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I thought many months ago that it was at least possible that Mitt Romney would be more cautious about telling falsehoods as the election drew closer. After all, candidates can get away with more in, say, April than in September -- there's far more scrutiny now.
Alas, Romney seems unfazed, both by the calendar and by life under a microscope -- he keeps repeating falsehoods without any real concern for consequences. In case there were any doubts about his worst habit, consider the 35th installment of my weekly series, chronicling Mitt's mendacity.
1. At an event in Sarasota yesterday, Romney said, in reference to President Obama's comments about engaged citizens changing politics, "The president today threw in the white flag of surrender again."
That's not only a lie; it's also one of the dumbest things Romney has ever said in public.
2. At a Univision town-hall event in Miami, Romney said he opposes an economic model in which we "take from some to give to others."
Actually, Romney's preferred budget plan redistributes wealth at a level unseen in modern American history.
3. Romney also said, several times, "[T]his is a campaign about the 100 percent.... My campaign is about the 100 percent of America."
I seem to recall watching a video in which Romney said it's not his "job" to "worry about" 47 percent of the population.
4. At the same event, Romney boasted, "When I was governor of my state, the state of Massachusetts ... we brought unemployment down to 4.7 percent."
Well, in reality, the unemployment rate in Massachusetts dropped because so many people dropped out of the state's workforce. The fact of the matter is Massachusetts' job creation record during Romney's term was "one of the worst in the country," ranking 47th out of 50 states.
5. In response to a student's question about federal aid, Romney said, "We're going to continue a Pell Grant program.... So I care. I care about your education and helping people of modest means get a good education and we'll continue a Pell Grant program."
That's not what he said during the primaries.
6. On health care, Romney said at the same forum, "The government is going to ultimately have a board that tells you what kind of care you can receive."
This is in apparent reference to the Independent Payments Advisory Board (IPAB), and what Romney's saying isn't even close to being accurate.
7. In a Fox News interview, Romney said, "I have got great support from seniors, because they are unhappy with the fact that President Obama's Obamacare cuts Medicare by $716 billion."
Sigh.
8. In the same interview, Romney insisted that the Affordable Care Act "tells us what kind of health insurance we have to have."
As Romney surely knows -- his state-based policy works the same way -- the whole point of the Affordable Care Act is to provide consumers with choices of private plans, made available through regulated exchanges. Giving people choices and telling people "what kind of health insurance we have to have" are opposites.
9. Asked about his affiliation with Kris Koback, Romney said this week, "He may well be part of a policy team [but] I have not met with him yet."
As his campaign later admitted, this wasn't true.
10. Speaking to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber Of Commerce this week, Romney said, "The administration promised us that its policies would have brought unemployment down to 5.4% by now."
11. Romney added, "[M]y Plan for a Stronger Middle Class will create 12 million jobs by the end of my first term."
Putting aside the pesky detail that Romney doesn't actually have a specific jobs plan, the fact remains that if we do nothing, we're on track to create 12 million new American jobs over the next four years anyway.
12. In the same speech, Romney said, "President Obama has not initiated a single new trade agreement with Latin America. I will."
He's trying to slice the truth in a way that misleads. In reality, Obama finalized three separate trade deals in his first term: Panama, Colombia, and South Korea.
13. In reference to China, Romney argued, "President Obama may think that announcing new trade cases less than two months from Election Day will distract from his record, but the American businesses and workers struggling on an uneven playing field know better."
This just isn't true. Obama just didn't bring a new case at the WTO against China "less than two months from Election Day," he's been bringing these cases throughout his term.
14. Romney also said, "Many Hispanics have sacrificed greatly to help build our country and our economy, and to leave for their children a brighter future. Today, those sacrifices are being put at risk by a president who cannot stop spending."
Government spending is down, not up, under President Obama.
15. Romney went on to boast, "I know how to balance budgets. We balanced our budget in my business, at the Olympics, and every year in my state."
He balanced his budget at the Olympics thanks to a taxpayer bailout, and in Massachusetts, Romney left his successor with a deficit.
16. On federal spending, Romney said, "[M]y test is this: is the program so critical that it is worth borrowing money from China to pay for it?"
The implication here is that U.S. debt is financed by the Chinese, but this isn't true -- China only holds about 8% of the nation's debt.
17. Romney added, "The president has put us on the road to Greece."
18. Romney also argued, "No wonder business start-ups are at a 30-year low."
19. Romney went on to say Obama "plans to raise the federal income tax on small business even more."
In reality, Obama has repeatedly cut taxes on small businesses -- by some counts, 18 times -- and if given a second term, his tax plan would have no effect on 97% of small businesses.
20. Referencing the Affordable Care Act, Romney said, "The Chamber of Commerce surveyed 1,300 of its members. It found that three-quarters of them said they are less likely to hire people because of Obamacare."
The "survey" is a joke. The Chamber, a pro-Republican lobbying institution heavily invested in helping Romney, put up an unscientific online survey. Treating this as a legitimate poll of businesses is fundamentally dishonest.
21. Romeny added, "Obamacare ... is already depressing job creation."
There's literally no evidence to support this, but let's also note that Romney created a nearly identical policy at the state level, and it didn't depress job creation at all.
22. On immigration policy, Romney said, "Despite his party having majorities in both houses of Congress, the president never even offered up a bill."
First, the president has endorsed all kinds of immigration bills. Second, having majorities in both chambers doesn't change the fact that Senate Republican filibusters blocked immigration policymaking.
23. In his weekly podcast, Romney said, "President Obama has imposed major new federal regulations at an unprecedented rate."
Well, it depends on what Romney means by "unprecedented." He may be surprised to learn that Obama approved fewer regulations in his first three years in office than Bush did in his first three years.
24. At a campaign event in Painesville, Ohio, Romney suggested it's Obama's fault that the price of "gasoline has doubled."
To call this comically misleading would be an understatement.
25. In the same speech, "I've got a [jobs] plan, all right. Unlike the president, I have a plan."
Romney doesn't have to like the American Jobs Act, but he shouldn't get away with brazenly lying about its existence.
26. Romney also argued, "The president believes in having a government put money out into companies. He put $90 billion into solar and wind, and green-energy companies. He's picking winners and losers.... He doesn't understand that the market where free people pursuing dreams and working to take their ideas to the marketplace, that's what makes America go; not a government that tries to pick investments, and guide the market for us."
What an interesting choice of misleading words. Because whether he likes it or not, if Obama "doesn't understand" free people in a free market, then Romney "doesn't understand" this, either.
27. Mitt Romney says "redistribution" has "never been a characteristic of America."
Redistribution has always been a characteristic of America.
28. In an ad unveiled by his campaign this week, Romney argues, "Dear Daughter. Welcome to America. Your share of Obama's debt is over $50,000."
That's only true if you attribute Bush's debts to Obama, which is ridiculous.
Previous editions of Chronicling Mitt's Mendacity: Vol. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII,XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII, XXIX, XXX, XXXI, XXXII, XXXIII, XXXIV
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How in the hell are those in the "R" party not see that he is an idiot.
Out of control, loose cannon, are how I see it, oh i am also in the 47%. Watch me mitt the twit, d button all the way down!
I have a friend who I like to go back and forth with regarding our favorite football teams. He will make a comment supporting why mine is so terrible and I will match the comment showing that the stat is as good as his teams or better. I'll make a comment about his team and he will match it. No matter what, he will not accept that his team is as bad as mine or mine is as good as his. And I will not concede that his team is better or mine is worse. Over the long haul, it's pretty evident which team has had more success. But because I support my team, it doesn't matter how much they flounder, they are still the best and I will defend them. He will do the same. We both know where I teams stand, but we're not going to admit that the other team is better, has a better offense, has a better plan, will perform....
That's how politics goes. Republicans will cling to their team, Democrats will cling to their team, and independents will pick based on the prettier uniforms or who leading in the third quarter.
Romney is Not an idiot.
He is a rich & arrogant Elite.
His inability to relax & be human
is severe Chronic Anxiety most
likely from Pyroluria Infection.
A very common disorder.
Others with Chronic Anxiety:
Michael Jackson, GW Bush,
& many celebrities.
It's why they act wild & strange, &
self destructive.
Rmoney/Ryan are BOTH for redistribution. They wish to redistribute from poor to rich.
Also, redistributing money IS "the economy", isn't it?
If we keep paying people a good wage, they would keep the economy rolling.
WE are the job creators and redistributed our money to upper level Execs and shareholders to offshore OUR money and jobs. Capital gains is supposedly a discounted rate so it will grow economy, NOT shelter and horde.
Since they have passed legislation suppressing the vote, what makes anyone think they wont tamper with ballots, I for one think they will. I think they are pigs and will do anything against the law and unconstitutional to get what they want. They should be going after that governor who said after passing the new voter registration laws - Romney as President - done. Why dont they go after him?
Oops, double post, but have a good day.
u bastard cant u do any better u are just a lying bastard
????
I'm assuming Cee Bennett means Rmoney.
Probably so. I checked his previous posts and was still a little confused, though.
Check out why we don't really have ANY of Romneys tax returns as he has 3 years to amend them without penalty. themoderatevoice.com/156468/we-dont-actually-have-any-of-mitt-romneys-tax-returns/
I still have faith that the people will elect Obama and Biden. Romney and Ryan are such liers and are so arrogant about it. Then they keep saying they believe in God.May God help us if they win.
Just because you say it isnt true or that everything Romney is saying is false doesnt mean that you are right!!!! Get off your hi horse and stop rallying for one side or the other! Just because you are a democrat does not give you the right to run a campaign for Obama through MSNBC news! These people that are commenting are taking your words as true but as we all know, all politicians lie even Obama!
If you disagree with any of the evidence that Steve provided (on this opinion blog), please share it.
Otherwise...
Romney no longer knows the lie from the truth!! I am convinced he is so delusional, he can not tell the difference. He cares about one person: Mitt Romney!
I think he cares about Ann and his children, but that's all. Tax cutting is why he wants to be president, and possibly SCOTUS appointments to further the RW tack.
Re: Lie #7...If you go to a bar and order a beer, and you expect to pay $5 for it, but then the server only charges you $3 because it's happy hour - no one raided your wallet, and they did not steal $2 from you.
How on earth can you claim that cutting $716B of expenses is stealing from Medicare? AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRGH! (bangs head on desk)
Every insurance payer negotiates their rate of payment with the healthcare provider. The government is no exception.
Once again, I thank you for this service to your country.
Every time I hear Willard "Mitt" Romney speak I am reminded of teh pigs in the novel Animal Farm who , after overthrowing the human farmer to govern the farm on behalf of all of the animals "amends" the list of rules. He changes one of them from. "All animals are equal" to "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal that others."
Ann Romney said this man "Mitt Romney" won't let you down.
Well I've got news for you,get this through your head.
- EXTRA read all about it.
Romney won't let us down, because he's so far down himself he can't get any lower.
And this also goes for his choice for Vice Presdent Paul Ryan as well.
Social Security and Medicare are NOT a Goverment welfare program.
TAKE NOTE OF message below.
Employers pay 7.65% and the Employee pays 7.65% which equals 15.30% on their wages each year.
Stop saying it is a Gverment hand out.Because it is not.
Some workers do not pay into Social Security, Such as Teachers, Police men, Postal Workers, and others.
Because the Companies opted out and have their own private retirement fund.
Check out the rules @ Social Security.Gov. for the Limit on wages.
You can down load the Quarterly 941 Forms that a Copany has to file.
Companies have to file an annual FUTA tax form and pay a percentage on the total of all their employees wages. The Employee doe NOT have to pay this tax.
Companies also have to file Unemployment tax returns.
W-2 forms plus a W-3 Form.
Please check out these facts, most people are not aware of this.
Mitt Romney is not the right man to be our next President.
This is my opinion and I have the right to express it.
Than You very much !
So, is Romney astonishingly dumb? uninformed? a pathological liar? I think he hit the trifecta!
Where are the returns prior to 2010 when MITT worked instead of capital gains income for 2011
Yes, the Gov did give to charity but he owns some of those charities ....so giving back to himself and taking a deduction for it - NICE
For months, I've been analyzing Willard's outre responses and reactions to 'normal human behavior'. I determined that he is suffering from a multiple personality disorder that' in part, Thurston Howell III and, in part, Gordon Gecco. I just couldn't shake the nagging thought that my analysis was incomplete. I feeling I, somehow, I was overlooking the major component that would make sense of the phenomenon called Willard Mitt Romney Long behold! A friend emailed me what (he felt) was a hilarious observation: the reason Romney isn't willing to share his tax returns with us us is that they were filed on Romulus Prime Eureka! It was as if the fog lifted! I, quickly, searched for episodes of TNG (Disclaimer: I wasn't a fan and I've never watched!) and scrutinized ans many episodes involving Romulans as I could find. The resemblance is downright uncanny.....
Mitt Mendacity Romney can not tell the truth...instead of cutting down an apple tree like George Washington and telling his father, "I can not tell a lie!", Romney had an apple drop on his head in Michigan as a little boy, from "trees that are just the right size." And he can not tell the truth! This unfortunate accident affected the hippocampus located in the inner fold of the temporal lobe. His campaign is working on rebooting his temporal lobe, but not extremely optimistic since it calls for a reconstruction of his memory!
Romney/Ryan-the Democrat's secret weapon!!!! hehehehe!!!
I'm beginning to wonder if Gov. Romney isn't smarter than he's being given credit for. With repeated, almost non-stop, blunders, gaffes and "mis-speaks" combined with diplomatic moves like sending Rep. Ryan to the AARP meeting, he could be creating the greatest election rip-off by a candidate in history. He does not seem to be spending huge sums on ads, even pulling out of Michigan and one other state. He keeps speaking engagements to a minimum and fund raising to a max building up a greater treasury. If I am not mistaken, a losing candidate is responsible for his war chest (Hillary inherited a big debt). Romney, if he loses could walk away with maybe $100 million plus after letting the Karl Roves and Koch Brothers spend their money. He could chalk it up to a losing effort and bank all that freely given cash in the Cayman Is and laugh all his way to put the rest in a Bermuda account. He has not really worked in the last decade and a half, why start now?
I have been wondering about the charitable giving of the Romney's. Personally, I do not consider tithing to a church, any church, which is a requirement of the their faith to be charity. It is a requirement - I have read that 3M of the 4M is to the Mormon church. But, the remaining 1M - do we know if it went en mass to other Mormon charities or was it general charity that anyone might, fairly, consider to be charity, In other words - United way or the Mormon way?
The Governor will say ANYTHING to install himself in the Oval Office. (The last bastion of the "American Male") I don't know why we keep dancing around the elephant in the middle of the room.
'
Heres the thing...Romney is going into a debate where he will have to, somehow, explain his positions and his accusations. When you go down the list, its one fabrication after another. In a debate your most effective points will be fact based and something your side has found to be a weakness. How do you win a debate if almost everything that you have said has been less than honest? I havent done any oppositional research on Obama but I think the problem for Romney is that you can only attack Obama effectively from the left. So the debates are coming, and all you have are the outright lies of your campaign...I would not be looking forward to that buzzsaw.
Well, in addition to all the lies, what is he going to respond to the questions about how he is planning to do what he says he will do? He won't be able to stand in front of President Obama and try the "Well, we will work that out with the congress after the election." line on him.
If I weren't so insufferably terrified that this mountebank could steal the election, I would almost love to see him deal with a totally Democratic Senate and House that returned the Republican favors of the past 4 years.
Sadly, I think the whole point of the Ryan pick was ordered by the Koch Brothers to ensure that Romney signs what they put in front of him. Romney only wants the office, Ryan can do the work.
How scary is that?
If Romney really cared he wouldn't have to try so hard to convince everybody, his whole convention was centered around that theme. He is a con man, we had one of those, Bush, who cannot even be seen in public for what he did. Why would we elect another one. Once bit, twice shy. The American people will never again elect someone who is deceitful.
The right are arguing that this is a "Robin Hood" kind of story. I think its more like "David and Goliath". This isnt take from the rich and give to the poor. Its regular people trying to kill the giant that is taking anything and everything it wants while destroying our livelihood. We have been trying for years and years and Finally its comming to a head and people are seeing it for what it is... the best part is, none of this could have been possible without a complete idiot like romney to bring it all to light. I mean, Rachel has been trying all year to blow the lid off of this thing, and everytime she makes headway fox comes out with some containment strategy that sadly has some national effect. i wwas nervous. i think we all were.... and even after alll that hard work, romney just comes out and spills all the beans opening the flood gates. after all that, its almost as if it was inevitable. but it does, for the first time, show all those people who thought Rachel was a far left pundit extremist that, she was just informed. she was just right. correct in her assertion. thank you romney... you fck. hows that foot taste, buddy? THANK YOU TRMS!!!!!!! YOURE MY HERO!!! haha seriously.
I would like to see a complete and utter rejection of these Rethuglicants, which misled and systematically tried to do a hostile takeover of the U.S. They cannot stand the thought of coming clean with Americans to reveal their true feelings and goals.
Just look at how they go ballistic when someone gets caught saying the true ideals. Nobody want those things, they know it, so they disguise and use the T.P. ers and the working poor to further their goals to get rid of SS and Medicare, send jobs to lowest cost, freely damage the environment in the name of "business" and "profit".
It doesn't have to be that way, we can balance it out. President Obama is getting things on track. If only we could have some cooperation and work on the issues. The debt took precedence over jobs with Rethugs being hostile to working on solutions, instead focusing on seizing and exerting political power.
Again, they need to be told to go away and don't come back until you are willing to include all Americans and work on achieving goals to better the outcomes of the many. They just just heap everything upon businesses and wealthy and hope for the best. Well, it works for them, so that is all they care about.