[ad_1]
The Guardian
Romney: impeachment quarrel with another Republican was about ‘boxers or briefs’
The Utah senator downplays heated discussions with Ron Johnson and insists they discussed underwear preferences Mitt Romney arrives on Capitol Hill on Saturday. Johnson complained that the exchange was reported, telling reporters: ‘It is preposterous that you are recording this. Photograph: Stefani Reynolds / AFP / Getty Images Mitt Romney suggested on Saturday that a heated argument he allegedly had with a Republican colleague in the Senate chamber was not over whether witnesses should be called in Donald Trump’s impeachment trial – but about age – old question: “Boxers against memories”. After a surprise decision by House directors on Saturday morning, Romney was one of five Republicans to vote for calling witnesses. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin was among 45 people still supporting their former president, who was later acquitted of inciting the deadly insurgency on the U.S. Capitol on January 6. But before a deal was made to avoid calling witnesses, Romney and Johnson were seen engaging in a fierce exchange. Quoting Jason Donner, a Fox News producer, Andrew Desiderio, a Politico reporter, tweeted: “Ron Johnson turned to Mitt Romney and was angry with him, even pointing fingers at him once. Johnson was visibly upset … “They came and went with [Alaska senator Dan] Sullivan in the midst of them. I heard Johnson say to Romney, “You blame it.” The voices have definitely risen. Johnson complained that the exchange was reported, telling reporters: “It’s ludicrous that you are recording this.” Journalists stressed that the exchange took place in public, in the Senate. Romney sought to defuse the line, telling reporters it was about underwear preferences. “We were arguing between the boxers and the briefs,” he reportedly said. In fact, as an observer member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Romney has been seen wearing a “temple garment” under his clothing. Some public figures have been convicted of making fun of two-piece underwear as “Mormon magic underpants”. Church members view this mockery as prejudice and offensive. In 2012, with Romney running for the White House and singer Cher having trouble making fun of his underwear, a media outlet offered a guide to clothing. On Saturday, however, for anyone looking to use the guidebook to guess which side of the “boxers versus memoir” argument Romney might have taken against Johnson, enlightenment remained elusive. “Clothes today are in two parts,” BuzzFeed News reported. “A white undershirt and white boxer style shorts.”
[ad_2]
Source link