Mitt Romney isn’t backing off his suggestion that 47 percent of Americans are freeloading off the government. In fact, in an interview with Fox News Tuesday afternoon, he made clear he’s chosen to embrace the message.
“Those that are dependent on government,” he said, “I’m not going to get them.”
Romney told Fox’s Neil Cavuto that the brouhaha over his remarks—which were surreptitiously recorded at a Florida fundraiser and posted online Monday by the liberal magazine Mother Jones—“focuses a great deal of attention on whether or not we're going to have a government that becomes larger.”
“Frankly, we have two different views about America,” Romney continued. “The president’s view is one of a larger government. There is a tape that came out where is the president is saying he likes redistribution. I disagree.”
Asked by Cavuto whether he was writing off 47% of the electorate as freeloaders, Romney said:
No, I’m talking about a perspective of individuals who I’m not likely to get to support me. I recognize that those people who are not paying income tax are going to say, ‘Gosh, this provision that Mitt keeps talking about lowering income taxes,’ that’s not going to be attractive to them. And those that are dependent on government and those that think government’s job is redistribute — I’m not going to get them.
A top campaign surrogate, John Sununu, delivered a similar message in an interview Tuesday with MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell, saying that the campaign is about a divide between those who support “big government,” and those who support the private sector. And in a Monday night press conference, Romney similarly embraced the gist of his fundraiser remarks, though he allowed that the comments were “not elegantly stated.”
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The problen with what he said, is no much what he said is the wa he said it, you don't have to insult the voters, the way he did, to try get then to vote for you!!
When are the people going to get it? Romney doesn't give a rats ass about you or me his solo concern is himself and the other 2%of this country.His GOD is the almighty dollar. His greed has no bounds and he will allow the other 2%to share a pentence.
What did he say that wasn't true, nothing! It is a true statement that those who look to the government for its existence will most likely not vote for those who want a more self reliant citizenry. He was stating strategy not a dislike or an uncompassionate attitude toward people in need. There are to many people that generationally have and are dependent on the rest of tax payers to help them have food stamps, housing, healthcare, abortions, smart phones, adult beverages, smokes, and who knows what else. This is a very compassionate country and those who need help get it freely from the rest of us, but there are way to many who look to the government to do for them what is expected for them to do for themselves. I don't know about you but I'm tired of half the country carrying the other half. Wake up people and get some pride and take care of yourself. Quit looking for me and other tax payers to take care of you. This is why intitlements must be addressed and many must come off the government dole and become a tax payer themselves.
First of all entitlements is spelled with an "e" and not an "i." Second is he talking about the veterans like me who are disabled that don't pay taxes and recieve social security benefits? Is he talking about seniors who don't pay taxes on their benefits? Is he talking about students or other retirees?
More than likely he is playing the race card and it backfired once the information became public.
When politicians who are suppose to represent us all don't care all of us, we are all in trouble.
He is now trying to cover his ass. He said something he did not think anyone but his rich friends would hear and he got caught. Face it Romney you are not someone we need as our President. We the people make up 100% of America not just 53%.
Gee, Mitt, what about the 30% of those at the very lowest income levels who have been supporting you, not Obama? Or are you saying you just lost them, too? (Gallup poll...)
Give Mitt credit for trying to make a purse out of a sow's ear. Granted, it shows a lack of the kind of ethics and standards of morality that I would want in a president, but, at least we can now have a serious conversation of the role of government in our lives, and where we need to try to go, as a nation.
Back into the Fox News Hole and looking more confident, but the debates will shake up these talking points.
If anyone would like to take a look at the statistics, they will see that the Obama administration has actually cut the size of government rather than expand it. So as a 100% disabled Vietnam Veteran, I am a freeloader (a victim as he describes it) on the government. I paid my price, I volunteered for the Marine Corps in 1966 to put my money where my mouth was. Could not criticize or praise the war unless I was willing to put up or shut up. And Mr Romney, where were you during the Vietnam War, and also where were your sons during the Iraq/Afghanistan wars? With Coronary Artery Disease, Diabetes and 3 metal stents in one of my arteries in my heart, this Marine says walk a mile in my shoes before you criticize me or my service or my fellow veterans or disabled citizens.
Thank you for your service and keep drawing your check. Not all people draining our taxes share your story. If people are able physically to work then they should do what they can to take care of themselves rather than look to their fellow citizens to do it for them. Our local paper is full of jobs and if someone has any self-respect they will try and get one of them.
So, who are the 47% dependent on government? Does Romney know a higher percent of those are republican voters? The 10 states with the highest rate of poverty are red states. 7 out of the ten states that get the most federal aid are red states. More of the people on Social Security only are republican voters.
So???? He must want that 47% for Obama to become 80% for Obama.
Ditto about he got caught when he thought no one was looking. Straight shooting in politics is not the norm and ole Mit is as truth bending or tell you what you want to hear as they come. OH, and Jack, it's very rare to find any politicians Son Going to war. I salute VP Biden and others who are out of that norm.
I finally saw a glimmer of life on Romney's face last night...then I realized it was flop-sweat.
To preserve this Christian nation, we need to elect the only Christian candidate, Barrack Obama
He speaks the truth. When we add 4 more percent to the rolls, there will be more receiving than giving. Then we are doomed. America and all of its entitlement programs are broke now. With only 4 more percent. THEN WHAT!!! There are no democrats who even acknowledge that the problem exists or who have any intention of addressing it. I never hear any answers for the problems we are facing. It is always business as usual and spend, spend, spend.They seem to think if they ignore it, and keep telling the American people that everything is OK, that they will continue to get elected. And so far it seems to be working in their favor. Our debt just keeps on growing!