The only candidate that doesn't have any lobbyist in his campaign is Edwards, all the other Democrats and Republicans have them all.

Dancing around the question...

Basically, he HAS a lobbyist as a senior advisor, but NOT specifically running it.

The reporter should have said, ok, he's not RUNNING it per se, but is he a top advisor and is he advising strategy for the campaign direction?

Just more of the same from Romney. It's starting to look like even all his money couldn't buy him the presidency.

The lib media has an agenda and it does not involve reporting the positives about Romney. In New Hampshire the media actively and openly campaigned against Romney. This so-called "reporter" Johnson is dispicable makes yet even more people despise the media.

Hillary will never abandon the people of Michigan or any American no matter what anyone/organization tell her.

The pen is more powerful than the pocketbook.

Romney is so squeaky-clean that reporters have to resort to manipulating voters into thinking he's a flip-flopper or a phony. Anyone doing their homework on the candidates is not fooled by this attempt or any of the others.

For those that have yet to read the truth on the candidates... look them up on Wikipedia.

The truth is that Mitt has the most integrity, self-control, education, and experience to deal with the kinds of problems facing our country right now!

Romney is exactly what the US needs!!!

Ron Paul doesnt have any either! So dont say they all do!

More disturbing than lobbyists are the Blackwater consultants in Romney's campaign. Cofer Black is his main security adviser. Also Blackwater is putting up money for his campaign, probably to increase their involvement in the US government here at home. Really scary stuff after what Blackwater did to the people of Iraq.

Mitt is a member of a cult. Why on earth would we allow him to run?

He will flame out in Nevada then it'll be over.

Now if we can just get the media to ask obama some tough questions instead of treating him with kid gloves .

After his lies about "seeing" his father march in Michigan with Martin Luther King Jr. (never happened), why are people surprised? Mitt is willing to tell any lie as long as it pushes him toward office. His father was a good governor and a man of integrity: apparently that didn't get passed on to his son.

Look Mitt up on Wikipedia. He's a great man and very qualified to be president!

Odd the very same day that Bill Clinton made an ### of himself (again) arguing with an ABC Reporter..now comes an ABC News article about Mitt Romney "in a heated exhange" with an AP Reporter. It was either a set-up to take the heat off Bill Clinton or ABC News is making something out of nothing...being that the media has no creditablity and want John McCain as the GOP nominee....it was probably both.

Did anyone else catch that? He has a LOBBYIST as a senior advisor, who is ...cough, cough...working for FREE? (He's not a PAID advisor.) Free as in working but no salary? No contingent benefits? So if you were ever elected Mitt, you wouldn't owe him any favors??? My jaw dropped when I read that response. What lobbyist ever works for free and doesn't expect an eventual payoff? It would be much more honest to pay him for his work and not owe him any favors.

FLIP FLOP MITT ROMNEY = PLASTIC

I hear Romney's campaign staffer's is aligned with the Bush Crime Administration. I also hear Romney also
has a vice president of BLACKWATER in his campaign...real nice huh????? .He thinks he can buy voter with his money. He can keep all the voter's drinking his kool aid.....I don't think he has a chance. But, sure hope Mitt keeps pumping all that money back in to the economy, because we sure can use it......Someone
also needs to ask Mitt since he is PRO-WAR, HOW COME HE NEVER VOLUNTEERED
FOR THE MILITARY???? He also joins the
others Guiliani, Edwards, Thompson, Obama, Huckabee in NOT JOINING
THE MILITARY. I also don't see Mitt's own sons in the military. WHY NOT??????

"Don't be argumentative with the candidate,"

Waah, what a hell of a president would he be: "Don't be argumentative with the president. He knows everything... NOT.

Mitt is fake and very agressive when you don't agree with him.

You want ANOTHER president bought and paid for by big money interests, vote Romney.

People are trying to hard to attack Mitt Romney. It's the reporters that are manipulating the people into believing untrue things of him. They go way out of their way to find any little thing to cling on to, to make him appear to be a liar and a fake. Mitt Romney is an honorable man. Don't let these slanderers fool you.

Reporter = shill for Democratic party. Also known as a de facto DNC operative, just like the rest of the MSM.

Are you people serious?? You think that because Romney has a lobbyist who offers occasional advice he's some sort of phony??? I ask again: Are you serious!!???

It boggles my mind that this crap is what makes headlilnes about Romney. Was it EVER reported that a day after New Hampshire he raised $5million (in one day!). Had McCain or Huckabee done that, it would have been front page! Has it ANYWHERE been reported that Nevada's biggest paper just endorsed Romney??? Had it endoresed McCain or Huckabee it would have been a headline!!

You people seem to think he's trying to "buy" this election. Well, with the blatently negative media campaign AGAINGST him, he has no other means to get his message out! And you people are buying this MSM tripe!

Bill, I'm sick of hearing that old Republican-coined "liberal media" nonsense. If the media had been as liberal as you and others of your ilk have claimed all these years, they would have seen to it that Bush couldn't have fooled enough gullible voters with his 2004 campaign that used deceitful fear mongering as its basis.

Anyone who thinks this lying, stuffed shirt with the $$$ haircut is anything but a gasbag bought and paid for by special interests is mistaken. It is apparent to the public that he lies all the time about everything, no matter how his campaign people try to paint him. He would be nothing more than another Bush -- spoiled rich kid brought up by a politician who flies into a temper tantrum whenever he can't get his own way.

I find it interesting that there are so many "authorities" out there on Mitt's so called cult religion, his background, his campaign staff, etc. The majority of these "authorities" usually start their responses with either I heard or comment without having ANY amount of personal knowledge on the subject. Before you try and take Mitt down, why not go directly to the source before you make your stupid unreliable comments on the subject.

OK, so to the folks defending Romney on this thread: it's easy to say "the MSM is attacking him" and "he's the most qualified", but I don't see anyone addressing the point of the article: that he was in this case, and has been in several cases, evasive..which means he has something to hide! Example: the debates in Las Vegas, he waffled and side-stepped the question of waterboarding like the tap-dancing son of Alberto Gonzalez and Ginger Rogers. All he had to say was he didn't want to answer, or wasn't qualified, or needed more info, or just say yes or no...if he can't even get through the gate without ducking important, relevent questions, how can we trust him to be up-front as president?

You all must be the same lot who don't care that Bush and Cheney shred documents, lie, hide the truth, and call the Constitution a God-D##ned piece of paper.

Did anyone here actually see the full video clip? It was not a "headted exchange." It was Mitt Romney trying to complete a press conference. The moron reporter had made his point and wouldn't let Mitt move on. They had to call the press conference becuase the MORON wouldn't shut up! His fellow reporters took a stand against him and told him he was unprofessional, rude and tasteless. Mitt was very amiable and offered to call the reporter later to continue the dialogue. MITT NEVER GOT ANGRY!

Watch more of the clip. They show what happened afterward---Mitt offered to talk with the nutty reporter and he just kept whining. The guy looked totally unprofessional. Mitt handled this so well! It just proves the kind of professionalism he will bring into the presidency! Why do people have such hard heads? Think about the benefits of bringing someone into the white house that doesn't need other peoples money to get him there? He is running for President to truly help this country and he has what it takes! Look up all the candidates on Wikipedia and compare for yourself.

Romney ended up talking privately to this reporter after on the plane. He gave this guy more time than he deserved. I wonder since they talk if the report is now helping run Romney's campaign.

I think it was really great that this reporter was willing to question Romney on this issue. Too many times, reporters ask questions, the politicians spew their lies and that is all that happens. I like the idea of reporters actually doing their homework and pushing an issue when they believe a politician is lying.

Did anyone watch the market crash today? Seeing inflation running wild at your local stores, gas stations? Seeing the huge waste of big government all around you? Folks, we so need a business leader as our president!And Mitt is that person. Forget his religion people! He's going to fix Washington just like he fixed the Olympics! Just like he's managed everything else out of hell his whole carrer. Go Mitt!!

I think that "Glen" person is the one who got "testy". Why is the media saying that Romney got testy. If I were Mitt, I would have slugged the guy. He was rude and unprofessional and wouldn't listen. Mitt seemed very honest with his reply. I see nothing wrong with how he handled it.

Ditto to the Poster:Go Romney! | Jan 17, 2008 6:53:50 PM ----- Totally agree. That reporter was an ###.

Hey... what's will all the sniping about Romney??? Let's just give him the benefit of the doubt just like we did with BUSH in 2000. I mean we gave it to him certainly. And things turned out well, right? (His daddy was a politician too!) And he was a just such nice guy and all, right? I mean just look at what good George BUSH has done for America... Just look around at what America has become... Oh... Uh... um... NEVERMIND!!! Please, this time around vote for somebody with a PLAN. We can no longer afford entitlement canidates in a world like ours ANYMORE!!!

The reporter was outrageous! When Romney gave a straight answer, the reporter kept haranguing him! As Mitt said,"No, RON IS NOT RUNNING MY CAMPAIGN!" No, Ron is a friend but he is not paid, not an employee! Why can't the reporter get it!?
Perhaps it is because Romney has such high standards and noble character the reporter can find nothing to pester him about other than who his friends might be!

romney is not being evasive. but he shouldn't have to turn around and defend himself on every minute issue that some dumb reporter can come up with to try to corner him!! come on... lets stick to the political issues at hand and stop grasping at straws to bring mitt down. clearly people feel threatened by his leadership and ability to consistancy win votes

So spoiled-rotten little frat-boy Mitt doesn't like it when reporters bring up the truth...makes him bawl like a little crybaby. Now he's stamping his feet IN ANGER!

Romney is prepared and is exactly what this country needs for our leader. How dare these uninformed and ignorant people calling him a cult member. He is as honest and pure of heart as anyone who ever walked on American soil. Look at the Boards he has served on and the profits he has developed through honest and skilled leadership. He is ready to be our leader!

God bless him and God bless America!

I agree with you Brett. Mitt would make a WONDERFUL cult leader.

A lobbyist acting as an advisor. What's the problem? This looks like a setup to me. An opportunity to cast Romney in a bad light. One look at this "reporter" and you can see he comes from the Michael Moore School of Rude Idiots. What ever happened to reporters "reporting" the news. This wasn't a news conference in my book. Maybe he works for Al Gore.

Symantics. Romney was technically right, and besides whihc the guy is freind so yes, it is possible he isn't being paid for his advice. giving advice and running a campaign are two different things.. It was Ok for the reporter to push him but he went overboard with the "flower pot" analogy. It is not the reporter's job to be belligerant but simply to report.

Amazing how sensitive these "Mitt" supporters posting here are. Really getting angry that the spoiled-rotten little frat-boy got his head handed to him by a lowly reporter. But it's understandable, since they probably all voted for Bush Jr...and therefore can't be too bright.

It amazes me how so many people have access to information that no one else does. I see this on the boards all the time.

Mike Huckabee would love to win the Republican primary in South Carolina after all the $millions the Romney campaign squandered there on TV advertising.

I'm a reporter, and Mr. Johnson was out of line with HOW he engaged Mr. Romney. A reporter asks questions, period, he doesn't make a declaratory statement like "That is not true." Everything that happened from that point on is the fault of Mr. Johnson. Now did Romney lose his composure to a fault? That is up to voters to decide.

Romney also has lawyers advising his campaign. Does that mean that, as President, Romney would somehow be unduly beholden to the law profession as a result? In the absence of any other evidence to the contrary, how brainless and stupid (aka, dumb as a post) for anyone to think that employing lobbyists in a campaign must thereby AUTOMATICALLY be nefarious. Romney is employing two people (of dozens of advisors) as campaign advisors who have experience in the art of persuasion (lobbying), which is what a candidate for President tries to do every day on the campaign trail: lobby voters. Another point about semantics: Romney got where he was as a successful businessman (turn-around artist) by getting people in failing businesses who reported to him to be as accurate in their statements as possible. Not being technically accurate in what one is saying in business can be, and frequently is, ultimately disastrous for that business. This is the source of his semantic parsing. His initial statement about lobbyists not running his campaign was accurate, and that was what he was trying to get the reporter to admit. The problem with many reporters today is that they have no real respect in their reporting for technical accuracy, and that is why many people are mislead by the news. The news itself is filled with inaccuracies, and it’s a real problem for the country, just as inaccuracies in statements are a real problem for businesses.

If you want change Ron Paul He can't be bought.

What a liar!!! Glad to see a reporter challenge career politicians who lie and manipulate things to their advantage. Way to go Glen Johnson!

The question was if a lobbyist was running Romney's campaign. Romney's answer was no. Romney gave a truthful answer and the reporter kept on pushing. Another example of Liberal media trying to sway the election. Yes there is a senior advisor on Romney's campaign who was a lobbyist, but if you haven't notice all of the other canidates have many senior advisors who were once lobbyist..Why? Because they know the ins and outs of campaigning. they don't run any thing and they are not paid. They give advice period.

When Mitt Romney moves the company he is associated with back onshore and pays taxes to the federal govt then I will possibly give him a look. Until then I clasify him as part of what is wrong with this country and will not give him the time of day. Isn't it great that we should all pay taxes so his corporations don't have to? Americans are really stupid people!!

"According to a Los Angeles Times investigation of Romney's tenure at Bain Capital, Mitt "utilized shell companies in two offshore tax havens to help eligible investors avoid paying U.S. taxes." Romney steered clients toward tax shelters in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda, helping "attract billions of additional investment dollars to Romney's former company, Bain Capital, and thus boosted profits for Romney and his partners." Not only was Romney "listed as a general partner and personally invested in BCIP Associates III Cayman, a private equity fund that is registered at a post office box on Grand Cayman Island," he "still retains an investment in the Cayman fund through a trust." That investment earned Romney "more than $1 million last year in dividends, interest and capital gains." [Los Angeles Times, 12/17/07]"

This sure is the type of "good businessman" I want running my country. Wake up and smell the roses. The man is part of the problem in America not the solution.

Not true John, Ron Paul has no lobbyists. Edwards is a big time Union supporter, that's one of the biggest national lobbying organizations out there.

This is the first reporter I've seen in YEARS who actually called one of these liars on his relentless lies. That used to be what the press did best...not selling the party line crap without question...like the media did with Bush Jr's Disaster in Iraq. Glen Johnson is a genuine American hero. He needs to get in on one of Bush Jr's staged press conferences and do the same. Bush Jr's brain would completely melt down.

think it’s way past time that the most corrupt institution in America, our corrupt wolfpack press, under goes “reforms”.

I don’t like liberal reporters like GLEN JOHNSON attacking Republican candidates. The Associated Press represents poison in the blood stream of this great nation. We need separation of “Press and Democrat Party” ……………….NOW !

How like Bush, and an adolescent Romney is. When he gets caught in a lie , he raises his voice and gets mad. If he can, he will get even like Bush did with Helen Thomas who asked the simple question of why Bush wanted to go to war with Iraq. Bush then refused to let her ask questions at his news conferences except for one time when he wanted to pretend he was a decent guy.

MITT IS A LYING POLITICIAN JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHERS AND WILL SAY ANYTHING TO THE UNSUSPECTING PUBLIC TO GET HIMSELF ELECTED. AND HE TOUTS BEING A GOOD MORMAN???/ LOL

If a lobbyist is not running his campaign, why would Mitt lie and say there was? The reporter seems to be the liar, but most reporters are progressives anyway who don't like republicans to begin with, so it's not like a reporter lying about a republican is anything new. What is new is another reporter cathing it and reporting it. That's news.

Now with all his money, if Romney could just buy himself a backbone and a couple of things he actually believes in. Oh yes, and a minor thing called truthfullness.

Mitt Romney is so much like the
Clintons, Hillary and Bill, it's scary!
He's giving us the definition of "is"
defense! This is why he would be a
Disaster as the Republican Party Presidential Nominee!
All of Hillary Clinton's negatives would be neutralized because they are like two peas in a pod!

Mitt Romney is a flip flopping, plastic, say anything to get a vote politician who would not know the truth, if it bit him in the rear end. He has changed his position on issues so much that you cannot really trust anything he says. The reporter may have been a bit pushy, but he was just doing his job and trying to get the truth out of a man who is incapable of telling it.

Mitt Romney is the most genuine and sincere of all the candidates. He has flipped on issues (actually - just abortion), but never "flip-flopped." Guess what - Reagan did the same thing. Some people get older & wiser (Romney, Reagan), others get old & refuse to wise-up (this is called being stubborn, and this is the definition of John McCain). Romney got to where he is today because he delivered on his promises. He is absolutely trustworthy and absolutely the most experienced and qualified candidate. And he is absolutely what America needs right now.

So what is the intent of Glen Johnson? Is Ron Kaufman currently on the payroll of a lobbying firm? Who is Glen Johnson lobbying for? Too often the pundits and reporters sound too much like lobbyist pressing the interest of their editorial staff or their board of directors. It seems that Glen Johnson is trying to imply that Romney is not ultimately in charge of his campaign and is a puppet of some unscrupulous interest. So the real question is who is pulling Glen Johnsons strings? And are not media endorsements an act with the same intent of a lobbyist?

How about the AP Reporter being a "jerk" to Governor Mitt Romney!!! The AP Reporter asked Governor Romney the same question over and over because he didn't like the answer he got from Governor Romney. Don't blame Governor Romney for getting upset. The "AP" is pure Liberal anyway. Typical ABC news getting the story wrong...

Some people complain about Romney's business venture. You guys know nothing about business and are simply repeating things you heard. Romney made Bain Capital thrive. He never did anything un-ethical or illegal. His job was to do whats best for the company and he excelled expectations. HIs job as Governor of Massachussetts was to do whats best for the state and he excelled at that also. He volunteered to clean up the mess of the Olympics and guess what...He excelled. Now looking at his record ask yourself if Romney's job as President is to do whats best for this nation what is the logical outcome.....Excellence...Romney in 08!!!

You know it's so sad that the reporter have to try and smear Mitt Romney!!! He's a great man!!! It sounds like the reporter is being paid from Huckabee to say that Romney is not truthful. He's the most honest one out there. You go Romney here in Nevada and North Cali are for you!!!!! Mitt Romney 2008 President. Sandi

The right to petition has evolved into a right to bribe politicians. It is way past time for the voters of this country to demand that politicians eliminate lobbyists.

The reporter was wrong on atleast two counts.
One: He made a statement based on personal opinion only, not fact. As a reporter his job is'nt to voice his opinion, it's to report the news. Meaning presenting us the audience with the facts. He did'nt do this.
Two: As a reporter he should have presented himself in a polite and professional manner. Romney deserves the same respect any of the rest of us would expect and none of us would want to be treated as rudely as he was by the reporter. If he had actually confronted Romney by "asking" the tough question instead of blatantly interrupting him he could have gotten Romney to make a statement on his own. He did'nt do this.
Rember this. Trying to decide who we vote for is hard enough without reporters pushing their views and opinions on the public. It's their job to present the news in a factual and enlightening way, allowing us as Americans to make our decisions in a unbiased manner. When Reporters begin to push their views on the public we lose the value of our Democracy.
REPORT THE NEWS! DON'T MISREPRESENT IT!

Edison - I'm with you 100%!! Nice job making those points.