What the hell is wrong with this man? Is he bored, clueless, or just doesn't like children?

[bigtree]

I've never seen any candidate this uncomfortable around children.

A day after he declared education, "the civil rights issue of our era," Romney participated in an education roundtable at a charter school in a Philadelphia minority community. The charter school's founder said afterward that he's not sure whether Romney understands the needs of the African-American community.

I'm not convinced he even likes being around these kids . . .



















not like our guy . . .

[madaboutharry]

1. Romney looks incredibly uncomfortable.

The expression on his face telegraphs his desire to get out of there pronto.

I think the problem is that these kids just aren't his kind of people.

He is really a horrible person.

[patrice]

8. His budget's out there. He knows anything he expresses re these kids is a LIE. Hence, he's= 0 here.

[Thor_MN]

125. He doesn't have any answers, even in a grade school classroom.

The kids have their hands raised to answer quetions and Romney has no clue what to do.

[Enrique]

2. who let the dogs out...

[freshwest]

3. I don't see Romney's lack of enthusiasm as much as the children's. The difference with Obama, though

Is beautiful, he's clearly a father who loves children. Those pictures were great, all of them are screensaver material. The first and second the most spontaneous, that boy hugging Obama brought tears to my eyes. He's such an example to young people. I love seeing the love being shared there. Thanks bigtree, that made my morning. Keep 'em coming, good to see the future.

[monmouth]

14. I was just going to type that. You can fool a lot of people, but you can't fool kids or Mom..n/t

[CTyankee]

81. You watch, the Romney people will say that Obama's people bribe the kids with candy...

[bonniebgood]

157. Newt would say he bribed them

with food stamps.

[patrice]

4. Pretty sure that all Rmoney sees at this point is price-tags.

[livetohike]

5. Romney has trouble interacting with humans. I don't think they programmed him

to speak to children.

[BlueToTheBone]

6. Well, these pictures are all abaout him.

The kids are just props.

[hifiguy]

7. The look on the face of the young fellow in the

second Mittens pic is priceless. "Who is this dude, anyway and why should I care?"

Both of the Obamas seem utterly natural with and happy to be around kids.

[JBoy]

50. Here's what the kids in that picture are thinking

[Chorophyll]

101. Fabulous!

[goclark]

145. I taught elementary school

for many years.
The photo speaks volumes.... the kids are smarter than the visitor.

Thanks so much for sharing a real gem.

[left on green only]

174. Just wait until Rarl Cove makes an ad showing him kissing babies.That'l show them libruls whose boss

[yellowcanine]

9. Mitt definitely looks uncomfortable and out of place there. Compare to this one.

Much happier here:

[Gidney N Cloyd]

105. Happier maybe, but still stiff. He's the only guy there who isn't breaking the crease in his pants.

[yellowcanine]

109. Hey he is still Mitt. Born with a rod up the backside. Nuff said.

Though apparently not stiff when unzipped.

[spiderpig]

10. Robme simply doesn't get it

He's Shrub 2.0. Utterly soulless and dumb to boot.

Can't remember who originated the quote, but he/she said "When you look into his eyes, you see the back of his head".

[freshwest]

55. 'Robme,' perfect!

[spiderpig]

99. I'm not sure if I can make it through this election cycle

Agh Agh Ahg...!!!

However, if I did standup, the material would write itself.

[SunSeeker]

166. "Robme"- brilliant! Stealing it! nt

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

179. Robme...cute

I like Romney-Bain 2012 but Robme-Bain 2012 works better.

[MineralMan]

11. I'm guessing he feels out of his element

for many reasons. He's more used to, you know, prep schools, full of people more like him. That's my guess.

[WI_DEM]

12. The President totally connects with kids (of all ages :)

[SoutherDem]

13. Well lets see

They are poor (or at least not filthy rich so same difference for Mitt).
They are black (so there is a good chance the parents are and they will be Democrat)
They can't vote (so this is a waste of his time)
They are smarter than he is (but it not a very high bar to reach)

[sarge43]

15. That last picture of Romney made me flinch

I almost see a thought balloon "That one could use a hair cut."

[treestar]

64. My thought on that one was that it looked creepy

[awoke_in_2003]

96. yep...

he ain't digging the dreds. The dude is an ass.

[RockaFowler]

16. Just For Men Rmoney

The grey/white on the sides make you look like Grandpa Munster. And not in a good way

[Nostradammit]

17. He probably fired all their parents

He's got a lot to feel uncomfortable about.

[datasuspect]

18. children know evil

[patrice]

25. 1+ and he can tell that they know he's in-authentic. nt

Last edited Thu May 24, 2012, 05:36 PM - Edit history (1)

[PotatoChip]

97. Yes. There is an obvious and clear difference in the

demeanor of children when they are with President Obama. They are smiling, laughing, just basically looking as if they are having fun.

With Mitt otoh, they appear to be uncomfortable and ill at ease. It kind of reminds me of how people (young -or- old) look and feel around an unpleasant and intimidating authority figure.

Sorry about the cliche, but pictures really are worth a thousand words.

[nenagh]

19. I imagine Romney as quite the authoritarian parent:

Seamus strapped to the roof of the car and bathroom breaks for the family pre-determined by Romney...

That's the Bain man at home...

These children are just too free... he looks bemused and ill at ease...

Whereas I can never get enough of our President smiling and at ease with children... He is an amazing man with a lovely family...

Thanks for the photo comparisons

[XemaSab]

20. It makes you wonder what kind of dad he is/was

Obama clearly loves and enjoys children, both his own and other people's.

Maybe Romney is that stiff and awkward with his own kids.

[patrice]

21. He's got that 1000-yard stare in picture #4. nt

Last edited Thu May 24, 2012, 05:25 PM - Edit history (1)

[lunasun]

22. The last one of Robme he has a smirk or sneer I can't decide

"geez what ya gotta do to be president nowdays" little cloud caption on most of his pics seems right

[rufus dog]

111. The look is a sneer

due to the girl wearing corn rows. He is a pathetic prick.

[CBGLuthier]

23. it is not because they are children it is because they are members of a race he was

raised to see as inferior. By no less than his own church. You don't shake that kind of indoctrination easily.

[siligut]

29. This is my opinion too

He holds disdain for these children and they can tell. I hate him even more for this.

[lunasun]

60. true

[uponit7771]

69. RIGHT!! That look is WELL KNOWN!! It's the "I don't want to be here with these people" look

[SmileyRose]

119. Yup

Mormon church teaches dark skin is god's sign of a curse.

Idiots........

[brush]

24. Last shot of the President and kids

All of the shots of President Obama and the kids are great but the last one is just adorable. You cna just see the joy on everyone's faces, including the President's. Whereas the ones with Mitt and the children are a whole other matter. Romney seems to be thinking "okay, I just have to get through this. It'll be over soon."

[Voice for Peace]

32. so true

the romney pics are super super creepy. he is entirely unengaged with the kids.

[progressoid]

26. More like the children don't like being around HIM.

Yikes!



Unlike the bottom photos!

[atreides1]

27. What did you expect?

It's probably a good bet, he didn't spend much time around his own kids while they were growing up...the man doesn't even look comfortable with his own grandchildren!

[Turbineguy]

28. Romney

sizing up children for future cannon fodder.

[HockeyMom]

30. Governor Rick Scott of Florida

Great, smart "businessman". He volunteered to spend a few hours in a special needs class in a Title 1 school. He looked TERRIFIED from the pix taken. He was supposed to stay all day but left after an hour and a half. I guess he couldn't take it anymore.

Yep, businesses can run classrooms and schools better than educational PROFESSIONALS.

[TlalocW]

31. Two Things

For the first time (even counting running for president last time), he's really having to deal with people that he considers below him - that's why he keeps saying stupid things like insulting NASCAR fans' rain ponchos and cookies being served him at photo-ops. It's all he can do to not flinch while exclaiming, "Eeeeeew! You're poor!"

Secondly, he's dealing with kids of people he considers below them. They're not really worth anything to him as voters, which is all he cares about right now where our guy can put aside politics and see the advantage in investing in our younger generation, not only for some nebulous future but the benefit of doing so to help make them good adults.

And I'm going to add a third - like Willy Wonka said (don't know if he was quoting anyone) - a little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.

TlalocW

[Quantess]

45. *This*

Your post explains it perfectly.

[grantcart]

33. In all fairness the President is one of the most telegenically pleasing people to

ever had constant exposure in front of Hi def cameras.

Compared to him I think just about anybody would suffer, I would hate to have to be photographed all of the time and then have them pick out the unflaterring pictures.

The President just sets a new and completely unrealistic standard and I think it may have been one of the reasons why the Bush people reasoned that it was better to wait 4 years when someone with that wasn't such a great campaigner and media guy was running for President.

[ctaylors6]

58. I agree and

moreover this was not set up by the romney campaign to be an easy, happy photo op. Romney was in an area that will not vote for him.

I also don't really trust a small selection of photos to be indicative of much at all. I found many happy smiling photos ops of bush with kids while he was president.

[NYC Liberal]

79. Very true. But I do think Romney is also very much not a "people person,"

not just relative to Obama. Obama, however, just brings it out even more and makes Romney's unease even more apparent.

[grantcart]

116. Just wait until they are on the same stage

It is also clear that Romney is self conscious about it and I expect that the President will be working to get under Romney's skin in the same way he was able to in 2008.

[dmr]

135. This ought to be fun.

I know I had a lot of fun during the Health Care Summit.

I still get a big smile thinking about my president being smarter than a whole room full of Republicans. Ah, such a day!


Edit: spelling!

[frazzled]

34. If I had had five children ...

maybe I wouldn't like kids anymore either. As it was, two was enough for me, and still I adore kids.

[lsewpershad]

35. Loves to screw

Against birth control because O is for it and has millions so he does not have to worry.

[tclambert]

36. Hey, Rmoney did touch that one kid.

Did they get a photo of him asking for a wet wipe?

[trusty elf]

37. The expressions on those kids' faces in that second Rmoney pic say it all. n/t

[lpbk2713]

38. Creepiness must be a common characteristic among rethuglicants

[Kennah]

141. Little girl on the left is telegraphing, "Punch him in the nuts"

[Alcibiades]

39. KIssing babies is cliche

In this case, though, it seems revealing, the contrast between the unsmiling, obviously awkward Romney and our ebbullient president.

I do wonder if this is how Romney is when surrounded by the 99%.

[harmonicon]

40. Seriously? Fuck this shit.

I'm not voting for some fucking personality competition. Does it bring you some joy to needlessly demean someone in a completely fabricated way? It makes no sense to me. There are real reasons to dislike Romney and far more reasons to not vote for him. Lets focus on that.

[bigtree]

54. joy?

. . . the man is truly frightening. Almost soulless, in his every utterance and expression. He hasn't shown a wit of care for this particular community -- in his policy; in his campaign leadership; or, until recently, in his outreach. This is a stark portrait of a man who is truly uncomfortable in this setting. I think it speaks volumes about the sincerity and nature of this particular effort of his to equate education with 'civil rights.' He demonstrated a profound disconnect from the needs and concerns of this group of educators and he looks like he's not even up to connecting with the primary subjects of his campaign prop. It may just be your own narrow view of the events and atmosphere surrounding this appearance which is influencing your indifference or objection to the criticism.

I'm good with folks focusing on whatever they want, tho . . .

[happerbolic]

144. just really needs to find another calling in life...

...rather than governance of any sized populace. Why tenuously work against the grain of one's own nature?

This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day... - William Shakespeare

[Auntie Bush]

63. I think everyone is focusing on Rmoney.

How could someone so uncomfortable with children...especially black children...ever have empathy and understanding how and what these students need. That's part of being president. Bill Clinton had that people skill and look what it got him? Bob Dole didn't and look what it got him.

[harmonicon]

72. Who says he's uncomfortable with children? Internet poster? Well, that makes it a fact.

Yeah, Bill Clinton beat Dole because he's just such a lovable guy. Had nothing to do with reaction to his first term as president.

[uponit7771]

70. You REALLY think an adult would decided not to vote for RobMe cause of a pic like this?

[harmonicon]

74. I would hope not, and that's why we should just ignore it. (nt)

[uponit7771]

76. No, most racist react the way RobMe is reacting in that pic, why should people ignore...

...that?

RobMe is a dick, I honestly thought RobMe was Brown\Black People exposed and wouldn't react as stiff as he did in those pics.

I've seen the video, RobMe is an asshole...he bags on the cost of peoples rain coats, looks like he doesn't want to be around black kids and bags on his host foods.

Makes me want to go and persuade two more people in the black community to go and vote against him...I show some of the folks I know his look and they'll know exactly what I'm talking about..

This type of stuff is relevant IMHO

[TBF]

103. OK, why don't you give us your list of why not to vote for Romney -

let's see what you come up with.

I really can't see why someone who supports President Obama would have a problem with anything in this OP. Presidents have to deal with people day in/out - since we have to assume they have comparable academics why would we NOT compare their people management skills?

[harmonicon]

124. Umm... this is about comparing B.S. photo-ops, not management skills.

So, this guy as a candidate doesn't look the way you'd like your candidate to look in a photo-op, so he's a bad guy. More than likely, I think that people will see the negative things they want to see in photos of candidates. Republican voters could probably look at those photos and say all sorts of awesome things they see in them and say loads of negative things about Obama photos. It's all fabricated bullshit. We don't have to fabricate negative talking points about Romney. We just have to listen to what he says and know that it's completely fucking nuts. This sort of weird fabrication of a personal attack seems really out of line to me. Is this what we want for our democracy? Is this sort of thing part of being an informed electorate?

[whathehell]

128. Romney's awkwardness with people of all ages is well-documented.

I notice that you live in the UK, so maybe you haven't

seen as many examples of it as we have here.

[harmonicon]

131. I'm sure that I haven't.

I don't really watch any news - most of it comes from reading. Regardless, I wouldn't really care if a politician were awkward in personal situations if they did their job well. I fail to see how this has any real import to a political discussion. I saw a thread today insulting the guy's hairstyle. If I thought this was just pure silliness, I could ignore it, but I think it actually lowers the standards of political discourse and is therefore harmful.

[whathehell]

149. Then I'm sure you're ability to

formulate an opinion on the matter is that much the poorer.

You may "fail to see" it, but the perception that a person is cold

and uncaring actually matters in a job where that person will be

making quality of life (and in some cases life and death)

decisions affecting the lives of millions.

The criteria for "doing the job well" in such a role are much

broader and more character dependant than those

attached to occupations like chemist or a computer technician.

[harmonicon]

161. Actual caring and photo-op bullshit are still two totally different things.

John Edwards was great at giving people puppy-dog-eyes and telling people that he wanted to help them. I never bought it. I thought he was a fucking snake-oil salesman. I care a lot about people, but it wouldn't look like it if you threw me in a roomful of strangers for the purpose of making it look like I care. I'm not defending Romney here, but I do think a lot more ground can be gained by focusing on tangible facts about the man over pure speculation.

[whathehell]

173. No kidding... What you're missing is that this

does not just represent a single "photo op"...It's one more

bit of evidence in a much larger pattern of behavior.

As for "tangible facts about the man", we have plenty -- His record

as governor of Massachusetts and his stated "plans" for the economy

and they only reinforce the audio and visuals he gives.

[TBF]

130. There are so many forums on DU - Good Reads for example is a place

to learn copious amounts of information about many topics. So people want to compare and contrast with photos a bit - it is not the end of the world. And honestly I'd take comparing photos and making up funny captions over the noise FAUX news spreads any day of the week. It's definitely less harmful.

[amyrose2712]

155. I agree looking still pics can give you a certain impression, but I'm sure the kids all KNOW Obama

is the POTUS, and have no clue who even Romney is. That may have something to do with their enthusiasm. Of course I don't know when all of these pictures were taken. Just my 2 cents.

[harmonicon]

164. That's how I see it, and I'm glad I'm not completely alone here.

Thinking about this today, I remember when I was just a little kid and Reagan was running for reelection. There was some sort of activity of asking us kids who we would vote for if we could vote. Reagan won in a landslide. We had no idea who Mondale was, but Reagan was on TV and was the most important, powerful person on earth.

I give my parents an awful lot of credit for not putting ideas about these things in my head at that age. I didn't know my parents were leftists until I was old enough to understand the real distinction and the implications; my dad took us to see Clinton speak in '92, and I still remember the experience clearly, if not the speech. I also remember asking my mother once who she'd voted for (I think this was in '88), and she said, "I voted for Nader and threw my vote away."

I digress... The thing is, I remember having no clue about what politics really meant, but knew that the media made Reagan and Bush out to be the good guys, and that Mondale didn't exist, and Dukakis was an idiot. The truth and mass-media appearance often have zero relationship to one another. What I wouldn't give to have Dems like those guys to vote for now.

[Scootaloo]

140. Then you're admitting you're going into that election booth halfway uninformed

We're not talking about trivial shit; "oooooh, he got a brat instead of a frank! Why does he hate hot dogs?!"

We're talking about how this man interacts with other human beings. It's kind of an important feature of being the President of the fucking United States. And don't give me this shit about 'well, lots of people are nervous in a crowd' - sure they are, and none of 'em are fit to fill the job Mitt Romney is gunning for.

I want a president who does not look at children the same way that I look at the selection at a Baskin Robbins. I want a president who is capable of acting like a human being instead of a putrefying mackerel in the company of people outside his "caste." I want a president that can speak to the president of Norway and the president of South Sudan on equal parts, instead of one who asks the latter to carry the former's luggage.

Sure, there are lots of other issues. But pretending that sociopathy isn't an issue when we're talking about the leadership position of our nation is really dumb

[harmonicon]

146. No, I'll be informed, and I hope I stop others from being misinformed.

Some B.S. photo-op doesn't mean shit, no matter how you want to spin it - and that's what this is; spin. So, you can look at pictures of a guy you don't like and ascribe negative attributes to that person you've already decided you don't like to fit some fictional narrative? Good for you. Hooray. Mission accomplished.

[Scootaloo]

151. Yes. Sure. It's just the pictures, sure

That's all we're going on.

You're one of those people that will watch a video of a kid getting choked by a cop and go "wait hold on, we don't know the full story here!" aren't you?

[harmonicon]

162. I'd like to think that I've never been someone to be described as "one of those people." (nt)

[whathehell]

181. Of course you'd like to think that..

You are, after all, so very special.

[harmonicon]

184. self-righteousness FTW!!! *high-five* (nt)

[whathehell]

187. Good self-description!

[whathehell]

182. What "others"?

You live in the UK...Do you even know

anyone who is eligible to vote?

[harmonicon]

185. I'm eligible to vote, mate.

So is every adult member of my family. So are my US-citizen friends.

[whathehell]

188. Glad to hear it, mate.

[riverbendviewgal]

41. America I hope you keep Obama in November

The difference in these two men are so vast....You can see and almost feel the love coming out of Obama. Rommey is an alien robotic man....He does not even seem human

[Judi Lynn]

42. The images say it all, bigtree. Thank you, so much. n/t

[madamesilverspurs]

43. Befuddlement

-

[Auntie Bush]

65. I think in that picture he's reminiscing about cutting someones hair off and wishing

he could do it again. He also looks like he's deep in his own dark thoughts and is not paying attention...daydreaming.

[goclark]

177. He is totally disconnected

He does not have a clue how to relate to children or adults.

[Auntie Bush]

178. Yeah, I never saw someone so uncomfortable around children...

especially black children. I'm surprised he didn't ask that kid to bend over so he could feel his hair. Probably was the closest he's ever been to black kids. At least his expression in those pictures would give that impression. I can't believe any black person could ever vote for him! I'm white and I couldn't...so how in the world could they?

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

44. "I love these tiny carbon based lifeforms, haaahaaahaaahaa (uncomfortable laugh)." nt

[bigtree]

142. surprise!

Mitt Romney with the word 'surprise' projected on his forehead at Universal Bluford Charter School on May 24, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

159. Must be some kind of software glitch in the Rombot 2012. nt

[seabeyond]

46. i pick clueless. i think those picture are sad. all the difference in smile and play with children

or clueless of knowing all he misses with being clueless with children. i think it is sad.

[Poll_Blind]

47. Kids can usually sense creepy adults. And creepy adults KNOW it.

That explains the uncomfortable situation all-around.

We tell our kids if they get a "bad feeling" about an adult for any reason, to trust the feeling and not fight their gut reaction in a situation. Not talking about conflicts with an adult, like being angry or upset with a teacher or something, but where as a kid you just "feel" something's not right.

PB

[Cali_Democrat]

48. Romney is one strange bird. n/t

[FSogol]

49. Romney is wondering where they keep the scissors.

[Behind the Aegis]

51. He has the classic "deer in the headlights" look to him.

Of course, he could also be deep in thought..."how do I cheaply add them to the labor force?"

[mikeytherat]

59. DUzy!

Romney "deep in thought."



mikey_the_rat

[stlsaxman]

52. They're all "Children Of Cain". Hell, I'm surprised he touched one of them. nt

[SwissTony]

53. One guy is just AWKWARD (and can't even begin to fake it)

the other is just lovin' it. Worlds apart.

President Obama, I'm not American and you are not my President, but you are a truly class act, Sir.

[Maven]

56. He came to teach them about stiff posture and the honor code.

Quite right. Quite right.

[Vanje]

57. Did Mitt bring his scissors?

In case one of the school kids needed a haircut?

[KurtNYC]

112. It seems all the haircuts met with his approval

but he better not do a photo op with Flock of Seagulls.

[Uncle Joe]

61. With rMoney it's almost like "Being There"

Thanks for the thread, bigtree.

[lunatica]

62. He looks like he doesn't understand the lessons

And the kids don't look too impressed with him either.

Kids don't pretend well. They show they don't trust you or like you and they show when they like you. The contrast between the way the kids are reacting to those men is as opposite as it could be.

[wickerwoman]

66. Romney's always looking at the camera, not the kids.

And in pic3 he's even looking condescending towards the teacher.

[uponit7771]

67. That look he has is bad...really bad, I don't know about others but he doesn't want to be there

...and for a myriad of reasons one being he doesn't fit

[GoneOffShore]

68. His face never changes. Botox? n/t

[Johnny Rico]

71. Good grief, of all the superficial things to focus on...

[uponit7771]

82. Racist usually react the way RobMe is reacting around black kids, this is relevant and I'm

...dissapointed even more in him..I thought he'd be more comfortable around different types of people.

If this guy gets in office the non whites in this country can count on a reduction of past progresses

[whathehell]

129. I have a mormon cousin, raised in Utah

and he's racist as hell.

Just sayin.

[Nostradammit]

85. Except that it's not superficial

In fact, it is quite the opposite. It is indicative of people's reactions to the man in person and it is glaringly obvious that the man is unlikeable as a person.

His history proves him to be callous and selfish and we've already had enough of that in the White House. These photos are confirmation.

[bigtree]

87. did you miss the background I provided?

Does the republican nominee appear even remotely interested in these children? It's the second of his 'outreach' efforts; yesterday he visited a Latino community. I'm personally appalled by the way he went into this community and talked down to the educators -- dismissing their concerns for smaller classrooms on the basis of some study he cited to them.

I'm personally appalled that he used this school as his campaign prop without actually offering them anything at all; save his admonitions that they could get by without more classrooms. His indifference and arrogant disregard for the needs of this community is written all over his face.

Moreover, our Democratic nominee has demonstrated care and concern in his policies; his statements; and in his open expressions of affection and interest in the children he interacts with. Somethings just can't be nailed down with mere words. I believe the images reflect a hollow and bitter man; those traits clearly evident in almost every one of his campaign's initiatives.

It's all there in the links I provided . . . the superficiality is all in your own perspective.

[madokie]

73. Our Guy is Awesome

thanks BT

[jillan]

75. I feel so sorry for that girl being stuck sitting next to him. I wonder if Mitt even tried

to make it fun for her.

[whathehell]

150. There was a post on Du not long ago from a person who, a few years back,

found themselves sitting next to Mitt Romney on a plane.

She said it was a long flight and after a brief initial acknowledgment he

never ONCE spoke to her or, if I remember correctly, even looked at her

for the duration of the flight.

She said she found it uncomfortable, but "telling" with regard to

his interpersonal skills/interests.

[JDPriestly]

77. Romney looks depressed and regretful.

As he should be. I think he is, in a way, facing a kind of judgment day for the evil things he did when he was a man on the make crushing all kinds of little folks on his way to the top.

[uponit7771]

80. I still think he's realizing how much of an asshole he is and that others will see it..

...it's like he's hiding something.

[Initech]

78. His spontaneous moments are scheduled weeks in advance.

On a cross country flight he just sits and stares at the back of the seat in front of him.

He thinks yellow mustard is spicy.

The Romans don't do as he does.

He's never been invited to a children's party. And if he was, he'd decline to attend - because the pony ride is way too intense for his taste.

He is Mitt Romney - the least interesting man in the world!!!!

Stay boring my friends.

[hifiguy]

89. Outstanding!! DUzy material for sure.

"His spontaneous moments are scheduled weeks in advance."

[Cali_Democrat]

98. LOL

[hobbit709]

83. And the answers are: Yes, yes, and yes.

[ailsagirl]

84. Nitt acts like he's in a leper colony

...while our guy simply smiles his million-watt grin and draws people in like a magnet! There's something to be said for authenticity!

[LadyHawkAZ]

86. Probably not used to them

that's what happens when you have a staff to raise your kids. Kinda like when you have a staff to care for your dog, and you just don't know that they don't like being strapped to the roof.

[Raven]

88. That last picture of Romney is

just plain creepy.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

90. this pic makes me smile so hard,

my face hurts!




It's true: Vibes, Energy, Heart...whatever you want to call it. Kids can sense it. Some adults can. These pictures say A LOT!

[hifiguy]

115. Wonderful, isn't it?

I don't know who is happier, the POTUS or the kids. Both he and Michelle are so obviously comfortable with kids and young people and kids are at ease with them. That says something very good about both of the Obamas.

[Kadie]

91. He looks very uncomfortable.

By the way did you see this?

I posted this pic in the Video & Multimedia forum





and EarlG fixed it up...

[bigtree]

104. ha! missed that

thanks, Kadie!

[Arugula Latte]

108. Some handler screwed that up royally.

You'd think his campaign would prevent anything associating Romney with dogs and driving ... Wow.

[kcass1954]

117. And that's why EarlG makes the big buck!

[ladym55]

92. He is truly without a soul

The photo op you include goes along with his attacks on public education. Apparently those evil teachers' unions just give our kids "a third world education."

The more I see and hear about Rmoney, the more creeped out I become. He lies without a thought, treats people with contempt, and has no real record to run on.

[malaise]

93. There are none as honest as our children

That's not a yawning gap - that's a chasm!!

Damn that was hilarious. The kids don't even want to shake his hand - hehehehe

[craigmatic]

94. Is it because these are children or because they're minorities?

[MrScorpio]

95. Kids know nt

[Chorophyll]

100. Romney's expression...

I've seen it on myself in pictures where I'm stuck with my terrifying conservative in-laws. He's uncomfortable as hell. You definitely shouldn't run for president if you can't even FAKE liking people.

Just ugh.

The Obama pix are priceless, however.

[jp11]

102. For one it appears that the pictures of the President are from at least five

different events.

Where Romney bot has just the one event with the tiny humans.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

106. Like a stuffed mannequin

with no soul

[Arugula Latte]

107. "The servants always handled these matters..."

[Scurrilous]

110. K & R

[hwmnbn]

113. K&R

[Scuba]

114. I'll speculate he was not hugged and cuddled as a child, nor did he hug and cuddle his children.

[Raine]

118. Rmoney is that way with all people, it's difficult for a robot to connect

to humans who have real flesh and blood and feelings.

[MsPithy]

120. Honest to God! I think Romney is bothered

by their hair! It is just not normal, white people, American hair.

He looks like he is thinking, wish I had my posse and a scissors!

Fucking asshat!

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

121. Those kids with Romney don't give a crap about him

Running for president doesn't earn you love and respect.

[GObamaGO]

122. I would say all three

He clearly has no connection whatsoever with the kids in the photos.

[Godot51]

123. Upper Caste...

They're just not his caste of people; when one is a "Brahmin" and they are "Shudra" or (gasp) perhaps "Jatis"!

[Cass]

126. I love Pres Obama's smile - it is an infectious and genuine smile!

You can tell he is having a ball with the kids in these photos and so are the kids. Not a bit of it forced or faked.

[amuse bouche]

127. Oh my

The contrast between them is stunning

[amuse bouche]

132. "I'm not convinced he even likes being around these kids ?

I'm not convinced he likes being around humans

[southernyankeebelle]

133. I really am beginning to think he really is just a robot and not human. He looks

sooo out of place. Yet I don't get republicans when they say Obama doesn't have our family values. Funny when he goes around the country he ozzzzzzzz charm and family values.

[EC]

134. Love the pics of Obama and kids

Romney just needed props.

[wordpix]

136. Rmoney is clearly uncomfortable in that setting, esp. since his party has tried to take every drop

of money out of public schools.

[Ilsa]

137. I don't think RMoney raised his kids.

I think his wife and paid help did the nitty-gritty work. He looks uncomfortable around children.

[tblue37]

138. I am severely hearing impaired, so I am more sensitive than

most people to body language. Romney's stiffness and discomfort, which are quite obvious to me, are perhaps not so evident that most hearing people would necessarily pick up on them.

However, the contrast is so marked when those pictures of him are compared with the images of Obama around kids that I think almost anyone can see it!

On edit: BTW, notice how Obama's hands and arms naturally, automatically reach out toward the kids whenever one or more kids are nearby, while Romney keeps his close to his own body, within his "protective" personal bubble, except when officially extending a formal handshake to one child for a photo op.

[Skittles]

139. it's very telling

very telling INDEED

[BlueIris]

153. +1.

Literally. That's just what I posted. The expressions on his face make his feelings obvious.

[JCMach1]

143. Not to excuse Romney, but he looks tired as hell...

[SunSeeker]

167. Yes, it must be very tiring trying to pretend he cares about people. nt

[JCMach1]

172. LOL...

I can barely even imagine the schedules Obama and Romney have to keep though.

I thought I was going to drop when I ran for the Florida Legislature in 2002. In fact, I did wind-up in the hospital for three days with dysentery and dehydration. It's rough.

[Suji to Seoul]

147. so, mittens goes to a charter school

Last edited Fri May 25, 2012, 07:54 AM - Edit history (1)

a parasite on the public school system:

uniforms, dress codes and micromanaging hair lengths for students
draconian punishments for students
sweatshop conditions for teachers
lowest pay for teachers
conformity rules in most charter schools
leaders only concerned with their own future and not the students
usually run by right wing zealots with axes to grind against public education
only giving students the courses needed to pass NCLB testing and get AYP

and the students look so happy. no one is smiling at all.


while President Obama goes to a public school:

individuality
dress codes loosely enforced
teachers treated as professionals
leaders usually concerned with education


no wonder the kids at Obama's schools are smiling.

[SunSeeker]

169. +1,000!!

[DesertDiamond]

148. He looks like he's posing the whole time while his mind is a million miles away.

[BlueIris]

152. The Romney photos are very telling.

Very.

Uncomfortable isn't the word.

[madrchsod]

154. it`s really simple....

who`s policies will best serve these children in the future?

a picture is worth a thousand words

[PatSeg]

156. Could Romney be anymore awkward

or uncomfortable?

The Obama campaign should just make an ad alternating these pictures. No words would be necessary.

[Madmiddle]

158. President Barack Obama

is a family man. The other guy is a guy with a family. Big, big difference. the president loves kids as you can see by the way the kids love him. The other guy is there for a photo op.

[HappyMe]

160. The Prez is genuinely interested in the kids.

He likes kids.

The Mittens is uncomfortable. He can't relate at all. Kids can feel the attitude.

[Rex]

163. He doesn't want to be there...whereas Obama could be buried

in a pile of children and would be loving it. Wait that last picture he IS buried in a pile of children and look at that smile!!! The kids love him! That is always one of my own personal markers of a persons character - kids like you, something good inside. God it is refreshing to have a human being in office. I've watched him transform from an uncomfortable business suit, into a family man in four years time. I think his second term will be unforgettable.

[SunSeeker]

165. Rmoney's hostage pictures with these unwilling kids are disgusting.

He doesn't like these kids and the feeling is clearly mutual. These kids didn't want to be props in Rmoney's photo-op. Their hero is Obama, not this horrible man, who wants to bleed their school dry. The video the MSM kept showing on the news last night of him going along the rows of desks shaking hands with those sullen-faced kids made me sick.

[nancylee]

168. Look at the difference in body language

Look at the difference in body language. Mittens leans back, leans from the waist, keeping his footing away from the kids, keeps his left arm back; folds hands together, closing himself off, and Obama leans into the kids, puts both arms near them, wraps his whole arm around the children. Worlds of difference.

[UrbScotty]

170. Welcome to DU!

I agree - Obama does seem much more willing to interact with kids. He's much more comfortable in that kind of environment.

[nancylee]

171. Thanks!! I appreciate it! n/t

[Spazito]

175. That was what stood out for me as well...

his body language is very closed signaling distance whereas the President's signals openness and warmth, a very stark contrast for sure.

Welcome to DU, nancylee!

[magical thyme]

176. it's not just his body language and inability to crack a smile

Look how self-conscious and stiff the *kids* look around him too!

Versus that other guy....

[XanaDUer]

180. Kids KNOW

Kids have amazing BS detectors- if you look at the kids' faces with The Rom-O-Bot, you can see a distinct lack of enthusiasm in their faces.

They KNOW.

[onethatcares]

183. Kids just know

and you can't hide a thing from them, they look right through you and know.

we lose that as we grow older and substitute bullshit in its place.

Kids know.

[sarcasmo]

186. The Nanny raised the R Money kids.