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Subscribe to RSSCOLUMBIA, SC -- Back on the stump for the first time since Saturday night's debate with his GOP rivals, Mitt Romney wasted little time in turning his focus back to President Obama, lashing out at the president for making "disparaging" comments about Americans.
"Sometimes, I just don't think that President Obama understands America," Romney said. "I say that because this week -- Or was it last week? -- he said that Americans are lazy. I don't think that describes America. Before that I think it was in October, he was saying we have lost our inventiveness, and our ambition. Before that he was saying other disparaging things about Americans. I just don't think he understands -- he was saying we just weren't working hard enough. I don't think he gets what's happening in this country."
Romney was referencing remarks made by the president at Saturday's APEC summit in Hawaii, where he was asked about government policies that serve as impediments to foreign investment in the United States, not about Americans generally.
"I think it’s important to remember that the United States is still the largest recipient of foreign investment in the world. And there are a lot of things that make foreign investors see the U.S. as a great opportunity -- our stability, our openness, our innovative free market culture," Obama said. "But we’ve been a little bit lazy, I think, over the last couple of decades. We’ve kind of taken for granted -- well, people will want to come here and we aren’t out there hungry, selling America and trying to attract new business into America."
Later in his remarks, Romney hit the president again, perhaps a bit more gently, for his broader economic policies.
"Now I don't want to be too critical, the president came in, and I think never having worked in the private sector, he went to work trying to make things better. And remember that old Ronald Reagan line - he says the most frightening thing you could possibly hear are, 'I'm here from the government and I'm here to help,'" Rommey said. "And so he did almost everything, in my view, wrong."
The balance of Romney's speech, which followed an introduction by his wife, Ann, was focused on his own economic and fiscal policy. He touched on his plans to shut down various government programs, and send Medicaid back to the states, but spent the most time on labor policy.
Speaking on the floor of Colite, a non-union sign factory, Romney tailored his speech to reflect the anti-union sentiment among Republican voters here, fueled by a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) lawsuit charging that Boeing built a factory in South Carolina to punish striking workers in Washington State.
Romney said that President Obama paid unions back for helping him get elected by appointing “stooges to the NLRB.”
“You know something about that in South Carolina,” he said, alluding to the NLRB/Boeing case.
Romney said that American workers were entitled to protections including the right to a secret ballot, the right to 30 days notice before a union election, the right to resist mandatory unionization and the right to work in a non-union state.
*** UPDATE *** Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt responds: “Only Mitt Romney would criticize the president for encouraging CEOs to promote the United States abroad in order to create American jobs and attract investment at home. Maybe that’s because when Mitt Romney was a finance executive, he was more focused on outsourcing American jobs and creating profits for investors without any regard for the impact of his decisions on middle class families.”
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Mitt understands that corporations are people. This is what we get when presidents come from the private sector. No constitutional lawyers welcome in this beeyatch.
This moronic Mormon is too dangerous for American foreign policy, but would be perfect for the banking cartel and their globalist plans.
Vote for Ron Paul 2012. Go to www. infowars.com to read and hear what the banking cartel media won't say publicly.
hey fellows, relax , everybody knows the repubs have all the unsolved answers to AMERICA'S WOES. it's all obama's fault, he did it in just 36 months. the gall of that young man telling repubs that they've BANKRUPT the american trust. WMD's were really in them there hills ''SON''.
Have you realized that it was Obama's first bailout that caused this staggering deficit. Btw, because of the bailout, money in 7.5 trillion found its way to the Central Bank in Europe via the Federal Reserve Banksters. Also, Congressman Dennis Kucinich and others have had Congressional Hearings as to why the Federal Reserve Banksters lost that 7.5 tillion, why was unaccounted for.
HAVE YOU REALIZED ; Obama was only paying depts BUSH AND THE WMD ADMINISTRATION left behind ? Did you have a better plan, or have you had 36 months to hide in denial ? Get a life son, or just put a statute of moroni in the oval office. All your troubles will dissapear, and peace will overtake your country with hope and promise.
I thought Romney was smarter than that. I guess his reading comprehension levels are really low.
It's apparent that Mitt Romney just doesn;t understand America. These ar the comments of a man out of touch with reality, a man with a character molded on Wall Street and in the elitist circles of hedge funds and ruthless investment groups. Romney has probably led to more layoffs than any single person alive in this country today. To twist what the president said into an attack on Americans is sick. It is clearly a shot at Corporate America that is currently sitting on $2 trillion in capital, sabotaging the economy for political purposes, http://www.sunstateactivist.org
A demagogue (sometimes spelled demagog)
is a leader who obtains power by appealing to the gut feelings of the
public, usually by powerful use of rhetoric and propaganda. H. L. Mencken defined
a demagogue as
"one
who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be
idiots."
The word is nowadays mostly used as a political
insult: political opponents are described as demagogues, but people we approve
of are "men of the people," or great speechmakers
Did someone actually think that Obama ever did understand America?
Obama ranks low among recent incumbents
" 52% saying they disapprove of how Obama is handling his job in the White House ... Obama's 46% approval ranks above only Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford - who both lost their re-election bids - in November of the year before an election"
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/15/cnn-poll-obama-ranks-low-among-recent-incumbents/?hpt=hp_t3
everyone has an opinion, and yours ranks last '' with the rest of the BUSH RETARDS !!!!!!!!!
job approval ranking correlates to general economic health of the economy, not how well a president "understands america". duh.
lol...pjam, no one cares...give it up.
I marked him as spam on this one. Pasting the same message 20 times is too much.
Funny too how he never mentions the 8% approval of the tea-congress. 46% looks pretty good compared to that.
"I'm inclined to agree more with Krautheimer-"
=========
....Does anyone know what a "Krautheimer" is? It has a bit of a Nazi sound to it. Just asking.
wasnt he the same guy who favors expediting foreclosures as a means of ending the housing crisis, and the govt should have let the auto makers file bankruptcy? Just who the heck is he to ctiticize anyone?
Ya, Mr. "Corporations are people too" really understands America.
What i dont think he understands the most Mr. Romney is how to flip flop on matters every other week the way you do. If this is the best the GOP has to offer and that appears to be so they in a world of hurt.......but wait , we have a new flavor of the week on the rise....Ol Newt is surging in the poll the press says......to me its more like he leading by default !!!! and i agree with keating that this guy understands america so well thats why he makes comments like corporations are people too.............And God wants america to lead........seems he knows god too.............
Candidates from both major parties have the same problem winning primary elections: How to pander to the faithful while not totally alienating everyone else.
As a brand, Romney has always tried to position himself as a moderate, but soon learned that Republican caucus members and primary voters truly believe a moderate is a turn coat, and treasonous filth that must be destroyed. So, with Newt on his tail, expect Mitt to move further and further to the right as primary season wears on.
I have no doubt that the Obama re-election committee is bringing in a very large supply of recording stock and using it wisely to record some of the most inane Romney comments. I almost feel sorry for Romney, but not quite.
One last comment on Obama not understanding America. Obama and his wife both understand what it's like to work their way through college and they know what it's like to pay back student loans; neither of which were ever a burden to Romney. Can't wait for someone to ask Mitt how much a gallon of milk is! We'll see who really understands America.
A gallon of milk? I don't know how much that costs I can only afford one $2 half gallon at a time. You think Mitt knows what that feels like?
I think at the next Republican debate Rod Serling (were he alive) would open the debate with one one his classic intros..."there's a sign post up ahead", next would be Alex Trebek with the question and answer section and finally Chuck Barris (The Gong Show) would be the judge as each candidate is given 5 minutes and an open mike. It would be GLORIOUS!!!!!
I would submit that the President because of his humble upbring understands "real" America Mr. Romney. He knows what it is like to have to work hard to put yourself through school with student loans. He didn't get a free pass like you, Mitt because you were a governor's son. And, if you look at the actual text of the President's speech, he didn't call American's lazy at all. Which one of the current slate of GOP candidates can you even picture as President of all of the people? Maybe John Huntsman.
Obama is an extraordinarily skilled speaker. He can be personally charming. He is a superb salesman. Many very intelligent voters were completely convinced his by his grandiose statements, delivered with absolute certainty. (Give me a trillion dollars to spend, and unemployment will never rise above 8%).
There is no shame in admitting that we were fooled by someone so skillful. We have an unfortunate human tendency, though, to identify with the decisions we have made and defend them as if we were defending our own worth. This is especially true when we have a “support group” of others who are also finding every possible excuse for the same decisions.
When you find yourself repeating excuses that are objectively irrational (The Tea Party is composed of terrorists who are more powerful than the President and the Senate combined), it is time to shake yourself, back away a little, and reevaluate your position.
Blind loyalty to a losing sports team is endearing; blind loyalty to a failed leader is dangerous.
Kannin..it's equally dangerous to be naive or in your case..perhaps dishonest. Obama got healthcare reform that the CBO says will save over $100B over the next 10 years, his first stimulus package (according to virtually every economist on the planet) saved us from going over the financial cliff and created something like 3M new jobs, he saved the auto industry, he got Bin Laden and he helped NATO over throw Gadafi and not one U.S. service man lost his/her life. And he's had to deal with a do nothing group of House Republicans that have done everything in their power to make this country fail. Failed leader my a$$.
Bravo dont vote recklessly. Amazing how perceptions are formed. Wrote to MSNBC last week after reporting Obama job bill fails with a 51-49 vote. The bill passed but the Republican leadership filibustered. Talk about lazy journalists!!!!!! But ask the common guy and he will report even the Dems dont support Obama.
PS- Per CBO stimulus bill at a minimum created 1.4 million jobs
"April 26, 2010: 3:56 AM ET NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The recovery is picking up steam as employers boost payrolls, but economists think the government's stimulus package and jobs bill had little to do with the rebound, according to a survey released Monday.
In latest quarterly survey by the National Association for Business Economics, the index that measures employment showed job growth for the first time in two years -- but a majority of respondents felt the fiscal stimulus had no impact."
paxil..I'm an Independent and I normally don't take sides. I just call them like I see them.
Kannin are you really so obtuse that you would take a press story over an economist's analysis? Do you believe everything you read in the press. "the majority of respondents"..which respondents are we talking about here? Republican's for all you know.
Kannin..try this press story on for size
www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-25/obama-s-economic-stimulus-program-created-up-to-3-3-million-jobs-cbo-says.html
The Examiner 05/17/11 5:29 PM
Last week, economists Timothy Conley and Bill Dupor concluded that the stimulus package (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 0r ARRA) shrank the economy even in the short run, destroying about 550,000 jobs overall. (The stimulus saved or created 450,000 government jobs, but that was more than offset by the fact that the stimulus wiped out a million private-sector jobs). As they noted in their study,
The stimulus package was criticized by many other economics professors, like Harvard University’s Jeffrey Miron, Robert Barro and Martin Feldstein. (Barro called it “the worst bill that has been put forward since the 1930s.” Feldstein, who also criticized it, served as an economic advisor to Presidents Obama and Reagan).
Nobel Laureates like Gary Becker have also criticized the stimulus package. Two hundred economists signed a statement publicly opposing the stimulus package in an ad published in The Washington Post and The New York Times.
Kannin..for every post you make that is negative to the plan..I'll post one that is positive about the plan. We could go at this all day.
My point, as noted above, is when you find yourself repeating excuses that are objectively untrue (his first stimulus package according to virtually every economist on the planet saved us from going over the financial cliff), it is time to shake yourself, back away a little, and reevaluate your position.
Blind loyalty to a losing sports team is endearing; blind loyalty to a failed leader is dangerous.
Kannin you're pretty good at spin. It won't save your candidate in 2012 sorry.
I don't think Romney understands that most of the nation does not think he is the right one for the country (including his own party) or which way he is going to flip flop next, for that matter.
Of course Obama doesnt understand the USA. He has never worked a real job in his life. He says USA businesses are lazy, yet has piled on regulations and threats of taxing them. He says he wants to create jobs, but stops the pipeline from canada to texas, which wouold have created 10s of thousands of jobs. Stops the Boeing factory from opening up in South Carolina. He is Campainger in chief, a 2 face POS, and a raging marxist determined to create class warfare. WAKE THE F#CK UP, AMERICA!!!!
To JeffersonMadison1776 -
I am not sure where you get your information from but Pres. Obama has actually worked real jobs in his life. Check it out. The sand oil pipeline decision was delayed by the President because the Republican Gov. of Nebraska asked him to do so. By the way the company has since changed the route of the pipeline and the project will move forward. You need to read Marx before you continue spouting stuff you know nothing about. And, using a the "F" word made you look even more ignorant than you are.
Well said Den from WA..wholeheartedly agree. The Republican's created class warfare..dumba$$ Jefferson is simply too stupid to see it.
Romney, I don't think any of the politicians, including you understand America. All you care about is whether or not you can get media attention and campaign money. None of you care about what the People need. Unfortunately, Obama is just a puppet and his Administration needs a wake-up call. Every one of those in the government need to be replaced by those who actually understand what we need. At this point, they don't care, otherwise they would have stepped up to the plate in creating more than enough jobs for the Americans and forced U.S. companies to hire American workers.
Wow, what a crazy thing to say. This from a Repub born with a silver spoon in his mouth, that he turned to gold by dumping Americans workers. Does he really believe the average American can relate more to his multi-millionare, Mormon, zillion dollar beachside house and core belief only in the power of the corporation, etc. background than........... President Obama's?
He's making Cain look saner all the time.
Romney has found another way of saying that Obama is not like us. He's different, an outsider. I suppose that plays well in Republican circles in South Carolina.
t
cain
and romney for pres. and vp !!!!!!!! they both really believe in having many
women. for sure , legalization of polygamy will be forced on the table. the
repubs aren't as square as i thought. they've got my vote.
What is even more noteworthy is the fact that he never blamed the previous management for his own difficulties – he just fixed what was wrong.
^ ROTFL! Lie much?
Mass. was 47th out of 50th in job creation during Mitty's reign and throughout the Republican debates he blames everyone for this (democrats, unions) but himself.
Here is what fact check says about Mittens:
Romney, governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007, saw, growth rate of 15,000 jobs a year.
Democratic Gov. Dukakis saw Massachusetts employment grow by 500,000 jobs during his two divided terms, 1975 to 1979, and 1983 to 1991, a rate of more than 41,000 jobs a year.
That means Dukakis' job growth rate was nearly three times Romney's.
^ So Romney has a far worse record than his democratic predecessor, but still tries to *blame* him for this poor performance as governor.
Mitty's a clever faker, while Cain, Bachmann and Perry are all patently stupid fakers, and that's why Mitty is going to rep for the GOP then get squashed by Obama in the gen election.
ScommaG....
"So Romney has a far worse record...."
You neglected to mention that under Romney Massachusetts CREDIT RATING WENT UP.
And we all know that Obama was the first president to preside over DROP IN US CREDIT RATING.
due to the Republican congress
Thank the Tea Party for our credit downgrade. We all watched them hold the process hostage. S&P laid the blame at their feet for the downgrade. What a bunch of desperate liars trying to give credit to Obama for their efforts.
I admit you can see a long way from an ivory tower like Romney exists in. But if you want to understand America you have to look down. People with hereditary wealth don`t do that very well.
In my experience they're pretty good at looking down. At everyone around them.
Thank you "don't vote recklessly"... Sadly, all Empires fail...we are failing. It is inevitable. I think it is ridiculous and laughable for any of the candidates to say that they understand Americans...Narcissists are unable to understand anything except what is in it for them. Period. I will vote for Obama again as he is the only candidate that actually has some empathy and came in trying to help the people...the poor and others that can't afford HEALTHCARE...what is wrong with that statement. Can't afford HEALTHCARE???? So Jesus like these people. So Christian...do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Not seeing that anywhere and it is disgusting. Shame! And there are those that say that is a socialist view. I call it human...to actually care for others when they are incapable of getting the basic things they need to survive in this life. It is wrong. Wrong that there is so much money being spent on these morons running against each other when that money could be used for something else...oh I don't know, feeding children that need it, getting health care for those that need it and can't. What happened to human compassion? I am not seeing it and it is all going to come crashing down. All Empires FALL.