[cl_steele]

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2...tir-in-london/

LONDON — Mitt Romney’s carefully choreographed trip to London caused a diplomatic stir when he called the British Olympic preparations “disconcerting” and questioned whether Londoners would turn out to support the Games.

“The stories about the private security firm not having enough people, the supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obviously is not something which is encouraging,” Mr. Romney said in an interview with NBC on Tuesday.

That prompted a tart rejoinder from the British prime minister, David Cameron. “We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world. Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere,” an allusion to Salt Lake City, which hosted Games that Mr. Romney oversaw.

Mr. Romney’s verbal slip came on the first day of a highly anticipated trip that was expected to test his skills on foreign diplomacy, terrain in which he is not necessarily as comfortable as when dealing with economic issues. His remarks quickly threatened to usurp the news cycle of his overseas trip, which will also include a visit to Jerusalem to meet with Israeli leaders on Sunday.

Later, in brief remarks before his meeting with the Labor Party leader, Ed Miliband, Mr. Romney seemed to try to walk back his comments.

“My experience with regards to the Olympics is it is impossible for absolutely no mistakes to occur,” he said. “Of course there will be errors from time to time, but those are all overshadowed by the extraordinary demonstrations of courage, character and determination by the athletes. The Games are, after all, about the athletes, the volunteers and the people of the community that come together to celebrate those athletes.”

Still the British press had already pounced. News of Mr. Romney’s remarks led The Times of London’s Web site under the headline, “PM rebuffs Romney over readiness for Olympics,” and The Telegraph’s Web site splashed a story titled, “Olympics: David Cameron rejects Mitt Romney’s suggestion Britain is not ready.”

Mr. Cameron was to meet Mr. Romney, the Republican presidential candidate, later in the day Thursday. Responding to Mr. Romney’s remarks, Mr. Cameron said:

“This is a time of some economic difficulty for the UK, but look at what we are capable of achieving as nation even at a difficult economic time,” he said. “I think we will show the whole world not just that we come together as a United Kingdom but also we’re extremely good at welcoming people from across the world.”

Mr. Cameron added: “I will obviously make those points to Mitt Romney. I look forward to meeting him.”

In his original remarks Tuesday, Mr. Romney also seemed to question the enthusiasm of the British public for the Games, which will feature a horse owned by Mr. Romney’s wife, Ann, competing in the dressage competition.

“Do they come together and celebrate the Olympic moment?” he asked about the British people. “That’s something which we only find out once the Games actually begin.”

The remarks came as Mr. Romney’s campaign was trying to keep press accounts of the candidate’s visit on the positive side. On Wednesday, for instance, Mr. Romney toured an exhibit with Foreign Secretary William Hague, his campaign shared in an e-mail that their conversation was “broad and wide ranging,” and included issues like the importance of free trade, and the situations in Syria and Egypt and the Arab Spring.

“Also worth noting,” the e-mail read, “they both discussed their mutual love of Kit Kat bars.”

Thoughts and views?

Considering that last time America held the Summer Olympics a bomb went off i really dont think he's in any position to talk about how the Games are coming along...

[Snagprophet]

Why's he coming over here? No-one gives a toss about him.

[NapoleonDynamite]

Since when did he have a valid opinion?

[TimHuak]

I see nothing wrong with what he said. It is just people in the UK being over sensitive, which seems pretty standard.

He dealt with the 2002 winter olympics

[Will Lucky]

“We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world. Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere,”

Cameron dealt with that bloody well Haha.

[ForensicShoe]

(Original post by Will Lucky)
“We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world. Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere,”

Cameron dealt with that bloody well Haha.

Ahhh Cameron you joker

Apparently Romney managed to forget Ed Milliband's name as well

I've always found it weird that the 1996 games were held in Atlanta/Salt Lake. Strange places to have it.

[Xotol]

I wouldn't be too concerned with what he has to say. Republicans in America aren't generally known for their accurate comments.

Also, you bolded the wrong bit in the article. He explained why it's impossible to make mistakes and even admitted that errors are bound to be made:

“Of course there will be errors from time to time, but those are all overshadowed by the extraordinary demonstrations of courage, character and determination by the athletes. The Games are, after all, about the athletes, the volunteers and the people of the community that come together to celebrate those athletes.”

The bit to be mad about (if you are going to be mad) is what he said to NBC:

“The stories about the private security firm not having enough people, the supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obviously is not something which is encouraging,” Mr. Romney said in an interview with NBC on Tuesday."

[Ra Ra Ra]

That prompted a tart rejoinder from the British prime minister, David Cameron. “We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world. Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere,” an allusion to Salt Lake City, which hosted Games that Mr. Romney oversaw.

[R4INBOW]

(Original post by Ra Ra Ra)
That prompted a tart rejoinder from the British prime minister, David Cameron. “We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world. Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere,” an allusion to Salt Lake City, which hosted Games that Mr. Romney oversaw.

Omg I wanna eat your avatar


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Snagprophet]

I sort of understand the reasons behind 'Mr Leader' because of American conditioning to say things like 'Mr President' or 'Mr Prime Minister' but it does sound retardedly bland.

[callum9999]

I think the trouble is that from the outside Britain looks to be a truly miserable place - nothing can ever happen without people being outraged and upset about it! However, when the time comes, people (on the whole) will welcome the Olympics.

I hate that attitude myself, but it has it's merits - maybe we're just getting all the misery out the way before it starts!

As to the comments that it isn't possible to run them without a mistake - he is completely right, just look at the North Korea thing yesterday. The question is whether those mistakes will ruin it - obviously you can't completely rule out a major error, but I'm pretty confident the games will generally be a success.

[Phantom Lord]

It hasn't really caused a 'stir' tbh

[cl_steele]

(Original post by Xotol)
I wouldn't be too concerned with what he has to say. Republicans in America aren't generally known for their accurate comments.

Also, you bolded the wrong bit in the article. He explained why it's impossible to make mistakes and even admitted that errors are bound to be made:

“Of course there will be errors from time to time, but those are all overshadowed by the extraordinary demonstrations of courage, character and determination by the athletes. The Games are, after all, about the athletes, the volunteers and the people of the community that come together to celebrate those athletes.”

The bit to be mad about (if you are going to be mad) is what he said to NBC:

“The stories about the private security firm not having enough people, the supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obviously is not something which is encouraging,” Mr. Romney said in an interview with NBC on Tuesday."

My mistake, fixed

[Cephalus]

I like Mitt Romney. And he is quite correct too

[Ra Ra Ra]

The comments section of that article is brilliant:

It's nice that you let your village idiot get out of the house now and then

Seriously though, whether or not you agree with him...did he really need to insult his hosts? God help America if he decides to go to Israel...

[meenu89]

Should mind his business. People have worked hard to make holding the Olympics possibe.

[Studentus-anonymous]

1) Romney didn't say anything which was wrong or disagreeable.

2) Why does anyone care what he says anyway?

[.eXe]

Haha what a tool. I don't usually agree with Cameron but this time he does have a point.

[Dobermory]

Who cares? Are people going around looking for things to get offended over? He was asked a question, and gave an answer. Spare us the faux outrage and butthurt.

[cl_steele]

(Original post by Dobermory)
Who cares? He was asked a question, and gave an answer. Spare us the faux outrage and butthurt.

So if someone asked him whats your opinion on say Jews, Blacks, Gays etc. and he replied that he'd like them all put against the wall would you still be so supportive of him, because he just answered the question...?