Romney: sons' campaign duties 'no comparison' to military service
Mitt Romney at Wednesday's debate.
(CNN) - Comments made by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on the campaign trail in August regarding his sons' lack of military service continue to dog him.
During Wednesday night's GOP presidential debate, Mark Riss, a Stratford County, New Hampshire deputy sheriff with a son nearing the end of his second tour in Iraq, took his opportunity to ask a question to convey his disappointment regarding Romney's admitted gaffe: saying his five sons were "serving their country" by campaigning for him.
"I don't think you fully understand how offended my wife and I were, as well as others with daughters, husbands and wives serving in the war on terror, to compare your sons' attempts to get you elected to my son's service in Iraq," said Riss.
"There is not a comparison, of course," responded Romney. "There's no question. The honor we have for men and women that serve in the armed forces is a place of honor we will never forget, and nothing compares to it. People willing to put their lives on the line for American freedom are in a league all their own, and we owe them all our respect."
Riss's comments came at the end of a question he posed to the candidate, asking Romney for clarification on his Iraq exit strategy.
–CNN Political Desk Editor Mark Norman
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It's not as if there's a draft and any candidate's sons are avoiding service. It's a volunteer service and not everyone is going to go into the military.
Justice comes from the hilt of a sword, policing with the threat of that.
Defense is with the blade.
Thou shalt not kill.
-The gun is a tool for construction.
-explosives are for civil demolition.
-explosive nuclear devices break up meteors after a course redirection to be mined.
Can military service be achieved with a sword?
No one should ask another to kill, for country, god, Allah, or humanity.
One can welcome or seek death, found by exposure to natural extremes of environment.
I'm a Romney supporter, and I can admit that this was definitely mis-speach by Governor Romney, but, in the most respectful way I can say this, it really seems like people are being a little too sensative about this, one of Romney's few examples of less-than-eloquent speach. He made a mistake in speaking.
His sons did not serve for some very apparent reasons (they served 2 year service missions in his church), and others that are only for them to answer. Last I checked, only adults were aloud to serve in the US military and it's not the parent's responsability to answer for their children's adult decisions. It's not like they dodged the draft here people.
And in defense of his initial statement, he never tried to compare them to the men and women serving in our military. He only said that they are serving by campaigning for him to become president. It was an attempt to show their commitment to him and the vision he has.
I don't see any positives about Romney. He changes his view points daily. Credibility is a major issue and his rhetoric is a Bush/Cheney re-run.
Sorry Mitt. Truth hurts when you don't practice it.
Romney is a wimp and his statement validates this impression.
I think Romney is a very respectable guy, and clearly he made a comment that was taken the wrong way. I can't see how Romney would have deliberately compared campaign service as being equal in value to military service. What the two actions have in common is the element of service to your country, with one's participating in the national political process being just one of many ways people can serve this country. Clearly the political theater doesn't have the honor and respect that the military has, and Romney knows it. After the debate, I'd heard Romney say to one of the hosts that he's done over 400 appearances, and along the way, you're going to say something that doesn't come out right. I totally agree.
Romney's response was nothing more than a bag of hot air.
/Speaking of getting dogged, how about the family pet on the roof of his car?
The only core political belief that Romney has is to say and do whatever it will take to get him elected.
Just take a look at all his past stated beliefs and his now current stated beliefs. Was he lying then or is he lying now?
That's right, your sons do not compare to the women and men that are fighting and dying for ideals that you espouse but do not follow.
You are out of line, again and again. Because you are a pious man, you feel your campaign is above attack. I disagree. You are more than deserving of political attack for your sons, the dog you strapped to your car rooftop, for the cow towing you constantly do to both big oil, big pharma and big religion.
You are right that our armed forces deserve respect, but they've earned it, and as we all know respect is something that is earned hard.
You've earned none of it Mr. Romney. Pious does not a President make.
"...People willing to put their lives on the line for American freedom are in a league all their own, and we owe them all our respect."
The service of Mr. Romney's children in the military is of little consequence in the overall scheme of things. The advantage of wealth has always meant that the sons and daughters of the poor will spill their blood for "American freedom" in disportionate numbers, even though no discernable link has been shown between Saddam's Iraq and "American freedom". Thus it is and thus it will always be.....
Yeah Romney. That was a stupid comment to make and there is no way to defend yourself against your own stupidity. On the other hand, it is common for the sons of rich war-mongers to serve their country by avoiding war. They realize that all that suffering and dying is a poor man's job.
... and yet, this man who wants to be President, will continue the war in Iraq with no personal risk – his fortunate sons will always be safe at home. Did anyone in this family ever serve in the military?
"People willing to put their lives on the line for American freedom are in a league all their own..."
so... your kids are not in that league???? your kids are not willing to give their lives for the country you are trying to run???????
Yes Mitt, our service men and women ARE in a league all their own! ...and you should go back to yours, the minor league.
Yeah Mitt. I realize that the rich war-mongers in this country think that their sons are doing their patriotic duty by avoiding service and giving a poor man's son the opportunity to die or be wounded for his country.
That didn't make too much sense Raymond. I guess all of us who dont serve are in the minor leagues then?? this whole thing has gotten completely blown out of proportion. by no means was romney suggesting that the service of his sons trying to get him elected is parallel to the men and women fighting over seas. all he was saying was that his sons are serving their country in a different way, which is totally fine, thats why we have a volunteer military!
I agree that it is way over blown. of course serving in the military for the United States is a service that is paramount to any others but at the same time if you labor in a campaign or on the government payroll in any capacity you are still serving the country.
Matt (Reading PA), no disrespect, I consider myself in the minor leagues as well because I never served either. However, I do have family and many friends that did in Vietnam and Iraq.
It is very difficult for us that didn't serve to truly understand what they've been through. This is the reason I hold those that have served, whether they've seen action or not, in such high regard. They MUST be respected.
The president of the United States has to know that the world listens to every word he says and he must communicate clearly. Obviously he didn't, otherwise his comment wouldn't have been misinterpreted or blown out of proportion by so many.
I'm not a Romney supporter, but I think that this focus we have on laboring over the meaning of every sentence each candidate utters is ridiculous, and damaging to the political process.
And to Raymond, I don't think we can assume that because someone's comment was misinterpreted, it wasn't spoken clearly. Partisanship does a lot to cloud people's comprehension. When they're looking for something outrageous, it seems people can find it in almost anything these days.
Either way, Romney admitted almost immediately that he misspoke. We all phrase things in weird ways sometimes, or have things come out with unintended meanings. While a presidential candidate should be able to communicate well, I don't think its vital that they speak with perfection every waking moment of their lives. That expectation discourages candid discussion.
I have never and do not support the Bush war...I have not served in the Military but have great respect for those that do...but if I were eligible for the military and supported the Bush war my butt would be over there fighting not on the campaign trail with my rich father calling this "serving my country" hog wash another hypocrite....
Most of us are in the "Minor League" (non-military). The military is voluntary and every one still gets to choose their career/profession. Not choosing the military as a career does not make anyone inferior. Dodging the draft, yes, that would qualify as cheap.
Mitt already apologized for his comment and explained that it was not as he meant it. I read the original dialog when that comment was made and you have to try pretty hard to be offended. He has clarified himself since then, a couple of times.
Unfortunately, our culture has evolved to one of feeling important if you find cause to be indignant or easily offended. Both are inferior, negative emotions/character traits.
The man apologized and clarified in a classy enough way. Set it down.
Here we go again. Back tracking on what you said!!
Mitt, I see right through you. You're nothing but a smooth talking, pretty boy, phony!!
You ignorant slobs!!! Still reliving the past... He made a mistake. The man apologized. Let's move on... You guys are worst than the media...
It has been noted a few times that the poor have always spilled their blood in wars and that the wealthy have always taken advantage of this. This is not true. In fact in the early days of our country it was a prestigious act for our elite to serve in the military. So many elite were enlisting that at times it worried our leaders. Romney will do a great job even though he has not been in the military. He will lead and have a compassion towards protecting our troops and all Amercian citizens. You don't have to experience everything in life to be able to discuss it and to stand up for it.
A few additional points on the comment I directed to Mr. Romney. First, the question a month or so ago that prompted his response should never have been asked. It was an attempt to trip him up on an issue, and in this case it succeeded. Mr. Romney's sons or daughter are under no obligation to serve in our military and he was correct in his initial statement in saying just that. However, I also would note Mr. Romney has been in the public arena for quite some time. He is by either training or experience a man who chooses his words with some care. I believe he meant no disrespect to our troops, but I also believe he was serious in his comparison. That, to me, shows a serious lack of empathy and a disconnect with a part of society he wishes to represent. I would offer the opinion his wife has not watched the evening news crying over a story about someone else's child being injured on the campaign trail. Does the fact that Mr. Romney made that comment make him a bad man? No. Did my wife and I find his comment offensive? Yes. You don't usually get the chance to reply to a comment someone like that makes to that person, and it felt good to get the chance to do it. I wasn't really looking for a mea culpa from him, I just wanted him to know how we felt. I'm not going to vote for him, but a lot of people will. Let's move on.