Romney in air rage scare

By Michelle Malkin  •  February 15, 2010 10:27 PM

Canada’s Globe and Mail reports that Mitt Romney was the target of an unhinged air rager on a flight out of Vancouver tonight. The good news: He kept his cool and is doing fine. The plane turned around and rid itself of the unruly passenger. No such thing as friendly skies anymore. Geez:

Republican politician Mitt Romney was physically threatened by a violent passenger on an Air Canada flight leaving Vancouver this morning.

Mr. Romney, who has been in Vancouver since Friday for the Olympic Winter Games, did not respond to the attack. Instead, he allowed the airline crew to deal with the incident, according to his spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom.

Mr. Romney, 62, and his wife, Ann, were sitting in Row 15 of the economy section of the Embrarer 190 airplane, waiting for the plane to take off when the incident happened.

The man sitting in front of Mr. Romney’s wife dropped his seat back and when Mr. Romney asked him to move it upright for takeoff, the man became “physically violent.” Another report said that the man tried to strike Mr. Romney.

“Gov. Romney did not retaliate,” said Mr. Fehrnstrom.

Mr. Romney was not injured. The pilot returned to the gate and the passenger and his bags were removed by the RCMP.

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Posted in: Mitt Romney,Politics

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Comments


  1. #1
    On February 15th, 2010 at 10:39 pm, Lindsay said:

    I am glad he is ok.

    I hope that passenger goes to jail, not just for attacking Romney, but for attacking anyone.

    I hope we learn more about this guy, and if he knew who Mitt Romney was.The libs are unhinged.

  2. #2
    On February 15th, 2010 at 10:44 pm, graysonret said:

    My guess is that he didn’t know Romney. Just another drunk being where he isn’t welcome. People tend to settle problems with violence over the past few years and it’s getting worse. Of course, our society and Hollywood doesn’t help.

  3. #3
    On February 15th, 2010 at 10:48 pm, jangar said:

    Mr. Romney, 62, and his wife, Ann, were sitting in Row 15 of the economy section of the Embrarer 190 airplane

    Don’t miss is point. Perhaps the attacker was a bent-out-of-shape socialist democrat who was unable to book first class seating.

    Any bets the man’s name might be Richard Cranium?

  4. #4
    On February 15th, 2010 at 10:50 pm, vickisoup said:

    I’m struck that the Romney’s were flying essentially in “coach” on a commercial jet.
    Nancy Pelosi should take note of that and change her ugly carbon footprint.

    ;-)

  5. #5
    On February 15th, 2010 at 10:54 pm, bjc said:

    *Zero tolerance is the key in these air rage incidents; Maybe next time, instead of returning to the gate, throw the person out at 20k; Word gets out, no more air rage!

  6. #6
    On February 15th, 2010 at 11:07 pm, rightwingrocker said:

    I’m struck that the [Romneys] were flying essentially in “coach” on a commercial jet.

    Struck, indeed.

    This guy would have been a much better choice than McCain for Republicans, despite some serious flaws (“Romneycare” for starters). I would have voted for him, but that’s probably off the table for the future since he let McCain buy him off (or whatever it was that happened that night behind closed doors).

    RWR
    http://www.rightwingrocker.com

  7. #7
    On February 15th, 2010 at 11:11 pm, ScottG said:

    On February 15th, 2010 at 10:50 pm, vickisoup said:

    Nancy Pelosi should take note of that and change her ugly carbon footprint.

    That ugly thing is her face, not her footprint….

  8. #8
    On February 15th, 2010 at 11:17 pm, d1carter said:

    Romney should have punched his lights out…would have helped his cred./

  9. #9
    On February 15th, 2010 at 11:23 pm, palani said:

    Given the limited legroom between seat rows, I cannot understand why airlines allow seats to recline at all. I’ve been stuck behind many inconsiderate flyers who have no regard for the passengers whose personal space they ignore. Good for Romney for speaking up!

  10. #10
    On February 15th, 2010 at 11:32 pm, mattymatt10 said:

    Wow. If I had Romney’s kind of money, I’d never fly commercial at all. Ever.

    Flying is awful. From the moment you set foot in the airport at the beginning of your trip, to picking up your bags at the end.

    On February 15th, 2010 at 11:23 pm, palani said:
    Given the limited legroom between seat rows, I cannot understand why airlines allow seats to recline at all. I’ve been stuck behind many inconsiderate flyers who have no regard for the passengers whose personal space they ignore. Good for Romney for speaking up!

    Can I get an Amen!

  11. #11
    On February 15th, 2010 at 11:42 pm, b-cat said:

    There are only two ways for a rich, powerful Republican bigwig to react to such a situation:

    1- Let the hired muscle take care of it for you (because fisticuffs are so beneath you).

    2- Produce a ridiculously large handgun and shove it in the miscreants face (just to show that you are indeed Republican).

    Take that libs! :)

  12. #12
    On February 15th, 2010 at 11:56 pm, Papa Louie said:

    It’s got to be a case of another right-winger instigating violence in others. I’m sure Romney provoked his attacker into responding the way he did. This is bound to trigger another Olbermann rant proving that the right is the source of all violent speech and actions. There ought to be a law against conservatives and tea partiers being seen in public so this sort of thing never has to happen again.
    /sarc off

  13. #13
    On February 16th, 2010 at 12:15 am, Papa Louie said:

    Joseph Biden’s motorcade runs over Peggy Fleming at the Vancouver Olympics.

    Apparently, she’s ok. But how many accidents does that make for Biden and his motorcade? Joe is a clumsy dolt and his klutiness is rubbing off on all who come near him. We need to put him in a retirement home before any more deaths occur.

  14. #14
    On February 16th, 2010 at 12:30 am, William said:

    Why doesn’t the news show that ten strong men rose from their seats and disabled the assailant?

    Is it because people are sheep and won’t “get involved” or that people are just sissies and always allow this crap to take place, choosing instead to “bury their heads in the sand” and pretend it isn’t happening?

    Perhaps they didn’t want to get involved because they wanted to be “nice” or even because they did not wish to get hurt.

    Nevertheless, when anything like this happens we should see the entire aircraft full of passengers and crew out of their seats and disabling the assailant IMMEDIATELY, without beating around the bush, thus establishing who is in control. The “Hint” would be “Not the thugs!”

  15. #15
    On February 16th, 2010 at 1:21 am, DesertLover said:

    The particular type of plane mentioned is a commuter type regional jet … being smaller aircraft most airlines don’t even bother with a “First Class” section … those that do have “First Class” on these planes vary greatly between airlines and seat configuration so usually there are only about 8 or 9 seats in the “First Class” section … unlike the full size Boeing and Airbus aircraft with six seats per row these only have 4 seats per row …

  16. #16
    On February 16th, 2010 at 1:26 am, txvet2 said:

    On February 16th, 2010 at 12:15 am, Papa Louie said:

    Let’s not be like the DU or Daily Kos, here. Fleming and a couple of others were in an SUV in Biden’s motorcade that was rear-ended by another vehicle in the motorcade, apparently due to the slippery road. You can’t blame everything that happens on Biden.

  17. #17
    On February 16th, 2010 at 1:36 am, Jet Jaguar said:

    I wish that I could have been there. I would have had the man shining Romney’s shoes.

  18. #18
    On February 16th, 2010 at 3:51 am, BKennedy said:

    You know who this benefits?

    Mitt Romney. /Hugh Hewitt.

  19. #19
    On February 16th, 2010 at 5:24 am, Brian72 said:

    In related news, Sarah Palin has been taking kickboxing lessons.

  20. #20
    On February 16th, 2010 at 6:10 am, Ty85719 said:

    Keep it classy, Canada! We are so envious of your sophisticated demeanor.

  21. #21
    On February 16th, 2010 at 6:23 am, jamesgreenidge said:

    MM, why not a heads-up alert on your page of when you’re appearing on TV?

    James Greenidge
    Queens NY

  22. #22
    On February 16th, 2010 at 6:54 am, ProudGulfWarVet65 said:

    @txvet2 (#19) And why NOT? The marxists blame everything on GW Bush, no?

    Anyway, I suspect that anywhere Biden goes, trouble is sure to follow. Or accompany…or even precede. It’s not without reason that Mark Levin used to refer to Little Creep #2 as ‘the dumbest man in the Senate’; Biden alone is dragging the entire world’s IQ down. Too late to go into black-hole theory, but I think you get the point.

  23. #23
    On February 16th, 2010 at 6:58 am, ProudGulfWarVet65 said:

    By the way…found this on FB; it’s not original:

    Just heard that the Obama Administration will be honoring the 43rd President of the United States by naming the gap between the tectonic plates beneath Haiti after him. The area will now officially be referred to as “Bush’s Fault”

  24. #24
    On February 16th, 2010 at 7:13 am, kudafa said:

    Can’t determine what “physically threatened by a violent passenger” actually means in this story. Throw a drink on Mitt? Slug him in the noggin? Maybe raise his voice & slobber all over poor old Mitt? So the guy was drunk, loud & stupid, which is not violent. Possibly scary to most, but then, most people are scared of their own shadow anyway.

  25. #25
    On February 16th, 2010 at 7:17 am, ArizonaNeanderthal said:

    The area will now officially be referred to as “Bush’s Fault”

    This is the era of post partisanship ;)

  26. #26
    On February 16th, 2010 at 7:44 am, Socky said:

    Was the man in front of him Patrick Kennedy?

  27. #27
    On February 16th, 2010 at 7:48 am, happy2behere said:

    Dont get me started on the flying public. There’s a way to behave on flights and most well-traveled flyers know its not polite to recline one’s seat until after takeoff. The guy was either a flying dolt or doing it on purpose.

  28. #28
    On February 16th, 2010 at 7:54 am, jangar said:

    Why doesn’t the news show that ten strong men rose from their seats and disabled the assailant?

    Canada.

  29. #29
    On February 16th, 2010 at 7:55 am, Ron said:

    I didn’t know Keither Olbermann was even at the Olympics…

  30. #30
    On February 16th, 2010 at 8:01 am, GladzKravtz said:

    I wish that I could have been there.

    Yes, and captured the moment on your cell!

    Romney = class.

  31. #31
    On February 16th, 2010 at 8:08 am, AmericaFirst said:

    jamesgreenidge said:
    MM, why not a heads-up alert on your page of when you’re appearing on TV?

    Yea, she needs to offer a cell text message service. Something like this, “50 time winner of the The Worst Person In The World award to appear on Fox News Hannity at 9:00PM”. I’ll see if I can find Olbermann’s cell number and get him on the notification list. Maybe when he is doing his live show it will go off and he’ll have another thing to cry and rant about.

    ***

    Everyone knows the stewardesses require Seats UP and Belts on prior to take-off. I hope the passengers sue this idiot and he is put on the No Fly list. But don’t count on it with deranged liberals running TSA and Homeland NoSecurity.

  32. #32
    On February 16th, 2010 at 8:21 am, Hulka said:

    texvet2:

    You can’t blame everything that happens on Biden.

    Why not. . .they blame Bush for everything.

    ;-)

  33. #33
    On February 16th, 2010 at 8:23 am, Buy Danish said:

    Kudafa -

    Did CAIR send you out with that idiotic talking point? I ask, because they seem to have their own rules about what’s appropriate behavior on airplanes, and so do you.

  34. #34
    On February 16th, 2010 at 8:25 am, Jeff2161 said:

    O, Canada !

  35. #35
    On February 16th, 2010 at 8:34 am, valleygreaser said:

    You can’t blame everything that happens on Biden.

    True. I blame Obama.

  36. #36
    On February 16th, 2010 at 8:39 am, mytake said:

    He asked him to put his seat up for takeoff. That is a law. I personally don’t mind when someone puts their seat back because at 65 I have to change the seat position often to keep my back from hurting.

  37. #37
    On February 16th, 2010 at 9:01 am, GladzKravtz said:

    When someone in front of me drops their seatback after takeoff, I have to start Yoga breathing control.
    Otherwise, I’m sitting there staring a hole through the back of someone’s head and seething!
    Works for me. :smile:

  38. #38
    On February 16th, 2010 at 9:16 am, richflanj said:

    On February 15th, 2010 at 10:50 pm, vickisoup said:

    Nancy Pelosi should take note of that and change her ugly carbon footprint.

    Actually, it would be a hoofprint.

  39. #39
    On February 16th, 2010 at 9:24 am, BOB said:

    Biden motorcade runs over Peggy Fleming?

    Just when I thought I couldn’t dislike Joe more…this happens?

    lol

  40. #40
    On February 16th, 2010 at 9:29 am, prendad said:

    Congratulations to Mr. Romney for keeping his head straight. I have no patience with puffed-up ass-wipes such as this and probably would have ended up in hospital having my fist surgically removed from this guys throat.

  41. #41
    On February 16th, 2010 at 9:37 am, Old Country Boy said:

    I have found that properly placed knees will prevent most idiots from reclining their seats.

    Keith Obermann does participate in the Olympics. He is a bronze medalist in the Special Olympics.

  42. #42
    On February 16th, 2010 at 10:28 am, Elm Creek Smith said:

    I keep trying to think of an alternative response for Mr. Romney, but the words “beat down” keep popping into my brain. Trying to remain civilized in the face of uncivil behavior is more than my psyche can handle. Must be my military background.

    ECS

  43. #43
    On February 16th, 2010 at 10:39 am, Dexter Alarius said:

    Hey! You have to put your seatback up for Take Off, eh, you hoser!

  44. #44
    On February 16th, 2010 at 11:16 am, MarcoPolo said:

    On February 15th, 2010 at 11:17 pm, d1carter said:

    Romney should have punched his lights out…would have helped his cred.

    Don’t you remember the debates? Romney clearly stated he won’t make any defensive maneuvers until he consults the lawyers.

  45. #45
    On February 16th, 2010 at 12:30 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Romney should have punched his lights out…would have helped his cred./

    A nice photo op tossing the guy onto the tarmac.

  46. #46
    On February 16th, 2010 at 1:09 pm, kudafa said:

    Danish #38. Sure would like to respond, but your post is so devoid of thought as to make any sense. Possibly you live in Camp Snoopy, where a cloudy day is a threat to you. I say again, if the guy was drunk, loud & stupid, that does not make him violent. Later reporting indicated he took a swing at Mitt. Totally different event, & not known at the time I posted.

  47. #47
    On February 16th, 2010 at 2:40 pm, happy2behere said:

    Rather gallant of Mr. Romney, as the offender was invading Mrs. Romney’s space. I find that kind of behavior quite endearing.

  48. #48
    On February 16th, 2010 at 9:52 pm, yohannbiimu said:

    Mitt Romney is 62? Geez, he’s terribly well-preserved!

  49. #49
    On February 16th, 2010 at 10:25 pm, Republicanvet said:

    The man sitting in front of Mr. Romney’s wife dropped his seat back and when Mr. Romney asked him to move it upright for takeoff, the man became “physically violent.” Another report said that the man tried to strike Mr. Romney.

    So which university does this nutball take up space at?

  50. #50
    On February 16th, 2010 at 10:31 pm, Republicanvet said:

    On February 16th, 2010 at 12:30 am, William said:

    Nevertheless, when anything like this happens we should see the entire aircraft full of passengers and crew out of their seats and disabling the assailant IMMEDIATELY, without beating around the bush, thus establishing who is in control. The “Hint” would be “Not the thugs!”

    Sorta like Airplane! Lining up in the aisles.

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