September 17, 2007
Posted: September 17th, 2007 06:00 PM ET

Romney took heat from the hospital outside of which he made a statement on health care.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The hospital that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney used as a backdrop Monday to pan Sen. Hillary Clinton’s, D-New York, healthcare plan is criticizing Romney for using the facility as a prop for his news conference.

“We find it unfortunate that Mr. Romney misappropriated the image and good will of St. Vincent’s Hospital to further a political agenda,” the hospital said in a statement after Romney’s appearance. The hospital also noted in the statement that as a non-profit, it does not get involved in political campaigns and that Romney held his press conference in front of the hospital “without the knowledge or consent” of St. Vincent’s.

During his news conference, Romney told reporters he purposely chose the location because the issue was about healthcare.

“I chose a place where there was a sidewalk and part of a hospital to underscore that this was about health care and of course I’m in New York today,” Romney said. “I’m happy to do it right here, this is obviously an important institution,” Romney explained.

Romney spokesman Kevin Madden also told CNN that the press conference location “was a public sidewalk in front of the hospital and we did not use hospital property.”

– CNN’s Candy Crowley and Alta Spells contributed to this report

Filed under: Mitt Romney


casey   October 10th, 2007 5:05 am ET

St Vincents doesnt even take care of patients in the hospital.They prefer to let them die or go into comas then hire experienced professionals to the job.

laurinda, shokan,ny   September 19th, 2007 4:21 pm ET

I have a fantastic idea for his next photo-op. He can stand on the sidewalk outside the green zone and give his speech. That will underscore that this is about pulling the toops out of Iraq.

Veronica, Stamford, CT   September 19th, 2007 12:11 pm ET

I'd vote for Alan Keyes before I voted for Mittens. Gee, I wonder what Mittens will be for this week, that he was against last week, that's he was for the week before ...

Mittens ought to go back to Utah ... and stay there.

Bea, Hoboken, NJ   September 18th, 2007 1:57 pm ET

FYI, St. Vincent's Hospital is the home of the Rudolph W. Giuliani Trauma Center.

I find it difficult to believe that of all the hospitals in Manhattan, this was the one that Romney just randomly happened to choose… Posted By Ryan, New York, NY : September 18, 2007 11:10 am

Exactly there's no way someone in his campaign didn't know that tidbit. Romney attempted to kill two birds with one stone: lambast Hillary while standing in front of the hospital which has their trauma center named after Giuliani. Good for St. Vincent's to voice an objection to being used by this lame politician.

Ryan, New York, NY   September 18th, 2007 11:10 am ET

FYI, St. Vincent's Hospitial is the home of the Rudolph W. Giuliani Trauma Center.

I find it difficult to believe that of all the hospitals in Manhattan, this was the one that Romney just randomly happened to choose...

New Bern, NC   September 18th, 2007 9:45 am ET

Again the facts are clear the hospital seems to have overblown the situation there are allot of homless people around those areas too – why don't we here about htme missapropriating there image? this is much to do about nothing.

Robert, Sunnyvale, CA   September 18th, 2007 9:39 am ET

Mitt is the most normal, hardworking, non-politican in the bunch. Are you kidding me! Maybe he should have checked the political persuasion of the hospitals adminstrator. This is stupid politics at its core.

AJ; Montpelier, VT   September 18th, 2007 8:28 am ET

Perhaps this flip flopping hypocrite should try to purchase the hospital. Just like he's trying to purchase this election.

Lee Benedict, Martinez, GA   September 18th, 2007 8:11 am ET

Mitt Romney is beyond being a joke. Has he said the same thing twice in the last 6 months? He tip-toes around most questions, backtracks on others, and speaks with minimal knowledge and candor on the others. He waffles almost as much as Bill Clinton but displays the same amount of theater. Mitt, stop it! One John Edwards is two too many. I, as many others, do not trust you.

Sam, Ia   September 18th, 2007 4:31 am ET

A more appropriate location for Romney's press conference would have been the pockets of an insurance executive.

Val Davydov, Agawam, MA   September 18th, 2007 1:58 am ET

It's very obvious that Gov. Romney is making liberals nervous. I bet the administration of St. Vincent’s Hospital would love to endorse Hillary if they weren't non-profit, otherwise, they wouldn't have brought this up. They would have loved it if it was Hillary standing on the sidewalk in front of their hospital. Dah!

hawnstyle   September 18th, 2007 1:49 am ET

On the money Brian!!! Every candidate has his/her own flaws, but Romney is the best out there by far. He will bring economic stability to the America. The hospital administrator is probably a Mormon hater just like the rest of you.

Brady Heaps, Highland Utah   September 17th, 2007 10:59 pm ET

So what does abortion, the LDS Church, or 'flip-floping' have to do with any of this?
Seriously folks, do some homework on your next President and quit reading such baseless, non-important articles.

And of course Mitt has a political agenda: It's called DESTROYING HILLARY CLINTON!

Vinny, NYC, NY   September 17th, 2007 10:44 pm ET

I wouldn't have that big an issue with Mr. Romney picking a random hospital. But... whether intentionally or by weird coincidence (and I think it was intentional), Romney's little press conference was held in front of the Rudy Giuliani Trauma Wing of St. Vincent's. Seems like there was a bit of intentional messing around on Romney's part.

Lauren, Charlottesville, VA   September 17th, 2007 10:39 pm ET

Does anyone notice how CNN and other major "news" outlets never publish any real news about Mitt Romney?

If the American people had the opportunity to really look at Romney, and realize how intelligent and proactive and genuine he is, they might realize that he would make a great President.

S. Richard, Olathe, KS   September 17th, 2007 10:25 pm ET

This must be a REALLY slow news day....

KB, Danbury CT   September 17th, 2007 9:32 pm ET

To CNN: I don't care about which public venue was in the backdrop during Mitt's speech. I also don't care about what some employee of such venue thinks about Mitt Romney. But I DO care about what the man actually said during his speech. When will you start reporting objectively on the issues most people really care about? Only then will people be able to vote intelligently on who will lead our nation into the future.

From: the American people

Wynter, Loudon, NH   September 17th, 2007 9:03 pm ET

To Brian Brooker Esq. Fairbanks Alaska,

When you "use" someone's name, image or likeness for political gain and that organization has not given permission for it to be used then that is clearly "misappropriation" of their name, image or likeness. It's similar to using someone's trademark or company name insinuating that they are providing you backing, support or are in agreement with your statements. In this case, Mitt stood in front of their institution and stated healthcare policy issues that they may or may not agree with. That isn't like standing on the court house steps and making a speech. It attempts to use the institution's reputation and prestige to back his position. As a non-profit organization they could likely run into legal issues if they were found to have backed this press conference.

Telling it like I see it,
Wynter

Tricia M Charlottetown PEI   September 17th, 2007 8:18 pm ET

Way to go Mitt....
I'm sure Hillary is blessing you too!
Maybe you could join her campaign!

Is there a brain under that lovely mane?

Shawnie Cannon, Grants Pass OR   September 17th, 2007 8:03 pm ET

Obviously someone in administration at that hospital DID HAVE A POLITICAL AGENDA. And they used it to malign a candidate they did not support. You can bet if it was someone they were voting for, they would have been all giggles and smiles.

Romney was addressing a national problem, and everytime a candidate calls attention to it, whether we support that particular candidate or not, it is in our best interest.

You know who stands to lose with national health care? The HOSPITALS. Hospitals are NOT altruistic institutions. There is more kick-backs and corruption (price of drugs) at hospitals than just about anywhere And St. Vincent's is no exception. And several of you fell for St. Vincent's smoke screen.

Brian Brooker Esq. Fairbanks Alaska   September 17th, 2007 7:42 pm ET

Mitt Romney is the most qualified presidential candidate in U.S. history. No other candidate has had a resume with as much depth and breadth. He is standing on a public sidewalk, end of discussion.

Patricia A. Corcoran, Cambridge, Massachusetts   September 17th, 2007 7:38 pm ET

I find it interesting that Mitt Romney is opposed to healthcare for the unwashed masses. With his money he could probably buy Saint Vincent's Hospital (and fire those administrator!!!!) like he's trying to buy the Presidency. I don't trust this man - never have - never will.

Gary, Honolulu Hi   September 17th, 2007 7:24 pm ET

I wonder when Mitt will flip-flop again? I don't trust anyone who's campaign is being funded by the medical insurance companies and the Mormon church, I smell a deep hidden agenda.

Rose Hann New London, CT   September 17th, 2007 7:15 pm ET

Romney is a second teir candidate with no subsance.
He's too concerned about his wife being prettier than Bill Clinton. Just what America needs, a man who is concerned with looks! Mitt, there is a war going on. Pretty is not a presidential issue.

Corbett, Seattle WA   September 17th, 2007 7:10 pm ET

That's right Mitt. Like everything else in world, "Public Property" belongs to you. The only difference is that you don't have to pay for it. Maybe you should abuse it more often, that way you won't have to "loan" your campaign so much of your own money in the future.

James, Phoenix AZ   September 17th, 2007 7:09 pm ET

A hospital will not treat a victim laying injured on the sidewalk outside their doors but they can accuse Mitt Romney of misappropriating their image because he stood on the sidewalk and gave a speech?

PUH-lease! I think the God-Complex has gone too far with these hospital administrators.

Christian, Tampa FL   September 17th, 2007 7:09 pm ET

Whether they used public or hospital property is irrelevant. They still used a hospital as part of their political agenda without the consent of the institution. No candidate should do that.

SE, Penna.   September 17th, 2007 7:07 pm ET

This guy has PHONY written all over him!!

Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA   September 17th, 2007 7:01 pm ET

Public space but private appropriation of hospital's image and name. Bad Mitt!

John, Ca.   September 17th, 2007 7:01 pm ET

No surprise that Romney has misappropriated something here, he has misappropriating others policy positions all throughout the campaign!

What's his stance on abortion.........this week?

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