London Papers React to Romney’s Remarks over Olympic Security
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Joe Raedle/Getty Images(LONDON) — Mitt Romney woke up in London on Thursday to headlines referencing remarks the GOP presumptive nominee made the day before in regards to security issues surrounding the Olympic Games.
“Mitt Romney casts doubt on London 2012 preparations,” read The Times of London. “Mitt Romney questions whether Britain is ready for Games,” read The Daily Telegraph.
During an interview with NBC’s Brian Williams on Wednesday, Romney said the last-minute security issues were “disconcerting.”
Romney told Williams, “It’s hard to know just how well it … will turn out. There are a few things that were disconcerting — the stories about the private security firm not having enough people, the supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials — that obviously is not something which is encouraging.”
But appearing alongside Britain’s Labour Party Leader Ed Miliband Thursday morning, Romney was singing a somewhat different tune about the Olympic issues.
“My experience with regards to the Olympics is it is impossible for absolutely no mistakes to occur,” Romney said. “Of course there will be errors from time to time, but those are all overshadowed by the extraordinary demonstrations of courage, character and determination by the athletes. The Games are, after all, about the athletes, the volunteers and the people of the community that come together to celebrate those athletes. They are not about the Organizing Committee. And as soon as the sporting events begin, we all forget the organizers and focus on the athletes.”
Romney, who is on the second day of his seven-day, three-country foreign trip, also met with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Foreign Secretary William Hague and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg on Thursday. He is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne later in the day.
At night, Romney will attend a high-dollar fundraiser in London with a group of deep-pocketed American bankers.
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