As Romney Runs Away From Palestinian ‘Culture’ Line, Right Embraces It

[ProSense]

As Romney Runs Away From Palestinian ‘Culture’ Line, Right Embraces It

Benjy Sarlin

<...>

In one awkward example, Washington Post blogger Jennifer Rubin praised the candidate’s speech as proof that Romney was not the “calculating” politician his critics alleged, and in fact “blunt and thoughtful,” giving the Palestinians a dose of hard truth about the importance of capitalism.

“If this is the Romney we’re going to see during the balance of the campaign Obama is in deep trouble,” Rubin wrote. “This Romney is unapologetic.”

Almost immediately after her post went up, Romney told FOX News that he “did not speak about the Palestinian culture or the decisions made in their economy” and that “I certainly don’t intend to address that during my campaign.”

Former Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer, meanwhile, took to Twitter after Romney’s Jersualem speech to condemn Palestinians for everything from homophobia to support for terrorism, claiming that Romney’s initial remarks were not a “gaffe.”

- more -

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/07/mitt-romney-palestine-israel-culture-gdp-providence.php

In 2010 book, Romney ascribed Israeli-Palestinian economic disparities to culture
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021052401

[muntrv]

1. McBush/Palin tried that in 2008 and it didn't work.

What makes you think it'll work now?

[ProSense]

2. I really

"What makes you think it'll work now?"

...don't know, but Ari Fleischer is projecting.

[spanone]

3. ari trying to polish a turd....

[Moonwalk]

4. Ari condemned the Palestinians for Homophobia!?!....

...Am I reading this right? I mean, yes, absolutely Palestinians are homophobic, but isn't this a kettle-black sort of thing if you're attempting to support anti-gay-marriage-anti-gay-GOP-front-runner Romney? Help me. My brain hurts.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

5. What about Fundie culture in the U.S. bible belt?

Why are Red States less industrialized and less educated than Blue States? Why do Red States eat up more federal tax dollars than Blue States that have to support them? Could it have something to do with the anti-science, anti-intellectual culture of many individuals in conservative areas?

If I were conservatives, I'd drop the issue and pretend Romney never said it about the Palestinians.

[Ruby the Liberal]

6. Romney submitted an OpEd to NRO tonight - doubling down on it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021054239

[nanabugg]

7. Does Ari imply by his comments that Palestinians have more in common with evangelicals

than evangelicals have in common with Jews? I thought evangelicals were Israel's biggest supporters and shared their values? Guess not.

"Former Bush spokesman Ari Fleischer, meanwhile, took to Twitter after Romney’s Jersualem speech to condemn Palestinians for everything from homophobia to support for terrorism, claiming that Romney’s initial remarks were not a “gaffe.”

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Ari you do realize Israel is a pretty SOCIALIST country?

On never mind, carry on.