Mitt Romney, the Olympic Champion of Blunders

Memo to Mitt Romney: When traveling abroad, it’s better to not too overtly criticize the country welcoming you. The Republican White House candidate clearly forgot to review diplomatic protocol. While visiting London in hopes to present the American public with a credible international image, Romney multiplied his blunders.

The main issue was his open challenge of the English capital’s preparation for the Olympic Games. “There are a few things that were disconcerting – the stories about the private security firm not having enough people, supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials,” Romney said. These issues are shared by most British people. But two days before the opening ceremony, which took place July 27, Downing Street was a shade touchy regarding the question of their readiness.

Prime Minister David Cameron acidly retorted with a remark aimed at those who had organized the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002. “We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities in the world. Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere.” Boris Johnson, London’s mayor, didn’t hesitate to draw blood. Facing a crowd of 60,000 people in Hyde Park, he directed his blow: “There’s a guy called Mitt Romney who wants to know whether we are ready. Are we ready?” The crowd screamed in approval.

The Killjoy

The British press got started with an exaggerated patriotic tone. The Daily Mail, a very America-leaning, right-wing tabloid, asked, “Who invited him?” The Times read, “”Nowhere man” Romney loses his way with gaffe about the Games.”

Things were not well-planned when Romney forgot the opposition leader Ed Miliband’s name, referring to him with a hesitant “Mr. Leader.” The tough attitude of his security team, who blocked cameramen who wanted to film an anti-Mormon protest, managed to ruin the visit.

But all of this is nothing compared to the reaction that the British would have had if they had read Romney’s book, No Apology. Foreign Policy’s website revealed that Romney had written: “England is just a small island. Its roads and houses are small. With few exceptions, it doesn’t make things that people in the rest of the world want to buy.”