less hair gel and more grecian formula.
Simon Templar| 11.30.11 @ 2:35PM
Aaron,
I am not sure your conclusion about Romney is accurate. It seems a bit of a stretch to draw the conclusion that Romney can not handle himself in a debate with Obama. It was good to notice the interview and the dustup but I think this is more of a natural tension and defensiveness that Romney is having about this issue. He has indeed addressed it in many ways in hundreds of interviews and is probably just tired of dealing with it.
I have no doubt that Romney is really not a conservative but rather a progressive statist Republican that has a great deal of ties to elitist establishment interest. I would rather know more about his past political history, voting record, and public positions that may give us a better idea of who he really is....
Confounded Society| 11.30.11 @ 3:55PM
I'm sure Herman Cain is sick of answering questions about the accusations against, too. Answer like a man, not whiny little brat. It's no wonder Romney is afraid of doing Sunday talk shows and the Center Seat segment.
Simon Templar| 12.1.11 @ 1:55AM
I am not too interested in listening to people make wild, dramatic, and unrealistic assessments on candidates based on one interview, one debate, one poorly phrased remark, one historical reference, one mistake on foreign policy, one mispoken remark, one unfounded allegation, and one idiot who has an axe to grind. This is precisely what this idiotic circus of a Republican party primary has been.
A candidate's sole purpose is not answering the same questions over and over to the same media that plays this little game to damage that candidates image and reputation. They are not interested in the truth or the candidates answer to their questions. They are interested in ratings and controlling confounded people like you.
Worried For the Country| 11.30.11 @ 3:22PM
Aaron is now officially a member of the anti-Romney cult.
Romney did fine in the Brett Baier interview.
Romney will clean Obama's clock in a debate. Obama fears Romney that's why the DNC and Axelrod and Plouffe are 24/7 attacking Romney.
cynthia mcginnes| 11.30.11 @ 3:26PM
Did we watch the same interview? I thought Gov. Romney was terrific...cordial, expansibe and thorough in his answers, polite and well-informed.Mitt Romney is by far the best qualfiied candidate to handle America's economic problems....I can't unerstand why he is being attacked as he is completely unobjectionable...you may not agree with his policies, but why the persoanl attacks? He would most certainly be able to handel Obama in a debate...his superior knowledge would shine through even his politeness and courtesy. I saw no defensiveness at all in the Bret Baier interview...neither di Charles Krauthammer.
Bryan K Donnelly| 11.30.11 @ 3:38PM
Romney is utterly unqualified for the REPUBLICAN NOMINATION (not a conservative.) Maybe he should try for the Democrat-socialist one.
Confounded Society| 11.30.11 @ 3:56PM
Charles was the only one, and he's been a Romney shill for months. Romney was bad in this interview. Denying it won't help.
Simon Templar| 12.1.11 @ 2:08AM
Most of these trolls and bloggers are not interested in facts or reality but buzz and exaggeration. We live in an age of personal attack, smear, and inuendo. Very few people have the brains to carry on a logical, reasonable debate or form a reasoned argument or analysis.
They are certainly not interested in doing research or thinking through a problem or issue. Intellectual laziness and dishonesty is much less taxing.
Romney could be the devil and most idiots would not figure it out or be able to prove it. He could well as be an angel from heaven and it would miss them by a mile.
I am still waiting to see a well written summary of any of these candidates political backgrounds, voting records, and policy positions from any of the TAS "journalist."
Mr. Lord seems to be the only one worth his weight and willing to get off his ass and do some work.
Bryan K Donnelly| 11.30.11 @ 3:36PM
Romney's principles are to be found in his latest poll or focus group. He wouldn't recognize a "new idea" if he fell over it. He is ducking the Fox Special Report "center seat" bacause he might be asked a question he hasen't polled on yet.
Bryan K Donnelly| 11.30.11 @ 3:36PM
Romney's principles are to be found in his latest poll or focus group. He wouldn't recognize a "new idea" if he fell over it. He is ducking the Fox Special Report "center seat" bacause he might be asked a question he hasen't polled on yet.
DKevSwain| 11.30.11 @ 3:45PM
Morals matter. When our leaders are immoral we'll see a trickle down of weakening morals throughout our society. Honesty is the foundation of trust and trust is foundation for a healthy economy.
Newt: Three marriages. Two of which ended because of adultery. Removed from the speakership and had to pay $300,000 due to ethics violations. Shut down congress because he was "snubbed" on an Air Force One flight. Receiving $37 million for lobbying for pharmaceutical companies and FannieMae/FreddieMac. True flip flops on every major issue. Appearing in an ad for Cap and Trade with Nancy Pelosi. I could go on. The guy is a rat that talks incredibly smug so as to give the impression that he is an intelligent debater.
Garbonzo| 11.30.11 @ 4:03PM
Aaron,
Mitt was frustrated at having to answer the same question again and again. Even more frustrating for Mitt, has to be the double standard that he is held to. Rick Perry is the biggest flip-flopping, two faced, $500 dollar haircut, do anything, say anything, crony capitalist, career politician, hack; but not one word from the "Conservative" gas bags, such as your self, about him being a flip-flop! Newt Gingrich holds a position on immigration today that is 180 degrees opposite than the one he held in 2007. Not one mention of that! Newt can do a PRO-CLIMATE CHANGE commercial with NANCY PELOSI, then claims it was a "MISTAKE", and he gets a frickin mulligan from the "conservative media". I think it is time, Aaron, that you and your fellow gas bags admit that you don't like Mitt because he is a Mormon, or you hold all of the candidates to the same standard. Is Mitt a career politician? Can he parse words with the best of them? Dose he try to be something for everybody? Of course! But you can say the same about Newt Gingrich. I would take Mitt and his 1 flip-flop any day over Newts flip-flop, 3 wives, 2 affairs, millions of dollars earned influence peddling, 1 government shut down, and a hypocritical impeachment of a sitting president. But Aaron, I care about beating Obama, and you care about making some B.S. "conservative" statement. That, Aaron, makes me the conservative and you the gas bag!
rip300rog| 11.30.11 @ 4:12PM
I have to say the last during the last several months Fox seems to be honing up their "gotcha" skills with Republicans, remember Chris Wallace asking Bachman if she were a " flake" and scolding Speaker Boehner for smoking? I have read in recent weeks that Fox was trying to "mainstream" what ever that means, but sounds like they want to sacrifice some conservative audience in favor a more centrist audience. On the other hand I also would say that Bill O'Reily and Hannity have become mostly unwatchable for me personally, I find them too combative, and both have propensity to interrupt and talk over their guest, which is unfortunate because I really do want to hear the stupid opinons of the Dems and the lefty's, not Hannity or O'Reily's stupid opinions which are a known quantity. I was still watching Greta till I found out she is a Scientologist, I just can't accept that, sorry, call me a bigot.
Vic| 11.30.11 @ 5:24PM
Mitt Romney's final pretence seems to be that he is the winnable candidate against Obama and the GOP Est seems sold on that. What a phony and a loser he is. Despite his imperfections Newt is way ahead of him!