Saturday, February 18, 2012

Mitt Romney And The Olympic Bailout

After viewing this ad, I think it's safe to say that Romney's experience with the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games will be off the table for Mitt if he's our nominee.



While President of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, Mitt Romney organized the most expensive games in US history.

The Salt Lake Games got more taxpayer money than any previous Olympics ($1.3 Billion).

That taxpayer money payed for much more than security...$30 Million for parking lots...$2 Million for sewer systems...$33,000 Olympic horse adoption program.

Romney even bragged about how much funding he got.

And while Mitt argues he saved the games....the real savior of the Salt Lake City Olympics? The American taxpayer.

50 comments:

Jerald said...

RWN.....As usual, over simplification and total lack of context.

Can't you ever be objective about Romney?

Can't you ever give him any credit for anything that he's done good?

Anonymous said...

late 1998, the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City was rocked by a bribery scandal that threatened the Games. The top two officials in the Salt Lake Organizing Committee had to resign. The games were facing a $379 million deficit because sponsors were pulling out. Because they were short on money and many venues hadn't been built yet, politicians, business leaders and International Olympic Committee officials were suggesting the games be cancelled or moved to another location. (8),(9),(10),(11)

Because of his record for turning around businesses in the past, Romney was asked to take over the failing Olympics; he became the CEO for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in February of 1999.(11)

Romney immediately got down to business. He refused his salary and donated $1 million of his own money to the cause. He then streamlined the games by cutting costs and eliminating waste like fancy perks. Romney also brought in $180 million in revenue from new sponsors and broke the record for raising private money for an Olympics - winter or summer.(11),(12)

In the end, the Olympics were a huge success and the games actually turned a $100 million profit. Mitt Romney indeed saved the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
~Reaganesque

Machtyn said...

Couldn't have stated it better, anon:06

Anonymous said...

Not so fast commentators. Once again you all display your "rush to judgement" for declaring Mitt Romney pure as the driven snow. Why, let's cut off the debates & just declare him as the annointed one. I don't think so. As you're screaming hysterically for vetting for Santorum, you're in denial about Romney's many grevious offenses. Have you all forgetten this?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romneys-work-on-olympics-mass-projects-reveals-a-complex-history-with-earmarks/2012/02/15/gIQAHJ72HR_story.html

Bosman argues Congress approved the money for the Olympics, so Romney's spending it was OK. Whatever your arguements, you forget the basic one; the money came from all taxpayers in 50 states, you & me. Now, let's see you spin that into a lack of culpability for Romney. Good Luck.

Lionhead

Terrye said...

Lionhead:

The only hysterics I have heard thus far has come from the ABRs out there who think that "vetting" is something that is only supposed to happen to Romney.

I don't think any of these people are perfect, but Romney saved the Olympics. As for all taxpayers paying for the $30 million...so what? Was it an issue? Would that money have been spent in any case?

Pettty nonsense.

Lionhead said...

"As Santorum has surged, Romney’s campaign has gone on the offensive against the former Pennsylvania senator, but he has avoided mentioning Santorum by name while speaking to voters in recent days. That changed Friday, when Romney launched a frontal assault.

“We’ll all hear people talk about what they’ll do to try and trim the size of the federal government,” Romney said. “You have to look at people’s records as well as their words.”"

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-mitt-romney-pivots-to-attack-mode-swings-hard-at-santorum-20120217,0,4319736.story

We sure do Mitt, & your record is far less than stellar on the spending front. Bit of a hypocrite are we now, Mitt?

Now we can all hunker down as Romney's "Death Star" attacks for Super Tuesday.

Anonymous said...

So, what are you saying? The Olympics got 1.3 billion in funding from the government and the ORIGINAL Salt Laks Games organizers--not Romney--still managed the get the games 379 million in debt?

So, when Romney showed up, the Olympics were 379 million in debt. So, what's your point?

Romney didn't create the mess by wasting away 1.3 billion and then a 379 million deficit on top of that. He came in after all that mess was created--to fix it: bringing in funding, stopping waste, rallying the volunteers!

Don't forget, Santorum's got no experience at running anything--except his mouth.

Anonymous said...

More dishonesty from RWN and Loinhead. The money was appropriated before Romney ran the Olympics. He came in and fixed the mess.

Anonymous said...

RW-Lionhead

The Olympics was a a national event to showcase the U.S. to the world...and the U.S. government should contribute nothing$ towards the success of this international event??? Let me get this straight, Romney gave a million of his own money on top of no salary and the U.S. government was suppose to contribute $0????????????

Maybe the U.S. should just withdraw from the Olympics all together and not be represented as a country. I am sure this will please the globalists.

The anti-Romney garbage that the ABR crowd regurgitates is twisted and it is really getting old.

Anonymous said...

I know that some money was contributed after 911 to help with additional security costs. I don't think the U.S. thought it was a good idea to risk having the athletes BLOWN UP while competing on U.S. soil.

AZ

Right Wingnut said...

And while Mitt argues he saved the games....the real savior of the Salt Lake City Olympics?The American taxpayer.

Right Wingnut said...

Terrye,

It was $1.3 Billion...not "$30 Million."

Lionhead said...

"Romney allies spending $7.7 million on new ad blitz."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/18/us-usa-campaign-romney-idUSTRE81H01120120218

Money, money, money, all Romney is about is money & more money. A sad commentary on this man. "Mo Money Mitt." When everyone else is destroyed, do you Romney supporters seriously believe he'll win in November? Can't you see the GOP already planning for an alternate candidate?

Right Wingnut said...

Another one....

....THE CONVERSATION: A tippy-top Republican, unprompted, yesterday sketched the germ of a plan for a new candidate if Rick Santorum upsets Mitt Romney in the Michigan primary on Feb. 28. Our friend brought visual aids: chicken-scratched versions of prosaic documents that are circulating among GOP insiders like nuclear-code sheets: In case of mayhem, break glass!

Most reporters still think Romney “will find a way to win Michigan.” Nevertheless, some of the nation’s most powerful Republicans are poring over filing deadlines and pondering worst-case scenarios.

Our friend handed us a printout of FEC deadlines for ballot access, with five of them circled and starred: California (March 23), Montana (March 12), New Jersey (April 2), New Mexico (March 16) and South Dakota (March 27). The point: Even after Feb. 28, it might be possible to assemble a Hail Mary candidacy that could garner enough delegates to force a CONTESTED convention (a different nuance than BROKERED, which implies that someone is in charge).

Under RNC rules, the delegate count builds slowly: just 15% before Super Tuesday, March 6; 19% through Super Tuesday (brings you to 34%); 17% in the rest of March (brings you to 51%); with 48% in April, May and June (21%, 12%, 15%).

Our friend said: “If somebody came on the scene that week after Super Tuesday with, ‘I'm coming in. I'm taking a look at this,’ there are enough delegates. He would suck all the oxygen out of the race. People wouldn't even give a shit who won on these other dates in March that are after Super Tuesday. I mean, seriously, who would care? It would all be about a new savior.”...

BOSMAN said...

LionHead,

You're right, Romney's got the MONEY!

Lots more than his competitors.

ISN'T IT GREAT!

Capitalism is a terrible thing to waste....Don't Ya Think?

Anonymous said...

"And while Mitt argues he saved the games....the real savior of the Salt Lake City Olympics?The American taxpayer."


Wrong! The 1.3 billion given to the games by the US government was SQUANDERED and WASTED away,--before Romney took over as head of Salt Lake Games. In fact, when Romney got there, he had to deal with a 379 million dollar deficit and many of the venues hadn't been built yet. Romney handily fixed this, and he did it for free!

BOSMAN said...

LionHead & RWN,

If those folks in those primary and caucus states SEE those Santorum history lessons ON TV.....It must be true...Huh???

Anonymous said...

HA HA HA HA HA!

RW, you and Lionhead need to go take showers. You reek of desperation, and are stinking up the place!

-Martha

Anonymous said...

Jerald:

an over-simplification by the wingnut? that's an understatement

Publius Nemo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dave said...

I'm not an expert on the Games, but I've read that the $1.3 Billion from the Government was ENTIRELY for security because of September 11, 2001 having been just months before the games.

This wasn't anything to do with Romney, and you didn't see McCain mention Romney's name.

The fact is that Mitt was involved with this as a matter of basic patriotism, and he did something beautiful for America that cost him 2 years of his life, and $1 Million of his own money that he donated.

If we can't cheer him for that, stay off the internet.

Publius Nemo said...

“There is a pretty wide gulf between seeking money for post-9/11 security at the Olympics and seeking earmarks for polar bear exhibits at the Pittsburgh Zoo,” a Romney spokeswoman, Andrea Saul, said in an e-mailed statement. “Mitt Romney wants to ban earmarks; Senator Santorum wants more ‘Bridges to Nowhere’.”

Publius Nemo said...

You want to compare Olympics to Briges to Nowhere? Well I wonder who has the high ground there? Pointless attack and post. Thanks, PN

Anonymous said...

What would Palin have done if she had been called to head the
Olympics? (Not that anyone would call on her to save anything), But she would have first demanded a salary higher than any previous Olympics CEO, then run the games into a financial hellhole and then quit while pocketing all the money.

Slick-Willy said...

RWN/Lionhead: You've made no attempt at telling the truth here and you know it.

1. This ad is from the DNC and is all about beating down Mitt--the only potential GOP candidate they fear. It is dishonest and explains everything out of context.

2. The $1.3 was allocated BEFORE Mitt took over.

3. Only $32.2M was shown to be used for anything other than security. Security was a priority after the Atlanta bombing + 9/11.

4. The SLC Olympics (because of Romney) received more private funding and more volunteer hours than any games in history--winter or summer.

5. When Mitt took over--after the billion had been spent and SLC faced nearly a $400M shortfall despite the massive government payout--he turned it around. The SLC Olympics ended w/a $100M surplus.

Everyone should be vetted fairly and openly. But you two are pathetic, low character jerks. You have no interest in candor or reality. I know you're fueled by the Mormon hatred you can't credibly express RWN, but even for you this is low.

Anonymous said...

A Romney campaign spokeswoman, Andrea Saul, issued a statement responding to Santorum’s attack. “Sometimes when you shoot from the hip, you end up shooting yourself in the foot,” she said. “There is a pretty wide gulf between seeking money for post-9/11 security at the Olympics and seeking earmarks for polar bear exhibits at the Pittsburgh Zoo. Mitt Romney wants to ban earmarks, Sen. Santorum wants more ‘Bridges to Nowhere’.”

Terrye said...

RW:

And a lot of that 1.3 billion was for increased security measures following 9/11. Any kind of event like this cost more money now.

I do not get the point here..there is a difference between a national event and one of Santorum's self serving ear marks.

Terrye said...

RW..yeah that is right..some people want a brokered convention..that way the peasants do not pick the nominee..maybe Sarah will get the nod.

I do not think so.

Terrye said...

Lionhead..speaking of money, Santorum made a million bucks a year as yet another high priced influence peddler and that is a lot more money than the average American will ever make, so spare me the class warfare rhetoric about bad rich people.

Anonymous said...

I'm not a Romney supporter but even I will admit that Romney saved the Olympics.

RW man, There are plenty of things we can attack Mitt on. This is not one.

In fact, this only puts a spotlight on a positive aspect of Mitts record.

Doug NYC GOP said...

Another in a long line of RWN Bull SHot posts, based on nothing but twisted facts, a LIBERAL point of view and a distorted view of history.

He likes to say 2+2=4 and contend onle HE has the most logical arguments. All horse hockey.

Besides after offering limp wristed responses (see 12:23) he doesn't even have the cajones tostay and fight for the validity of hos accusations.

Kind of reminds me of Craig for Losers at Race.

The fact is RWN has a long history of backing candidates who have failed to achieve anything significant...)ergo his jealousy of Romney)....


...like Rick Santorum

and of course Sarah Palin...

....unless you call quiting your Governorship for a multi-million dollar pay grab, significant.

BTW did you all know RWN voted for Mitt in 2007 Minn caucus? So now we can add flip flopper to his resume)


Hey Bosman, thanks for keeping RWN around for comic relief.

FastFacts said...

Sorry this smear on Romney is completely false. $815 million was raised by private donors by Romney, most of the money used was from before Romney took over and this is not the most expensive Olympics. Lake Placid was the most expensive, where 50 percent of it was subsidized by the government: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57380644-503544/democrats-hit-romney-over-salt-lake-olympics/

GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT.

Ohio JOE said...

"Another in a long line of RWN Bull SHot posts," Now, that is rich.

Teemu said...

Found this comment on one other chat:



Kyle: Hey guys, I just did a quick legislation research on when the 2002 Winter Olympic Funding was approved by Congress. Come to find out the funds, almost 2 billion, were approved in 1998...yet Romney didnt come into control of the winter olympics until 1999. Also, of all of the appropriation bills that funded the 1996 and 2002 winter olympics...one senator sticks out as having NEVER VOTED AGAINST FUNDING FOR THE OLYMPICS IN THE UNITED STATES...1 Mr. Santorum!

Jerald said...

Yes Ohio Joe, it's high-grade manuer.

Ohio, why do you increasingly slide into the Dark Side?

You used to be an objective commentator...

Jerald said...

Teemu, I hope Romney hits Santy with that at the next debate if Santy decides to tread there...

Anonymous said...

OK, how bout we put sanit santorum in charge of it the next time? He can drive his audi up, and take charge. Sure.

Anonymous said...

Nice find Teemu, thanks.

-Martha

Anonymous said...

Isn't it funny how all Newt and Santorum do is rip on Romney...the second Romney mentions them by name and describes their records he going negative...It's ridiculous...Romney is a class act competing againt Newt (pond scum) and Santorum (hypocrite).

Paul said...

WRN and Loinhead. I pity both of you. I hope that you can get your issues worked out. Issues of poor integrity, hatred, and obsession can be very difficult to carry, and to recover from.

Anonymous said...

OJ arrives to backup his boyfriend RW as always. Doug how many times now has RW cried, pissed his pants and swear he is outta here for good, only to see him back the next week? LOL

Its pretty funny, when Mitt is on a roll he dissappears and plays his piano, when a new flavor of the month emerges or something negative goes viral about Mitt he is quickly back to posting his usual BS.

Right Wingnut said...

Actually, anon, I spent two hours on the piano tonight. It's a great stress reliever.

Anonymous said...

You know nothing

Anonymous said...

You are not right, but you are a nut

Anonymous said...

I know yo've never seen the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, or you would have been more careful about listening to your liberal / socialist drones.

Right Wingnut said...

Do we have a bunch of High School kids from Utah commenting tonight?

Right Wingnut said...

Mommy letting you stay up late tonight?

Anonymous said...

yeah she is you mean old fart!

Ohio JOE said...

"Its pretty funny, when Mitt is on a roll he dissappears and plays his piano," Haha, yeah Mr. Romney is on a roll already, rolling down hill. The meldown continues weeeeeeeee. Down we go.

Anonymous said...

OJ, dont you have a dinner appointment with your gay lover RW? Your lovefest in defending him is obvious...get off his nuts already you faggot!