Mitt Romney Engages Occupy Protestor

BEFORD, N.H. -- Occupy protesters interrupted former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney's final speech before primary day in New Hampshire, shouting, "We are the 99 percent!" before being escorted out of the room by security guards.

The protesters, scattered throughout the room, were wearing gray bags on their hands also reading "We are the 99 percent." The protesters' chants were quickly drowned out by Romney's supporters shouting, "Mitt! Mitt! Mitt!"

One woman who was near the front of the room -- and therefore tougher for security guards to reach quickly -- continued chanting after the others, and Romney decided to engage with her.

"How about you talk?" Romney said. "Instead of shouting, why don't you say -- why don't you say what you believe? What's your opinion? Madam, what do you think?"

The woman said she was concerned about money in politics, and Romney replied, "Okay, and who's the president who's spending more money to campaign than any in the history of America?" The woman began shouting that she doesn't support Obama either, but she was drowned out by cheers from Romney's supporters, and she was soon escorted out.

Romney was joined onstage by several of his sons, their wives and their children, encouraging voters to cast their vote for him in Tuesday's primary elections.

According to Bedford Patch, more than 1,100 people turned out to Kelvie Intermediate School to get a glimpse of the former governor. Approximately 450 people had to watch the event on a screen from an overflow room.

Romney's supporters, not surprisingly, weren't too thrilled with the protests.

When one man saw some members of the press following the protesters to interview them, he sarcastically said, "Make sure you go and interview them. One protester. Oh my god. We got to get this story! ... Mitt's up here giving a great speech!"

David Dale, a Concord resident who decided to vote for Romney tomorrow only after coming to the speech tonight, said he thought the protesters were "loony toons," but he supported their right to free speech.

Comments

[Kelli Wilson]

12:19 PM on 01/12/2012

There IS a third party candidate who supports this protestor's beliefs! Her name is Jill Stein, and she's running for president from the Green Party! Check her out http://www.jillstein.org. There is another option, so don't stay home - vote third party!!!!

[Diane Moxley]

07:34 PM on 01/11/2012

I am the woman in this video, I am beyond frustrated at our failed political system in which the almighty dollar has suppressed the voice of the citizenry. I believe we need to get money out of politics, our govt has been hijacked by Goldman Sacks, JP Morgan, etc. The headline of this article is wrong, he did not engage in conversation, he talked at me, and did not listen, but I know that he heard what I was saying, so it makes it worse that he was intentionally ignoring me.

[Kelli Wilson]

12:23 PM on 01/12/2012

Diane, I feel exactly like you do. I consider myself a Progressive. I voted for Obama in 2008, but I feel extremely disappointed in a lot of the decisions he has made. I went searching for an alternative, and found the Green Party. I encourage you to consider Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein (http://www.jillstein.org). Thank you for standing up for your beliefs, and mine.

[Diane Moxley]

09:38 PM on 01/12/2012

I'll check out Jill Stein. I haven't lost all hope yet, but I am extremely frustrated in our whole political system right now. We all need to get out there and have our voices heard. Best to you.

[the Omniscient Advocate]

10:04 AM on 01/10/2012

the lady complined three times- "take money out of politics" and you people whine because you think someone turned up music???

what an ignorant statement- "take the money out of politics"- how does one do that at a political rally?? It seems to me that the person yelling - isn't interested in making a valid point- shes interested in preventing others from listening to someone making one.

how about take the crazy lady from the room- so the rest of us can hear the man speak... theres an idea

[yonimiller]

09:56 AM on 01/10/2012

They weren't actually bags, but Mitt Romney signs

[the Omniscient Advocate]

05:38 PM on 01/10/2012

the protesters I seen were carrying black trash bags with Silver duct tape letters-- as in the lady referenced in this article

[yonimiller]

03:08 AM on 01/11/2012

I appreciate your effort to clarify, however I am one of the main organizers of this event. I am close friends with the Protestor in this video, please see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ30R3DIOmE for how we did it, :)

[lisaman]

09:06 AM on 01/10/2012

Was this the woman who when she tried to reply to his comment he had his sound guy turn up the music and drown her out?

[ruthtruth]

08:52 AM on 01/10/2012

Why is it that when protesters are in the room making their voices heard, they are thrown out. Why not ask them to pick a spokesperson and ask some questions? What are these candidates afraid of? They say that they are for free speech but when it's time to prove it their solution is to throw free speech out the door.

[bootlegerr]

09:05 AM on 01/10/2012

Maybe if the protesters would organize and decide on which one would speak that could happen,but if they go into the room with the intention of disturbing an organized meeting then they get what they deserve.The lady used her free speach when she was recognized by Romney,sadly though she didn't use it well.

[ruthtruth]

09:14 AM on 01/10/2012

How do you know they weren't but were thrown out before they coould ask a question?

[John Paganas]

09:35 AM on 01/10/2012

Did you watch the video, as we saw 2 different things.. There was only One person asking him a question, and clearly he did not answer her question.. He spoke past her, and over her but never TO HER.. As a Presidential candidate you should want to hear all points of view even if they differ from your own.. Here is another link to Mitt doing the exact same thing to a woman who asked him about Health Care...

http://www­.huffingto­npost.com/­2012/01/09­/mitt-romn­ey-health-­care-refor­m-proteste­r_n_119460­1.html?ref­=politics

This is absolutely no way to treat people, and certainly NO way to win an election.. There are many more examples of the same behavior from Mitt... What is more scary is that the very people in the room would not want to see how he answered a tough question on Gvt.. Don't you think his answer of her specific question would have proved important not only to that woman but everyone in the room? Sorry, I have seen similar disrespect from the other candidates as well.. Want to see how to handle a Heckler? Google Elizabeth Warren where she is called an ugly name, and still with respect and dignity answers the Heckler...

[anti-fascist]

08:38 AM on 01/10/2012

In all seriousness, the problem with Mitt sitting in the oval office is that he REALLY in his heart and soul believes that trickle down lifts all boats.

Off course that is how he justifies in his sick mind that greed is okay.

If he wins look for the final chapter of the American Middle Class

[John Paganas]

08:19 AM on 01/10/2012

Romney is the guy who pharted and then blamed everyone else in the room...

[new 10 ole ole]

08:40 AM on 01/10/2012

Now I realize why you are wrong on your history and all other points-oh well.

[John Paganas]

08:51 AM on 01/10/2012

The above is an analogy.. Its actually acurate if you give it some thought, however many people who respond to your many posts often refer to you as Malignantly Ignorant, a moniker that seems to suit your acumen on political topics. However, Romney is the king of pointing fingers.. He created Health Care in Mass, and will not own up to it, He has destroyed the lives of thousands with his work at Bain, he has not offered a single solution but finds a way to blame others... I would continue with many more examples of my above analogy but explaing whats painfully obvious to you is difficult... If you are going to reply to any more of my posts, you will need to post links and information... Otherwise, what you say will be discounted simply as the rantings of a fool...

[John Paganas]

09:44 AM on 01/10/2012

New, we had this Discussion yesterday.. Its an analogy.. ? If you give it some thought you will understand what I mean. Many of your comments are without merrit, links, facts or backup of any kind. You attack people with abuse and insult, and often refer to the dems or liberals as Donkey heads.... Please stop Tr88ling... ...

[anti-fascist]

08:50 AM on 01/10/2012

Or the dog tied to the top of the car

[Omentum]

08:19 AM on 01/10/2012

a moment of silence for her vote. not for her. just her vote.

[gaydood]

08:10 AM on 01/10/2012

so she may not vote? how touching, u go and split the ticket

[Frank Cataldi]

08:08 AM on 01/10/2012

If Mittens gets the nomination, he will he heckled throughout the country. He is so out of touch with the poor and middle class that he has no idea how the 99 percent really lives.

[NY Guy]

08:24 AM on 01/10/2012

Like our current king and queen can really relate to the regular working man.

[mogluver]

08:34 AM on 01/10/2012

Obama raised by grandparents, he experienced food stamps, truly a story of success by any measure. Mittens was handed everything with a silver spoon, while the rest of us use stainless steel from the mart.

[ruthtruth]

08:55 AM on 01/10/2012

It's to bad you have no idea what you are talking about. How about looking up President Obama's life and then spew this garbage if you dare.

[ywcachieve]

08:07 AM on 01/10/2012

Pass the popcorn!

http://obamaachievements.org/list

[Bootinureye]

07:08 PM on 01/10/2012

They let you buy popcorn with food stamps?

[gaydood]

08:07 AM on 01/10/2012

mittWrongly

[joekel]

08:31 AM on 01/10/2012

Nice!!

[jguy6297]

08:05 AM on 01/10/2012

Do I like your comment? Nope? Okay, lets use my multi million dollar security team, and get her out.

[yeah-isaidit]

09:02 AM on 01/10/2012

Or - charter a jumbo jet to bring chris cristie in to take care of her.

[anti-fascist]

08:00 AM on 01/10/2012

If you are a 99%er and chant Mitt Mitt Mitt, you are a twit twit twit