I would never vote by what sign whomever was photographed by. I am not a Romney fan, but is anybody going to vote based on an offensive sign in one photo months before an election. Does the sign make the man? It sure points out that some people are dumb enough to not have someone smart proofread their sign.

When did Osama bin Laden's name become a punchline? maybe mitts been watching too much Southpark; i for one don't think the man responsible for 9/11 should be invoked in a humorous manner. Romney telling people to 'lighten up' is an insult to america's intellegence and a slap in the face to everyone who died in 9/11. he should be ashamed and, if he really didn't know about the contents of the sign, angry; not flippant and obtuse.

[...] moma say cut and run." This is, of course, a repeat of the incident where Mitt Romney was caught posing with a very similar sign, which also grouped terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden with the top Democratic presidential [...]

Quick - someone make a sign that says, "Smile if you're an idiot" and hand it to Romney! If he can't read signs during the campaign, what's he going to bother reading if he's president?

It figures that Republicans would carry signs like that. Ever since the "Willie Horton" thing, they've been looking to demonize any black person who dares to offer political challenge, and Obama has become fair game.

At least we now know who the racist candidates are. . .

Romney won't get to "not notice" signs and other things if he were to be pres. If he doesn't pay attention to this sort of thing now, no thanks. He's another Bush, just clumsy in a different sort of way. Bush can't make is mouth work and Romney can't make his eyes work. Next, we'll have a republican in the making who doesn't know how to use his/her ears either. Hum, what does this make? Monkey see, monkey speak, monkey hear?…….
Yeah, "lighten up" is a good way to blow it off but do I believe him? No. Do I hypothasize that perhaps a member of his staff saw the sign and pointed him in that direction. You bet. I quit believing in "chances like that happening" a long long time ago. Romney didn't get where he got by not noticing things.
The man from GQ reminds me too much of Bill Clinton. Both of whom make me want to barf.

Diana
Coos Bay, OR

Great. Here is another Republican presidential candidate whose excuse for neglegence is that he doesn't read everything. First, Bush didn't read the August 6 DPB, apparently because he was busy clearing brush and vactioning, now Romney doesn't read the signs of the supporters he poses with. How convenient. And dangerous. Is this someone we want in office?

Ronald L. Gibson incorrectly wrote: Correction, Osama is Obama’s middle name. Nothing to do with Bin Laden
Posted By Ronald L. Gibson : July 23, 2007 2:39 pm

Um, no.

His name, as many conservative pundits are happy to tell us, is Barack Hussein Obama.

"Osama" appears nowhere in his name except in the imaginations of conservatives and other critics.

That Gov. Romney would happily hold up a sign like this (CNN does not show the other photo, in which the Gov. is indeed holding the sign up higher) is indication that he might also agree with those who would compare Pres. Bush to Hitler or Pol Pot.

Or maybe it's only ok to commit such ad hominem attacks if you're a Republican…

I'm pretty sure if I turned up at a Romney rally with a big "Mittler hate the Jews" sign, you defenders would be singing another tune! Why is every single person on the Right a hypocrite?

Stupid act with stupid excuse!. Disparaging someones name with that of someone who murdered 3000 americans and going after childred of candidates is not a laughing matter so how can I lighten up? I was thinking maybe I should doctored the same picture and insert David Duke in place of the woman with the stupid sign that he's so smiley standing next to and than tell Mormon Romney to "Lighten up"!

Macaca George told everyone to lighten up too. Remember him? Yeh, I thought you would remember. HE WAS NOT RE-ELECTED! You insensitive freak. And by the way, how much do you spend on your hair?

Hey CNN: There is no comma in the sign. It does not say No to Obama, Osama and Chelsea's Moma.
The sign is referring to Barack Obama as Osama Obama.
This may be too non-PC for CNN to report correctly.

NO TO CHELSEA'S MOM, HAHAHA.

When you don't have a center of your own, when you have no fixed convictions or beliefs, when you can do what you want because you don't really exist, you can dismiss an insult in your midst because nothing means anything to you.

"lighten up?" If I recall correctly, a staff member of the McCain campaign (when it still existed) made some comments about Romney's religion. Romney demanded an apology and got it. I guess its ok if he does it.

What I am afraid of is that the Mormon church will elect this man.

So is it open season on Mitt's name too now?

Mr. Gibson, I need to correct your correction, Obama's middle name is Hussien

I wonder if he reads what he signs?

Romney's response is on the mark. Like he should really be sorry that your feelings were hurt when you saw him, passively standing their adjacent to someone else's political sign. Even if there is another photo of him holding the sign, give me a break: the circumstances are completely inconsequential and absolutely meaningless.

A plain and simple white male bigot who represents the new Republican Party born out of the new conservative smear and personal attack mind set. Romney and Rudy should merge forces. Disgusting people who have managed to make America and the Presidency more tarnished than ever before.

Mitt, we understand you didn't make the sign. (Hopefully you know how to spell "Momma" correctly.) The questioner just wanted to see if you had the courage and spine to distance yourself from it. Guess he found out.

and why on earth would this woman be against a museum of modern art in england?

thanks for the reminder, mitt.
where IS osama? after all these years.
are we still trying to "schmoke 'im outta his caaave"?

To the man who made a comment about the uproar Obama would cause by holding up a "No Bush, Hitler, and Mittler"…you are right. Comparing our President to a man who viciously (through racism) killed millions of other people is a little more serious than a clever pun by a young child. Get off Romney's back, and go to Digg.com where people will actually take your opinions seriously.

Funniest thing I ve read today..

This tells me to not vote for Mr. Romney because if he cannot look at all the signs he poses with is he going to read all the Bills he signs.

Good for Romney!

Oh, grow up. Is this really news? The left is really reaching on this one. Hopefully Romney never makes a *real* mistake, I'd hate to see what they'd do to him then.

Well,

Mitt Romney doesn't understand the first thing about image. You are associated with those to whom you keep company. If Mr. Romney can't read, he is no better than our current President who can't speak. He should get a grip and take ownership for his actions and his image; not pass them off to someone else. Of course, votes are all that counts to him.

Yeah, lighten up! Sheesh! Besides, how do we know that someone didn't Photoshop the words onto the sign AFTER it was taken? I never believe anything I see online anymore, even from news services. There are just too many flakes who will alter something just to push their opinions.

Why did you not post the pic of Romney holding the sign? On TMZ.com, next to the photo of him with the woman holding the sign, he picks up and holds the sign himself. Hmmm… if the sign said something derogatory about the Mormon church, I don't think he would have been next, much less held, that sign.

Great Poster!!!!!!

I want to know Why does media continuously put Obama and Clinton down? I personally think they are the strongest canidates in race; Is it because Clinton is a woman and Obama is a black man?

No wonder this country is in so much trouble. I am constantly amazed that anyone with half a brain would want to be President. There are bigger issues to tackle and critizing someone for something like this is simply dumb!

I'm not a Romney supporter, but I do agree with him this time. Lighten up. Not every statement that comes from a candidate has to be totally serious and planned not to offend a single person in the world. People are human and make jokes. If your poor little candidate can't take a little poetic joke like this one, he/she won't stand a chance once the campaigns really get fired up and the mud starts flying for real. Save your ammo and pace yourselves. There is a long way to go.

Maybe Mitt can pose next to a sign that says:

No to driving across country (or part of) with a dog on the roof

How nice! CNN just happened to leave out the photo of Romney HOLDING THE SIGN. Ridiculous.

The sign is written in bright red on a white background. How does he not see the sign again?

“I have a lot of pictures taken with people," Romney also said. “I don’t really spend all that much time looking at the signs and the T-shirts and the buttons. I don’t have anything to say about a sign somebody else was holding.”

Hey CNN: How about showing the "other" picture where Romney IS actually holding the sign up himself instead of the one where he's just standing next to the sign while the woman is holding it? Think you could actually muster that?

(http://myglobalsearch.tmz.com/2007/07/21/mitt-catches-s-t-over-hillary-bashing-sign/)

Seriously who cares?? It's just a sign, and it's funny. Lighten up.

maybe he should read what he is representing in those pics. After all its HIS reputation !

As an individual seeking the highest political position in this country and the most important person in the world in my peoples eyes. The future President of the United States has to be aware of his/her surrounding at all times.

Mitt Romney should be ashamed of himself, not for seemingly agreeing with the poster, but for that weak line about not knowing what was written on the poster. Does he really expect folks to buy that story? I'd have more respect for Mitt Romney if he'd simply owned up to the position that he was taking.

What's wrong? Truth hurts? Can't take a joke? Please… Give me a break… What's his name anyhow? Hussein Burak Osama Obama? or Hussein Burak Osama, or Hussein Burak Obama? Is it really Burak Obama? What is his middle name, or is Burak his middle name? When is Al Gore going to get in the race? He would actually have a fighting chance and would be a valid candiate with substantial support.

DOES THAT MEAN AS PRESIDENT, ROMNEY WOULD NOT READ ALL THE BILLS HE SIGNS AS LONG AS HE GETS HIS PICTURE TAKEN?

It's really nice to see everyone focusing on the real issues that will actually effect all of us regarding our potential future President….oh wait.

Didn't Ted Kennedy refer to Obama as Osama once too?

I think the tires in Romney's campaign just deflated a little bit more. Kudos. We get to see what a real jerk this guy is BEFORE the elections.

Remember when John McCain told people to "Get a life?" Look where his campaign is now. Just look, though, because he won't talk about it–his campaign, that is.

It'd be nice to see journalism that doesn't include "obvious" personal insertions. I thought reporting meant telling the facts, not one's own opinion.

I know the silliness in this thread is about Barack Obama's middle name. Just adding a new dimension–
Mitt Romney: Full name Willard Mitt Romney
(Father's name: George W. Romney)

I can't believe everyone is making such a big deal out of this. Get a life….

[...] we agree, and are glad to say so, with Mittens when he said "lighten up" about his posing for a picture with a supporter. The sign, in which the supporter exercises [...]

He's just one of many brainless conservative candidates in the election, what would you expect?

I wish someone would ask Mitt Romney how his church feels about Blacks. As a former Mormon, I know they believe that blacks were not as brave and courageous as whites were in heaven. Yes, it is ridiculous. Apparently, God made them black because it was their curse for not being strong against Satan. It was in the early 1970's when blacks were able to hold the priesthood in the Mormon church. And to think this guy could be our president.
Debbie Pakzaban

Here a sign for Romney:
NO TO ROMNEY
POLITICAL SODOMY
AND CORPORATE CRIME ECONOMY

well he is certainly living up to the expectations of the current administration. Let's not take responsibility for anything or read the contract before we sign. what a crock. I don't think that we as Americans are quite that bull headed to buy into that.

Maybe is the peroxide she uses on her hair that it’s leaking into her head but she can not spell at all. What its Mitt’s excuse again? What? We forgot about MACACA this soon? What the hell happened to the GOP? Everyday Hillary looks better and better. These GOP pack of clowns are just paving her way into the Whitehouse… great job guys!!!

The real story is that CNN decided to make this a story.

Running every 30 minutes, or so…

Oh yeah, and the Democrats are debating on CNN today. And the lady holding the sign is probably a republican operative.

Last time I checked … Obama's middle name is Hussein.

I guess if it's okay for Fox News to run a Osama/Obama "typo" then it's cool for some mouth-breathing inbred Romney supporter who can't spell "mama" to stand there like an idiot holding that sign. To expect Romney to pay attention to what a sign says before he poses with it is too much to ask of a short-sighted fool who thinks that we need to build more Gitmos so we can keep torturing people to win the "war" on terrorism. This guy is never going to win an election and Obama could bury him in a debate any day.

How dare they…It's their party who went after Sadam instead of the real culprit Osama. Now they want to do what mid to lower class White Americans do, name call and slander. As far as I'm concerned we can do without more racism in the White House. We've had far to much of that as it is.

Great campaign move if you ask me, negative publicity spreads faster than wild fire and in the end … what will be remembered is Romney for pres … not Romney supports people who compare Obama to Osama. This just shows how shallow our presidential campaigns are and that real issues … like farm conservation measures, global warming, and insurance are going under the radar.

The fact that many of the people commenting on this story think that Barack Hussein Obama's middle name is Osama speaks for itself.

Six and a half years of Bush, Rove and Faux News have lead America to this: lighten up, no big deal, arguing with incorrect facts(lies) as if they were truth.

Way to go repugs. By the way Moma is spelled Momma, or at least it was until this alternative Bush world came into being.

What does Lou Dobbs think?
This past weekend, I heard Mr. Dobbs
misstate a comment by Sen Obama with
regard to genocide. Mr. Dobbs left
critical portions of the comment out
and I question his intent in doing so.

If you can't trust him to know what he's posing with……how can you trust him to know what he's doing running the largest "free" country in the world?

Aside from the fact that Mitt is better looking than the rest of the pack in the republican side and he is the only one in the top tier of the GOP that has been married only once, he's just a joke…. you want a serious man vote for RON PAUL!!!!

Mitt signed a copy of the picture before the event. Then during the event he runs from it. This is typical of the right. They will capitalize on the Limbaugh/Hannity type rhetoric when it benefits them, but then they try to keep a statesmanly image when the cameras are rolling. Well, the cameras are always rolling nowadays and we're getting a good look at the "Macacca" spewing type of Republicans.

I suggest he take time to read signs and take them seriously if he wants to win this election. I don't care if he's Democrat or Republican. People remember things like this, and it will definitely hurt him come election time. This election is meant to be taken seriously.

I agree 100% lighten up for crying out loud. There are much worse thing going on in our world to worry about dumb stuff like that.

In response to

Correction, Osama is Obama’s middle name. Nothing to do with Bin Laden

Posted By Ronald L. Gibson : July 23, 2007 2:39 pm

Actually Obama's middle name is Hussein.

Anyway, Romney's excuse is a cop out. It's like saying "I signed the papers but I didn't look at what I was signing." He should take responsibility for his mistake and not try to blame it on others.

THis made the news? Lighten up CNN. Romney is the man!

Here we go again with the thin skinned Americans crying for an apology. Neither party is worth the powder it would take to blow them up ! Will we see change in my liftime…doubt it. But I predict that if we elect a Democrat, in less than six months terrorism will be on our soil. Obviously that is what the sign maker was thinking. Mitt Romney is so typical by replying he does not read the signs, come on have some courage,say what the sign imples. The muslims of the world not just Al Qaeda are praying for a Democratic leader so we can all sit around and blame our policies for their hate and terrorism.

Baloney !!! No one in my lifetime has figured out what to do in the middle east, wait, since the begining of time !
Iran the only democracy in the region has an elected leader that neither party will join at the table. Some elected official in this country must stand up and declare we are really in WAR not a volunteer army trying to police multiple packs of animals. Until Americans have the stomach to level every where that Al qaeda exist with bombs were just in another chapter of failure.

The media makes a story out of a stupid sign why don't they report on how many Jewish Americans will ditch the Democrates if they elect a Muslim. Come on report with courage ! Not worrying about someone asking for an apology

This, coming from a Presidential candidate? That is incredibly poor taste. What was he thinking?

Isn't this same guy who played the bigotry card earlier in the year against Sharpton? A rose by any other name, Mr. Romney…

The sign is just a sign of immaturity, not a national stance… I agree, lighten up.

Since voters aren't going to vote a cult member into the White House anyhow, focus on more substantial issues.

The only bad joke around here is Mitt's presidential bid. He supports gay marriage, he's against gay marriage. He's for gun control, he's against gun control. He's for universal health care, he's against universal health care.

This guy's a complete clown.

There is not a comma in the sign between Obama and Osama. By including it, the article ignores the fact conservative bloggers and talk radio constantly refer to Senator Obama as "Osama Obama," as though it were his hyphenated first name. Its a puerile smear campaign and desperate attempt for a 2nd tier Repub to get national attention.

WOW! That woman is not very bright or she is taking lessons from Karl Rove in manipulation. Neither Chelsea's mama nor Obama is responsible for the fact that a very tall man on kidney dialysis is still a free roaming Pakistan.
Anyone with half of a brain needs to look no further than 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for the real reason Bin Laden has not been captured. I really hope the american public is not so uninformed to believe a sign that flip-flop Romney is so boastfully posing with.

OMG… how is this news… its clearly a joke… Im a supporter of Barack and all this shows me is Romney has a sense of humor… I wish folks would just take it easy… the media really knows how to start mess dont they.

This is typical of the asleep-at-the-wheel Republican Party- and it's members. This guy (and the chick in the photo) are scary.

So he had his picture taken WITH the sign and he didn't read it??!! Do we really want another president who ignores reality, even when it's right in the palm of his hand? Isn't that what King George did with the August 6, 2001 Presidential Daily Brief titled "Bin Laden Determined To Strike In US?

I'm surprised about the uproar. Does anybody remember Hollywood during the debate in 2004 with those tasteless jokes about president Bush? I didn't think so. Lighten up.

One would think that a presidential hopeful, knowing his every move and remark will be scrutinized, would have enough sense to read a sign before being photographed with it. What an idiot! I'm just an ordinary citizen, but even I would assume that if I pose for a picture holding a sign, especially with a big cheesy grin on my face, people would assume I'm in aggremant with what the sign says. Romney became somewhat less than human in my eyes after the story about his poor dog came out. Even worse, his comment that the dog actually enjoyed it. Loser.

hey Romney - I would suggest you start paying a little more attention to the three foot signs someone is holding in your picture. You didn't notice what was on the 3 foot sign? Cmon. Now you're lying. It is clearly in poor taste, and I think it tells us a little something about your tastes.

Come on, people, stop being dense. CNN did show the second picture. Click on the word photograph that is in blue under the picture on the story! sheesh

And you can spell it Moma, Momma, Mama, Mamma….

Whether Romney knew what the sign said at the time of the photo is not at issue. Finding out what the sign said, and then telling others to "lighten up" is the real issue. We are responsible, whether we want to accept the responsibility or not, for the actions of those we affiliate ourselves with. Most especially when on a campaign.

On a side note–as a former Mormon, I believe Romney is the WORST possible candidate for this country's presidency. A political foundation based on such an oft-times twisted philosophy should be looked at under a microscope. You can be sure that Mormon ideology will be used to run this country, and that is damned frightening. And although at first glance Romney would fit in with the Right Wing stance, it will all change after an oath is sworn in January 2009.

Goodbye Constitution??? Are you kidding?? I bet you support Al Sharpton dont you.

Bush * Chenney 08
"For a Better America"

I am vaguely concerned about the sign, but only vaguely.

I am incredibly concerned by the sheer number of previous commenters who think Obama's middle name is Osama. What are you saying, that all names associated in any way with Islam are equivalent? They all look the same to you? Barack HUSSEIN Obama is named after his grandfather.

And, frankly, the notion that he doesn't and shouldn't read the signs is ludicrous. Would he stand in a picture with a supporter that says, "I support Romney but hate all other Mormons?" What about one that said "Keep America White?" You better believe he wouldn't — his handlers wouldn't let him.

So we can debate the merits of the sign, whether it was offensive or just a joke, etc. But let's not kid ourselves that this is a question of whether or not he read it. He did. He should stand behind (no pun intended) his own actions.

Pure ignorance (both of them) is all I can say! The owner of the poster needs to learn how to spell too! Romney knows darn well that he read that sign before he took the pics!!! A GOP presidential "HOPEFUL" is what he'll continue to be, because I would NEVER vote for him!! Who is he anyway? I've never heard of him!!!

Don't worry, Mitt will change his position by tomorrow.

so does this mean romney would stand next to a sign that reads "long live the taliban!"? of course not. he reads every sign he stands by and implicitly accepts the message.

I think it is a great sign. CNN just has one thing in mind to — help Chelsea's Moma get to the White House.

It's just sour grapes that the sign was not detrimental to President Bush. Cnn just can't stand the truth about Hill.
Does America want a real innovator, one who can solve problems and do the country proud as Mitt Romney would do or do they want a President who just screeches and is unaware of her and the countries problems? If she didn’t know Bill was dilly dallying with Monica –how can she believe she has the ability and know how to run the Country. The wife should always be the first to know.

Correction, Osama is Obama’s middle name. Nothing to do with Bin Laden

Posted By Ronald L. Gibson : July 23, 2007 2:39 pm

Mr. Gibson,

Just for the record, Barack Obama's middle name is 'Hussein'.

Oh boy. Another President that doesn't take responsibility. "I'm not responsible for standing next to racist signs." Ah…yes, you need to be more careful Mitt and not promote ignorance and hatred. This is just what we need. 8 more years of the same old same old.

I must not be reading into the sign as much as everyone else; I recall the GOP not liking Bin Laden along with its Democratic competitors last time I checked. I think its cute to make it rhyme. What's the problem?

I'm certainly no fan of Mitt Romney,
but he is right. Some of you people need to get a life. Aren't there more substantive concerns than this?

Right Romney. And lighten up about your flip-flopping ways to secure elective office that are obvious insults to your religion. And speaking of religion, from one mormon to another — you have a long way to go baby to convince others that mormon's are segregationists, racist and view women as stay-at-home baby production machines to secure all the men the ultimate highest kingdom. Convince us that mormon's don't believe that and you'll never have a mormon voting for you. Lighten up and stay home.

I am a Democrat but I supported Mitt Romney until this abominable act. It disgusts me that politicians have to stoop to a level of three year-olds by calling each other names to win an election. It amazes me that Romney can lie like he did to the American people, his consituents, about not spending "all that much time looking at the signs and the T-shirts and the buttons. I don't have anything to say about a sign somebody else was holding."

OK, one more thing: I'd just like to say that although I'm voting Democrat, I'd be lethally unhappy with any Dem candidate who pulled out a sign like that. What the sign implies is despite for Obama because of his race, and an unwillingness to allow the black man to participate in democracy, plus equating opposition candidates with terrorism. I don't expect to see Obama posing next to a sign saying BUSH BOMBED OTC either. Bet a nickel that sign was a trap and he walked right in . .

ONE more time - I really wish people who post would read at least some of the previous comments before posting.
1. Osama is not Obama's middle name. Which right wingnut told you that one?
2. The woman did not misspell Moma - she is spelling it that way to make a supposedly clever alliteration - though she should have used Mama.

And now for a new point:
3. Those of you trying to compare this with leftists who have often had signs equating Bush to Hitler et al, let's get this straight! There is a BIG DIFFERENCE between some random people holding signs making these onerous comparisons and an official candidate running for President of the United States doing it. Yes, there is free speech. But to hold the sign and pose with the sign assumes you AGREE or ENDORSE the sentiments expressed on the sign! Jeesh! How hard is that to understand?
4. And for those who like to point to the Move On incident in '04 where a citizen (NOT anyone affiliated in any way with the party or a candidate) posted a submission for a 30 second ad contest which equated Bush to Hitler, which was PULLED by Move On within about 24 hours, I would suggest you look in the mirror. Or do you not remember that for at least a few hours, on the OFFICIAL GOP website, on the FRONT Page, was a video which juxtaposed footage of speeches by Democrats with film footage of speeches by Nazis. Uh…random poster to an un-affiliated website vs. official posting on official party website. Hmmm… slight difference, here? Yeah, you choose not to remember that. Facts and context mean nothing to you.
A man of integrity, and even a modicum of political smarts, would have chuckled maybe (if he had such an infantile sense of humor) and then politely told the woman that he couldn't really be seen with that.
It would not have taken a rocket scientist.

The message in the sign reveals narrow and shallow thinking.

Mr. Mitt Romney's comment reveals that he is either unobservant or lying; and his holding and posing with it shows poor form - really poor judgment.

WE THE PEOPLE of the United States and the world deserve better in a Presidential candidate, and ultimately President of the United States.

Rob,

If you are going to roast someone for their spelling, at least you could check your own!!

Here's what YOU said:
“Me” in Dallas proves a previously stated observation: some of these conservative supporters are semi-literate at best.

Posted By Rob

I don't profess to be the best speller, so I don't criticize other's spelling. But since you did…you will be criticized!!

If 90% of the GOP supporters can't spell, then neither can 90% of the Dems!!

Mitt should rethink his comment about his thoughts on not caring what's on the signs before he poses. He should be careful about not taking responsibility….after all we are tired of the current climate of noone being responsible in D.C.! He just lost my vote. The last thing I want to hear is "I'm not responsible for….you fill in the blank. Same old same old….

We don't need another mentally challenged president!

I'm a Mormon and I enjoy my diet coke and Hersheys… If this is what you were taught I would question anything else you were taught or anything you "think" you might know about Mormons…

"So let me get this right…
Romney says Yes to posing with signs he can’t be asked to read…but he says No way Jose!‘ to chocolate and diet coke?!?

Isn’t it a bit rich for a devout Mormon to tell someone to lighten up?

No Coca Cola or Hershey chocolate? Surely this man is no patriot.

Please do not put Romney (his name is Mitt - isn’t that something you Yanks use to catch balls?) in charge of anything! (maybe…maybe ball-catching.)

Your friend in Britain,
Dom

Posted By Dominique : July 23, 2007 3:53 pm"

Finally! A man who does not follow the "apology" epidemic! Kudos to Romney – that’s how a real man should behave!

Dominique,
Get your facts straight. Neither of those claims are true.

I don’t care what the sign says, but it does hold a hidden message. Because the American electorate (as a whole) is uneducated about politics, a man with a name Barack Hussein Obama on a ballot will lose votes because of the similarity to both the names Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. Two people whom Americans hate.

This is why Clinton is beating Romney in the polls

Maybe Mr. Romney does not have time to read all the signs people bring to the rallys but how does he know they are not saying something "LIKE THAT ABOUT HIM!!!'. I had liked some his views a weeks ago when I heard an interview he did somewhere but now I am running back to Mr. Obama AGAIN!!!!

That is a total disrespect to Mr. Barack Obama.
To be compare by any means with that animal, is unacceptable, and she needs to apoligize to Mr.Barack Obama.

Suze Louis-Jean,
NYC

Liberals need to SHUT UP!

CNN can't even quote correctly from a picture. Journalism: moving faster than the speed of intelligent thought.

And the "Beat Goes On"! Here is Romney holding the sign and he LIES OUTRIGHT that he doesn't read these signs that "someone else holds up" hold up!

Good thing it only said such insensitive and unconscionable words about Barack Obama and not about Bush! God forbid he be labeled a traitor or worse! This guy Romney would actually be able to fit right into ole Georges’ shoes and never miss a beat! Good buy Constitution!

For all of you who are in some way offended by the sign in question, please take a course in remedial logic. The sign is meant to express opposition to three individuals: Barack Obama, Osama Bin Laden, and Hillary Clinton. Mitt Romney, his supporters, and nearly all core Republican are opposed to these three individuals (for different reasons in each case). You, the reader, make a logical blunder if you assume that the sign equates these three individuals or compares them to each other. The sign simply lists three individuals whom Republicans oppose. Where is the offense in that?

Please its okie for them to make Obama Girl skits and Ruddy Girl ones but a Romney fan makes a sign and everyone is in an uproar. I personally dont care for the guy but like he said "lighten up a little" its a joke! This si the prob with this country today.

Maybe he can't read!

So if you didn't like flip-floppers four years ago, and you like a flip-flopper now, does that make you a flip-flopper?

Who cares? Lighten up and get a life…I really dont think this is as big a deal as some of you are making it out to be.

Poor Mitt. He hasn't got time to check on what message he's sending to the potential voters. Could it be "I'm too busy to do the right thing?" or just "I'm Mitt Romney, and I approved this message." Unfortunately the message I'm getting is "I'm too silly to be useful" and I suspect that's the one everyone else is getting too. Save yourself, Mitt. Go home before that macaca guy shows up with a sign.

Clinton "I didn't inhale"

Romney "I didn't read the sign"

Well, seems the Republicans are more like Democrats then they are willing to admit. I'd expect a president whose observational skills are much better then this, so long Mitt!!

I like the sign! CNN just does not like Mitt Romney and its really showing that you want Clinton in the White House.

So Romney says "I don't look at all the signs…" What if the the first word in the sign was "death" instead of "no?" Would he still say "lighten up"? I would think that someone with a modicum of intelligence would look at the sign before having their picture taken with it.

Yes - let's all impale the poor woman for exercising her free speech Jonnie Cochran style!

Has your life become so trivial that you're howling about THIS picture of Mitt with a supporter?

Which is worse… a spelling error or this pitch-and-fork mob mentality?

The sign says more about Romney's supporters than it does about him: Unintelligent, ignorant and pathetic!

America is wide awake now, and we have no intention of letting those loser back in the White House again.

Keep smilin' Mitt.

"Me" in Dallas proves a previously stated observation: some of these conservative supporters are semi-literate at best.

Qutoing "Me": "who cares what the sign say….and maybe is correct…at least for sure it is very amusing"

Why is it that 90% of the folks that are GOP supporters are morons who can't spell?

Hey, CNN, why don't you post the photo of him HOLDING the sign, and then have him say "I didn't read it." What a dunce. No wonder the favorite Republican candidate is "none of the above.

Get over yourselves. It's politics. I say lighten up too. Good grief people. How old are you anyway?

Moma?? Looks like another argument for the "No Childless Attitude Left Behind Program".

I'll lighten up when Mr. Romney becomes less superficial. This is obsurd and insulting behavior.

Anyone that thinks that sign is funny, needs to get out and expand their sense of humor a bit… go out on the town and see a comedian. The sign is too lame to be offensive.

This is America - any idiot has the right make and display a silly sign (misspelled though it may be) but it is irresponsible and disrespectful for Romney to pose with a sign equating a US Senator to the creep who planned the massacre of thousands of US citizens - shame on you Romney.

If she's referring to the new MoMA it's in Soho, not Chelsea.

I'm a Dem, but if this is Osama's middle name, then it is fair game. Romney might have looked better by mentioning this instead of telling people to "lighten up." We are in the middle of terrorist war with Osama Bin Laden at-large, that's nothing to lighten up about.

Oh Boy !! Another "Uniter but not a divider" for President.

He is responsible for having his picture taken with that particular sign ,he should have read the sign first

Ignorance abounds in the US,
and Romney like republicans in the past
like to wheel their dog and pony shows right up to it cause that's where
they feel comfortable–in the land
of ignorance.

"I'm not responsible for all the signs I see" so he did see the sign…i thought he said he doesn't look at all of them…

I agree… lighten up a bit. I'm a Democrat, and I don't find the sign offensive. It's akin to a sign at a baseball or football game, in which people just use their imagination to rhyme. I don't think that Romney (or his sign-toting supporter) are really trying to say that Obama or Hilary are like Osama Bin Laden… it just rhymes.

Chelsea has a Moma?! So sad, I always thought she was healthy…

Moronic boob. If he doesn't read "every sign," then he needs to fire his publicity agents, because that's THEIR job, to keep him from making a fool of himself. Oh wait, too late. You're on minute 14, Mr. Romney.

Is Mitt kidding? So I take that to mean he is generally unconcerned with his message. I expect much more from my President.

Truthfully, I don't know much about Romney, but Cudos to his response on this issue. It's nice to see someone resist backtracking and apologizing for something that is blown out of proportion.

No, we need not "lighten up". If a candidate cannot distinguish terrorism from political free speech, we do not need that candidate.

Momma, not MOMA. Duh!

Mitt said, "I don’t look at all the signs…” And this guy is running for president???? I would think after the last six years, America would want someone who is actually paying attention to their surroundings.

If CNN had used the other photo that clearly shows a smiling Mitt looking at the content of the sign, CNN would have to rewrite this article. He is shown to be responsible for the sign there.

I agree with Mitt. Everyone needs to lighten up already. Which part of the sign do you disagree with? It seems to me that we should say no to terrorism (Osama) as well as those who would raise our taxes, support killing unborn babies (Obama & Billary), etc. Maybe they shouldn't be on the same sign so that we don't offend the left but we should say "no" to both….

I didn't know Chelsea had a Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). I knew management consultants made big bucks, but really…

Tony

Will Mitt revise his position on t-shirt slogans tomorrow? Stay tuned.

This guy is down to earth. You just have to like hime.

What is all the hype over? The last time I looked, this was still America. If someone wants to make a sign like this, so be it. Stop trying to make everything into a political thing. The same ones criticizing Romney are the ones that would find it alright if their candidate had done the same thing.

So let me get this right…
Romney says Yes to posing with signs he can't be asked to read…but he says No way Jose!' to chocolate and diet coke?!?

Isn't it a bit rich for a devout Mormon to tell someone to lighten up?

No Coca Cola or Hershey chocolate? Surely this man is no patriot.

Please do not put Romney (his name is Mitt - isn't that something you Yanks use to catch balls?) in charge of anything! (maybe…maybe ball-catching.)

Your friend in Britain,
Dom

romneys right just lighten up. all of you are almost awstruck by the incedent he didnt hold a sign himself. it appears dems these days are looking for almost anything to bash political figures its sad which is why we look so pathedic.

Wait a while, you'll see Romney flip-flop on this, too.

I want to pound my head into the wall due to the amount of attention this is receiving along with his dog kennel incident.

Not a Romney supporter, but if this is all you can find on the guy then he must be clean. For those that are upset over THIS ISSUE, just remember we have a lot bigger things to tackle as a nation.

OK, then: No to Cheney, Romney, and Giuliani.

Barack's Wiki entry

Also, I'm a member of the LDS faith and would like to say that I find a lot of comments that have been made to be pretty funny.

Democrat commentators that forget the fact that they supported Bill Clinton. ALSO the fact that every president as far back as I can remember (Carter administration) has had lies they had to cover up. I believe Romney to be about the most honest of the candidates that we have to choose from.

Interesting the rhetoric coming from the Romney opposition. These are problably thought the Hitler/Bush comparisons on the Moveon.org website were "right on".

So, who started it first?? I've been hearing Hitler/"insert GOP candidate name here" for YEARS now…..

Does it make it right…no.

Is this a reason to publicly flog him?? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!

We've seen worse things than this that should be making headlines. This is just an attempt by his opponents to try and start something to distract you from the real political dialogue.

NOTHING TO SEE HERE, MOVE ALONG!!

People…she spelled "Moma" to make it work in the alliterative sense. She didn't "misspell it.
That being said, for all of you posters defending it, why, exactly, is it so "clever"? I mean, maybe if you listen to Rush and the others, where a person's NAME seems to matter (something I haven't witnessed since high school elections), you find this somehow to be cute or…? I really don't get it?
And, for what it's worth, Mr. Romney, as a citizen of this country, I think that I will decide what I think is offensive or not. Not YOU.

First of all, I did not know that Chelsea owned The MOMA (The Museum of Modern Art). Secondly, why would someone say No to the MOMA? Is this woman, and Mister Romney by default, against having a Museum of Modern Art?

Every politician I've ever known can read a name tag or spot a friendly or unfriendly face from at least 100 yards away. They notice everything. Successful businessmen also notice everything. Mitt thought he wouldn't be called out on this pandering in code to the most base of the republican base.

It figures that she couldn't even spell "momma". Or perhaps she was referring to the Museum of Modern Art. Having Barack's name linked to Bin Laden is no better than having W's name hooked up with Hitler. It's an outrage, pure and simple. This may be the first of Mitt's "macacca moments".

Actaully CNN didn't even correctly quote the sign they have a photo of! It's "No to Obama Osama…"

For those who find this funny and entertaining are probably Romney or a rebup supporter…so lets turn the table for a moment - If it was Obama or Hillary standing next to one of their supporters holding a similar sign bashing a repub candidate it wouldn't be as funny or entertaining right?-Right! And lets not forget the monkeys over at FOX News, they would have a week long field day if such a story happened.

Who cares about his posing with the sign. Romney used his Mormon religion to block the Native Americans in Massachusetts from having a casino. I'd be more concerned about a President who lets his religion interfere with running the country …like the incumbent

To Voln - "lieing" ??? wow. yes, he's lying. Leave Bill out of it. That isn't the issue here.

my my myyyyyy Im thinking that Mitt Romney must be becoming quite a threat if this is what they have to pick on him about. Seriously do you think he takes the time to read all the signs while he's campaigning? Granted the woman that made the sign is immature but that is no reason to punish Mr. Romney

No, no, no, you've got it wrong . . . there's nothing on that sign about Hilary. The sign-bearer is obviously disturbed by MOMA — New York's Museum of Modern Art — and clearly a fan of Caravaggio over Cubism.

Only problem: MOMA is considerabl