By Mitt Romney
I will dispense for now from discussion of the moral character of the president’s Charlottesville statements. Whether he intended to or not, what he communicated caused racists to rejoice, minorities to weep, and the vast heart of America to mourn. His apologists strain to explain that he didn’t mean what we heard. But what we heard is now the reality, and unless it is addressed by the president as such, with unprecedented candor and strength, there may commence an unraveling of our national fabric.
The leaders of our branches of military service have spoken immediately and forcefully, repudiating the implications of the president’s words. Why? In part because the morale and commitment of our forces–made up and sustained by men and women of all races–could be in the balance. Our allies around the world are stunned and our enemies celebrate; America’s ability to help secure a peaceful and prosperous world is diminished. And who would want to come to the aid of a country they perceive as racist if ever the need were to arise, as it did after 9/11?
In homes across the nation, children are asking their parents what this means. Jews, blacks, Hispanics, Muslims are as much a part of America as whites and Protestants. But today they wonder. Where might this lead? To bitterness and tears, or perhaps to anger and violence?
The potential consequences are severe in the extreme. Accordingly, the president must take remedial action in the extreme. He should address the American people, acknowledge that he was wrong, apologize. State forcefully and unequivocally that racists are 100% to blame for the murder and violence in Charlottesville. Testify that there is no conceivable comparison or moral equivalency between the Nazis–who brutally murdered millions of Jews and who hundreds of thousands of Americans gave their lives to defeat–and the counter-protestors who were outraged to see fools parading the Nazi flag, Nazi armband and Nazi salute. And once and for all, he must definitively repudiate the support of David Duke and his ilk and call for every American to banish racists and haters from any and every association.
This is a defining moment for President Trump. But much more than that, it is a moment that will define America in the hearts of our children. They are watching, our soldiers are watching, the world is watching. Mr. President, act now for the good of the country.
Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, was a Republican presidential candidate in 2008 and the GOP presidential nominee in 2012. He posted the above statement on his Facebook page this morning.
Gkimp says
Sore loser
Sw says
He doesnt know any better Mitt
Brian says
Go away Mitt. No one cares what you think – you are a has-been that never was.
Stanley Wolak says
Just what we need ,another Losers Opinion who is another SWAMP RAT!!! You had your chance Mitt, go back to the woods like your buddy Hillary did .
Sherry says
August 18, 2017 at 9:03 pm
While I am certainly no fan of Mitt Romney. . . everything is relative. . . and, this eloquent and admirable statement is one that should echo over and over again, not only in “our” white house, but in the halls of Congress. Every one of our congressional representatives should step up and passionately speak to the character, principles and values of the American culture!
Yes, of course, there needs to be protection of the freedom of speech. BUT. . . a “civilized” society knows that reasonable boundaries must be expected and protected as well. “Incitement to Violence” must not be tolerated! Each one of us has a responsibility to uphold “healthy” social norms. As a society, we must speak out when those boundaries are breached. . . just as Mitt Romney has done. Well Done Sir!
Pogo says
@Mitt Romney
Better late than never – too many big words for trump and trump voters – but you meant well. Looks like the majority of so-called Republican leaders will never erase the image of them on their knees to trump. Sad.
Percy's mother says
This man is a loser many times over. He presumes to speak for the country. He does not. “. . . the vast heart of America to mourn”.
Please note, Mitt and other politicians, DO NOT presume to speak for the people of this country. You and all the other politicians on both sides of the aisle make comments about “the American people are _______ (fill in the blank). None of you know what the American people think or want. The lot of you speak only with regard to your own political aspirations projecting what you think “we” want to hear.
Mitt, you lost your presidential bid x2, then became a vocal “never Trumper” and then went crawling to see the newly elected Trump in NYC not long after he was elected. I was always impressed by the milquetoast aspect of your personality.
You can continue to foist your opinions without request from anyone but for the record, most people regard you with contempt. Please disappear back into the woodwork.
Watching Closely says
As I said before, good ol’ Mitt is practicing. He is warming up for the plate. You see, he will possibly be the pick for VP when Pence steps in as 46 in the very near future. ( who already has one foot on the plate and is breathing hard.) This is going to make one hell of a book.
Alberto says
This president he needs to focus on creating jobs and stay off Twitter and keep his mouth shut in public. I don’t think he is racist. He’s not a good speaker, but I believe he IS good for the economy. I do think the tv people create more mess from nothing. This guy Romney says stupid things here. Trump doesn’t like that Duke guy and he isn’t a racist. Stop being angry and looking to make more out of every word. Let the guy do his job. That’s better for every one.
Pogo says
@Watching Closely
I think you’re on to something. Too early to know if Pence is Agnew or Ford, but Mitt is a son of a different Rockefeller for sure.
History just repeats and repeats.