Mitt Romney Defends Tom Brokaw Ad To Matt Lauer (VIDEO)

Mitt Romney made no promises Monday on 'Today' when Matt Lauer asked him directly whether he will take down an ad that uses NBC's archived footage of Tom Brokaw reporting on Newt Gingrich's ethics violations on Jan. 21, 1997, the day that he was found guilty.

Romney said that his campaign would sit down with the lawyers before making any decision about the ad, then went on to defend it.

"I think the reason that it was so effective as an ad was that this was not something which Speaker Gingrich could say had been distorted or Romney was telling things that were not accurate," he said. "This was the news from the night the speaker was sanctioned and reprimanded by his own members. People heard the news, they didn't hear it filtered, it was just straight on, no heavy music that suggested some kind of sinister background. Instead just Tom Brokaw, a very credible and respected journalist, reporting the news. I think it was pretty devastating. It pointed out that what Speaker Gingrich has been trying to hide is now out in the open."

Lauer persisted, "You will give some consideration to pulling it if that's what the decision of your campaign is?"

"We'll certainly consider that very carefully," Romney said. "This was not something taken from hidden files. This was on the evening news, so it should hardly come as a revealing piece for people who watch it."

NBC has called for Romney to pull the ad after Brokaw said he was "extremely uncomfortable" being dragged into the primary crossfire.

 

 

Comments

[erty12]

09:32 AM on 02/01/2012

During the interview with Matt Lauer, Romney said, ""This was the news from the night the speaker was sanctioned and reprimanded by his own members. People heard the news, they didn't hear it filtered, it was just straight on, no heavy music that suggested some kind of sinister background." This is not true. While the NBC footage may have been unaltered, the footage was presented in a dark manner (a vignetted tv screen) with sinister background music. This falsehood by Romney was not pointed out.

[WestSeattle8]

07:53 AM on 01/31/2012

I couldn't help but notice two things. First, Matt Lauer, as usual, was playing softball. What a wimp. Second, how insincere does Mitt Romney look? What a fake ball of baloney that guy is. Good luck getting behind that guy, Republicans. I'm really sure he's going to drive up turnout for your party. I thought McCain was bad, but Romney definitely takes the cake.

[reviewingthesituation]

07:50 AM on 01/31/2012

Lauer couldn't "confront" an empty paper bag.

[sarabono]

12:42 AM on 01/31/2012

It is a public airwaves news story. Not changed one bit from the day it was first aired.

By the way, I live in FL and if NBC wanted to pull the ad they would have done so. It is running on the NBC channel here in Orlando. I saw it an hour ago. Obviously the NBC affiliate has not been told to remove the ad.

Appears that NBC is saying one thing and doing another ....

[TrippyWeekender]

02:59 AM on 01/31/2012

Actually the law says if you take ads from one legitimate candidate, you need to take them from all legitimate candidates. NBC is simply following the law.

[chtrek]

11:30 PM on 01/30/2012

It's all a matter of public record and makes no difference whose voice is on the ad. The fact it that it happened and Romney's people wanted to remove all doubt about that fact and since there is so much misinformation and lies flying around, having the actual news broadcast is certainly the way to do it. Brokaw should not feel uncomfortable - he's not being dragged into anything. I'm hoping the President's people are watching and learning how to make effective political ads.

[WestSeattle8]

07:58 AM on 01/31/2012

Ever hear of copyright laws? We have them for a reason. And you don't get to use copyrighted material without permission. For supposedly being such a religious goody goody, Romney sure has problems understanding decency.

[chtrek]

08:20 AM on 01/31/2012

I found this regarding copyright laws: "The Romney ads feature nothing other than the Brokaw report and, at the end, the typical disclaimer, "I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message." The courts have generally applied a four-factor test to fair use: the purpose and character of the use, the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount of the material taken and the effect of the use on the potential market. What the courts have not decided is just how much footage constitutes fair use and how much is genuine infringement. Considering all the footage that is used these days in a variety of ways I'm thinking they aren't too concerned about it. Besides, even if the ad has to be pulled, the Romney people have accomplished what they set out to do. Regarding Romney's religious good intentions, haven't you noticed the double standard flowing freely and happily through the entire Republican party? Nothing new there!!

[Harry Johnson]

11:48 AM on 01/31/2012

right on.

[jay1299]

11:28 PM on 01/30/2012

Just one more reason I wont be voting for this guy if he makes it to the general election as the nominee. And I am an Independent voter in a swing state that wanted to vote for anyone other than Obama. If Romney gets the nod, it will be 3rd party for me.

[TexasVeteran]

01:03 AM on 01/31/2012

Why waste a vote on a 3rd party?

[WestSeattle8]

07:54 AM on 01/31/2012

Better than wasting a vote on any Republican.

[reviewingthesituation]

07:53 AM on 01/31/2012

What if that 3rd party is Pedophiliac Axe-Murderers?

[Phil Ochs]

08:35 AM on 01/31/2012

The Pedophilia­c Axe-Murder­ers Party. Isn't that Trump's new party?

[tangelan]

11:24 PM on 01/30/2012

It's almost like his campaign is not his own. Like he's having an out of body experience. It's not in Mitt's programming to answer Lauer's question. Take some responsibility, man. He'll have to consult with his handlers before making any decisions if he's President, too.

[WC Phields]

11:03 PM on 01/30/2012

I love the Brokaw ad. My only question is how does Tom Brokaw talk so clearly without ever moving his UPPER LIP?

[Jerboy]

07:48 PM on 01/30/2012

I heard that Brokaw was oivid.

[henrypapillon]

11:18 PM on 01/30/2012

Ovoid?

[hstdem]

07:26 PM on 01/30/2012

I don't understand why Tom Brokaw's so "uncomfortable."

If he doesn't want people to listen to him, why was he an anchor on national news? Why do his "feelings" even matter?

He was a "respected" voice and he reported facts. Why does he have ANY say as to whether it should be aired? It was aired once, and unless it was a lie, it should be okay to rerun it.

Brokaw has become a big baby.

[jancf]

09:28 PM on 01/30/2012

People have become so confused these days about the difference between fact and opinion, are so unaware there was ever a time when the news was strictly facts, not reflecting the opinion of the newscaster or anyone else, that they may easily see it as an endorsement of Romney by Brokaw. Brokaw isn't into endorsements; he is a straight-up news person, so of course he's uncomfortable; I would be too. It does reflect on his credibility and objectivity.

[jfbuf]

07:13 PM on 01/30/2012

does anybody think that Romney cares about anybody but himself

[leejake]

07:23 PM on 01/30/2012

I absolutely do. During his time as governor ,and I believe during the Olympics as well, he took 1 dollar in salary per year. He is faithful to his wife (that says something), and his children adore and respect him, so that tells me he must be doing something right. He's been a faithful church member and tithed 10% during the course of his life. That's pretty unselfish to me. He was also a pastor at his church and counseled many people how to improve their lives. I can't say the say the same thing about Gingrich,but Santorum though seems to be a good man, as does seem Ron Paul.

[hstdem]

07:29 PM on 01/30/2012

Agreed.

And, based on those rubrics, then Obama is also an honorable, good man.

[busybeez]

09:03 PM on 01/30/2012

Even though Romney offered his services free as governor, he wasn't going to win re-election so he didn't run. That's not a good resume.

Romney wasn't just pastor at his church, he was equivalent to a Cardinal in the Catholic Church. Nobody thinks we could elect a Cardinal and not expect the wishes of the Pope to play a role in his presidency. Kennedy was not a Cardinal. When he gives more money to his church than his country, keeps his money offshore, and nobody in his family has ever served in the military, it's easy to know where Romney's priority is and isn't. Hint: It's not this country.

[JavaSavant]

07:05 PM on 01/30/2012

Isn't is strange that Republicans are so uptight about copyright until they want to rip something off themselves?

[l78lancer]

06:47 PM on 01/30/2012

He has the hubris of a elitist corporateer. Everything must be for his use and benefit. Why else would it exist?

[leejake]

06:56 PM on 01/30/2012

Or the know-how of a visonary businessman who knows how to manage money and turnaround organizations....exactly what we need... and also very important, a moral man loyal to his family. Sounds pretty American to me, and presidential.

[eroy22312]

07:29 PM on 01/30/2012

Yup- He bought companies with borrowed money, sh!tcanned the workers, stole their pensions and hid is money in an offshore LLC so he would not have to pay the same taxes you or I do.

That's sure moral, presidential and mericun!

[Jerboy]

07:50 PM on 01/30/2012

You can't outsource the citizenry, friend.
The US us not a business.

[l78lancer]

06:46 PM on 01/30/2012

As usual Romney has been smug and arrogant. He may or may not be able to get away with using the ad under Fair Use, but at a minimum he looks like a lazy thief for lifting the clip and using it to serve essentially as his entire ad.

He will lose big points with people in many online comunities over that.

[leejake]

06:58 PM on 01/30/2012

Doesn't lose points with me, I like the fact that Romney have to do anything to the ad other than air it. It confirms that Gingrich is not the person to lead this country.

[l78lancer]

08:56 PM on 01/30/2012

Wow. That is incredibly sad and defeatest - but you are entitled to your opinion. Like said to you in a previous post, go for it.

[maximus5757]

07:45 PM on 01/30/2012

I doubt if Mitt raised the dead that you would vote for him anyway.

[Jeff Bunting]

08:28 PM on 01/30/2012

I could say the same to you about Obama.

[l78lancer]

08:40 PM on 01/30/2012

That would make him the Anti-Christ, so I probably wouldn't

[hollyann1963]

06:32 PM on 01/30/2012

Mitt had to ask his accountant about what tax documents he should release. He has to discuss the ad with his lawyers to see if he should pull it. He doesn't have a head on his shoulders. Or any nads of his own. All he can do is ask "Mother may I?" Pathetic