Romney: My wife is 'prettier' than Bill Clinton
Mitt and Ann Romney
AMES, Iowa (CNN) - Commenting Saturday on a new Time Magazine cover story titled "The Real Running Mates" - which focuses on the current crop of presidential candidates' spouses - Republican candidate Mitt Romney said his wife would make a "prettier first lady" than former president Bill Clinton.
"It has a picture of five of the possible first ladies," the former Massachusetts governor said. "In the upper left hand corner it has my wife, and then next to it, it has Bill Clinton. And she is a much prettier first lady than Bill Clinton, I can tell you that!"
The cover story features a photograph of a commemorative White House china plate. On it are the faces of five potential 'first spouses' - Bill Clinton, Ann Romney, Elizabeth Edwards, Judith Nathan and Michelle Obama.
Romney made the comments at his tent at the University of Iowa/Iowa State football game. When asked which team he would be supporting, Romney chose to stay neutral, but after a few more people asked the same question, he saw an opportunity to take another subtle jab at the Clinton family, this time toward Hillary.
"I know there's only one thing that would bring both of these Teams ... together, and that's to make sure that Hillary Clinton is not the next president of the United States," he said.
- CNN Iowa Producer Chris Welch
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Some commenters identify the spoof as 'humor'.
Did Mr Romney conclude his remarks with the "I am only joking, of course"? He did not.
Is he in a position to joke about the campaign? He is not. For that he would have to be already nominated. He is not.
Is such a comment, whatever the intent, acceptable or benefic to women and their aspirations and achievements?
Hm...I see it as perpetuating some very ugly social stances.
Take time to consider, then you, like me, will run to the bathroom sink to vomit.
Actually, no she isn't. I think Bill Clinton is a handsome "first person" and much more intelligent. Mitt should not bring that issue to the table because Bill Clinton has MUCH more to add to the White House than any other "running" spouse. Elizabeth Edwards comes in in second place. American voters should realize that the President does not make decisions in a vacuum. If "W" had listened more to Laura and less to Dick and Donald, he may not be in such pitiful shape.
After seeing a picture of Mitt Romney's wife...I actually think Bill Clinton is prettier.
I'm a liberal, don't support Romney, and guesse what? This was funny!
The question was about the TIME MAGAZINE COVER ON FIRST SPOUSES, NOT the war, issues etc. You wanna blame someone, blame Time magazine and whoever asked a question about THAT and not the real issues.
Some people need to eat some fiber and losen up...
geeze!
Which one of his wives is he talking about?
I'm surprised that CNN headlines a joke by any political candidate as if it is news. This was clearly just a joke; people shouldn't get their knickers in a twist over it. It doesn't reveal anything about any candidate. People need to lighten up – get a grip. And CNN needs to focus on real news, not little jokes told on the campaign trail.
Mormons are pathologic liars, hypocrites, and deception masters. That is why Mormon would make a perfect president of US -the biggest weird cult on this planet.
Actually I think Bill Clinton is better looking.
Oh grow up Romney. What are you, 10?
And honestly, I'd rather spend my time looking at Bill Clinton than your wife. She's not all that.
Yeah, other than the BEAUTY of a presidential candidate's spouse, the next measuring factor may be the HEIGHT of the candidate!
Issues, leadership, intellience don't matter! lol
I'm suprised so many liberals and hippies are upset someone has a sense of humor, saying things like "There are serious issues to be addressed..." No one should be constantly re-inventing the wheel just to walk across the street.
Mormons are freaky.
Beauty is only skin deep, Mitt Romney is proof of that fact. I think it is an insult on Mitt's behalf to compare his wife's femininity with masculine attributes! Total non class act in my view. Although not a surprise.
There is no Canadidate running who could possibly have a more intelligent – politically, internationally, economically, constituional savy spouse and ambassador at their side than Hillary Rodham Clinton. And together their experience and leadership attributes double.
Did I mention Bill Clinton's Popularity and Admiration worldwide? His public image as Class Act barr none. His reputation as the Best American President in decades?
I think Mitt would do well to take a few lessons from the Clintons. He just may be able to achieve a small level of credibility!
I think we can settle this by asking Bill if he'd do Ann.
Bill Clinton is not a woman, and Romney, even jokingly using that connotation to refer to Mr. Clinton, displays his attitude of women's innate inequalty to men. This guy is a disgrace to his party.
Why is this news? It's getting to the point where a person can't say ANYTHING anymore without someone taking it too seriously, or being offended, etc.
LIGHTEN UP PEOPLE!!
This is humor!! Or...an attempt at humor.
"Move-on"!!!
It was a joke, true, but it was an incredibly sexist and stupid joke attacking the fact that there is a woman running for president. All of the attacks on Hillary's gender make me want to vote for her even though I don't really like her. But I REALLY don't like Mitt Romney.
if that's her on the story cover, this guy is drunk...only about 20 beers in a dark bar would make anyone say that about that thing. Has he looked at her in the past 60 years?
I cannot believe that at a time when this coutry is in so much trouble, politicans are focusing on who is the most attractive. This is not the Miss America pagent!!!
Well – maybe if they used a different photograph but I happen to like the way Bill looks. Besides I will vote on the brain power of the candidate not the looks of the spouse. Isn’t about time that we vote based on the ability of the candidate not on who we would like to have as a best friend or a buddy with whom we would like to drink a beer or who has the best looking family. I want someone who reads and understands what she or he reads. I want someone who seeks out advice from people who will not necessarily in agreement with them. I want a president who can recognize when they have made a mistake and own up the mistake and try to rectify the error in judgment or policy. I want someone who is willing to say “I know this will not be popular but this is the way it is.” An appealing wife or attractive husband or a cute child will not do it for me.
It's time Mitt you talk about politics and the changes you will bring to this country. If this is all you have up front in a race for our President go home.
A JOKE you witless liberal amoebas! This yet again illustrates the problem with the looney left: they don't know the diffferent between right & wrong, fact & fiction, thoughtful debate and whining...
As one could easily predict, "Unfair and Unbalanced" CNN used the most unflattering photo of Mrs. Romney they could find. She's actually quite an attractive lady.
Have you ever seen photos of Mrs. Bill Clinton when she does not 'look her best' – YIKES, it could make any man take a good look at Monica...
Talking about the spouses of candidates, I have been extremely impressed by the future "first Laddie" Bill Clinton. Has anyone noticed that he has had nothing derogatory to say about the other democrats running against Hillary? He only talks about her good qualifications and what she has accomplished, not running down the others.
I for one am getting sick of the ugly and sometimes really…well, frankly, stupid comments from Edwards and Obama's wives attacking Hillary. I don't seem to ever see them saying what good things their husbands have done, only that they are "for" this and that, but not what they have actually accomplished.
And, are Barack and Michelle legally married? She is constantly referred to as Ms.? Just curious.
GO, HILLARY!
Mr. Romney is actually practicing the oldest form of politics in this commentary since most humans would agree that Bill Clinton certainly prettier in terms of hair, jowls, and eyebrow plucking.
It's a hard sell, Mitt, and I'm not buying.