June 16, 2007
Posted: 12:01 PM ET

Ann and Mitt Romney

DUBUQUE, Iowa (CNN)–At an "Ask Mitt anything" event at the Best Western in Dubuque, Iowa on Saturday, Ann Romney fell to the floor as she stepped off a small stage she was sharing with her husband. She recovered quickly, quipping that she was bucked off a horse earlier in the week and that this fall didn't compare to that. The stage was only a few inches high.

She later made light of the tumble, joking to me "I fell on da butt in Dubuque".

The campaign said that she fell because of "stage failure". One of the legs of the riser folded up as she stepped toward the edge.

Ann Romney suffers from multiple sclerosis, which is in remission.

– CNN "American Morning" anchor John Roberts

Filed under: Iowa • Mitt Romney • Race to '08


Melissa   July 2nd, 2007 12:48 am ET

why on earth can't the media mention Ann's MS? Isn't Liz Edward's cancer mentioned? Is it the stigma of MS?? Mitt seems mortified and embarassed by it - he is the jerk. Everything must be perfect for Mitt? It is not. MS must be one of the most horrendous things to suffer with! I would never wish it on my worst enemy!

RC, Concord, NH   June 23rd, 2007 3:55 am ET

I am not a Romney supporter, but layoff the spouse!
We don't need all this Soap Opera stuff. The real facts on the candidates are sufficient.

Lori Stewart, Grants Pass OR   June 18th, 2007 11:52 pm ET

It isn't a race issue. It is curious how a story like this could possibly be manipulated into one. Falling down at Miss Universe while strutting your stuff is of far larger consequence, and you would have to document that if another "white" Miss USA fell at the most inopportune moment, it would not be covered, in order to make a convincing racial accusation out of it. I felt sorry for Rachel, she walked into Mexico City's animosity and she fell, etc. Wasn't her best night. As for letting us all know that Ann fell and reminding us of her MS, I couldn't roll my eyes dramatically or sarcastically enough. I have to agree with the general sentiment that it was in poor taste.

Travis   June 18th, 2007 4:42 am ET

Robert Trebes, did you actually make this a race issue? You need to look in the mirror and ponder who the moron looking back at you is.

Janine, MA   June 16th, 2007 10:19 pm ET

First of all, I am glad Mrs. Romney is all right. She's awesome.

Second of all, can all of you little imbeciles just shut up and stop complaining about every article or blog post? If you are so sick of the news industry then go become a reporter or start your own blog and cover the things you want to cover. My God, I can't stand it.

North Liberty Iowa   June 16th, 2007 4:43 pm ET

I was at the event and was sitting near the front when the platform collapsed under her as she was stepping off it. The platform obviously wasn't set up correctly.

That you would mention Ann Romney's MS is completely inappropriate.

Also, the above story was changed as it origianally said that Ann Romney "misjudged the edge of the platform."

I'm glad they actually got some of the facts straight since then, but still . . . bringing up MS? Poor form.

Heather; Heidelberg, DE   June 16th, 2007 4:23 pm ET

Oh my goodness! Someone fell?! Right on the ground?! Good thing you were there to cover it…

Marie, Cumberland, MD   June 16th, 2007 4:03 pm ET

Why is someone falling news? I think it's crass to make a news story out of someone falling. What purpose does it serve other than to embarass?

jon   June 16th, 2007 2:19 pm ET

And this is relevant news why?

Robert Trebes; Rio Rancho, New Mexico   June 16th, 2007 2:19 pm ET

Why don't we see her fall on her butt over and over, like we did Miss USA? Does her husband's money and power have anything to do with it? The fact that she's all white and Miss USA half black? The desire of the media to make the story of the Miss Universe pageant Rachel Smith's fall rather than the Mexicans' horrendous scapegoating of her throughout the competition for the sins of her elders, and her incredible grace, poise, and courage in response, of which Americans would have been rightfully proud had they been properly informed

S. Richard, Olathe, KS   June 16th, 2007 2:03 pm ET

How exactly is this newsworthy?
Anyway, I'm awfully fond of Ann Romney and I am glad she's OK.

Steve, Andover, MA   June 16th, 2007 1:31 pm ET

Anyone catch this on video? LOL

Julie, Ballwin, Mo.   June 16th, 2007 1:17 pm ET

Why is this news worthy? Do we enjoy reading about others travails so much that this would make news? I'm sure this is embarrassing to her, but the fact you post it on CNN headlines only serves to amplify her embarrassment. Stick to reporting real news.

Johnny, Provo, UT   June 16th, 2007 1:09 pm ET

This is worthy of front-page news? Give the poor woman a break.

Daniel SLC, UT   June 16th, 2007 12:56 pm ET

Maybe God made her fall?

Aaron, Salem OR   June 16th, 2007 12:33 pm ET

Speculation as to how the wife of a candidate fell off a stage? Is that really newsworthy? Wow.

Adam Gross, Sunnyvale, CA   June 16th, 2007 12:18 pm ET

Wow, this is definitely not news. I feel less intelligent for having read this.

Nathan, Berkeley, CA   June 16th, 2007 12:11 pm ET

All the news that's fit to print, eh? Obviously this type of blog-type format has a much lower bar with which information is judged worthy of print than would be the case for more traditional formats. Nevertheless, the CNN political ticker does explicitly claim that its content is "the latest political news." Candidates wife slipped, jumped up, wasn't hurt, made a joke, and life goes on. To me, there is no definition of news for which this would make the cut, and I would love to hear from the editors/reporters/bloggers/whatever at CNN a justification as to their own definition of "news" under which this piece counts. This isn't news, it isn't even gossip. About the best I can think is that its simple youtube type voyeurism.

Wolf Ditzier, Manhattan, KS   June 16th, 2007 12:08 pm ET

That is the farthest thing from news I have seen outside the Paris fiasco of recent days. Why do you report when people trip?

Phil Kenny, Los Angeles CA   June 16th, 2007 11:57 am ET

Interesting that a little stumble or trip makes the news! Here's the real news, check out the latest Datamar survey that came out today. Rudy dropped like crazy - McCain is at 4 or 5%. Romney somehow jumped up to something like 35%–in CALIFORNIA!

Other news, google this: UltiMitt

Patomic Energy, Atlanta Georgia   June 16th, 2007 11:54 am ET

I just found out that Mitt Romney ate breakfast this morning. He put ketchup on his hash browns.

Kevin, Austin, TX   June 16th, 2007 11:53 am ET

This is not news! Please keep your campaign trail writing to things that matter, not to little mis-steps that happen to every human being at some point.

Kevin, Tucson AZ   June 16th, 2007 11:44 am ET

I love how you always pick the best pictures of the candidates.

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

Follow us on Twitter

CNN on TwitterGet Ticker updates the moment they appear online via the Web, SMS, or instant messages.
Follow politicalticker

Categories
CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. Please note that CNN makes reasonable efforts to review all comments prior to posting and CNN may edit comments for clarity or to keep out questionable or off-topic material. All comments should be relevant to the post and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying information via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.
Home  |  World  |  U.S.  |  Politics  |  Entertainment  |  Health  |  Tech  |  Travel  |  Living  |  Business  |  Sports  |  Time.com
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  Preferences |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  CNN Shop  |  Site Map
© 2008 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress.com