Romney Fears “Creeping Authoritarianism Within the GOP,” Says Biographer | Amanpour and Company

[@UMVELINQANGI]

Romney is right to be fearful, but authoritarianism within the GOP is not creeping. No! It is goose-stepping with drums thumping and trumpets blaring. We must forcefully beat it back or lose our democracy. Now is not the time for complacency.

[@jesuisrobert808]

Yeah when republicans keep limiting voting access without any proof of a concerted vote fraud effort. The only vote fraud has been Trump

[@lisahardwick2477]

I agree. In fact, I was going to comment, "Creeping?! Where have you been, Mitt?" but you said it much better.

[@sandrapisarski6597]

You are exactly right! All hands on deck and votes in the box for Democrats and democracy.

[@sophelet]

It's not only "creeping"- it's galloping. It's terrifying!

[@sherrieludwig508]

You beat me to the exact conclusion, in the exact words I would have used.

[@robbie4084]

Absolutely

[@grantsmythe8625]

I heard a well-known, successful GOP strategist, Stuart Stevens, say that the Republican Party had degenerated into the party of "White Grievance". He went on to say that today's GOP no longer wants to govern. There is no longer a set of GOP beliefs and policies. Instead, it's focused solely on defeating Democrats and giving voice to White grievances and rage. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnKTq3R9fLSZecksi=y3wAGKkBAfCzkk4Z

[@7788Sambaboy]

Exactly - It's Fascism, financed and organized in concert with the christian nationalists...in the 80's it was "creeping" - now it out in the open and the gop has fallen in line behind the extremists.

[@victoriameyers-y1o]

Creeping Authoritarianism? It's more like 'In Your Face' 10 Alarm Fire! Authoritarianism!!!

[@Rhythmicons]

It's not creeping, it's leaping. I know a guy who is a staunch Christian nationalist telling me that Victor Orban knows how to run stuff.

[@Kdiana805]

Pretty scary! Republicans are following in Orban and Putun’s footsteps.

[@простадівчина]

Jeebus.

[@lisahardwick2477]

This speaks to another major problem in the U.S. that has become a runaway bullet train - the fervent, organized embrace of spreading disinformation that has resulted in millions and millions of brainwashed, deluded voters.

[@peteo5704]

Mussolini promised to make the trains run on time but by the time my old man landed to go on believe from the Navy the trains were not running at all

[@sandrapisarski6597]

Horrifying

[@CreaticityIsLife]

The right time to raise this concern was in the 1980's, when it was still creeping. It's now fully entrenched.

[@rockydopeydoge6730]

More needs to be said about how we are getting there - how the GOP sycophants are working to put Trump back in charge should get more focus.

[@donesecarr3570]

This danger is bigger than DT. The roots of this pre-dates DT.

[@rockydopeydoge6730]

But he does harness those dark forces better than anyone we have seen.@@donesecarr3570

[@CyberspacedLoner]

The influence of billionaires lobbying politicians and officials, greater concentrations (Oligopolies) of news media ownership, other factors has made the United States into an Anemic Zombie Democracy of political polarization and radicalization,

[@DennisMoore664]

"Corporations are people, my friend. " Mitt Romney - 8/11/2011

[@ey67]

True. Mitt was very good at it. Predatory capitalism was his meal ticket.

[@Makmurf]

Morally paralyzed….

[@mebeingU2]

Romney is no hero. He danced with the Devil and allowed boundless corporate monies to change who and how the US is governed. That helped create the mess we’re in today.

[@DennisMoore664]

Day late and a dollar short Mitt.

[@donesecarr3570]

I am so confused about what is charismatic about DT? Never got that.

[@SashaCoCo]

Agree. Yet millions of people lowered the bar on honesty and ethical standards and do not care about the repercussions. Christians publicly spew hate and lies and are hypocritical without remorse. Trump preys off fear and hate. Millions have deep-seated fears and hate that they've hidden for years from their family and friends. Becoming a cult member is a reflection of them, who they really are, and what they believe in their heart.

[@DennisMoore664]

From what I've heard he can be very personable, gregarious and entertaining when he wants to be or wants something from someone. Then there's the whole "sucker born every minute" and "you can fool some of the people all of the time" thing. On the other hand there are people like us who have always seen him for the narcissistic con man, bankrupt of decency and good character, that he is. I sure there's more to it but that's my reductive KZbin take.

[@loricusenza4887]

More like repulsive

[@renzo6490]

He purports to hate what they hate. Elitism The rich minorities ( which he DOES hate )

[@annakingry9157]

Fat, sweaty man whose conversation is all bragging, lying, and insulting. I guess if you're entertained by that.

[@scottdraper1822]

Mitt's late. Where have you been hiding your head?

[@DennisMoore664]

A dark and smelly place

[@ey67]

Yep. Predatory capitalism made him very wealthy. Journalism is a joke in this country.

[@liedersanger1]

@@ey67Huh?

[@grf15]

What did you expect him to do? He voted to impeach Trump twice.

[@deanna5585]

YOU FEAR IT?? YOU ALLOWED IT!!!! YOU ENABLED IT!!!

[@t.a.k.palfrey3882]

Personal magnetism, funny in private, personable one-on-one, firebrand speaker, egocentric, surrounds himself by incompetents, controlling, evolves a cult-like following.....why did it take a very well read, intelligent man like Romney so long to see the Trump echoing of the Austrian corporal?

[@ernestintownandjackintheco1024]

And I fear flaccid terms like “creeping” when it’s rather sprinting.

[@Pidxr]

Yet, as of yesterday, the gopubs are full Springtime for Orange Shitler

[@KendraEMoyer]

These MAGAs in Congress and thoe traitors on 1/5/21 y all got the same looks and grins on their faces the 34rd reich Nazis in the 1930s displayed on their faces at their massive beloved hitler rallies. Same faces too at KKK rallies, Desantis rallies and all trump events.

[@FrankBenlin]

Creeping?

[@kymbartley8104]

This is a really good book, and it made me respect Mitt Romney. He's one of the few reps who tried to speak truth to bullshit in the GOP.

[@ey67]

He is a polite rethuglican. Just trying make himself look better than the regular scum. He destroyed thousands of jobs and destroyed small companies to get rich. . Do a little homework on this wall street raider .

[@davidduffy2046]

Perhaps, It's too bad he wasn't speaking up six or so years ago

[@deborahedelman2659]

The author is describing dump well...a malignant narcessist!!

[@annakingry9157]

No love or concern for the country from Trump.

[@ProctorsGamble]

It’s here.

[@Reldas]

There are only three U.S. Senators I trust to tell the American people the truth, Bernie Sanders, John Fetterman, and Mitt Romney. I disagree with everything Romney stands for politically, but I respect his true courage of his convictions. Thank you Mitt Romney for serving this country faithfully and honorably.

[@Gkowi]

Agreed. Regardless of where you stand politically, we need people in political positions who have convictions and do what they honestly believe is right for the people they are supposed to be serving. Too many politicians today just want power at any cost, and have no spine. Unfortunate that people like Romney are only able to realize this once they are out of power.

[@LisaFenton-h7f]

I'd Sen. Elizabeth Warren to your list

[@простадівчина]

Gee, I'm surprised he noticed! Is this a NEW revelation Mitt?? Are the signs just now appearing? Or maybe the Republican Party has ALWAYS been on this trajectory. Do I have to buy your book to find out?

[@loricusenza4887]

Too close to the forest to see the trees…

[@berthabridges3483]

"Let us rejoice in the truth wherever we find its lamp burning." 🔥 ~ Albert Schweizer

[@pascale5667]

Come on, Romney! Your syndicate's authoritarianism is no longer creeping; it's raging!

[@deborahedelman2659]

Can't wait to read the book...great discussion...!!! Love Amampour...keep up the great work!

[@d.f.9064]

What do US politicians and climate scientists have in common? The more you know, the more scared for our future you become.

[@berthabridges3483]

Trump couldn't believe he'd lost the election to President Joe Biden, but Trump never took the time to look within himself for the answers. Senator Romney sounds like he has. The country simply got tired of Trump's antics and didn't find it amusing that someone his age hadn't learned how to tell the truth and treat others the way he wanted to be treated. I don't believe Trump is going to be reelected. Americans have short memories, but we're not morons. Some are, though..

[@sophelet]

Drmph has no capability or capacity for self-reflection, empathy, sympathy, learning, caring about learning, appreciate the value of learning from others, kindness, compromise, generosity that is not contractual, ability to look into the future and apply lessons from the past or present or elsewhere, or in fact the ability to think beyond the infantile "I WANT" and "IT'S MINE."

[@annakingry9157]

We have quite a few morons. Also, many in gov't have no ideals about democracy; they just want to win at any cost.

[@eric2500]

*Not creeping. Rampant. Romney is only now just fully realizing this. I have very little use for him.* Still, this is an interesting moment and Mr. Coppins is a good writer. I fully intend to read this book for the price of bookstore coffee, it will never make it to the cash register... see you in the Atlantic, Mr. Coppins.

[@eric2500]

There is a moment in the movie "Cabaret". The two main characters go for a sex weekend with a slumming aristocrat in Between Wars Germany, who explains how the Brownshirts are just low class vulgarians who will be controlled once his class gets into power. *Then there are riots that they barely escape, and the cabaret owner asks the nobleman "Do you still think you will control them?"*

[@rah6677]

Really? Now that Romney no longer has a political future within the Maga Party, he expects us to believe that he has come to a point of inner reflection about his past political decisions on a number of issues. Please stop biographer, many of us are aware that you are promoting your book, we get that. On the other hand, you know that Romney is attempting to play naive even though he has over 30 yrs in public office.

[@larrysernyk6154]

"Everything Trump touches dies!" Rick Wilson

[@christophorfaust2457]

Creeping he says… it might of helped if he spoke up a little sooner. He wonder’s if he has any responsibility??? While I appreciate his retrospective reflection, but it’s straight to hell for his soul.

[@renzo6490]

It might HAVE helped...

[@christophorfaust2457]

@@renzo6490 the real issue is that none will speak up! It’s like a tribe of buffoons who are just hoping for a calamity to happen or the other side to screw something up, so they can utilize it to gain the majority and burn the house down! I’m praying every day for trump to kick the bucket and free these losers from his grip on there souls! Everybody knows they just want to pass some more tax cuts for the rich, but unfortunately there are emergent problems that simply need addressing… the debt, the climate, social media, AI, biometrics and a living wage. While I doubt that the republicans will have anything meaningful to offer, but as 50% of the country are stuck in La La land, their presence is necessary! Yes, it might of helped!!!

[@TransHippie]

Creeping is the incorrect adverb. It's swarming.

[@tombrayton4412]

Creeping authoritarianism? More like bounding or racing

[@diegooland1261]

It's not creeping, it's a full scale lock step march.

[@annakingry9157]

Trump has fanatics working toward making him the now and forever ruler.

[@chrisbodum3621]

Creeping ? It's crept and crapped already.

[@peterroda8156]

Romney is right.

[@islandicnegro1st]

“Creeping”? This is how media and the party is allowing it to happen. CALL IT OUT BLATANTLY!!! not with trite commentary. Y’all acting like lobsters in a boiling pot of water; or just playing while the ship is sinking.

[@kathydittmer9659]

I don’t understand the “charisma” of Trump. He brags constantly, he’s physically repulsive, he hates. Who’s attracted by all that.

[@AlGrant-bh9or]

It would be easy to say that Romney has balls for pushing back against the crazies, but I won't forget how Bain Capital as well as other corpoate raiders put working people out of good jobs for the sake of their successful LBO. Becoming potus would have just been another 'trophy' attained.

[@wandaway1961]

Since Trump came on my radar in 1980's he gave me the creeps. He's a spoiled rich kid full of arrogance and entitlement. I don't get why half of Americans liked him then and particuarly now after he has so clearly told us who he is. As for Romney, "corporations are people my friends." Romney helped get us here. A Theocratic Autocracy.

[@kirkwagner461]

Creeping? Already here.

[@peteo5704]

When you play footsie with the Devil you were going to wind up with blisters on your feet and your conscience.

[@CyberspacedLoner]

Democracy Memorial Society

[@jackgalmitz]

I think it's moving at a faster pace than a crawl.

[@coreygrua3271]

Good vs. evil explained so clearly. Great questions and great answers.

[@neilifill4819]

Hopefully, Mitt Romney’s conscience and faith will continue to guide him.

[@melissasweeting-percentie6679]

praying for your country at this time

[@arthurgoodman2531]

Romney? Colorful?

[@LazyCatSunday]

Lmao this guy looks exactly like the Soyjack meme.

[@craigdixon2062]

Creeping?

[@abocas]

I try or I tried o see the charisma f tr***. His so-called charm. And I just cannot see it. I never could. Right back to the very rare tv-appearances or equally rare mentions of him in a colour magazine in my Scandinavian country. Always thought he was kitch in the ridiculous way.

[@geinikan1kan]

Creeping? How about leaping. Leaping and sprinting authoritarianism.

[@hereigoagain5050]

Senator Romney is an amazing American! He made a fortune at Bain Capital by shipping US factories to China. A true visionary!

[@alphaomega8373]

Creeping? May be a cool word but, it hardly describes what the GOP has become.

[@62Cristoforo]

He fears creeping authoritarianism just now? A few years too late. Welcome to the party

[@rah6677]

Romney, you very well know that if you lie in bed with a dog, you may eventually catch fleas.

[@kjw6383]

Some one please tell Romney it isn't creeping, it is galloping. See earlier this week: new speaker "shut up".

[@jonathondennis]

Renandstimpy Ramaswamy liked this video...

[@Djang221]

Creeping...? Its a fullon takeover

[@cristosl]

No. Not just harness, stoke, enflame the crazy

[@twb605]

Would like to see ALL comments.

[@kathleenhandron3092]

Took you long enough Mitt to see the evil.

[@brecky]

Creeping? Where has he been?

[@imperialmotoring3789]

He should wear a hat.

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

Very interesting!

[@lizannewhitlow1085]

Fascinating!

[@cavaliermama56]

Too late.

[@germainjodoin415]

That is exactly what is going on.....

[@guitsynthcw]

What we need are potential solutions, not more stating the obvious about the Republican party.

[@-Stop-it]

Doing away with Congressional Districts, electing all representatives “At Large” in each state would be a start.

[@CaravanseraiSouthValley]

Ya THINK?!!!!

[@jimrobinson5628]

Sadly Romney is the last decent Republican.

[@DennisMoore664]

Not all that decent. Too often Mitt lets the devil on his shoulder shout down the angel on the other.

[@ey67]

Geez. A corporate raider relying on predatory capitalism to get rich is now such a wonderful guy 😂

[@benjaminduval6054]

Trump makes people feel good. Strong, big, powerful, winning. I’m shocked people are still confused by this. But understand why they’ll always come back for more.

[@cleroyster2610]

RINO

[@jeremyserwer2586]

Excuse me, would you be willing to participate in a anthropological study of modern day cult members? We have a growing base of data but we could use a lot more. We are studying Critical thinking skills, Blind Obedience to authoritarianism, Early onset dementia, Awareness of actual reality. You are a perfect fit for our study, reach out today!!

[@SashaCoCo]

​@@jeremyserwer2586Perfect response! I've seen a few interviews, but have hoped for specialists studying cults and deprogramming cult members to get more exposure. We need them to step up and explain what happened to millions of Americans.

[@danburnes722]

Fascist

[@AngelRodriguez-zt6nv]

Volume suddenly raises 😳 good to be back 😁

[@AngelRodriguez-zt6nv]

Volume too low, maybe next time, bye-bye 🖐