By late yesterday afternoon, the Romney campaign was in the middle of a political firestorm, stemming from secretly-recorded comments the candidate made at a fundraiser. In the video, Romney is seen expressing contempt for nearly the half the country, chastising the elderly and the working families who don't pay federal income taxes for considering themselves "victims" who fail to "take personal responsibility."
Late last night, the Republican candidate delivered a brief statement, hoping to quell the controversy (this is a slightly longer version of the clip Tricia posted earlier).
For those who can't watch clips online, the full transcript of his comments is available, but the key part of the statement is the fact that Romney simply endorsed everything seen in the clip. He conceded his recorded comments were "not elegantly stated," and were delivered "off the cuff," but nevertheless recommitted himself to the underlying sentiment.
As a reporter asked, "Governor, are all of the things you said in the video things you believe? Are those core convictions?" Romney walked off the stage.
Also note, Romney argued that this kind of rhetoric is routine, suggesting the argument is something he talks about "a good deal in rallies and speeches and so forth." That's not quite right -- I've read the transcripts of hundreds of Romney speeches and addresses, and I've never heard express divisive contempt for nearly the half the country.
It's true that the argument isn't unique -- plenty on the right talk like this all the time -- it's just not something Romney personally repeats in public. As Dave Weigel put it, "This is Tea Party rhetoric churned into something new and stupid."
Last week, given a chance to walk back his dishonest exploitation of American deaths in Libya, Romney chose to double down on the offensive smear. Last night, Romney was again given a chance to walk back his disdainful remarks about nearly half the country, and again, he doubled down. I guess he takes the whole "no apologies" thing rather literally.
The arrogance, the hyper-elitism, the tone-deaf political skills ... it's all just breathtaking.
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A man who straps his dog to the top of his car and throws half of Americans under it should not be President.
The thing is, this is the core gospel conviction of the I Got Mine Party country club types--and it seems to get worse the more generations they are removed from the person who actually made the money that put the family in the top ten percent. It's the recurring theme of one of our regular trolls.
And its understandable in a way because telling yourself that half the population are government cheese eating parasites living the life of Reilly off the lifeblood of the job creating entrepreneurs and investors who are the fountainhead all that is good is a really excellent way to rationalize away any feelings of, say, civic mindedness or social responsibility or empathy that might otherwise make you feel like a total @!$%# for talking that way.
Check out where those 47% freeloaders live.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021366776
Looks like Romney's base.
That is really interesting although what you would expect. It is powerful to see it in that format. The problem is that 98% of the "base" of the republican party does not realize that Romney has disdain for them. Hear is another way to look at it: 98% of the Republican party needs to realize that if the Romney's were on a road trip and for some reason the waste disposal system on their luxury coach was broken they would not deem the home of most Americans as worthy of taking a dump in. Let alone have any respect for most regular people - that is the gulf between this candidate and the real economic interests of most republicans - not sure why they do not see that but it is a fact.
"...consumer-driven" economy NEEDS consumers. the trickle-down theory of economics has resulted in decimating the consumer base.
It is Romney who has an entitlement mentality. He thinks that only the rich are entitled to health care and food. He believes that he is entitled to be President and that no one is entitled to know what his policies will be or to see his tax returns; we people should just trust him. After all, his wife thinks he’s wonderful! NOT GOING TO HAPPEN MITT!
And don't forget-- she "LOVES YOU WOMEN"!!!!!!!!!!!
See those women at the RNC aren't all those entitled, poor riff raff of that other party!!
Poor riff raff I think Mittens and Ann are refering to people of color here but do not want to actually say that. Notice how white the RNC was?
A friend has a bumper sticker that says, "Old white woman for Barack Obama!" I'm so jealous ...
As a veteran treated by the VA and a drawer of a small SS check I still work to survive. I pay 13.9% of profits to the IRS in self employment tax, down from 15.9%, under Bush, but no income tax. Am I just lazy Mr. Rmoney, or am I entitled to the free care I earned? I would be dead without it, and you could save my lousy SS check.
As far as I am concerned you and any other military personnel deserve the finest health care available. The rest of us are able to live productive lives because you were willing to fight for your country. I cannot imagine what serving in Iraq or Afganistan would be like let alone doing it while others are trying to kill you every chance they get. In my book you deserve a free ride for the rest of your life because you have given far more for this country then Mittens ever will.
Thank you for your service, Ken... we vets are well-loved by the Republican Party, as long as we're young enough to be used as cannon-fodder, but after we're no longer in uniform, we're lazy, shiftless folks that don't want to work...
Yet so many, when this is mentioned, either ignore it or double-down....
*sigh*... so when did the otherwise amusing "People of Wal-mart" stuff become instructional videos?
These 1 percenter country club types give new meaning to the term soulless parasites! (See also Mad dog radio "personality" Michael Savage's diatribe against country clubber Ann Romney. He hysterically blames her for Willard's problems on the campaign trail!!)
"ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED???"
I would be far more entertained if it weren't the future of our country at stake.
Sad, but true.
One of the most fun things about this: the whole modern GOP is predicated on No-Apologies-Ever and T.E.A.M. Thus: Gov. Romney doubles-down at last night's disaster of a presser. And the right-wing team mobilizes to back him up on this bit of truth-as-they-see-it-telling.
Thus, Reince Priebus supports Gov. Romney on his 47-ness. Tying the entire GOP to the roof of the station wagon. Putting both the House and Senate back into play for the Dems.
And how can one not love this, from His Hairness :
Donald Trump: Mitt Romney shouldn't apologize
This morning brings bountiful new examples for explaining the meaning of schadenfreude, eh ?
Plutocrat Mitt Romney has finally revealed his core, his inner person. He has completely written off 47% of the American population. The elderly, the disabled, the people who make less than $20,000 a year are the citizens he holds in contempt. Mr. Romney is profoundly unqualified to hold the office of president of the United States. Those of you still inclined to vote for an empty vessel such as he….will be getting the caliber of president you richly deserve.
What is the worst thing about this comment is the media's giving him a pass on this - and yes they are giving him a pass - they are already explaining it away for him with stupid stupid stupid comments that the 47% not paying income tax are true and asking the President's campaign staff about the role of govt after a comment like this by a pres candidate from the opponent???!!! Does the media really think that is what Romney's statement meant?? The media is so concerned about being tagged as liberal (which is one of the most powerful lies by the right b/c it scares the hell out of the media who wants to be if anything seen as fair) that they are allowing comments by Romney on foreign policy and now on his fellow citizens that are this out of bounds to go over this easily. The media should be aggressively following up on I do not know about 1,000 questions in a row on the part of the speech that we have all heard and not allowing him to tweak the statement and make it seem not so bad - this is a massive failure of the 4th estate - the majority of the media is painfully afraid of the right.
I previously thought CNN was "in the tank" for Romney, but not after what I saw this morning. They were ripping him a new @!$%# for what he said. And some supporter was arguing that it was the same as Obama's "clinging to their guns and bibles" statement in the 08 campaign. And the CNN reporters just totally shredded that argument. And when you lose CNN...
And, just how are you going to do these things you say you are going to do? I haven't heard 1 word about Romney's plan.
I am just flabbergasted on how ANYONE wouuld still vote for that traitor. I'd love to hear arguments for Romney after this video was released.
Wasn't it the Republicans who accused the Dems of class baiting and class wars? It is patently obvious who really resents and disdains who here. If Romney honestly thinks that everone who doesn't pay income tax is an Obama voter, that they are sononymous, he is an idiot as well as an elitist. I hope the irony that Romney keeps his money overseas to avoid his own tax burden is not lost on the American people. I am begging you: PLEASE go out and get registered and vote this November! I really want to believe that we as a society are not stupid enough to elect a man who does not like, respect or care about half of the populace of this country. It seems quite clear to me that he wants to be King, not President.
Remember those "quiet rooms" Romney referred to a while back?
I think we found one.
HAHA Good one Romney.............. I will bet that more of us pay taxes than you think..Taxes taken out of my SS and my Husbands. Taxes taken out of his pension.State and Federal taken out of every thing we purchase...etc.. And guess what ..we some times we get very little of that back when we file our taxes...Its not that we all don't pay our fair share.... The Government does not know how to manage it. And just think of the BILLIONS of dollars we send to other countries.. For what.. so they can buyguns, etc to kill Americans..
Huge problem with Mitt's statement is it is all about the other. He is not making a factual point about federal income taxes people!! He is saying that if you are under the federal poverty line you are a parasite and further if you are for the President you are one of them as well and that anyone who benefits from the govt is a freeloader which would include first responders, nurses, teachers, firefighters, the entire military, all govt contractors (see Northrup Grumman), etc. The bottom line if Mitt was in a tight spot and really needed to relive himself he would not consider the home of most Americans as worthy to take a dump in. Hell the hired help of the Romney's would look down their nose at most folks homes or lack of homes. And yes Mr. or Mrs. Small Business man or woman I hope this does not hurt your feelings but Daddy Mitt feels the same way about you. Listen up poor to middle class white rural south: If you run a local pizza parlor, corner grocery, or any other true small business - you might even think you are well off but to Mitt you are just a few steps from a parasite. Do you really think he is with you? He wouldn't eat in your establishment (unless forced to on a campaign event) or take a dump in your homes - but you will probably vote for him.
Dear editors,can someone go over this article again? I didn't get past the typo in the first sentence.
"...comments the candidate made a fundraiser."
Welcome Jennifer! Steve is more about content; we don't pick on his typo's.
As a reporter asked, "Governor, are all of the things you said in the video things you believe? Are those core convictions?" Romney walked off the stage.
He had to walk off the stage without answering.
He HAS no core convictions.
Does Romney not know how the electoral college works, or is he just talking down to us? He doesn't need 50.1% of the popular vote. He needs 270 electoral votes.
Mitt's press conference last night reminded me of Bogie's great court-martial scene in The Caine Mutiny, when Captain Queeg melts down. Only thing missing is the metal balls rolling around in Mitt's mitt...
Come on people...I don't see a thing wrong with this video clip of Mr. Romney's speech. He is simply saying his plans for helping the economy are not as appealing to citizens who pay little or no taxes. How could he have possibly said that any more gently or tactfully? And, by the way, I do feel (according to my experience working with the public as a nurse) that too many people living in America feel they are entitled to too much and the government is supposed to provide them with these wants yet they don't want to pay more taxes either. Everyone may need a little help from the government for a little while when falling upon hard times, but then you dust yourself off, get up, and make a better life for yourself. My father and grandfather taught me that if you want something then you have to work for it. God Bless Mitt Romney and all his supporters for offering Americans a chance to return to a country we can be proud of again.
Welcome Stacy! Come back in 40 years after Romney/Ryan took away your Social Security and Medicare and see if you have the same opinions. But thanks for playing.
Willard Mitt Romney's venality keeps ballooning to Cheney-like proportions. If WMR's not careful he'll need a new heart too. (Maybe one he can share with Ryan!)
So is it 24 million new jobs or 12 million? you said both in your statement??
To Stacy H:
Oh yes... May "God Bless Mitt Romney and all his supporters for offering Americans a chance"...to keep their elitist, corporate raiding, Republican shill as far away from the Oval Office as possible!!! His shambling circus of political theatre called a "campaign" is wondrously advancing that cause. Only 49 more days for them to transmogrify their candidate into something resembling a human being! ( cue up theme music to Mission: Impossible)
"Are you a member of any organized political party?"
"No, I'm a Republican!"