ABC's John Berman: Sarah Palin Makes Mitt Romney Seem 'More Reasonable' and 'More Secure'
Good Morning America correspondent John Berman on Thursday offered a sarcastic take on Sarah Palin's tour, dismissing it as a "magical mystery bus." He also spun a possible 2012 run by Palin as making fellow Republican Mitt Romney appear "more safe, a more secure, a more reasonable candidate."
Anchor George Stephanopoulos introduced this concept by musing, "Maybe [the Romney campaign wants] her in the race after all, John. She gives Romney the perfect foil." Berman described that as "exactly right" and added, " And it might make the former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney, seem like a more safe, a more secure, a more reasonable candidate."
Berman speculated about the pitfalls of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie using a helicopter to attend his son's baseball game. He asserted that is was "unclear whether this might dampen calls for Christie to enter the race." (That seems like a bit of a stretch for such a minor controversy.)
A transcript of the June 02 segment, which aired at 7:15am EDT, follows:
GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: Now, the race for the White House. Sarah Palin claims she's not campaigning. But after a busy day in New York, she is in Boston today, then New Hampshire. Already there, the early front-runner for the Republican nomination. And Mitt Romney is going to make it official today, formally launching his campaign in Stratham. John Berman joins us from there. Good morning, john.
JOHN BERMAN: Good morning, George. Well, this really does feel like the biggest day of this election so far. Mitt Romney will be making his announcement a few miles down the road from here with a chili cookout. But will some of the spice in that chili be watered down by a clam bake? Because, that's right. Sarah Palin reportedly coming to New Hampshire tonight to host a clam bake on the coast. Sarah Palin's magical mystery bus continues to wind its way up the east coast and is now getting ready to go national.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: What are you going to do after the tour is over?
SARAH PALIN: Go back to Alaska. Come back on the trail again. Head the tour west, as the summer progresses.
BERMAN: But not before rolling into New Hampshire tonight for her first visit to the first in the nation primary state since 2008.
PALIN: Hello!
BERMAN: Coincidentally, or not so coincidentally, after mitt romney, the seeming front-runner, launches his campaign. In exempts of his speech obtained by ABC News, the former Massachusetts governor will say "Barack Obama has failed America. We're only inches away from ceasing to be a free-market economy." Also sniffing around New Hampshire today, Rudy Giuliani, meeting with fund-raisers and considering whether a second run for the White House might turn out better than the first. Since $59 million and ended up with zero delegates. Not coming to New Hampshire today? New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. He ruffled feathers Tuesday by flying a state helicopter to his son's baseball game. While the chopper costs about $2,500 per hour, the New Jersey state police says there are no costs to the taxpayer because these are flight hours that would be logged in any event. Unclear whether this might dampen calls for Christie to enter the race. He still says he's not in. But he is headed to Iowa in July. And what about a possible reentry from Donald Trump? Maybe as an independent. He told Fox News-
DONALD TRUMP: If the Republican puts up a stiff, I would consider running in a three-person race.
BERMAN: Now, the Romney team says they are not bothered by Palin's possible arrival here tonight. They're sticking on-message, saying that Palin brings energy to the party. And that should she choose to run, she would be a formidable opponent. George?
STEPHANOPOULOS: Maybe they want her in the race after all, John. She gives Romney the perfect foil.
BERMAN: That's exactly right. I mean, behind the scenes, some Romney folks will tell you that it does provide a good contrast for them. And it might make the former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney, seem like a more safe, a more secure, a more reasonable candidate.
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Comments
Hop on for the Mystery Tour - - - Step Right This Way
Submitted by Galvanic on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 12:49pm.
(With apologies to Lennon & McCartney).
These clowns don't even see the irony in their behavior. While dismissing Palin as a 'serious' candidate, they cover her bus tour daily trying to get a few words or a wink indicating that she's going to announce her candidacy.
The coverage resembles the MSM infatuation with Prince William and his bride leading up to their wedding.
obamas' defeat will be sweet
Submitted by gAMEoVER on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 12:54pm.
msm=scared stiff.
If these left-wing media
Submitted by rbosque on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 12:55pm.
If these left-wing media ass%$#@ don't like Sarah, why do they keep following her and put her on the front page? Just stay away from her she's not doing the tour for them.
Make no mistake
Submitted by HockeyKid on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 1:11pm.
Every last one of them is hoping to catch her in a Kaite Couric moment so they can earn their bones and get an anchor desk of their own. That, and they want to destroy Sarah before she can make too big an impact on the "Dump Obysmal" front.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
No. Mittens is still a RINO
Submitted by Red Jeep on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 12:53pm.
Mittens is a good Country Club candidate.
Too safe?
Submitted by nkviking75 on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 1:09pm.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Maybe they want her in the race after all, John. She gives Romney the perfect foil.
BERMAN: That's exactly right. I mean, behind the scenes, some Romney folks will tell you that it does provide a good contrast for them. And it might make the former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney, seem like a more safe, a more secure, a more reasonable candidate.
On the other hand, it may make Sarah Palin look like the one more committed to returning the country to its constitutional roots and make Romney look a little too safe.
“Always love your country — but never trust your government!" -- Bob Novak (1931-2009)
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Do these people ever explain
Submitted by forest on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 1:16pm.
Do these people ever explain how Palin is "unreasonable" or "far right" from a policy standpoint? Or do they just throw unsupported accusations around? She wants to drill for oil, keep taxes and spending low, and stand by Israel. She kinda shrugged at the mention of pot legalization. She seems to be a normal conservative with maybe some libertarian tendencies (as opposed to the "religious right" bent the media likes to assign to her).
Obama Make Every Candidate
Submitted by Comrade Jim on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 1:24pm.
Who has ever run for President look reasonable. Even Dennis Kucinich.
Isn't that the truth?
Submitted by Red Jeep on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 1:33pm.
Mr. Kucinich is beginning to sound more and more like a Conservative..
The Dennis Kucinich Political Standard
Submitted by Avitar on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 2:01pm.
Dennis hasn't left the far left. The far left has left him. Now that they consider Dennis Kucinich and Joe Stalin to be right wingers perhaps we should refer to Obama support as coming from the looney left.
Except for Jimmy
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 4:41pm.
crack corn.
We need someone more
Submitted by ForeverOnTheRight on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 1:32pm.
We need someone more conservative that Mitt like Palin. We also need someone that will beat Obama, a Reagan like candidate. How the liberals treat Palin is based in sexism, and that's not some racism accusation like the liberals level at us anytime a person disagrees and opposes Obama. This fact was made clear to me in a blog article written by Robin of Berkley, a former liberal and a psychotherapist. She is very clear in her thinking and knows what she is writing about.
The Media is picking
Submitted by Calypso Jones on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 1:41pm.
the republican nominee AGAIN. I will NOT vote for Romney. I will however vote for Sarah Palin or even Michele Bachman.
Haha, that's just what I
Submitted by Anniee451 on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 3:32pm.
Haha, that's just what I said! Those idiots. They pick the one they know will do the least damage to their leftard candidates. Enough! NO MORE "worst candidate" because they tell us he "can win". No more, not ever. It's the best or nothing.
If the MBM has chosen Mitt,
Submitted by Free Stinker on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 1:49pm.
If the MBM has chosen Mitt, then we must fight tooth and nail to nominate someone else.
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
MBM?
Submitted by Calypso Jones on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 2:19pm.
Is that Moon Bat Media? ;-D
Make Believe Media. It's a
Submitted by Free Stinker on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 4:02pm.
Make Believe Media. It's a term I've seen Sarah Palin use. :-)
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
I don't trust Romney.
Submitted by jessieH on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 1:53pm.
I don't trust Romney.
Romney Looks Too Democrat To Win The General Election.
Submitted by Avitar on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 1:54pm.
In a political race between a real Democrat vs. an ersatz Democrat the real Democrat will win. The same is true between a real Republican vs. an ersatz Democrat, the real Republican will win. Right now the media is being out played every day by Sarah Palin, and as Fox news has observed Piper Palin is getting better than some campaign staffs. It is difficult to argue that a woman is not intelligent when you are running around going “What happened? Where did she go? My favorite is: ”What is she doing?”
I wonder who the idiot was that had Romney come out for the Ethanol subsidy. Just like with Romney care the political terrain has changed and his people are clueless.
I don`t trust any Insider
Submitted by NVRAT on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 2:46pm.
Romney is still a DC insider and I have no use for him now or in the future. He is to Liberal for me.
We need someone from outside and is willing to kick some A_ _. Tell the lousy MSM to go to He_ _ and fix this country. Bring jobs back through selected taxation ( companies out sourcing jobs to overseas countries get taxed at 4 times the current rate and no deductions) tax breaks for in country companies that have exclusive employment available in the USA. Start repairing the infrastructure and make every state a Right to Work State. I would keep going but not enough space to file complaints.
Just remember, despite
Submitted by balboa on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 2:50pm.
Just remember, despite touring the nation in a bus with her name on it, Palin isn't out there looking for attention...
Yeah balboa, her name is just
Submitted by Scuba Dude on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 3:22pm.
Yeah balboa, her name is just PLASTERED all over the bus. NOT!!!!
Being proved wrong again and again must hurt after a while.
Um, do you see the back 1/4th
Submitted by balboa on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 3:24pm.
Um, do you see the back 1/4th of the bus? That script writing there? That's her name in giant letters.
And while not "PLASTERED," the idea that she's not looking for attention is laughable.
She doesn't HAVE to "look
Submitted by Anniee451 on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 3:31pm.
She doesn't HAVE to "look for" attention - she gets it whether she wants it or not. The media can't quit on her and neither can the average leftist or the leftist blogosphere.
That's because she is one of the best possible non-leftist candidates. :) Mittens is a joke.
scorecard
Submitted by Free Stinker on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 3:33pm.
Scoob: 2
Bal: 0
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
Um, did you see the first half?
Submitted by CobraMan on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 3:37pm.
Um, did you see the first half of the bus where it shows the image of the Constitution? That kinda explains WHY she's making this public tour, and all of the public appearances that tour involves. Its kinda hard to hold those public appearances unless she draws attention to them and herself, correct? After all, anonymity would defeat the purposes of public appearances, would it not? To the chagrin of the the majority news media, she's able to garner the attention she requires without their help.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
It's her name, in giant
Submitted by balboa on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 3:46pm.
It's her name, in giant letters. She craves attention.
Good evening Bal
Submitted by cocodrie on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 4:35pm.
If you are auditioning to be PopTech's replscement you have to start writing your derangement posts in red.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
Kinda like the attention you crave?
Submitted by The Vet on Fri, 06/03/2011 - 12:14am.
balboa the crypto-dummy: She craves attention.
Unlike you huh?
balboa the crypto-dummy: I heart cop killers. Free Mumia. Free Asata. Free all the cop killers that suddenly got new names after killin' cops! I rilly don't like cops. Mumia and Asata is innocent even after proven guilty!!!11!!
In what world does her name
Submitted by Scuba Dude on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 3:54pm.
In what world does her name take up the 1/4th the space on the back of the bus?
The words "One Nation" and the image of the United States are the things that stand out. And of course that beautiful vista.
C'mon bal, try again. Do you work hard at being stupid or does it just come naturally?
Not the rear end of the bus.
Submitted by balboa on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 4:03pm.
Not the rear end of the bus. If you look at the bus from the side, the rear 1/4th, genius.
Genius? Compared to you I am
Submitted by Scuba Dude on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 4:12pm.
Genius? Compared to you I am a veritable Einstein.
Let us look at the picture of the right hand side of the bus. Looks to me to be the back 1/3rd of the bus contains her name. I guess you have a problem judging size amongst other things.
And if you notice, the photograph of the Constitution with the words "WE THE PEOPLE" emblazoned on it and the words "ONE NATION" do a darn good job of taking peoples attention away from the back 1/3rd of the bus.
As said before, do you work hard at being stupid or does it come naturally?
1/4, 1/3... It's still HER
Submitted by balboa on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 4:17pm.
1/4, 1/3... It's still HER NAME in giant script on the bus. And of course We the People and One Nation are on there, lest you SOMEHOW forget that Sarah's a reeallllll Amerrrrrican.
I still don't believe this is about anything but getting attention for herself.
You poor guy
Submitted by dgv on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 5:51pm.
You are arguing with people who think that taking a family vacation, in a rock band esque tour bus means she doesn't want attention.
Good luck.
Bal's dumber twin made it in.
Submitted by RESTLESS 1 on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 11:42pm.
Nobody said she is not seeking attention. She is not seeking attention from the likes of you, but you give it anyway.
C-ya douche.
Scuba, I admit I often have
Submitted by motherbelt on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 4:22pm.
Scuba, I admit I often have issues with Balboa, but he is right on this.
All he said was she was touring the country in a bus with her name on it.
Her name IS on the bus. It all went downhill from there.
I would say she wants attention. On her own terms.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Hey MB, sorry for the delay
Submitted by Scuba Dude on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 8:11pm.
Hey MB, sorry for the delay in replying, accident on the Gowanus lengthened my commute. Now for my reply.
(ahem)
Awwww geez MB!!! You're ruining all the fun!!!!!! :-) Of course her bus has her name on it. But the name is overshadowed by what the tour is about. Not for nothing but coming upon this bus driving down the road my attention would be drawn to the WE THE PEOPLE emblazoned on it and that beautiful mountain vista. But thats just me. ;-)
Now, can we get back to toying with bal? :-D
What's laughable is
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 4:44pm.
you libertards have your panties in a twist whenever you see or hear Palin. And that is real sweet. Keep on twisting.
Who says she's not looking for attention?
Submitted by RESTLESS 1 on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 3:24pm.
She has stated what the bus tour is about.
The media's just mad that she ain't looking for attention from them.
She said it wasn't about her.
Submitted by balboa on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 3:42pm.
She said it wasn't about her. Rrrrright
Huh.
Submitted by RESTLESS 1 on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 4:00pm.
Well, you not believing her is all the proof I need.
Restless, I have a theory
Submitted by motherbelt on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 4:25pm.
Restless, I have a theory about that.
Just like when someone says "It's not about the money," you can be damn sure it's about the money, I think when someone says "It's not about me" it most certainly is.
Don't forget: Barack Obama said continually during the campaign that "it's not about me."
Now, I will admit, I don't ever recall reading that Palin said those words, or hearing her say them, but if she did, that would make me a skeptic too.
Eh, time will tell, I guess.
Submitted by RESTLESS 1 on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 4:39pm.
Truth is, I don't much care about her tour. Could be about her, or not. Who cares?
Funny thing is, if the media weren't all disjointed by it, much less attention would be given to it.
Bottom line is, I tend not to take Bal's word for anything.
Aw, c'mon RESTLESS! :-) I
Submitted by balboa on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 4:47pm.
Aw, c'mon RESTLESS! :-)
I think Palin is playing it coy, and she loves the fact that she can get the media in a tizzy.
Press attention
Submitted by CobraMan on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 3:26pm.
Well, she's obviously not looking for press attention, as they are all complaining that she won't release her travel plans.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
As if any of these media libs would vote for ANY Republican
Submitted by cbeyer on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 3:12pm.
Its amazing to see the MSM belittle and demean the field of Republican candidates. In this case, Berman does a double slap. First, the MSM mantra that anyone would be better than Sarah Palin....EVEN Mitt Romney. A clever way of dismissing both by of course continuing the media's obsession with hating Palin but without saying anything good about Romney except that he (anyone) would be better than her.
Of course none could be as well qualified to run as Obama was.......with his vaunted experience as the community organizer and about 15 months of very undistingushed work in the U. S. Senate where he failed to initiate any major ledgislation and was running for President the day he was elected.
The notion that the dominant media has ANY interest in seeing a Republican candidate who could beat Obama is mind numbingly stupid. With rare exceptions these people are all committed liberals and spin the so called news in that direction every way they can.
" anyone would be better than Sarah Palin."
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 4:46pm.
And after gas hits 5.00 a gallon, any pile of turds will beat Obummer.
What John Berman is really
Submitted by Van Halen on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 3:21pm.
What John Berman is really saying is that Leftists are terrified of Palin who has not once wavered from solid Conservative principles of God, guns, American oil, strong defense, no illegal immigration, less government, less taxes, less abortion. Romney, on the other hand, is apt to make deals with the Left.
I agree. It will take someone like Sarah Palin to...
Submitted by jawebster1 on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 6:51pm.
turn this Country around. She has the remedy for our ills and that is why the left hates her so much. The left would rather be in charge of ruining our Country than having someone from the right save it. That's just the way they think...if you want to call it thinking.
So the Media...
Submitted by Anniee451 on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 3:26pm.
Who hate ALL Republicans/conservatives/libertarians/Tea Party Patriots, want to tell us YET AGAIN who can win and who we simply MUST choose.
Forget it. Sarah and West for the win, and Romney can eat dirt.
Palin for President?
Submitted by hayate1 on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 5:17pm.
I wouldn't want her for any leadership position. Sales, PR or HR sure. Decision maker? She has no policies bc she has no knowledge of matters of import. She doesn't read, she can't write and her speaking is often nonsensical. Even when she is reading notes she cannot put a coherent phrase together. Does she ever do unscripted interviews? Why not? Because the MSM is out to get her? How can one claim to be qualified for President of the United States of America if one cannot or will not speak to the press?
Heck, if she, by some miracle, became President she would just quit after a few years to make even more money by offering her loopy folk tales in ghost written books and on the Fox campaign network.
Oh yea, wasn't her husband a separatist? Not willing to speak to the MSM but rather spend her energy calling it anti-America and anti-Constitution seems to not be all that supportive of core tenants of the founding writ.
"Facts are not decided by how many people believe them. Truth is not determined by how loudly it is shouted."
hayate1 sounds like he has all the Liberal talking points....
Submitted by jawebster1 on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 6:46pm.
down well, but he doesn't know beans about Sarah Palin. She demolished Biden in their debate and she has done very well in outsmarting the people who don't like her simply because she is a woman and is a solid Conservative. They also hate the fact that she is young, smart and most of all good looking. She is currently running circles around the media and having a wonderful time doing it. As my old bumper sticker said: Don't blame me, I voted for Sarah Palin!
Good looking
Submitted by Kingfish17 on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 8:19pm.
Sarah Palin can be good looking but I have also seen some real pictures of her when she looks pretty shaky.
That being said, I just don't get the "good looking" part as an asset. Chris Christie isn't "good looking", but I think he would be a good President. Is Mitt Romney qualified because most people would say he is "good looking"?
"You can’t go take a trip to Las Vegas...on the taxpayer’s dime." Barack Obama
I've never heard of John Berman. Of course, I've never...
Submitted by jawebster1 on Thu, 06/02/2011 - 6:31pm.
watched GMA. I'm always astounded by people no one hardly ever heard of trying to make a name for themselves by 'kniving' Sarah Palin just to fit in with their club. Sorry guys. The more you go after her for 'groundless' reasons, the smaller you are and the bigger she is. That is why Sarah draws large crowds and Liberals draw flies.