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President Barack Obama took a fresh swipe at Mitt Romney Thursday over the leaked video that shows the Republican nominee dismissing 47 percent of Americans, saying the comments suggest Romney probably hasn’t “gotten around a lot.”
Obama made the remarks during an interview in Miami with Univision, the Spanish language network, a day after Romney had given an interview to the same network.
On Wednesday, moderator Jorge Ramos asked Romney to clarify what he meant on the tape. “Well, first of all this is a campaign about the 100 percent,” Romney said. “And over the last several years, you’ve seen greater and greater divisiveness in this country. We had hoped to come back together but instead you've seen us pulled apart. And politics has driven us apart in some respects. So, my campaign is about the 100 percent in America.”
While courting Hispanic voters on Univision, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney delivered a new message after saying he stood by his beliefs about the "47 percent." NBC's Chuck Todd reports.
On Thursday, Ramos asked the president: “For you, which is the true Mitt Romney?”
The president seized the opportunity to slam his opponent: “When you express an attitude that half the country considers itself victims that somehow they want to be dependent on government, my thinking is maybe you haven't gotten around a lot.”
The president then argued that he has a better understanding of the country. “I travel around the country all the time and the American people are the hardest-working people there are. And their problem is not that they're not working hard enough or they don't want to work or they're being taxed too little or they just want to loaf around and gather government checks.”
Romney has been playing defense since the liberal magazine Mother Jones publicized remarks that were secretly videotaped at a Florida fundraiser in May. The video shows Romney telling an audience of wealthy donors that he isn’t concerned about getting the support of nearly half the country because they’re already Obama supporters who are dependent on the government and view themselves as victims.
For the most part, Romney has stood by his remarks, arguing that they highlight the difference between his economic views and the president’s. Romney has tried to paint the president as a big-government liberal; he recently pointed to a videotape from 1998 which shows then-state Senator Obama saying he supports a “redistribution” of wealth. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney suggested the Romney campaign was “desperate” for highlighting a 14-year-old video.
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Romney hates old people
Romney hates veterans
Romney hates women
Romney hates Latinos
Romney hates poor people
chswad
Are you supporting President Obama because his divisiveness agrees with you perceived hate?
The divisiveness comes from the Republicans in Congress and state legislatures, not President Obama. Most Americans and those in other countries are aware of it. Deny it if you wish.
CHSWAD - you can't be as stupid as you sound -
I wouldn't say captain spray tan hates those people, he just doesn't understand them. btw Romney could get tanning lessons from (don't fear) the weeper aka Jon Boehner.
It is a shame that Willard can not come up with a slogan of his own- Willard is using slogans from Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and President Obama.This goes to show you that he is out of touch with reality and himself- a great day for the Dems
It is a shame that Willard is using everyone else speeches and slogans. Willard is out of touch with reality and with Americans. Willard needs to resign the race because it is a embrassing
Can someone please tell me why Harry Reid has NOT submitted a budget to the floor? Not one single budget. Doesn't matter if it gets shot down, it just matters if he tries. He has not.
Obozo hates Americans......
No, he doesn't. You are just letting your crazed fantasies get away from you. Pull yourself together.
How come MSNBC didn't cover President Obama's interview with Univision?
Awkward moments? Like getting pressed on failing on his promise.
Or MORE awkward. Saying
Will President Obama make no new promises or tell Americans which ones he won't keep?
Where's the outrage over the lies about the embassy in Benghazi not being protected, when they were warned ahead of time and subsequent deaths? Obama didn't want people to know he wasn't paying attention.
The outrage is not being covered. The photos of brutality are not being shown.
The Obama administration apparently is still deciding to stick with the "film" excuse or an attack. The problem is, the Obama administration appears to look foolish either way.
The White House dance on this is so bad that I'm wondering if the "film" was intentionally released as a "pre-attack red herring excuse"... Not that I'm skeptical, but the actions of President Obama have me scratching my head.
Jennifer and MJ - you are both right on. I was so incredibly saddened to learn how our Ambassador died! And I, as an American, wanted to IMMEDIATELY hear from our president. I wanted him to be sitting in the Oval Office, addressing the nation and talking about this horrific attack. I wanted him to soothe us, to help allay our worries. But he did not! Instead he attended a fund raiser in Nevada.
Romney at $50,000.00 per plate gathering: "There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what.....My job is is not to worry about those people."
Romney at public gathering: "Well, first of all this is a campaign about the 100%....."
Typical Romney; he expresses his true feelings at a private gathering, thinking his comments are not being recorded, and then goes out in public and lies to the American people. Romney is a modern nationwide carpetbagger whose holy grail is a plutocracy. His vision of the ideal economy is to eliminate the minimum wage and have long lines of people bidding for jobs, with the lowest wage bidder getting the job. He yearns for the good old days of old Europe and its serfdoms.
Are you serious? Wealthy people do NOT have to donate their time or their money. Mitt Romney does both. Get over these soundbites. They are on BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE. And you are being dishonest by not putting forth BOTH SIDES.
The truth be told, the Boy King is actually disappointed that only 47% of Americans are on the dole - he would like that number to be much larger. He learned from his father that the best way to deal with our problems is to turn over all we have to the government and then and only then would the wise bureaucrats re-allocate to us what we need. Obama is one sick and confused "community organizer" that truly wants to destroy what we have.
What a crock of @!$%#.
A crock? I think not.
No, Linda. It's definitely a crock.
Nice language Moron - can't you express yourself more eloquently? A typical Boy King supporter - all emotions.
Continue with your childish name calling, Gary. We expect nothing less of you.
Let me rephrase my comment. Your post is nothing more than flotsam from a sewer. Is that better?
Couldn't have said it better myself, Gary!
...unless you were slobbering drunk, right, Linda?
Romney's last chance to show America he wants to be President.
I think there is only one solution that Romney has left if he wants to become President of the United States.
He has to give up ALL of his possesions and all of his assets either in a bank or otherwise.
This means if will have to sell off everything he owns and give the money that he has raised to those in need in America and other hard hit areas of the world.
By Romney liquidating ALL of his assets and coming before America as a man of truth and means and not just money perhaps Americans would see him fit to be a President.
If Romney cares so much for America then losing what he has will mean nothing to him as his possesions are merely objects with a monetary value.
Once in office he will receive a paycheck just like any other President.
What a test of loyalty and service to America.
Giving up all of wordly possession to be seated by the American people as the President of the U.S.
Romney has to give it ALL up.
He can't keep anything in holding or vaults nor can friends buy up his posessions and then return them to him after his time in office is up.
Do you think that Romney would go to such lengths to be the leader of the U.S.?
Such a leader would never before have been seated in the history of America.
So whats more important Romney?
Your posession and status and wealth or serving.....
America?
We want Romney to prove his worth by becoming poor.
Would Jesus be a Republican or a Democrat? It can all be answered with a single response question!
(Q) Should we help feed the poor and disadvantaged (food stamps)? or should we tell people to quit sucking the govt teet and get a job?
(A) What would Jesus do?
(Q) Should we help the sick & suffering people who cannot afford having half their paycheck taken for Health Insurance? Or should we just let them die to weed out the herd?
(A) What would Jesus do?
(Q) Should American workers be treated with dignity and respect? Or should American workers be treated like those Romney spoke about in China behind the barb wire fences?
(A) What would Jesus do?
It makes me sick that so many Republicans call themselves Christians, Yet so many things they stand for are completely against the teachings of Jesus Christ.
I think that policies of allowing people to die, starve or to be treated like slaves should trump policies about abortion rights & gay marriage.
AMERICA needs Mitt Romney! President Obama PROMISED transparency but has broken that promise. With a swipe of his pen he has made a significant change to welfare that President Clinton put into place. President Obama was TOLD by HIS advisers AND by President Bush's advisers NOT to invest in Solyndra but against their advice, he gave the failing company $528 MILLION TAXPAYER dollars and they immediately went bankrupt! Can't you see what's happening in Greece, Spain, Britain ? How can people be so blind? Wake up, America.
I think the number is over 50% right now and growing, Obama has you all right where he wants you.
Good luck 50%
You are so right!
If by that you mean the percentage of American voters that are going to cast their ballots for Obama is well over 50% then, yes, you are so right!
No not meaning that over 50% will vote for Obama, meaning that there the number of people that dont pay taxes is over 50%.
Well, then. Since it has yet to be established that Mitt Romney pays taxes, I suppose we can include him that category, right?
America doesn't need a "cool" president. It needs a STRONG, BUSINESS-MINDED, ETHICAL leader. That leader is MITT ROMNEY!
I recently was talking with an old family friend about Romney's comment about the 47% being leeches. She got a defensive tone and said Romney is right on. Funny thing, this lady couldn't wait to turn 65 so that she could begin using Medicare to get thoroughly checked out because her coverage with her husband's insurance through his job wasn't that great. Within a few years, her husband will retire and turn to Social Security. This last spring, the husband had to have two major surgeries and was off work from March to late July without pay coming in. They got behind on bills during this time and now are really struggling. They are probably one more major illness away from having to think about some public assistance to make it though. However, she views herself as part of the 53% that Romney indicates he's not turning his back on. I think this is a problem with a lot of middle class people right now that want to vote for the GOP. They are living in denial that their middle class lifestyle is fading fast and they're sliding towards being poor for the first time in their life. To vote for the current GOP candidates is to vote against their own best interests in the current economy. As for me, I lost my job nearly two years ago and because of a back injury have not been able to work since then. I survive on a meager $960/month pension which barely covers basic living expenses. I have no health insurance so my health problems are going untreated. I lost my home so I'm living with a sister. For the first time since I was in college, I'm poor but at least I had a family member willing to take me in or else I'd probably be out on the street or living in my car. I for one am not going to vote against myself, I'm voting a Democratic ticket this November.
I am not sure why you think that Obama or Romney can fix your problems?
You are considered low income and can get all kinds of grants and student loans to go back to college so that you can earn a living. You are the only one that can help your self, you are part of what is wrong with this country.
Let me just ask the following: 1) how much is the deficit? 2) can you name the senators from your state? 3) how about the Speaker of the House? 4) the previous Speaker? 5) the democratic leader? 6)The republican leader? If you can't answer at least 3 of these 6 questions then you have NO business voting until you do!
Someone in this thread asked, what would Jesus do? I'll tell you what he would do. He would take care of poor people. He would perform RANDOM asks of KINDNESS. And that is MITT ROMNEY!
Jesus is for Mitt? That is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. Stop it.
This is how Romney views middle class Americans:
"I really like those fancy raincoats you bought. Really sprung for the big bucks!" —Mitt Romney, making fun of fans wearing plastic ponchos during a visit to the site of the Daytona 500 Nascar race in Florida, Feb. 26, 2012
Please refer to President Clinton's state of the union (I believe it was 1996 or 1998) where he CLEARLY and EMPHATICALLY states that the days of BIG GOVERNMENT are OVER! We MUST cut back! President Clinton forgot to mention that when he spoke at the Democratic Convention! This president is KILLING our economy NOT growing it!
It truly worries me that so many people can be easily duped. I pride myself on NOT following the pack. Didn't always make me popular but I certainly gained respect from my peers and superiors.
If you do nothing else between now and November, I ask that you watch the following video. I pretty much ignored Glenn Beck's comments and watched only the 4 videos that ran below his video. That is Mitt Romney. He has a true and kind heart.
Please just go to www.glennbeck at the following:
/2012/09/14/watch-glenn-reveals-the-real-mitt-romney/
Are you actually using Glenn Beck as a source?? The man who said President Obama was building concentration camps in the US??? Please allow me to laugh directly in your face!
Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Did you NOT read what I wrote? That I pretty much ignored Beck's comments? You're just too afraid to watch the videos!
If you "pretty much" ignored Glenn Beck, then you are "kinda sorta" paying attention to him. If, however, you include a link to one of his videos to illustrate one of your meaningless points, then you deserve being laughed at by all rational people.
Give it up.
What kind of a president whispers to a Russian official to tell Putin that he can do more once the election is over! What kind of a president whispers cruel things to a foreigner about the President of Israel? Who is he watching out for? I don't think it's us.
I am currently unemployed and was required to go to the unemployment office to attend a seminar. Failure to do so would result in loosing 1 week in benefits. I was given ample notice and NUMEROUS dates and times to attend. There were at least 6 people missing from the session that I attended. I was not surprised.
correction: losing. Also, I should not have said "6" because I did not verify that number. There were missing people and I thought I "heard' six. I was wrong to state that without verifying
Why am I not surprised? Well, the Arby's on the interstate just out of town is hiring. You appear to be eminently qualified to join the high-powered world of the fast food industry.
I'm really not sure what you're getting at. While I am unemployed, I am a former VP, paid for my own education, STILL buy food for the poor nearly every week while I'm grocery shopping and I volunteer. What's your claim to fame?
By the way, I OFFERED to help several people that day at the unemployment office (offered to create a resume for them, show them how to do searches on the Internet, et al) and NOT one person took me up on my offer.
You poor misguided, uninformed person.
47% ? most Revolutions and Gov't downfalls start with the same number of disinfranchised this Gov't in order to survive has determined to Pay off the 47% in the form of benefits and entitlements all Revolutions start from the bottom up soon to include the "Middle class" against the wealth class"Let them eat cake" soon as the entitlements stop the riots begin every Revolution started when Gov't and wealth class said enough of this free stuff why? the poor have nothing to lose and the middle class goes along to get along and the wealthest loss the most EVERY REVOLUTION started this way noone excites the Weathest class to revolt against the Middle or poor Bottom UP
Obama keeps throwing fish toward a greater number of people in this country and will soon having a voting block that can never fail. Romney will teach you how to fish for yourself and you can have fish when you wanted not when someone else decides. Obama doesn't want you off the dole he needs you right where you are. We are already falling in education to a point of shame but people who watch the mail box for their next fish meal don't need to read, write, and do math. What a tragedy to take people who would other wise become great providers and turn them into a political tool for socialism.
when the poor feel hopeless and the middle class feels overburdened that's the start of a boiling if as all Gov't did at one time or another you start turning to building a bigger more expensive military one controlled by Gov't (Big supporters) the founding Fathers knew this which is why they put Little use in Federal Gov't and more hope in Local militias Less wars and more local "Protection" in the hands of Govonors and State Legislators so who controls the Militias? the wealthy class well you don't need a history lesson but cut s will not be a good thing and 47% unhappy is not a good thing
Linda, and what would you call the Republican Party which believes its representatives, elected by the people to govern for the people, swear allegiance to one man, Grover Norquist. Norquist said himself that they only need a President that is capable of signing his name. Well Linda, elect Romney and Norquist gets his man and you get Norquist, your supreme leader and dictator. Just think of the money and time you'll save without any more elections.
Obozo won't be satisfied until 100% of Americans are dependent on government handouts.....and Dumbocrats are all too willing to fall in line.....who will pay for your existence then????
More importantly, who will pay for your mental care and Librium prescriptions?
...I know it's shocking to someone like you, but I pay for all my own healthcare insurance and prescription plans and co-pays without you subsidizing a penny......can you say the same?....
I certainly can! Unlike you, however, I can also say I am not insane.
I can't believe we are still talking about the 47%, oh that's right the mainstream media continues to work for the administration to get their fellow liberal re-electiced. If Obama wins his predecessor will have left him a mess. Why MSNBC, CBS, NBC, ABC, & CNN are you not talking about the international news that this administration is in up to its eyeballs? You know that you have taken the 47% out of context but you don't care. The country is in a downward spiral and you would put the failed president right back in, WHY? You do not hold the President accountable for almost anything, even he is treated as a victim, its someones elses fault that these things are happening. Of course without you he would not be a race at all. He still is going to lose because the American people know when they are in trouble and must make a change.
On July the 4th, if Obama gets back in, we should change the Holiday to "Dependence Day". The incentive to grow and prosper, working with your own hands to build something will be weakened by a system that takes from those who have and gives to those who have not. There is no incentive to turn away a handout and not incentive to work to feed lazy entitlers. The freedom system gives incouragement that you can do it. You can have more tomorrow than you have today. If you apply yourself to the task of taking care of yourself you will be rewarded in many ways. God said if man not work, neither shall he eat. Socialism teaches that either that my government will see to my needs or I'm working for someone else. What a terrible system to de-value the human ability to do great things if given the encouragement and playing field condusive to work=reward. It's harder than standing in line to get a check but much more rewarding. This is what the 47% need to know. Get off your butts and go find a job and give become a tax payer in your own right.
Certainly, Romney's insane ravings would have nothing to do with this, would it?
Romney doesn't pay income tax either
He claims he pays his legal requirements
But blames others that pay their legal requirements as freeloaders
Nice!
Wow are you that stupid? Your name should be NO common sense. Do you actually think people believe those lies that you post here?? Oh wait...the majority of you'll here on this site are wrist flapping liberal trolls..so I guess that means yes. Your party is made up of nothing but idiots like idiot obama.