Updated: Mitt Romney Hands out Subs to Voters in Waukesha
Democrats allege "subs-for-votes" bribery after politicians appear at Cousins Subs in Waukesha. GOP presidential candidate thanks supporters and says they have a lot of work ahead of them as they aim to remove President Barack Obama from the White House.
Update, 2:30 p.m. Tuesday: The Democratic Party of Wisconsin is alleging that Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan committed election bribary by offering "subs-for-votes." Patch will have more updates about their accusations as soon as more information is available.
Original: Mitt Romney was handing out sub sandwiches to voters in Waukesha, courtesy of Cousins Subs, with Congressman Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, who has stuck by Romney’s side while he has been campaigning in Wisconsin. Romney handed voters turkey subs while Ryan handed them the ham sandwiches.
Later, the pair encouraged the crowd to get out and vote. They also took the chance to criticize President Barack Obama as Romney is the likely winner of the GOP nomination.
“Today is a very special day for us as Wisconsinites, because it is Primary Day,” said Ryan, who endorsed Romney late last week. “It is a very special day for the Republican Party. It is a very special day for America. We are witnessing another day in which we have a president who is really good at giving good speeches. The problem with our president is he is not good at leadership. He is not good at solving problems.”
Romney thanked supporters who already voted and said his campaign has a lot of work ahead of them as they eye the White House.
“The president has been busy over the last couple of days doing what he likes to do a great deal, which is finding somebody to blame for his own problems,” said Romney, to which the crowd chuckled. “If you are going by the gas station these days, it is kind of a frightening experience. Your credit card may max out. The pump may stop if it hits $100. … It is a tough time. And so the president put an ad out yesterday talking about gasoline prices and how high they are. Guess who he blamed? Me!”
Meanwhile, Tracy Davies, of Mukwonago, saw the signs for Romney at Cousins Subs on Pearl Street as she was driving her two children – Taylor, 2, and Andrew, 5 – from swimming lessons. They stopped for a sub and posed for pictures with Romney.
“They thought it was amazing,” Davies said.
Waukesha County Executive Dan Vrakas was also at Cousins Subs where he talked about the impact Wisconsin will play on the GOP candidate. Wisconsin is fortunate to play a part in the nomination process.
“I think a lot of people thought that at this time a candidate would have been chosen and Wisconsin would have lost its relevancy in the primary. It is the opposite,” Vrakas said. “Tonight I think you are going to see candidates make decisions, major decisions, and I am going to predict a Gov. Romney victory in Wisconsin.”
While Vrakas said he hadn’t made an endorsement, “I am going to be supporting Romney,” he said.
Keep checking back with Patch for Election Day updates, including unofficial results at the end of the evening. For by-the-minute updates and to ask Patch editors questions, be sure to visit our live presidential primary blog.
St. Swithin
12:53 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Why does the guy in the suit look so constipated? Is he Secret Service?
Did Romney walk across the bypass and work the counter at City News and Video as well? Just to show what a regular guy he is, you know.
TOM
8:07 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
THE DEMOCRATES HAULED AROUND BUMS AND WINO'S GAVE THEM CIGGARETTES FOR VOTES WHATS THE BIG DEAL
widdie broo
1:30 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
cl*t romney
Monty Thompson
1:57 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Yes, and furthermore the only reason democrats ever win is that they buy the votes of their constituency with welfare money, food stamps, affirmative action, and now free health care (I know nothing is free, us working mean spirited people have to pay for it)
Randy1949
2:18 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
@Monty -- A lot of working people don't get health care from their employers. If you get health insurance from your employer, then the rest of us are paying for it through the increased costs of whatever it is you do or sell.
The only reason Republicans win is by promising tax cuts and prosperity. Except the prosperity isn't for 90% of the people who are tricked into voting for them.
Randy1949
10:45 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Cousins Subs, eh? I'll remember that. And shouldn't Paul Ryan have known that was not precisely legal? I'll give a pass to Mitt, who isn't from around here, but Ryan is different.
Clark
7:13 am on Thursday, April 5, 2012
Get a clue!! They always have food at rally's. Now, driving them to the polls or allowing the dead to vote- those are illegal democratic ways!!
Gary K
1:03 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Either way, Ryan or Romney anyone that has over a first grade education or even can rationalize in their head and isn't brain dead would know that this is just politics. IF they were handing out thousands of dollars or hundred dollar bills then I'd say you have something to complain about but just picking up lunch is just a friendly act and part of the political process. If you are upset about this and will close your eyes to the repayment of donations to companies like Solyndra or other companies that are getting billions then going bankrupt then you are truly exponentially Hypocritical. If you want to talk about some Illegal you should look at the current Administration and our current Justice Departments acts of not prosecuting the voting rights offenses against the New Black Panther Party for their offenses in Philadelphia or the money that Obama donors are getting in grants. You will ignore all this but complain about a free sandwich and expect to get some credible consideration? Give me a break.
Randy1949
1:24 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Yeah, it's just politics, but it happens to be against the law, especially on election day. I was going to ask, even before the story was updated and the state Dems made their objection, how this was different from the cigarettes for votes scandal ten years ago?
The difference is that ten years ago it was an overzealous party worker who got into trouble for it. This time it was the candidate himself, and standing next to him was a Wisconsin native who should have warned him rather than hand out ham to Romney's turkey.
I had to laugh at everyone on The Ed Show getting the name of the sub shop wrong when there was a big 'Cousins' sign right up there on the wall and a shot of the CEO herself fawning over Romney.
widdie broo
1:34 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
poor lil sh-itt romney
Corvette Trish
1:08 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
In the article there is no mention of Mitt telling the people to vote for him for a sandwich....ergo, you are twisting in the wind again. I have a seen many politicians do exactly what they did, so I don't think it is such a big deal. Oh, did you know that the demo's went around picking up indiginous people to vote for Obana?
widdie broo
1:28 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
poor romney
widdie broo
1:34 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
poor poor mitt
RNak
1:17 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
You have got to be kidding me. Obama is promising jobs, new kitchens, free healthcare, lower oceans levels, leeway to Russia regarding nuclear missle defense, and an end to racism if you vote for him.
widdie broo
1:27 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
poor romney
jimmy putnam
1:56 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
It's illegal--however, it would take a very weak person to SELL their vote for a sub.
Randy1949
2:20 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Or a pack of cigarettes.
Luke
7:15 am on Thursday, April 5, 2012
Well, if you're going to buy my vote, try Mexican food.