It was late Monday when the political world first learned in earnest about the Mitt Romney video showing the Republican writing off 47 percent of the country, chastising them for considering themselves "victims" and failing to "take personal responsibility." President Obama, his White House, and his campaign have generally said very little about the controversy since.
That changed last night when the president sat down with David Letterman, and the host asked about the story. Obama's comments offered a pretty big hint as to how Democrats intend to use the controversy going forward.
For those who can't watch clips online, I've included the transcript below, but it's worth emphasizing that while the president used a light touch, his indictment wasn't subtle.
Obama said he understands the importance of using his office to "work for everybody," as if to say Romney's secretly-recorded remarks prove otherwise. Indeed, the president's comments painted a picture of a candidate who's not only prepared to blow off nearly half of the country, but who doesn't even understand the needs of working people -- the folks Romney believes see themselves as "victims" looking for a handout.
The message going forward, then, is one that presents Romney as so hopelessly out of touch, he's prepared to ignore the plight of working families nationwide -- because he only sees himself as a candidate for some Americans, not all.
Expect to hear quite a bit more along these lines.
Here's a transcript of the clip:
"When I won in 2008, 47 percent voted for John McCain; they didn't vote for me. And what I said on election night was even though you didn't vote for me, I hear your voices and I'm going to work as hard as I can to be your president.
"One of the things I learned as president is you represent the entire country. When I meet Republicans as I'm traveling around the country, they are hard-working, family people who care deeply about this country, and my expectation is that if you want to be president, you've got to work for everybody. Not just for some.
"The other thing you discover is, as you travel around the country, the American people, they work so hard. The progress we've made since the Great Recession, the progress we've made since the great recession is because you've got single moms out there who are working two, three jobs to help make sure their kids can go to college. And you've got small business owners who are keeping their doors open and keeping their employees on even though it means they may not be taking down a salary. And you go up to Detroit or Toledo and you see auto workers who take huge pride in the fact that they're bouncing back. But they work hard. And you don't meet anybody who doesn't believe in the American dream and the fact that nobody's entitled to success, that you've got to work hard, and so I promise you, there are not a lot of people out there who think they're victims, there are not a lot of people who think that they're entitled to something.
"What I think the majority of people, Democrats and Republicans, believe is that we've got some obligations to each other, and there's nothing wrong with us giving each other a helping hand, so that if there's that single mom's kid, even after all the work she's done, still can't afford to go to college, for us to be able to give them, you know, some help on a student loan so they can end up being, curing the next disease or making sure that they're starting the next Google, I think that's a good investment for America, and that's, if you want to be president and you want to bring people together, I think that's the attitude that you've got to have."
Though it's not in the clip, Obama added that voters understand "mistakes" on the campaign trail, but what "people want to make sure of though is that you're not writing off a big chunk of the country."
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Most importantly in all of this, Romney and his disgusting comments show the deep level of arrogance and elitism that permeates Mitt's soul and the soul of the GOP. These are rich men that truly see the majority of this country as worthless slugs not deserving of a job, health care, protection, their time as political and business leaders -- and not deserving of rights, either. Mitt is an out of touch multi-millionaire that has never had to experience the true struggles of daily American life in his entire privileged existence. - pprogressive
Which in itself is an amazing disconnect. Who do you think your customers are Mr. Corporate person .
If we stop buying your Chinese crap at Walmart because you want to pay subsistence wages who will keep you in business?
This may be slightly off topic. When I viewed that video a second time, I couldn't help being intrigued at the sight of the catering staff WORKING HARD to serve food and fill water glasses. I wonder if they were listening to what romney was saying. I wonder if the paying guests were even aware of them as they labored only inches away. Someone in media should find these people and ask them how much fun they had that night. It is a good story and a legitimate pursuit of answers. These people are witnesses and I for one would like to know how they felt as romney trashed them.
Romney said last night, "I think people would like to be paying taxes." What the hell?!! I thought his platform was based on people not wanting to pay taxes.
I'm Mitt Romney and I approve my incompetence.
"I think people would like to be paying taxes."
Only if they're not rich and corporately connected. He's not willing to pony up any money, but US serfs we should relish the privilege of paying for his largesse!
Romney said last night, "I think people would like to be paying taxes."
Does that include Mr. and Mrs. Corporation People, my friends?
Matt Elmore .t'was brillig and the slythey toves did gire and gimble in the wabe...love mitt
Isn't it ironic that Romney regards the 47 percenters as victims looking for a handout when he himself has also paid little to possibly no federal income tax in recent years thinking of himself as a victim of being taxed unfairly perhaps? The biggest difference is that Romney has an end-run around avoiding paying such taxes whereas the lower income folks rarely have that option.
Whew, what else is there to say other than: To the polls, to the polls to re-elect President Barack Obama! Oh, and while we're at it, let's vote for every nonRepublican on the down ballot!
For the past four years, millionaires and billionaires, their FOX and Friends, and their stooges in the "Tea Party" have been trying to "take back" their country - nudge nudge say no more! This November, we have the chance to vote sanity back into our bodypolitic by voting out the Republican Rascals!
I guess, simply by observation, there seems to be two nations competing politically here in America - the United States of America v. the Fox Nation! -Kevo
Try as hard as he can strong jawed Mitt Romney just cannot make America pine for dear old Georgie Porgie .
Running a national campaign can be difficult, but no more so, I presume, than earning[?] and hiding a massive fortune. GW did not have that problem. Popi Bush handles the family's off- shore assets.
Sheesh, just the kind of thinking one would expect from a man that has made a life out of serving people rather than chasing the almighty dollar.
Just because the president is a civil servant that takes an oath of office to serve the country ......
I usually agree with the President, but he's dead wrong here:
There are Americans who think they're victims and think they're entitled to something. We cal them "the 1%" -- the uber-right moguls who see every other American as a potential robber, who delude themselves into thinking "I built this by the sweat of my brow alone", who don't understand that being able to attend college because you can sell stock your father gave means you did inherit -- a lot!
Please check your observation: 1% = "not a lot of people!" Our dear President's point, subtly nudged along!
Oh, and about that victimhood thing - ever met an uber-rich fellow who wasn't a tad afraid he would fall victim to any sort of malfeasance should he have to muddle around with the hoi polloi?
I feel sorry for Mitt Romney - all that money and nowhere to go on the campaign trail!-Kevo
Mike "Dirty Jobs" Rowe was on Morning Joe today, and touched upon Mitt's inability to connect with the average American.
And then an extensive clip of Obama on Letterman was run. The President was at ease, comfortable with who he is. His wife said it best. " Being president doesn't change who you are – it reveals who you are."
The same can be said of a certain Republican running for President!
Thanks for the great post. It strikes to the heart of all this tit for tat chit chat and lord bless Michelle for being so insightful.
It seems Ol' Mitt was responsible for creating quite a few victims himself...causing these victims to use...OMG...un-employment insurance, and when that runs out there is only welfare, foodstamps, and dumpster diving or illegal activities, just because the obstuctionistas in congress absolutely refuse to help us or anyone Mitt doesn't feel is worthy. We don't need any stinking safety net, we gots bootstraps.
P.S. Rachael or Steve...please relay a message to Chuck Todd...you really suck.
add andrea mitchell to that suk list too.
Hey! Funny that nowhere on MSNBC do you hear anything about Obama's strong belief in redistribution of the wealth. He point blank says he believes in it and leads that way too. Explains all of the class warfare that he engages in now doesn't. I am definitely not rich, but I don't hate or begrudge the rich of anything that they have. I am glad to have any job that they may provide and hope to someday join their ranks. Anyone in America that has a little know-how, imagination, and is willing to work hard and take some risk can make it in America. Americans want to whine and moan that it is just not fair, and the rich are horrible people and on, and on, and on. Wahhhh! I am amazed at how many new immigrants come here and because they are not used to entitlement programs, are able to do without for awhile as their business grows, and know what hard work is they become quite wealthy in a short time. I have talked to many of these individuals. Obama is killing that spirit. His redistribute the wealth mentality is making America mediocre. What a sad state of affairs!
redistribution of wealth - i like how someone came up with that phrase as a way of saying taking what's mine and giving it to someone else.
this is all centered around going back to the old tax rates - the way they were when the economy was booming - instead of the way they were when the economy fell.
the deal was there would be a tax cut for a while and then the rates would go back and now, all of a sudden, it's 'redistribution of wealth."
on second thought, you're right, it is a redistribution of wealth. that unpaid for tax cut came at the expense of folks who couldn't afford it and their wealth, meager as it was, was redistributed to people of means who then didn't go out and hire anyone - so now it's time to give it back.
i don't spend any of my time wishing i had romney's wealth, or anyone else's, i do think about how i can make my own way and have my own financial independence. It's interesting how you've taken his tone: you work had but 'americans what to whine and moan' I'm an american and I neither whine or moan.
what better investment can a government make than in its people? if that means for those who need it, the government can make that dream more possible, isn't that a great use of the resource?
you really think america mediocrity started in 2008? then you need to grab a really good history book and start on page one. after that, you need to get a really good book on economics and take a look at the times when the economy was great and the times when it wasn't and see how we moved out of it.
your desire to join the ranks of the rich shouldn't cloud your knowledge. you especially need to be aware of how many rich people wouldn't be rich if there wasn't some government program, tax code or intervention that assisted them - including romney. he doesn't tell you that part but it's there to be found.
if people can become wealthy in a short time just by working hard, then there would be far less poor people because people do work hard - some don't need to be wealthy - that's not how they measure success.
the sad state of affairs is your willingness to look down your not yet wealthy nose at other people.
Oh, thank you, Mr. Rich Man, for noticing me. Let me smooch upon your behind in hopes that you'll throw a few crumbs my way. No, please, I would much rather YOU get a tax break - I don't need one. My kid doesn't have to eat three times a day; once is plenty, especially for a little moocher like him who doesn't even have a job. Being 4 is no excuse for laziness!!
Oh, by the way, thanks so much for all the job creating you have done. I have 2 of those jobs myself and, even though they're both minimum wage, I know that one day I'll be as rich as you and then I'll get the tax breaks. It may take a few thousand years, but I'm not afraid of hard work!!
Thanks for listening and I really hope I didn't dent your Bentley when you ran over me. Have fun visiting your money in Bermuda!!
Skippy, thanks for starting my day off with a laugh. :) You said it so well I'm not adding a thing!! LOL
@jes33 - I take it you donate the tax cut in your pocket, courtesy of Pres. Obama, to Mitt Romney's campaign, so that Romney can raise your taxes if elected? Because if you're not actually independently wealthy, that's the "logic" of your argument.
Seriously, what Romney/Ryan sneer at as "redistribution," translates to "We're not going to be able to game the system anymore, dodge taxes, and hide our money offshore. We may actually even have to pay the same tax rate as everyeone else! Hmn - how can we get the base out there to keep making up the difference for our share?... hmn... "re-distribution, that's the ticket!"
That "redistribution" comment was made about 15 years ago and a search of his record does not show that he ever acted on it - not in the Illinois Senate, the US Senate or the White House. It looks like experience moderated his position. How many years in the White House do you think it would take for Mitt Romney to get some respect for the 47% of the people in this country that do all the work?
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Why is it ok for corporations to manipulate the system to redistribute the wealth upward not immoral. You neglect to mention how CEO pay went from 20x worker pay to over 250x all the while crying about the workers getting too much enhances your dream. The Feds are now investigating how one vulture capital firm tried to dump its pension obligation onto the Fed. thru bankruptcy and then rebuy the company without the debt. Do you truly believe the Koch brothers give a damn if a pipeline pollutes your aquifer? Your company may never be raided by Bain or run out of business by a bigger company ie Walmart, Starbucks, or HP. I hope you do not ever have to face that.
I've been wondering lately if Romney himself couldn't be included in that 47%. Since he's refused to release most of his recent tax returns, he well COULD be one of those freeloaders who didn't pay any federal income taxes. I, for one, would like to know.l
Four-legs good, Obama bad.
Here is something I've never heard anyone report on or talk about:
Anyone that has ever had a job has paid into Social Security, sometimes for 40 or 50 years.
Yet, how many people die before they ever collect a dime?
And what happens to those unpaid Social Security benefits, the government keeps them.
Social Security should be changed so that a person can receive/assign a minimum benefit payout based on what they have contributed that can be assigned to someone/anyone else, not just a spouse. Anyone can die single!
If you have a spouse that person may also die before collecting any of their/your spouse benefits.
This applies to ALL americans regardless of party affiliation.
Social Security is social insurance not a pension or an IRA. Take a look at life insurance types: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_insurance#Types
Not all have a guaranteed pay out or even accumulate value.
I have been reading the comments for a few weeks now and I guess it is time for my 2 cents. Mitt the twit is so out of touch with "Americans" and our real struggle to keep our noses above the water. I am one of the little people who now is 64 and living on ss and medicaid. I worked my whole life and became very sick. If not for these services I would be dead. This fool Mitt needs to go away. I told all my children what you do this Nov will affect their future, choose wisely.
I think what you're seeing is a very very GOOD thing. FINALLY, somebody said aloud what has been the crux of a very big problem for a longggggg time. Starting with Reagan (this time around, its happened many times before), being rich, greedy, totally selfish asses became crowned as a good thing, a goal to reach for, the 'shining city on the hill' was gold-plated, doncha know. Gordon Gecko made large. And people who 'made it' were treated as royalty - and still are, no matter how many bodies they had to crawl over, kick out of the way, or stomp down on to get there. While this attitude has always been present to some extent, once in a while it gets out of hand. Like in the 1920s. It's here again...in spades. And one of them is running for POTUS, and he finally allowed his true feelings out in the open air. LOOK AT IT. You can see it - his style, his looseness, his obvious ease in front of his "peers." It's all there - he looks completely different from any appearance I've ever seen of his. Here we are, nearly 4 years since our economy imploded (1933 in the previous era) and the robber barons still believe their ideas are credible - they want to reinstate the trickle-down theories that made the uber-rich more uber - they want to "unchain" the banks again, so they can go back to those free-wheeling and utterly unprincipled practices that nearly destroyed us. THIS is their stated goal, and there are still people listening to it, which is hard enough to believe. Well, here it is, folks, in glaring technicolor glory - their true feelings about the "moochers who will never vote for me." I have never seen a serious Presidential candidate make such ugly statements about the people he is supposed to be ASKING to vote for him. Why would ANYONE outside of the uber-rich who, for obvious reasons, love him dearly vote for this man?
Sorry for the length of this - it just needed to come out.
It's too bad that Obama doesn't work for everyone, either. He has been the most divisive president in recent history. He has played "us against them" since his first campaign for POTUS, throughout his years in office, and into this new campaign. What a joke.
Somehow I have missed the "us against them" you are talking about. Everyone paying their fair share isn't "us against them."
dfran, citations, please. Complete and unabridged transcripts of what President Obama has said that's "divisive" while he's been in office. I know that rules out Fox and Breitbart, but if what you assert is anywhere near the truth, there should still be plenty out there for you to show us.
Oh, and no rush. I've got plenty of time since I retired and now am a member of one of the two parts into which Mr. Romney divided this country: the 47%.
Class warfare. Wasn't that initially Mr. Romney's accusation against President Obama? How many times do we see that the accuser is actually the man behind the curtain pulling the strings - the one to whom we are told to pay no attention?
It is difficult for Mr. Romney to come off as Theodore Roosevelt's iconic Man in the Arena when attempting to run a "no details" 2012 presidential campaign. An "I'll provide the details after the election" is not likely to fly.
The path blazed by TR in 1912 is followed almost 100 years to the day by our own President Obama, today's steady symbol of TR's Man in the Arena.
Read more at
http://lifeamongtheordinary.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-main-in-arena-part-three.html