"It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business." ~ Al Pacino, "The Godfather"
Mitt Romney has shown similar ruthlessness in disposing of his connection with scandal-embroiled Sen. Larry Craig.
"Once again," Pat Buchanan quoted Romney as saying, "we've found people in Washington have not lived up to the level of respect and dignity that we would expect for somebody that gets elected to a position of high influence. Very disappointing. (Craig is) no longer associated with my campaign."
Romney broke a pretty significant bond. As PJB detailed: "Up to this week, Craig was one of only two senators to have come out for Mitt Romney. He headed up the Romney campaign in Idaho. He vouched for Mitt in Congress and the country."
The former Bay State governor thus seems like an anti-George Bush in terms of standing by his lieutenants. Dubya stuck up for ex-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. "Throughout Gonzales' sometimes rocky tenure, Bush had defended him, accusing his detractors of playing politics," ABC News reported.
Which is the better policy, staying loyal to a supporter or dismissing them when they misstep? Romney will find out as the primaries progress.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Bush has paid a dear price for being loyal to Gonzales, Rumsfield and Cheney...loyal to the point of jeopardizing his legacy as President. Loyalty as a politician is a beautiful thing until it impacts your ability to govern the country and serve the people with honor, the people who elected you to office. Senator Craig violated a basic public trust; living a double standard while preaching morality, something he clearly admitted to after his arrest.
Craig obviously lied to Romney about his moral beliefs and standards. Mitt Romney was right to distance himself from Craig.
Rob at 4:09PM on Sep 5th 2007
2. ROMNEY WAS RIGHT, HE'S RUNNING FOR THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE LAND. HE CANT HAVE THIS KIND OF DEVICESIVENESS TAKING HIS EYE OFF THE BALL. CRAIG SHOULDNT HAVE PUT HIMSELF IN THIS POSESSION.
PIXIE at 5:21PM on Sep 5th 2007
3. Craig is a hypocrite, Romney is a flip-flopper, they're a match made in heaven!
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Patrick at 7:26PM on Sep 5th 2007
4. Romney did what an Official ought to do,remove any distraction sooner than later but with kindness.Only an idiot will not do such thing.Tonights GOP debate is another good night for Mitt Romney solid and honest answer and with sure conviction.McCain is fooling the 29 observer in that room after trying to sell our immigration system.
KaM at 12:00AM on Sep 6th 2007
5. I would like to say Mitt Romney continue to act like a real LEADER and a RESPECTED OFFICIALS in handling problems of any kind.Come on you fool who wrote this piece,there are too many educated people in our world today than uneducated.Sometimes a knowledgeable person like Larry Graig shouldn't try and play around with the law they themselves(The Senate and The House of Representatives) produce for all living individual in the United States to live by.I'm starting to loose patients and I feel like these politician are continue acting like nuts.Who are the people of this country suppose to look up to for real examples of morals and family values?especially there are so many childrens that are fatherless and motherless.I applaud Governor Romney for a wise decision to do what is best for his campaign ,the Party and for the people of America because I'm telling you people we need a serious moral leader in the Presidents position to be a candle on a bushel for all Americans and generation to come.Knowledge and Moral Values go hand in hand to build a great character in a leader of a Civilize World like our country.We need to move forward as a Nation in Strength not backward in weakness.
KaM at 8:54PM on Sep 6th 2007
6. This time around I will probably vote for the democratic party candidate. That said, I think Romney is the best Republican candidate. As a New Yorker, I know what Giulliani is really about, and it's not good. Thompson may serve the needs of those who suffer from father-hunger, but his track record shows him to be lazy and ineffective. We don't need another fake cowboy, we need real leadership. We're in big trouble, we need someone who will lead with authority, restore the good will we once enjoyed and have the best interests of your average citizen in mind, not that of corporate interests and that of the rich.
Patricia at 5:53PM on Sep 6th 2007
7. Romney was "kind" to Craig? Say what?!
he all but called Craig a freakin' pervert on national TV. Romney had a complete look of disgust on his face while trashing Craig.
I cannot blame Romney for distancing himself from Craig, but please do not act like he treated Craig like some kindly old uncle. That is nothing but a lie.
No offense, KaM, but your love and worship of Romney has blinded you to facts.
David S. at 6:17PM on Sep 6th 2007
8. Another winning debate for Mitt Romney despite some tough questions he encountered.I rather serve and die with honor than bragging and questioning others why they didn't join the military.
KaM at 2:50AM on Sep 7th 2007
9. Kudos to Romney! It's about time we demand higher standards from our elected representatives. Loyalty is one thing, but where was the honor? Craig didn't even have the decency to do the honorable thing and tell his wife what happened. He didn't warn Mitt in advance either. He did everything to protect his own political career and attempted to keep it hushed up as long as he could (he hoped forever). Otherwise, why plead to it if you were innocent?
Mitt wasn't the only one to criticize Craig either. McCain demanded that Craig resign as did the GOP leadership. Tonight Fred Thompson told Hannity that Craig needs to "move on" and do the right thing by leaving the senate. So Mitt is not the only meanie-head!
The dems may re-elect and embrace all of their criminals and cads, but the repubs have to resign or go to jail. Sometimes the public good has to come ahead of the personal loyalty.
Brynne at 12:16AM on Sep 7th 2007
10. why do we bother with oprah and obama, oprah has proven to be a very influential woman. however, when it comes down to presidential elections, the popular votes never count. let's not forget algore na bush's 2000 election. oprah might get obama more population vote than clinton but except the 2/3 of electoral college votes obama in, he cant become our president. same to hilary clinton and her influencial counterpart bill. our votes as Asmerican citizens doesnt and never counts as far as the US constitution lives.
icydef4u@yahoo.com at 12:04PM on Sep 11th 2007