He's a liar no doubt. How could anyone forget doing something like that unless as he said he committed so many pranks he can't remember all of them. Well if that really is the case that would most definitely give me pause. Much more likely is he's just a big liar

I certainly don't want anyone judging my fitness for office on what I did as a high school kid....and 40 years ago, this sort of thing was definately treated as a prank, not as an "assault". Times change, and so do the social restrictions on behavior. Like a lot of kids, I was bullied in jr. high. I hated it at the time, but it left no lifetime scars. I certainly would not carry it around as a cause for 40 years, nor would I judge those involved based on what they did as adolescents. I can no longer remember their names, or many of the details - does that make me insensitive or a liar?

It is hard for liberals to hate Romney when his life has been so wholesome and successful. But hate is in their blood, and this little "incident" which made the FRONT PAGE of the Washington Post is a grasp at a weak straw man. Ted Kennedy got less bad press after leaving Mary Jo Kopechne to die in his car. Enough said.

Funny, Mr. Jackson, no mention of the "victims" family having no recollection. Of course, your own bias is much more in play here than something that may or may not have happened almost 50 years ago. To demand something that can't be remembered, that happened to someone that is now dead and can't be asked, is simply another way of asking "when did you stop beating your wife" type questions. Liberals love to express empathy, but more importantly love to hate, as they do anyone who doesn't think their way. Man up? It applies to you more than Mitt.

Finally----We have a reason to hate! We already hated the Tea Party, that conservative branch of the judiciary and now, get ready for this, fanfare please, the Republican nominee for president. Spotlights circle in the evening sky as Mr. Jackson howls at the evening moon. Whee, this should put to rest all those nasty people who really do remember hearing the Rev. Jerimiah Wright scream that now infamous rage filled declaration, "Goddamn America". Now, that "folks" is true hate.

Romney's belief in "moral certainty" simply doesn't allow for compassion for others outside his limited circle. Mitt has skills worthy of a think tank; but the Presidency demands more than a glorified accountant.

Typical rich kid pack mentality. And he doesn't have the guts to apologize. In fact he seems to be challenging people to be offended by it before he even tries to remember it.

Mr. Romney was no kid when this happened. He was 18 years old. As a member of the "take responsibility" club this calls for handing in his badge. It is not the indiscretion of being young that is the problem here but the poor judgement in assessing the gravity of the situation. If this man becomes President he is going to be interacting with other countries and at times having to make decisions on aggressive or more peaceful grounds. It is his inability to focus in on social realities that is so disturbing. Other commenters here have accused others of being hateful but then show their own disturbed reasoning by citing examples that are so out of context. This is not the time for trying to make one's etiology fit square pegs into round holes. This is the time to take measure of the person who will be the face of this nation and its representative to the rest of the world. Frankly Mr. Romney has not adequately shown that he has left his past behind with true regret.

Since you asked, maybe.

This story feeds into the image of Romney the unempathic. This is the same man who could fire thousands of workers for his own personal profit, care not for a second about them, then brag about being a "job creator". He's a natural bully. He's just moved venues.

Oh, c'mon! Do some real research before you throw all those nasty capitalists like warren Buffett under the bus. Do we hate him too? Besides, Romney and every other investor with management support is not intricately involved in the evolution of their investments. You make it sound like he sits in his office with a long line of victims waiting in the hall to get the axe.

Times change and if the Kopechne incident occurred today Sen Kennedy would not have been elected. So yes at least I am willing to say what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Let's all learn not to repeat the mistakes of the past. True liberals will change their frame of reference if times and thinking changes. Conservatives however not so much except under extreme circumstances. How many examples of Mr. Romney's approach to circumstances in his life that he professes selective amnesia or little true apology do we need to see he is not excellent presidential material? If it is not enough, hold on, since the natural flow of the campaign is sure to bring out more instances on other decisions he has made. Maybe then people will skip over their ideology to finally see the light on what even most Republicans realize. Mr. Romney is a seriously flawed candidate.

Your article is as stale as the supposed incident. You were not there, and you do not know what you're talking about as usual! The supposed individuals present have already denied the incident saying that what actually did occur was nothing like what was said by a few anti Romney school mates. They are democrats. Aren't they supposed to fabricate? Obama is the biggest liar of them all. He has reneged on every promise. He is a phony, and should never have won the last election. His popularity is a myth in his own mind. Puhleese' do your homework, and try to stay current on whats going on.

This is more accurate http://news.investors.com/photopopup.aspx?id=611503

Derrick, you need to "man up". What readers don't know is that the alleged victims family came out publicly and stated that they are furious that the far left media is using there deceased son as propaganda. Not one word how Obama bullied a little girl? Love the double standard. Derrick, I do feel bad that you were bullied in school and were subjected to haters.

Medically, especially emotional maturity, doesn't really happen until around age 24, so yes, Romney was a kid, even if he would not accept that any current offender at age 18 should not bear the full brunt of criminal penalties. It does not speak well of a man that he would hold another to a standard he himself could not meet at the same age. He has also shown a dismaying lack of remorse, as you point out. Would he still be an effective President? My best answer is 'I don't know.'

Since when did a politician ever 'man up?'

To JLErwin3: My best answer: Why take the chance for such an important position as President of the US.? In addition nothing Mr. Romney offers as policy can be shown to make this nation better off. Further the voting age is now 18. Are you saying this is a mistake? Maturity means taking charge of your choices and being responsible for them. Maybe not fully formed but should be enough to know if you are doing something wrong even if you think it is so much fun at the time.

What would Arthur say? Mitt Romney is a lying liar who lies.

Does WAPO and Mr. Jackson want anecdotal evidence of when Obama attended boarding school in Hawaii, and how big a jerk he was? It's only fair, don't you think? Side by side. Maybe Obama wasn't a bully. Maybe he was into drugs, alcohol. Maybe he was angry and anti social, given he was dealing with serious abandonment issues. Who knows, but the Post story has made the subject matter fair game. Side by side comparison. Who's with me?

Romney failure to acknowledge his involvement in this bullying is hardly a profile in courage.

Let's see if I got this right: Romney's bullies a kid in high school, then avoids the fighting in the VietNam War by becoming a missionary???

In the liberal mindset bullying is the issue-du-jour. It used to be sexual harassment until Bill and Monica. After the blue Dress, sexual harassment became less of a cause celebre. Cyber bullying is the big deal now, but it was impossible to do in the 60's, so the oppo researchers on the left media (redundant?)will have to make do with 50 year old "memories". Looks like the stink of desperation to me. In other words, is that all you got?

The behavior was despicable, and unfortunately has shown to be indicative of his intolerant insensitive attitude since. The point, however, is Romney's ability to "forget' the incident. He is innately a coward and liar and would be a disgrace as president. President Obama is far from "perfect", but Romney is scary, with no compass of values besides greed and power and buying what he wants - the presidency.

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