Romney and Brian Williams - What Do I Know Now That I Didn't Know Before?

I learned today that after Mitt Romney's extended interview with Brian Williams of NBC yesterday, with a few notable exceptions, I know very little more about the man and/or his policies than I did prior to the telecast. What I did learn is that Romney, again with a few exceptions, is seemingly incapable of directly answering questions. Perhaps he should be running for "Obfuscator" in Chief rather than Commander in Chief. 


The interview was conducted in London and was one of the first extended interviews Romney has given to a non-Fox News Channel journalist. It was wide ranging, including a discussion of Romney's heritage (actually his father's heritage), his faith and the Olympics. But I'd like to focus on three areas: gun control, tax returns and the economy, and will include transcripts of Williams' questions and Romney's answers along with my commentary.


Gun Control
BRIAN WILLIAMS:

As governor, you signed an assault weapons ban in Massachusetts. And you said at the time, quote, "These guns are not made for recreation or self defense, they are instruments of destruction with the sole purpose of hunting down and killing people." Do you still believe that?

MITT ROMNEY:

Well, I actually signed a piece of legislation, as you described, that banned assault weapons in our state. It was a continuation of prior-- legislation. And it was backed both by the Second Amendment advocates like myself, and those that wanted to restrict-- gun rights. Because it was a compromise. Both sides got some things improved in the laws as they existed.

And I happen to think that with regards to the Aurora, Colorado disaster, we're wise to-- continue the time of memorial and-- and think of the comforting the people affected. And-- and political implications, legal implications are something which will be sorted out down the road. But I don't happen to believe that America needs new gun laws. A lot of what this-- young man did was clearly against the law. But the fact that it was against the law did not prevent it from happening.

Ted Block: Clear, to the point. I know now that as governor, Romney believed that compromise is important to get legislation done. I don't know whether he will take that philosophy forward to the White House, if he has the chance. Certainly, nothing in his recent statements would suggest he will. However, one important point of difference: Just about everything this "young man" did, except for the actual shooting, was legal. And that's the heart of the problem.

BRIAN WILLIAMS:

As a practical matter, do you have a problem with being able to buy 6,000 rounds of ammunition off the internet?

MITT ROMNEY:

Well, I don't know that I'm gonna be able to find a way to prevent people who want to pro-- provide harm, from being able to purchase things that could carry out that harm. What I wanna do is find the people who represent a danger to America and find them and keep them from having the capacity to use or buy things that could har-- harm-- hurt other people.

Ted Block: I know now that Romney will not commit to a position on gun control. Actually, there are things that he, as president, can do to help prevent people from purchasing things that could carry out harm - an assault weapons ban; a limit on the amount and type of ammunition that can be purchased; closing the gun show background check loophole. He needs to talk to, and compromise with, legislators like Senator Frank Lautenberg and Representatives Carolyn McCarthy and Carolyn Mahoney to find a way. Perhaps the reason that he doesn't think he can find a way to do these things is because of the influence of the N.R.A. Speaking of which...


BRIAN WILLIAMS:

You said a few years back, quote, "I don't line up with the N.R.A." Is that still true?

MITT ROMNEY:

Well, on every single issue-- there are differences between myself and the N.R.A. On many issues, we-- we share a common commitment to the Second Amendment and the right of people to bear arms. But I'm sure from time to time there'll be issues where-- where they and I might part. I-- I don't have one for you right now. But-- but their agenda is not entirely identical with my own. I-- I don't know that I line up 100% with the-- with almost anybody.

Ted Block: I now know that there are either differences between Romney and the N.R.A. on every single issue and/or some issues. I just don't know what those issues are. So which is it - are there differences between Romney and the N.R.A. on every single issue? Or are there only differences from "time to time". And if there are differences, why can't he name one?  Is it possible that he CAN actually name more than one but chooses not to because it is politically inconvenient?

Tax Returns

BRIAN WILLIAMS:

On to another topic-- and that is your taxes. Can you say that your decision is firm that you'll not do a walk-back between now and the convention, now and the fall election? That there will be no returns-- more returns released by Mitt Romney?

MITT ROMNEY:

I'm following the same precedent that was put in place by John McCain. Two years, and by the way, hundreds of pages (LAUGH) of returns for the Democrat operatives to go through and twist and distort and to turn in different directions and try and make a big deal out of. But, you know, the American people are not real concerned about tax returns. They're concerned about who can get this economy going and create good jobs again. And I can. The president hasn't been able to do the job as he had expected to do. And I know how to get it done.

BRIAN WILLIAMS:

But you know-- also know what happens in the real world, governor. People hear, "He's not gonna release the rest of his returns," and they wonder why. They wonder, "Is there a year there where he paid no taxes?" They wonder about expensive horses and houses and what have you. So I'll ask another way. What is it that is preventing you from releasing the rest of your returns?

MITT ROMNEY:

Well one, I’ve released all the information about my financial holdings. That's required by law. And then in addition beyond the law, have released, or will finally release act-- when the last year is complete, two years of full returns. And what we've noted is our Democrat friends, take what's there, twist it, distort it-- dishonestly use it in-- in attack ads. I just don't wanna give 'em more material than is required.

Ted Block: Actually, on this one, I know nothing more than I knew before the interview. I continue to find it interesting that the precedent Romney always invokes is John McCain's, not his own father's  (who released 12 years of tax returns when he ran for president in 1968). It's also interesting that McCain, in vetting Romney as a potential running mate requested, and received, 23 years of his tax returns. Romney says he's released what's "required by law". Actually, there is no law (although there is a bill in the works which would require presidential candidates to not only release 10 years of tax returns but also make financial disclosures that include the information not currently included on disclosures and not easily discernible from tax returns). His inability to answer what's preventing releasing more returns - actually his non-answer - simply begs the question: What's in there that he's hiding?

The Economy
BRIAN WILLIAMS:

And let's talk about domestic-- the economy before we wrap things up. The major planks of your job plan, lower taxes, both corporate and marginal rates, and reduce regulation. Explain how that would be different from what George W. Bush tried to push through?

MITT ROMNEY:

Well, let me describe-- actually, there are five things that I believe are necessary to get this economy going. One, take advantage of our energy resources, particularly natural gas, but also coal, oil, nuclear, renewables. That's number one. A huge opportunity for us, and doing so is gonna bring manufacturing back, because low-cost, plentiful energy is key to manufacturing, in many industries.

Number two, trade. I want tre-- to dramatically increase trade and particularly with-- with Latin America. Number three, take action to get America on track to have a balanced budget. Now those three things, by the way, are things which we have not been doing over the last few years, which I think are essential to getting this economy going again.

Number four, we've got to show better training and education opportunities for our current re-- workers and for coming workers. And then finally what I call restoring economic freedom. That means keep our taxes as low as possible, have regulations modern and up to date, get health care costs down. These things will restore economic freedom.

So my policies are very different than anything you've seen in the past. They're really designed for an America which has some new resources, energy being one of them, trade with Latin America being another, and the need for a balanced budget now more urgent than ever before.

Ted Block: Again, on this one, I know nothing more than I knew before, which is, that Romney has no concrete plans or policies, only a list of things he would do without indicating how he would do them.

1. Energy - Take advantage of our energy resources: How? At what cost? How would he respond to the point that under President Obama, in 2011 U.S. crude oil production reached its highest level in 8 years and U.S. natural gas production grew in 2011 by the largest volumetric increase in history and easily eclipsed the previous all-time record set in 1973.
2. Trade - Increase trade, particularly with Latin America: How? And how different than Obama? According to the Council on Foreign Relations, "... his (Obama's) administration has also increasingly turned to trade liberalization to boost U.S. economic recovery in the wake of the Great Recession. Late in 2011, the administration ratified stalled free trade agreements (FTAs) negotiated by the Bush administration while placing fresh emphasis on negotiating a multilateral free trade agreement in the Pacific region." In Latin America, the U.S. has agreements, including the one just negotiated with Colombia, with Chile and Peru, and a pending one with Panama. Trade agreements are complex. Saying you want them is easy. Getting them done requires a plan.
3. Balanced Budget: How? What are the specifics? According to the Center on Budget and Priorities, "Governor Mitt Romney’s proposals to cap total federal spending, boost defense spending, cut taxes, and balance the budget would require extraordinarily large cuts in other programs, both entitlements and discretionary programs, according to our revised analysis based on new information and updated projections. For the most part, Governor Romney has not outlined cuts in specific programs." And, when Luke Russert of MSNBC asked  Romney adviser Tara Wall how Romney would offset the lost revenue (from his tax cut proposals), she failed to offer any specifics, telling Americans they could instead “research” his plan to find them. When Russert returned to the subject, Wall again failed to deliver an answer, saying Romney’s business experience is the reason he would balance the budget. Yeah, you know, his business experience at Bain. Which he refuses to talk about.
4. Better Worker Training: OK, good idea. And how exactly does he propose we do that?
5. Restoring Economic Freedom: Which he defines as low taxes, modern regulation, and lower health care costs. These are all noteworthy goals. It would be interesting to learn how, other than the one about lowering taxes, he plans on getting there.

So, what do I know now that I didn't know before this interview? Practically nothing. What was confirmed? That Mitt Romney is long on platitudes, short on specifics and is unwilling to commit to positions that are politically inconvenient or could cause trouble with his base. Can't wait for the debates!