You’ve probably heard that Mother Jones released an edited partial video of Mitt Romney speaking at a private fundraiser several months ago, in which he commented that Obama has a lock on about 47% of the vote because that represents the percentage of the population which doesn’t pay federal income taxes or is dependent on the government.
The language used could have been better, but the concept is one advocated here and almost everywhere in the conservative blogosphere and by candidates in the primaries — Obama is building a dependency state in which we will reach a tipping point where a majority of people have no stake in raising income taxes because they don’t pay income taxes.
There is nothing remarkable about Romney’s comments except that because on a secret video, they appear more nefarious.
There is no doubt that this was an Obama campaign operation, and likely we will see more such tapes dribbled out a week at a time. The team which obtained sealed divorce records of rivals certainly can plant donors at private fundraisers.
Don’t fall for pronouncements that Romney’s campaign now is over. Such pronouncements now come weekly by a media seeking a self-fulfilling prophecy. Whether it was the insane overreaction to Romney’s comments on Libya or the declaration that the polling showed Romney had lost, every week there will be a new meme circulated.
Stay focused, and motivated.
Update: Romney was smart to hold a press conference immediately, so that his explanation is part of the news cycle:
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Comments
He could have phrased it better, but at least he clarified it quickly. Well the dems and the MSM, same thing really, have the talking points 4 tommoroww.
I absolutely believe in a safety net, however I do not want a welfare state.
I agree with what Romney said, I’m glad he’s standing by it. He could have phrased it better, but I get what he’s saying and I agree with it and am glad he immediately clarified his remarks.
The romney camp needs to be very agressive in rebutting, send Sununu everywhere tommorow, I really like that dude!
as one of the 53% that works very hard for my money, I agree with Romney.
And the Barry worshipping american media can go to hell!
Brian Williams earned my personal “MOCK OF THE DAY” by his involvement:
“Crazy, Lying, Stupid Brian Williams”
Brian said Barrack was God!
“You ‘little people’ should be awed!
“You’re Savior’s triumphs you should laud!”
Crazy Brian Williams!
Brian said “BO won the war!”
“And killed the villain at his door,
“The Seals were ‘BACKUP’, nothing more!”
Lying Brian Williams!
Brian said, “I’ve secret ‘news’,
So hot that it will blow your fuse!
And prove Mitt Romney’s crazy views.
Stupid Brian Williams.
[The fact is: Romney spoke the truth,
“Entitlements are through the roof”
The GAO* HAS ALL THE PROOF,
Fraudulent Brian Williams]
Brian needs a lengthy rest,
From the communists he loves best,
In this land, HE’S A LOUSY GUEST!
GOOD BYE MITCHELL!
Copy Freely
* GAO = General Accounting Office.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/post/obamas-abject-failure-on-entitlement-reform/2012/04/23/gIQAMzqkcT_blog.html
“Key Quote” = “Taken together, the trustees’ and GAO reports remind us of one of Obama’s most significant domestic failings: his lack of will to address our entitlement programs that are central to a real reduction in our national debt.”
POINT: Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan have “hit the overspending nail on the head”—we reduce wisely; improve productivity vigorously; or we fail MISERABLY. So much for “Brian Williams’ FRAUDULENT CLAIM THAT GOV. ROMNEY HAS NOT BEEN FORTHRIGHT—he and his V.P. pick have been SOUNDING THE FISCAL ALARM FOR YEARS! We either hear it; or the Republic falls and fails. About 47% of Americans refuse to even admit this is a problem meriting discussion and resolution. What happens when those checks stop coming?
Even though Williams is paid an obscene amount of money to whore for the Dem Rats, EVEN HE, SO CLOSE TO HIS PERSONAL GOD, cannot bail out a dependent class that is only growing!
I must admit I find it amusing that when no one is supposed to be listening, Romney is actually a “closet conservative.”
Compare that to Obama’s quote caught on tape: “And it’s not surprising then they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”
I’ve stopped paying attention to the moronic mainstream media years ago, so this doesn’t demoralize me one bit. It’s expected. Whenever the lamestream media attack Romney, I know they’re trying to deflect from something, and sure enough this week is the week that the Fast and Furious report is coming out.
Dittos. I don’t even watch Fox — haven’t for a couple of years.
I’m extremely motivated. Yesterday I ordered a Romney/Ryan yard sign — it’s time — and not the typical one I’ve seen cropping up, either. I ordered one from an Amazon seller. I wanted one that would stand out from the others.
Don’t forget that they also want to deflect on Obama’s disastrous foreign policy that led to the murder of an ambassador.
Romney’s presser this evening was brilliant. IMO, it seems that Mitt is much better when under pressure. He grabbed the attention last week, and has it early this week – albeit perhaps unintentionally. Mitt, more please(lol).
It’s unfortunate about the manner in which the tape was obtained and will be used, but not surprising. Romney could have been recorded saying how great he thought Obama was and it would be trashed. So — soldier on. As long as Romney passes on Hillary as his SOS; doesn’t fall asleep while a missing Ambassador is being murdered, and doesn’t trash the constitution or move on American rights and freedoms while the American flag and embassys are assaulted I’m good with Mitt. Although I would take offense if he too thought PB&J was racist.
I want more “hidden video” Romney!!!!
Anyone thinking this might be a Romney stealth strategy to get into the news cycle?
I’m not sure who is supposed to be demoralized by this. I’m not.
He should say every time the media brings this up …
“it is like when Obama talked to his elite friends, and mocked those that ‘cling to their religion and their guns’, except I’m only saying Obama’s convinced voters believe they are entitled to big government benefits, despite paying no taxes.
But I believe we must reduce the size of government. This will be better for everyone, since the entitlement era is dying, even according to Obama’s own CBO.”
He can also work in their about the entitled CTU, the highest paid in the country going on strike for even more, holding the kids hostage.
He has to turn every question around … he did that OK in the press conference. Romney has a lot of supporters that are in the 47% that don’t pay taxes, so he needs to walk back that part, and always compare to Obama’s assault on religion and guns, or the ME mess, or the domestic mess and the $40 billion a month of juice from Bernanke.
Obama has everything blowing up in his face … they pulled this out because they felt they were losing it … I think. Maybe Romney needs to think more in terms of winning like we did in 2010, instead of being so nice and trying to coddle previous Obama voters.
Romney has a lot of supporters that are in the 47% that don’t pay taxes, so he needs to walk back that part, and always compare to Obama’s assault on religion and guns, or the ME mess, or the domestic mess and the $40 billion a month of juice from Bernanke.
Re the bolded part: he does and he needs to. As I commented back in May, “you can’t afford many unforced errors when running against an incumbent President, even one as bad as Obama.”
The Left seized on Romney’s imprecise phrasing about the Cairo attack and distracted attention—onto Romney—from the administration’s failures. This following week, not when it happened months ago, the public learns about the 47% gaffe.
For a time before the Obamacare ruling, it seemed that the Obama campaign couldn’t do anything right and the Romney campaign couldn’t do anything wrong.
I don’t have a problem with his comments at the fundraiser.
We need to have an adult conversation about the ramifications of having the majority of voters living off the work of the minority. We’re not going to get it from the Democrats.
It’s a good thing for Obama that the tape of him speaking about Rashid Khalidi was released by the LA Times last election cycle – oh, wait . . .
I guess the Democrats do not want to recognize that all the “stuff”Obama keeps offering the different special groups recently is just that entitlement hook Romney was talking about. I just read at least two articles in the last 24 hours that the reason the polls have not moved much is the 47% who look for the government to take care of them. Pretty common theme.
I wonder if it would have been better or worse for Romney if he’d drawn a parallel to Obama’s “off the cuff” remarks about the political process and getting elected when he smeared those who wouldn’t vote for him because they “clung bitterly to guns and religion”?
Romney once more steps before the cameras and affably endures media interrogation. Does anybody else get sick of it? Isn’t there a way to turn this around on these media jackals? When, not just in the last four years but in his entire life, has Barack Obama ever received much less patiently responded to such a fusillade of aggressive questioning?
The LAST thing Romney needs to do is draw parallels to anything Obama is, does or says. He should take Obama to task everyday with bold attacks in such a way that it drives the MSM messaging for an entire week. The MSM doesn’t get it that this is exactly what the country wants – an honest option they can believe in. Everytime Romney steps in front of the camera impromptu, he kills it!
“When, not just in the last four years but in his entire life, has Barack Obama ever received much less patiently responded to such a fusillade of aggressive questioning?”
Precisely.
The more aggressively Obama’s propaganda writers go after Mitt, the more obvious the contrast in behavior toward Obama becomes, the more transparent the sycophancy. Especially when Mitt handles it with the cheerful aplomb he displayed tonight.
He acquitted himself very well, though I doubt you’ll hear Chuck Todd say so.
Yeah, Romney’s ad hoc press conference was a big plus for the reasons everyone has mentioned plus it shows that he’s not hesitant to get before the MSM and let’em fling talking points at him. Did anyone else notice that there might have been 3-questions asked, all variations on the same theme. Also, Romney was disciplined enough to cut off debate reasonably quickly, not letting it drone on and on; good move on his part.
Lastly, while Sununu is good and strong on the issues, why not get Newt out these hitting the talk shows and using his power of logic and knowledge to augment Sununu and other’s. Newt is great when dealing with the MSM.
A presidential campaign reveals itself…
Roxeanne DeLuca has the new bumper sticker for this: “I am the 53%”
Interestingly the most common number for Obama approval -through thick & thin on Rassmussen for 2 years has been 47.
Maybe there really was something to 42 being the answer to the universe. 42 gives enough play – 47 is a definite shut out but it s not insurmountable. But plenty of those won’t be voters & are part of the 36% who do not vote evah.
No surprise this latest Romney “outrage” for the msm to turn cartwheels and hyperventilate over was dropped on the same day we find out the U.S. had a 3 day warning of violence in Benghazi. And did nothing.
[…] will be exploited to block news about the September 11, 2012 attack Obama could have prevented. The professor has it right: “There is no doubt that this was an Obama campaign operation, and likely we will see more […]
Couldn’t watch the Romney explanation video as I only saw a commercial that wouldn’t quit.
But didn’t need to. What he was quoted as saying is accurate.
But I think only 45% will vote for Obama.
Romney landslide.
Obama is history.
The So Called Unbiased Media (SCUM)manufactured, packaged and sold Captain Zero as a new Democrat; the personification of every failed policy they have helped liberals promulgate since the 60’s. Romney’s statements are nothing less than the ramifications of these failed policies laid out such that anyone with ears and a brain can cogitate on them. The fact that liberals themselves are providing fodder for their own demise is delicious irony. Hold on to your hats folks, its gonna be a wild ride to the election.The SCUM are very, very scared and so are the Democrats.
Another MSM freakout to some innocuous Romney comments. What a surprise.
It will be this way to the end of the campaign. Imagine if Romney had said, “Egypt is not an ally.” The media would have universally gone apeshit. “Can you believe this man and his reckless, dangerous language?! He’s going to start a war! And he wants to be President?!”
But Obama said it, so no big deal. Who exactly is the voter who will have his/her opinion swayed by these comments?
The media strategy is obvious. They can’t change Obama’s horrible record (despite their best efforts), so they have to make Romney an unpalatable alternative.
Romney is correct. What is the problem?
As Midwest Rhino pointed out, some of that 47% do not want to be there. They are actual or potential Romney supporters, but Romney has lumped them in with people who want a life of dependency.
(Also, some perfectly respectable retirees have no taxable income.)
“Perfectly respectable retirees” will not be offended by that remark. They paid income taxes for years, their fair share, and are now just retired from paying taxes along with being retired from getting up and going to work everyday.
I believe that is the problem.
Back on May 31, 2011 I wrote a piece on my blog The Diplomad (at http://thediplomad.blogspot.com/2011/05/modern-democracy-battle-between.html ) predicting that the election would be a battle between voters and taxpayers. That is what is happening. I see my liberal friends all in a delighted tizzy proclaiming the election is over. If so, it is because the American people no longer want their politicians to tell them the truth.
I posted this in the tip line–
How Jimmy Carter’s Grandson Helped Leak the Secret Romney Fund-raiser Video
http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/09/james-carter-iv-helped-spread-secret-romney-video.html
“Credited as a “research assistant” on the story is James Carter IV, the grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, who has been toiling online as an opposition researcher and is “currently looking for work,” according to his Twitter bio.”
That alone tells me a lot more than I ever wanted to know about the Carter family.
For a clan that calls itself “Baptists”, they definitely:
1. Have been very bitter and resentful since James Earl Carter II was given the “sent out packing” of the century by the American Electorate and Ronald Reagan in 1980.
2. They have been bitter and resentful enough to seek revenge for their patriarch’s national drubbing.
3. They think Mitt Romney is the man they can avenge themselves through, since Reagan is long gone.
Not to mention, how rich it is that Jimmy Carter’s grandson is unemployed!
That’s as rich as a Blue Bell Ice Cream sundae, with sprinkles, whipped cream and three cherries on top!
One needs to make it blatant that Carter’s grandson cannot find work under the Obama regime.
Maybe Romney can work that into his retort?
In related news …
Drudge link: GALLUP: “67% OF DEMS SAY GOVT — SHOULD DO MORE…”
http://www.gallup.com/poll/157481/majority-say-government-doing.aspx
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Anyway, Romney already said something to the effect of ‘if you want more free stuff vote for the other guy.’ I think he’s already established his foothold in this territory,
Romney was not completely right. He was right that many are committed to ever bigger government, and don’t understand even taxing the rich 75% wouldn’t pay for 1% of Obama’s unicorn entitlement society, but it would kill jobs.
That number Romney used, that 47% pay no taxes and feel entitled and like victims, is completely WRONG. 47% of FILERS pay no taxes, but that’s only like 70 million, while another 100 million adults don’t file. So those that pay no income tax is really 70% of adults, many are conservative and working.
Of the 47% Romney referred to, I bet more than half are conservative. They are working lower middle class 70 million, versus the not working (or working off the book) 100 million that don’t file. The real “welfare class” does not file, is NOT part of the 47% to which Romney referred.
He needs to say: “that 47% number was just off the cuff, and is wrong. Many hard working people are stuck in lower paying jobs in Obama’s stalled economy, and do with less without expecting government to be their caregiver. But then in Chicago we have teachers being promised a 16% raise over their $75,000, and that is not enough, they strike. THAT is the entitlement voter I won’t win over.
I will continue to help those that can’t help themselves, but the person that wants government to make all their birth control and health care and housing free, they will vote for Obama. I will let people determine their own health care.
Even Obama’s CBO says the Obama track is economic destruction for all. I will put America back to work in the private sector that produces. Obama grows government jobs that have to be funded with more taxes. A stronger private sector, smaller government economy is our only hope. Thank you.”
something like that, to clarify in his terms, exactly what he was trying to get across in his strategy talk. Every time media asks him “what about your gaffes”, he needs to get straight to the contrast between Romney and Obamaloney.
Romney has this attitude that he has to keep it simple, complex gets lost. But he probably needs to give his target voter a little more credit, and take on Obama more directly.
While correct that 47% of Filers pay no income tax, most that receive a W-2 pay Social Security and Medicare Tax. Though temporarily lowered, these are about about 6% and 1.5% of income, no insignificant amounts.
Therefore, any thinking working person is concerned about two MASSIVE government programs, at the least: Social Security and Medicare. And what topic became front and center when Ryan was named VP choice? Medicare.
Further, the self-employed who file but don’t pay income tax, pay Social Security and Medicare taxes double the above percentages, since they pay the employee and employer share. That comes to around 12 or 13% if memory serves. That’s alot of money to be paying, yet being told you pay “no tax.”
Surprised Romney wasn’t smart enough to appreciate the significance and hardship of these tax payments, and comment accordingly.
Exactly. I think he needs to use the media interrogations as an opportunity to clarify those things, and contrast to Obama, since the MSM will never ask Obama hard questions.
I was self employed for decades … I think SS is over 14% now, and that is a tax spent on current programs, not set aside on my behalf. And on the income tax, one can have a money purchase or profit sharing Keoghs and set aside about 20% before breaking into the income taxed category. I did that, never thinking I’d get much out of the government by the time I retired.
Besides the “welfare class” Romney was actually referring to, there are almost all the government union class, and a majority of other unions. These are all well paid tax payers, but they feel entitled to higher pay, which they get through the coercive efforts of union bosses that have leverage over our politicians. Despite their high pay, they use the victim card to demand more than others.
Romney needs to more clearly identify his “enemy”. But he has a winning hand on about every front, if he can overcome the media propagandizing for Obama.
Thank you for the breakdown. I don’t think many people understand how many people do NOT pay taxes in this country.
I have often wondered how much revenue could be raised if we made everyone pay something. Say, minimum income tax is $100. That is less than $10 a month to help pay for the many services provided. Plus, everyone would feel they had a stake in how the government spent our money; a feeling that is currently lacking in many.
To see the liberal feeding frenzy says more about them than the video says about Romney.
What Romney sais is suddenly more importand than the lack of information about 4 dead Americans.
Or the Empty Chair at The State Department.
If all the energy were turned to what happened in Libya we may findout what happened.
Lets remember what is really bothering liberals
Gallup: Obama lead falls 50% as MidEast Burns
I brought a few things together from across the net ….some of you might like to see these numbers
Monday, September 17, 2012 WOW …Romney Speaks The Truth
http://rightwingfringe.blogspot.com/
Good points Aggie95
No good way to spin facts for Obama
The 8,786,049 workers taking federal disability in September is a net increase of 18,108 from the 8,767,941 workers who took federal disability in August.
The vanishing workforce
And the L.A. Times will be releasing the Khalidi tape where Ozymandias-on-the-Potomac was present aaaaany day now, riiiiight?
Riiiiiight.
Professor,
First of all, thanks for all you do. My point is a minor one but I’d like to make it anyway. You said “The language used could have been better…” It sounds a lot like the caveats which are being offered by our side regarding the Islam video. “Terrible movie.” “A piece of garbage.” etc. I am tired of us genuflecting before the liberal god before we make our actual points which are; 1. Romney’s right. 2. The video had NOTHING to do with the murderous outrage which is going on in the Middle East.
Romneys choice of words and the existence of this video have nothing to with the real issues. If the liberals don’t like Romneys words or the existence of this video, good.
Thank you.
Romney caught telling the truth on a secret video. Lamestream media offended someone would do such a thing!
Romney does need to take the offensive and start calling out these journolisters by name. If he can’t, call in Newt and Sarah Palin to do so for him.
Gotta love this from Michael Walsh over at NRO who whites and informs us
Milk-Carton Mitt’s surprise turn upon the stage — did you know he was running for president? — came courtesy of the currently unemployed James Earl Carter IV, son of James Earl Carter III and grandson of the ineffable James Earl Carter, Jr., and a big fan of Barack Hussein Obama II, who found and relayed a surreptitiously recorded video in which Romney sounded remarkably like . . . a real conservative.
NBC narrative this morning – Romney’s in hot water, meanwhile Obama’s hangin’ with the cool cats tonight.
[…] video at video.insider.foxnews.comFor more on this check out Instapundit and Ann Althouse and Legal Insurrection. By the way, where is that tape that the Los Angeles Times hid in order to protect then candidate […]
Considering Obama wrote off the “white middle-class” isn’t this just fair play?
Remember Peggy Joseph? Oh yeah. “Me, too!”
Show the tape of her being so enthusiastic about The One paying her gas and her mortgage. It simply confirms what Romney said.
That should shut down all discussion very quickly.
If the tape was such a bfd it would have been released October 31. This is the worst those Chicago Gangsters can come up with? LOL.
Early voting starts in just a week or so in a few critical battle ground states. So that is the best they got.
[…] us don’t pay our fair share. Now that Jimmy Carter’s grandson recorded Romney’s comments about it, newsmakers are trying to turn the remarks into a gaffe of “bitter clingers” […]
There is only one problem with Ronmey’s comment about the 47%. It includes those collecting SS. SS is NOT an entitlement. Each and everyone of us that works pays into SS. That IS your money. I know more than a few hard working folks that are conservative to the core that want the SS money they paid in back from this corrupt government and should be allowed to collect that money that was stolen from them at the point of the governments gun. They vote conservative!