Romney’s Horton Problem
Boston Herald coverage:
Prior to Daniel Tavares Jr.’s Monday arrest in Washington for a grisly double murder, authorities there warned former Gov. Mitt Romney he should be on high alert in Seattle for the convicted killer who had once threatened to assassinate him, a source told the Herald.
Romney, who spent Thanksgiving with his family at their Lake Winnipesaukee, N.H., summer home, yesterday called on Superior Court Judge Kathe Tuttman - his own judicial nominee - to answer for her decision to free Tavares last summer on personal recognizance, as national media jumped on the story and political bloggers threatened to turn it into a hot-button campaign issue.
“Judge Tuttman’s entire experience as a prosecutor suggested she would be a law and order judge,” said Romney’s spokesman, Eric Fehrnstrom, in a statement. “Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been appointed. Only she can explain why she released Daniel Tavares without bail. It’s inexcusable and she should answer for it.”
Blog Buzz: Will Tavares Case Scuttle Mitt?
Political strategists and bloggers were abuzz yesterday with speculation about whether a Bay State judge’s decision to set free a convicted killer would scuttle Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign in the same way the infamous Willie Horton case undid Michael Dukakis’ White House bid two decades ago.
…
One of Dukakis’ strategists at the time, Michael Goldman, now believes Romney’s opponents could seize the Daniel Tavares Jr. case.
“It was certainly unfair that Michael Dukakis got the blame, and whether it’s fair or not, this is going to be laid at Romney’s door,” Goldman said. “The governor has no problem taking credit for things during his tenure that he had nothing to do with, so this is fair game for his opponents - though he may not have anything to do with it.”
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Goldman said Dukakis’ failure to issue a direct response was “a major reason he was perceived to be out of step with the American people.”
“Disruptive” Con Earned Good Behavior Time Off
Daniel Tavares Jr., sentenced to 17-20 years for murdering his mother, was released from prison early with “good time” despite records that describe him as a “disruptive” inmate who assaulted guards and threatened to kill state officials, including then-Gov. Mitt Romney.
Columnist Peter Gelzinis, Dukakis spares Mitt his “Willie Horton” moment.
Prior, Mitt Hit and Mass Stupidity.
Topics: crime, pols, punishment
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 9:23 am on Friday, November 23, 2007
3 Responses to “Romney’s Horton Problem”
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November 23rd, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Others beyond Romney and this judge are responsible for this outrage. Everyone who attempts to make victims of violent offenders owns a part.
Where’s Roy Bean when you need him?
November 23rd, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Because he appointed her, doesn’t mean Romney can control whatever Tuttman does. The problem is a judicial system that has come to protect criminal “rights” over the right of society to be protected from crime.
November 26th, 2007 at 3:00 am
I don’t remember Dukakis condemning the folks that furloughed Willy Horton but I did hear Romney say that this judge should resign for letting Tavares out on his own recognizance. It doesn’t matter who appointed her, the fact that she screwed up horribly requires that the appointing agency should ask her to step down. Another take.