Politics

Flashback: Have You Seen the Awkward Mitt Romney Interview From 1994?

When I first clicked on this video, I thought for sure that it couldn’t really be as awkward as some were saying. I was wrong. Your toes will curl.*

The video features a younger Mitt Romney being interviewed by a young man during Romney’s failed 1994 senate campaign. It’s old for sure, but it’s going viral again (and it’s easy to see why).

To be sure, the awkwardness is not from Romney — it comes from the teen interviewer, who successfully turns what could have been a fun, local interview into a painful exchange about music.

HuffPo explains:

BuzzFeed uncovered a 1994 interview between then-Senate hopeful Romney and teen reporter Ken Cole. Romney was vying for Ted Kennedy’s seat.

It’s riddled with such conversational gems as the following.

“How do you like this music behind us right now, huh?” Cole asked.

“I like music of almost any kind, including this,” replied Romney.

Mediaite adds:

When you see Mitt Romney opening his mouth nowadays, you wonder if this is the result of running for president or if he’s always sounded like a stereotypical robotic politician. Well, thanks to this 17-year-old interview with a student journalist who is described in the video title as “socially awkward,” we can definitely confirm Romneybot has been running on the same basic program since the 90s.

You’ll probably watch this a couple times:

(H/T: Mediaite)

*Author’s note: As some have correctly noted in the comments, the “toe-curling” isn’t a result of Romney, it comes from the young interviewer. The third paragraph in the story explains why the interview is “awkward” — and it’s not because of Romney.

Comments (112)

1 2 3
  • truthisbrawn05
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:03am

    Blaze must be hurting for material, or have an agenda. Hmmm?

    Report Post » truthisbrawn05  
    • LIBSALWAYSLIE
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 2:18pm

      truth is, any republican winning the election is a huge step in the right direction. OMG, obama must GO!

      Report Post » LIBSALWAYSLIE  
    • On The Bayou
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 2:50pm

      The news is out there, you just don`t see it here anymore.

      Report Post » On The Bayou  
    • koyettsu
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 2:54pm

      I will take any candidate still running over Romney and the democrat pretending to be a conservative from Utah.

      Report Post »  
    • kifeb221993
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 5:42pm

      koyettsu
      why wont you vote for Romney?

      Report Post »  
    • T.JeffersonWasTheBest
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 7:42pm

      Romney is a Progressive! He is the same a Obama, just lighter. We need a real constitutional conservative and that’s Ron Paul

      Report Post » T.JeffersonWasTheBest  
  • spk2moi
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:00am

    Seriously, Glenn you are losing it. This is the best you can do to obstruct Mitt from winning the nomination? You need to rethink your position, cuz you’re gonna lead all those minions following you straight over the Newt cliff!

    Report Post »  
    • Clinger_Bible
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:15am

      Romney is a proven conservative with a history to prove it.

      I, with the Boston Pilot Catholic News services, believe that Romney had a true conversion away from supporting ‘safe and legal’ abortions. He has since fought harder for pro-life causes than any other candidate, minus Bachmann and Santorum. He also believes in life beginning at conception, unlike Gingrich who believes it starts at implantation, which allows for cloning leglislation.

      We all oppose the individual mandate but no one can deny that Romney was trying to get health care to his whole state and get rid of the free loaders killing the Massachusetts economy.

      He has turned around not only the Massachusetts economy but the 2002 Olympics that went from bankruptcy to the most profitable Olympics in history. He fought for tax cuts, killing subsidies, and shrinking the Mass. govt.

      IF THIS ISN’T CONSERVATIVE, I DON’T KNOW WHAT IS…

      Report Post »  
    • Jwes99
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:30am

      If you’re a Romney fan, be worried. Look what he helped to do to Cain.

      Report Post »  
    • qpwillie
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:33am

      Clinger_Bible,
      I won‘t vote for anybody in the primary who won’t appeal 0bamacare. The only thing I‘ve heard him say about that is that he’ll make it optional for the states. An unconstitutional federal law shouldn’t be an option for anybody.

      Report Post » qpwillie  
    • P8riot
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:34am

      I seriously cannot believe the republican party is joining behind Newt after his declared support for amnesty – during a GOP debate! I also cannot believe that the ‘party of family values’ is supporting Newt! He is a professed adulterer (multiple)! We need Romney!

      Report Post » P8riot  
    • Clinger_Bible
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 11:18am

      JWE99, Romney has been praising Cain since 1994 and has since. Look at what Gingrich did to him in that LDD, Cain’s polls dropped dramatically after that.

      QPWILLIE, Romney has always fought against the federal government taking over health care, it was Gingrich that fought for it. Romney wants to appeal federal govt takeover (ObamaCare) of govt.

      IT IS THE LIBERAL MEDIA THAT HAS CONDITIONED US TO THINK ROMNEY ISN’T CONSERVATIVE.

      Report Post »  
    • Brizz
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 11:47am

      @Clinger
      Great points. It looks like it will come down to the lesser of two evils.
      @JWES99
      Cain did it to himself. Don’t make excuses for him.

      Report Post » Brizz  
    • thop1960
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 12:21pm

      Chill dude… This vid doesn’t make Mitt look bad. It is the awkwardness of interviewer that people are talking about. Mitt does a fine job here, as he usually does. He was a polished politician even back then. Glenn makes his position well known about all the candidates and even though he doesn’t like any of the front runners, he would vote for Mitt over Neut any day. I would agree with him.

      Report Post » thop1960  
    • kifeb221993
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 6:01pm

      people are only looking at newt couse he is there last chance before Romney.
      what i dont get is why people are likeing newt over cain newts afairs are fact and cains are iffy
      newt is anti gun right, he voted for public schools He IS NOT A conservative at all. so i say to the american people stop, take a look at romney, pray about him and find out for your self. dont be a Levins repeat pupet!

      Report Post »  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:59am

    The same Romney ‘appealing’ to one and all.

    Report Post » Stoic one  
  • BC1010
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:41am

    the blaze has jump the shark

    Report Post » BC1010  
    • welloddyfriggindah
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:48am

      Yyyyyeah! What was that all about?

      Report Post » welloddyfriggindah  
    • JL320
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 7:09pm

      I feel like he has so much going on he doesn’t even know what his staff is putting up on his own site sometimes. Glenn has really lost a lot of respect from me when he attacked the birthers, and especially when he attacked the guy in Texas who owned the gun classes who refused to train muslims. And get this, he thinks Texas is a conservative dreamland. It’s like he is so dead on about some things, but completely clueless about others. I have cancelled his buggy GBTV, and can‘t say I’m missing it very much. I still like him, but he’s not my favorite anymore, and I’m a little cautious with him now.

      Report Post »  
  • gmoneytx
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:37am

    Well, there’s another 1:03 minutes of my life I can’t get back, thanks Blaze

    Report Post » gmoneytx  
  • freenj
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:31am

    What a waste of time watching that video! Toes will curl?..bah humbug!!

    Report Post »  
    • Libertyluvnmomma
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:43am

      I didn’t watch the video- though i should just for the,”nipples poking out of Romney’s shirt” look.

      What’s with guys and huge nips?

      Report Post » Libertyluvnmomma  
    • ziggrl
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 3:50pm

      They’re called pecs.

      Report Post »  
  • stogieguy7
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:30am

    The kid was an awkward amateur and he’s probably cringing at this. As for Romney, he was smooth, poised and professional.

    So, please tell me, why is this a story on the Blaze? Was it so that we could see a 15 year younger Romney? If so, mission accomplished. Aside from that, this was a waste of time.

    Report Post » stogieguy7  
    • Frog
      Posted on December 9, 2011 at 5:56am

      I’m like you, When I first started surfing the blaze, I thought why have they got such fruitless material, to waste our time reading. I realize, that Glenn is just putting everything on the blaze, so he can’t be accused of being partial, & not showing things that maybe important to someone. Especially he being a Mormon, he may feel he must not let anything slip past him about Mormons. Glenn’s not perfect, & I’m sure still worries some of what others think. Its up to us to Surf, & decide what is important to let take up our time. As for as I’m concerned I think most the things reported, is a waste of time &,irrevaleint, & not detrimental to our being good stewards while here on earth & our eternal salvation! So give Glenn a break, & be wise in how you use your time!

      Report Post »  
  • Secessionista
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:25am

    Gee, in 1994 Ron Paul was warning us that unsound monetary policy threatened to ruin our economy and that the slow erosion of our liberties and freedoms was luring us into an ugly pit.

    Mitt Romney went on record “liking all sorts of music”.

    I don’t know about anyone else, but I am voting for Romney. Music MUST NOT be allowed to die. Screw the economy, jobs, and our freedom.

    Report Post » Secessionista  
    • stogieguy7
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:31am

      Oh please, give me a break. Your comment is absurd. The kid didn’t ask him about the economy.

      And, Ron Paul is dangerous and his presidency would result in us all having to learn Mandarin. But hey, pot will be legal, right?

      Report Post » stogieguy7  
    • qpwillie
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:48am

      So somebody asked Ron Paul “How do you like the music here?“ and he answered ”unsound monetary policy threatens to ruin our economy and the slow erosion of our liberties and freedoms are luring us into an ugly pit.”?

      Wow!! He’s a bigger kook than I thought!!!

      Report Post » qpwillie  
  • StrangernFiction
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:22am

    “Your toes will curl.”

    Seriously?

    Seidl, you are a loon.

    Report Post »  
  • Clinger_Bible
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:18am

    THIS IS GOING TO BE A NASTY CAMPAIGN, BUT WE NEED TO VET FOR OURSELVES:

    Here is the difference between Gingrich (8 yeas ago) and Romney (17 years ago) and their health care stance: http://www.thedailycandidate.com/video/2011/dec/romney_gingrich_past.html

    Report Post »  
  • eyestoseeearstohear
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:17am

    DANG…
    WHAT MORE HAS MITT ROMNEY GIVEN OBAMA?

    In 1994 -
    Mitt came up with “ TIME FOR CHANGE” and OBAMA TOOK THAT SLOGAN-
    Mitt came up with “A PLAN FOR HEALTHCARE”and OBAMA TOOK THAT, TOO!

    DANG!
    TWO PEES FROM THE SAME POD – SEPARATED AT BIRTH?

    Report Post »  
    • truthisbrawn05
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:02am

      So I suppose you missed all of Romney’s criticisms of Obama? And how he said he would repeal Obama care?

      Report Post » truthisbrawn05  
    • Eric_The_Red_State
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:05am

      Pees?

      Report Post » Eric_The_Red_State  
    • eyestoseeearstohear
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:40am

      @ TRUTHISBRAWN05

      No…
      I sure haven‘t missed ANY of Romney’s flip-floppings, NOR his criticisms of Obama.

      @ ERIC _THE_RED_STATE
      Thanks, it was my mistake ( Pees) – I meant “ PEAS”.

      Report Post »  
    • truthisbrawn05
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 11:26am

      Romney’s “flip-floppings” show me he has the character to grow and change. I think that is a good thing. I don’t want leaders who refuse to “flip-flop” even when they’re wrong. Would you prefer he kept his former positions?

      Report Post » truthisbrawn05  
    • slr4528
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 12:19pm

      Conservative Republicans or I should more accurately state the ABR(anyone but Romney)crowd,certainly aren’t the brightest bulbs on the tree if they are persuaded by the Obama machine and LSM that Gingrich is the better choice over Romney.

      Gingrich is a big government progressive…Romney is not! Gingrich is a career politician and life long Washington Insider who has profited from big government. Romney made his hundreds of millions in the private sector. Romney received only 1$/yr as governor and Romney received no salary as CEO of the Olympics. Romney is a fiscal conservative business man whose nature is to make companies more profitable and efficient by cutting waste not adding wasteful spending programs and government solutions that is characteristic of Gingrich.

      Please review the following video to get a feel for how they stated they would approach the Healthcare issue years ago.

      http://www.thedailycandidate.com/video/2011/dec/romney_1994_speech.html

      People need to do their own research and not be held captive by the FOX talking heads who are clearly promoting their former associate Gingrich. All you have to do is contrast the style of Brett Baiers interview with Gingrich verses his interview with Romney.

      I would like to know why Gingrich gets off on saying…“oh that was stupid and I changed my mind”,…How isn’t that politically expedient?

      Report Post »  
  • qpwillie
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:15am

    I didn’t see anything awkward but the aspiring interviewer. He’s a kid. Hopefully, he‘ll get better at it if that’s what he wants to do.

    I think Romney believes he is a conservative but he’s from Massachusetts. An elephant thinks a mouse is a tiny little thing but a flea thinks a mouse is a giant.

    Report Post » qpwillie  
  • itsmyfirstday
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:11am

    I don’t get it….a kid not old enough to vote does a short interview with Mitt. Where is the story?

    Report Post » itsmyfirstday  
    • LadyLiberty
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:16am

      I don’t get it either. I found the kid awkward, not Romney.

      Report Post » LadyLiberty  
    • Vechorik
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:30am

      LOL Waste of space during an important campaign!

      Report Post »  
  • NoObamanomics
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:09am

    This is becoming a trend on TheBlaze…I thought this site was anti-agenda…but lately it seems that the former Huffington Post people that are running it can’t help themselves…I guess you can take the liberal outta the HuPo but you can’t take the Hupo outta the liberal….

    Report Post »  
    • NoObamanomics
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:13am

      …and I am not a Romney fan either…just one that can think for himself.

      Report Post »  
  • Zeus In A Speedo
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:06am

    And this is awkward because…..

    Blaze, I think “Jonathan Seidl,” the writer of this piece of garbage, should be let go so that he can go join the ows croud or go pray at his favorite mosque. Obviously he is very biased, and I’m not even a Romney fan.

    Report Post » Zeus In A Speedo  
    • MTCOWBOY711
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 1:44pm

      I concur, Seidl seems to be to worried about how shiny the brass on the Titanic is.

      Report Post » MTCOWBOY711  
  • Clinger_Bible
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:04am

    That kid was definitely awkward. Romney did great. And he has definitely come a long way.

    Now look at his speech in 1994 and compare it to the Conservative speeches he gives today: http://www.thedailycandidate.com/video/2011/dec/romney_1994_speech.html

    Report Post »  
    • slr4528
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:56am

      Everyone should watch these 2 videos because the differences are glaring. You can easily see that Gingrich is a gig government progressive who thinks government should be involved in all aspects of your life and Romney is the true conservative.

      I am absolutely shocked at how people like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh and Levin let Gingrich get away with his charade. People had better wake up and get a clue before the primaries!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • truthisbrawn05
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:12am

      SLR4528…I agree. I think Romney is the man for the job. Newt won’t beat Obama. Besides, he doesn’t strike me as a real leader. People can’t seems to accept that people can change their minds. As if they’ve never changed their minds about anything before. It’s called growth and becoming better. This whole notion that Romney, or anyone else for that matter can’t have a change of opinion is bull. If you’re not growing and becoming better, than what are you doing?

      Report Post » truthisbrawn05  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:58am

    The kid was a major GEEK! He is where the term Geek comes from. Sure Mitt was his soppy ol’ self, but so what. Obama is a soppy GEEK every day of his life. This GEEK appears to be a typical Massachusetts indoctrinate and no doubt is down on Wall Street today, on one side or the other, or both!

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • MR_ANDERSON
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:56am

    I think he would call that interview awkward as well.

    Report Post »  
  • Warphead
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:56am

    That by far was the biggest waste of two minutes I have ever had, seriously. I spent one minute watching. 30 seconds wondering why I watched it and 30 seconds typing this warning to others.

    Report Post » Warphead  
  • TheWacoKid
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:54am

    Who exactly is running the BLAZE??? Is it the HuPo people still…i guess from the Headline it obviously is….What a waste of time.

    Report Post »  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:50am

    I don’t see any problem and I am not a Romney supporter.

    Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • TheWacoKid
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:56am

      i agree…i am not a Romney supporter and this story makes NO sense

      Report Post »  
    • Ookspay
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:05am

      Dittos Anonymous, just an awkward and nervous kid. Seemed like a naked attempt by The Blaze to impugn Romney in some way. Where is the agenda? I though the truth didn’t have one…

      Report Post » Ookspay  
  • Sibyl
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:49am

    MORE revealing Romney videos:

    Romney at a debate – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9IJUkYUbvI

    The Real Mitt Romney – More Liberal Democrat than Republican – youtube.com/watch?v=ySBQ2GHLHBs

    Who Are You Mitt? youtube.com/watch?v=oJgLXC66ttk

    Is Romney Consistent? youtube.com/watch?v=B7RaYbToq7Q

    Did Romney support TARP? youtube.com/watch?v=A2EqhZND1_I

    Romney RINO, CINO: youtube.com/watch?v=KBXe3Kvg-qU

    Report Post »  
  • LIBSALWAYSLIE
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:32am

    I dont get it, theres nothing awkward about it, just a goofy little interviewer and Mitt answering questions. BORING! How is this worth watching??

    Report Post » LIBSALWAYSLIE  
    • DagneyT
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:42am

      Perception is interesting, isn’t it?

      Report Post » DagneyT  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 12:10pm

      Well . . . hmmm . . . O.K., unless you are related to “Cole”, it was not worth watching (and I’m not related to Cole).

      Report Post »  
  • CarolinaGirl
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:31am

    Misleading headline. Romney is perfect. It’s the teenager who is awkward!

    Report Post » CarolinaGirl  
    • thetreyman
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:49am

      that is what the third line in the piece said, yes, very astute.

      Report Post » thetreyman  
    • MTCOWBOY711
      Posted on December 5, 2011 at 1:40pm

      I thought the kid did alright, everything is awkward at his age.

      Report Post » MTCOWBOY711  
  • DagneyT
    Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:29am

    Not toe curling. The only awkward person was the interviewer. Mitt showed poise despite the youth’s obvious lacking in mental clarity.

    Report Post » DagneyT  
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