Posted on 10/04/2012 10:24:34 PM PDT by turn_to
(Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said on Thursday his comment on a secretly taped video in which he disparaged 47 percent of voters as dependent on government "was just completely wrong," as he attempted to repair the damage from the controversy.
Romney's interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity was the first time he completely disavowed remarks he made at a private fundraiser in May and which have emerged as a major stumbling block in his campaign against Democratic President Barack Obama.
Asked what he would have said if the issue had come up in the Denver debate, Romney said he would have said that after thousands of speeches as a presidential candidate, "now and then you're going to say something that doesn't come out right."
"In this case, I said something that was just completely wrong," he said.
"I absolutely believe however that my life has shown that I care about 100 percent. And that's been demonstrated throughout my life. This whole campaign is about the 100 percent. When I become president, it will be about helping the 100 percent," he added.
Romney said at the Florida fundraiser that 47 percent of voters were dependent on government and unlikely to support him in the November 6 election.
When the video was disclosed on September 17 by liberal magazine Mother Jones, Romney said his comments had been "not elegantly stated" but that he stood by them.
Obama has been second-guessed by some of his supporters for not bringing up the 47 percent video at the Denver debate. The president has been widely declared as the loser in that encounter, with two more presidential debates to come this month.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Should we believe liberal media’s “report”?
WHO CARES? Rome is burning to the ground!
ALL of Mitt’s socialistic positions are wrong, and Mitt needs to, truly, become a “very small conservative” Republican, as soon as possible! BTW, Mitt’s refusal to cut taxes for the wealthiest of Americans and his ongoing support for his socialized health care plan in Massachusetts, RomneyCare, are, both, the wrong positions to take!
Didn’t like it at first, but I now think this was best. After some coverage on Friday it will largely die down. It will neuter attacks largely on this later, at least compared to what would have been.
And quite frankly, a lot of people just want to hear a politician admit an error....they like honesty like that.
His statement was right, but despite explaining why it was, many just don’t get it still and see it as a personal attack on them.
This was a wise move to run out and do in the post-debate glow.
Mistake? If that was “completely wrong” then aren’t Americans to ask “what else does he say that might ALSO be wrong”? Or does this appeal to all those stupid women out there who love Obama so much, and who kept their “yellow” rating lines on CNN up for Obama the whole debate, whether he was talking, smirking or lifting his leg? It really steams me how we have to drag these dumb broads across the finish line. It reminds me of the first Menendez Brothers jury with 6 women acquitting and 6 men convicting. Why are so many women so gullible to emotional appeals?
The remark never made any sense in the first place, that is why it meant whatever various people wanted it to mean.
To some it meant those not owing taxes in a given year, to others it was the 53% that voted for Obama, for others it was the people receiving checks issued by the government, all of who were supposed to be “the left”.
Basically it meant “they” with no real “they” in existence.
Cheers!
Ahhhhh.
Oh good god.
He has a fantastic debate then back peddles on something that is true..........who advises this man.
(Really the ‘media is lying’ about this is a lame excuse)
There have been a number of callers to the various radio talk shows who've claimed to be conservative, a member of the 47% who don't pay federal income taxes, and who are Romney voters. They were still voting for him, but just thought his characterization of the entire group as all Obama supporters was a little insulting.
Mitt should have waited for zero to pounce in the next debate and simply reply: No I have no intention of following your lead Mr O. My intention is to free the economy so small business can hire again and reduce the 47% to 40% or maybe 35% thus helping them and helping the budget. I have no intention of pushing laws that the overwhelming majority of Americans do not want. And as for being “honest” with the American people. I have now it is your turn. We have been waiting for 4 years now….
A president represents 100% of people, get it? That is what makes a “good” president. A president who only cares about one segment (such as Obama) will never be successful. Which is why Reagan was a good president because he increased social security tax to reform and extend it’s life.
If Romney wants to be a “good” president, he can’t ignore the 47% who pay no income tax. We don’t need presidents who are extreme on either side.
NO! He should stand by it, and clarify:
Mr. Obama, You have increased the percentage of those taking out of the government budget to almost 50%. Does it occur to you that those who are paying in, and being buried in taxes are going to stop working at some point? You can’t keep taking from one half and giving to the other half. People aren’t going to work if they are being fleeced to pay others not to work.
I say that he has NOTHING to apologize for and should just explain the facts calmly and clearly.
Yep, he just handed a big debate win for Obama there
Don't ignore them. Revoke all their benefits. I'm sick and tired of being taxed to pay for these parasites.
How is this a “major stumbling block” except in the fantasy world of liberal media? I believe polls showed it didn’t really change any votes.
yes, It’s not a “flip-flop”, just a clarification that he wants to be the President for 100%. We shouldn’t treat Romney harshly, that is what liberal media wants us to do.
Why take back or "regret" something you said? It is true that 47% of the population pay zero taxes. It is sad that 47% of the people are economically deprived because they have no job, or a low paying job. Romney is a person who can fix that.
Grovelling raised the esteem NOT. How many votes will Romney garner with that kind of apologetic reaction?
Just state the facts and what you will do to make it better.
You seem terribly CONCERNED. How “nice” of you to start a thread about it so people join you in lifting up Obama after Mitt Romney beat the Moochelle out of him in the debate. How’s the weather today in South Korea?
Romney is simply taking this issue away from the Democrats.
If Obama brings it up in the next debate (if the debate is allowed to happen), Romney can say that he misspoke and then have two minutes to look into the camera and tell us he loves us, every one, just as Jesus Christ taught us. If he then quotes the New Testament, he trumps anything Obama says.
Cool strategic move.
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