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Carolyn Kaster / AP
President Barack Obama speaks at a campaign event at G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium, Friday, Sept. 21, 2012, in Woodbridge, Va.
President Barack Obama struck back Friday at Mitt Romney's attempt to cast himself as a candidate of "change" as well as the GOP nominee's surreptitiously-recorded comments at a fundraiser earlier this year.
The president delivered some of his most forceful criticism of Romney at a campaign rally in northern Virginia, seizing on Romney's secretly videotaped remarks that he was not looking to appeal to 47 percent of the country.
“The values we believe in don't just belong to workers or businesses, the 53 percent or the 47 percent, the rich or the poor, the 1 percent, the 99 percent -- these are Americans values. They belong to all of us!” Obama said to a cheering crowd of 12,000 at a minor-league baseball stadium in Woodbridge, Virginia.
Obama also noted as a point of contrast that he happened to lose, as a matter of coincidence, 47 percent of the vote in the 2008 election, but still looked to lead as president those Americans who did not vote for him.
“In 2008 47 percent of the country didn't vote for me. But on the night of the election I said to all those Americans, I may not have won your vote but I hear your voices, I need your help and I will be your president,” he said.
“And for everybody who's watching or anybody here who's still undecided, I don't know how many people are going to vote for me this time around, but I'm telling the American people, I will be fighting for you no matter what,” he continued.
The president also took issue in Woodbridge with Romney’s statement during the fundraiser that that 47 percent of voters, who don’t pay income taxes and may be on government assistance, are “victims.”
“I don't see a lot of victims in this crowd today,” he said. “I see hard-working Virginians.”
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Obama also struck back on Romney’s criticism Thursday after Obama, speaking at a Univision town hall that day, said he realized after taking office that “you can’t change Washington from the inside.”
At a rally in Sarasota, Florida, shortly after Obama finished his town hall, Romney retooled his stump speech to include this criticism: “The president today threw in the white flag of surrender again. He said he can’t change Washington from inside, he can only change it from outside. Well, we’re going to give him that chance in November. He’s going outside!”
“I can change Washington, I will change Washington, we’ll get the job done from the inside,” Romney continued.
Friday, Obama turned Romney’s words against him, mocking him for getting “really excited” about the remark and rewriting his speech.
“He stood up at a rally. Proudly declared: I'll get the job done from the inside,” Obama said. “What kind of inside job is he talking about?”
Later, he repeated the charge: “We don't want an inside job in Washington. We want change in Washington!”
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Do not see a lot of victims? President Obama-you ordered the surge of troops to Afghanistan on Dec.1, 2009 at Westpoint thereby increasing our troops by 30,000. Now-you ask for credit for bringing the surge troops home. Veterans disability benefits were cut to pay for Obama Health Care. Injuries to our military have increased 5 times & deaths are doubled. I see victims.Mr. Romney says our military should be 2nd. to none & that means a real committment to Veterans. Mr. Romney gets it. Where is the support for you from Colin Powell? Where is the campaigning for you by Mrs. Clinton? I see an American diplomat & 2 former Seals dead w/ no bullets in their guns. Oct./2011-30 Seals & Special Forces members dead - you do not even mention them. I see victims. Mr. Romney says security is his first priority & jobs are his second priority. He gets it and he gets my vote.
And the 'doubling' of the casualties in Afghanistan is in less than half of the time as well for an effective rate of over 4X the rate that Bush had.
Besides, Obama would have to take off the blinders he wears constantly to actually see any of his victims at all.
Romney never met an American job he couldn't outsource. And the great"patriot" was a yellow coward draft dodger who spent the Vietnam war in Socialist France in his villa with his servants attending to his every need! Mitt did think about the troops often as he dined on escargot and caviar. Both were smashing!
"Patriotic" Americans most assuredly would invest the majority of their money in offshore bank accounts,including Swiss bank accounts. Those American banks are not worthy of my investments says Romney!
Very powerful and interesting
Columbus, OH
September 21, 2012 2:45pm
I just heard a very eliquent and knowledgable Tuskeegee Institute graduate from inner City Chicago, who worked to help both Shirley Chisholm and Mayor Harold Washington get elected, state that his recognition of the Democrat Party as being "the biggest element" responsible for the destruction of Black Americans was what led to his turn around and switch to supporting and becoming a true conservative.
He said the Democrat Party has stood by and watched Black Americans fall by the wayside, deeper and deeper into decline.
An awesome commentary by an awesome American!
I told my retired neighbor who's a disabled vet that Romney thinks he's a lazy,irresponsible leech. My neighbor said Romney lost his vote and can F k himself!
I know, TONYWARVET yada,yada - and Clinton didn't inhale, Biden played high school and college football but a hurting back kept him out, President Obama in the wrong age - but get this - a Veteran sitting around a table w/family & friends trying to raise money by selling furniture for Hyperbaric treatment for a traumatic brain injury, or borrowing $200 for a gas foot pedal extension so he can drive his car. Keep it real and Mr. Romney has real plans for America and many of us do not want to wait 4 years for another candidate.
My other neighbor who's retired had a Romney poster,and took it down,now he has a Obama poster. He also said Romney can f k himself! He also called him elitist scum.
It obvious the crowds are continuing to grow at Barack's opponent's speeches.....
The informed seem to be waking up....finally...
Real Quarterbacks and leaders get in the middle of things and take charge....they don't lead from behind and play it safe...
That's why Barack can't get things moving forward to create a sustainable, vibrant economy..
Truth hurts Rightwingers,but you people will never know the truth. Funny how there are many of the 47% that are Rightwingers and don't even know Romney despises you and thinks your lazy,irresponsible leeches! Wake up!
Many combat soldiers are in the 47% and Romney thinks your worthless,irresponsible leeches.
ALL4REASON - you are spot on - right on - awesome - good words.
Additional reason why the 47 percent comment is a problem: Shows Romney doesn't understand the motivations/incentives that drive most people's behavior. That's a huge problem for someone who wants to manage the national economy. Point is discussed in this column: Mitt Romney: Invisible hand versus invisible brain."
Combat soldiers are not in any 47%, they are 100% and Mr. Romney and President Obama do not think that they are worthless leeches-these are the words of TONYWARVET. We are all real human beings, many w/ out jobs, housing, and have been without for a long time and we have renewed spirit and vigor and we see a new future with Mr. Romney. Keep your comments real - not name calling and yada, yada.
"I'm a moocher- and I'm NOT voting for Mitt Romney"-- sung to the Beatles "I'm a loser"
At least you KNOW you're a "LOSER" unlike a lot of your Socialist Liberal Communist Islamic friends...
Go smoke your BONG and don't forget your daily 5 prayers to your MESSIA Obummer and his 1st BABOON.
Sharky. You truly are ignorant and a typical Tea bagger. (I am assuming you are a Tea bagger, ignorant you are). "Socialist Liberal Communist Islamic friends?" Bong? Messia? You sure assumed a lot about this person with out anyknowledge of her. Worse yet you call the First lady a baboon. That is as racist as it gets and as Un-American as it gets. Should I assume you have a Confederate flag flying from your 1970 ford pickup and wear a Hitler mustache. Maybe you wear a wife beater shirt everyday so you can show off your Swastika tattoo. Just shut your pie hole.
A teabagger-No, A-1st Baboon-Yes, A 1970 ford pickup-No, Hitler Mustache-No, Wife Beater-No, Swastika Tatoo-No. Shut my pie hole -FU "C"
2009 Maserati-Yes, Tatoos-None, Mustache-None, Single, Live in the O.C.,Ca-Yes, 2.5 Million$ house-Yes, Debt-None, Independent-Yes, RIGHT to my opionion and FREE speech-You betch-ya...
KMA keyllee11
What we have learned, and some haven't is 1) there are cameras & recorders EVERYWHERE! if you are going to say something disparaging about people who may vote for you, that is a problem 2) He has embarrased himself by trying to out President the President, in other countries, holding "press conferences"...total lack of respect. and 3) he makes as many gaffes as GWB and he pretty much annoyed the rest of the world against us with that type of elitist attitude. 4) he's flipping and flopping to be liked. I am trying to find out what he stands for and still don't have a good idea. The POTUS has advisors who inform him of all world happenings and I do feel that he doesn't rush to judgement until he has facts...people forget before instantaneous information, things took time to resolve. It takes time to get into a situation and it takes time to get out of one.
Then what's Obama's excuse for his 'you didn't build that' or his assurance to Russia that he will have more leeway after November?
Combat soldiers don't pay federal income tax while on active duty,thus they're part of the 47%. No thinking soldier would EVER support a yellow,coward draft dodger. I served this coward swerved! Romney is elitist and nobody in his family including his grown sons have never served in the military! I've had a family member serve in the military since the Revolutionary war. Romney was too yellow to serve,like Cheney he had other"priorities"! Yet he's inching to start more wars.
What about a"REAL" Draft Dodger "CLINTON", Tony ?
Clinton wasn't trying to start any wars. Read the whole comment Sharky.
Clinton started a WAR at home while sticking his cigar up Monica's privates in the Oval office like a Typical Liberal Pervert. Impeached and a Con-Man as is his sorry ass lying Sect. of State Bitch wife.
You Socialist Liberal Communist are ALL just waiting for that FREE CHEESE you RATS eat and draining this country on Welfare, Food Stamps, Medicaid, Care Energy payments for your Utilities, etc, etc
You're ALL SCUM and want to ruin this country that I and a few more million true americans fought for....
This piece of CRAP so-called president " IS NOT MY PRESIDENT" & NEVER will be. If re-elected I hope somebody does a JFK on his INCOMPETENT ASS...
"NOT MY PRESIDENT"
Independent
Im just glad im not a Democrat and have to vote for a gay supporter....illegal supporter....money waister on solar plants and green jobs ....more families ever on welfare ...30 million out of work .... I sure wouldn't let anyone know it..
At least Romney recognizes that nearly half of the people don't pay any federal income tax. What kind of burden do you think that imposes on those who do pay taxes? The more hand-outs the government gives, the more they take from the taxpayers.
Obama says he doesn't see a lot of victims. Blind man, we are all victims. You have increased our national debt to over 16 billion. We are all victims. The poor for needing those handouts, and the declining middle class for having to support them. No victims? Maybe he needs to look at the 22.6 million that are unemployed or underemployed. Maybe he needs to look at the 47 million on food stamps. I, for one, do NOT want to be dependent on the government for subsistance. All that does is create more dependency. If I were in the 47%, I would be looking for someone who could do what it takes to create jobs. Romney has a plan. He wants to release the choke-hold that the government has on small businesses. That will enable them to hire. He wants to work toward energy independence by tapping our own fuel sources right here at home. We continue to be victims of the middle east's unrest....it shows at the gas pumps.
I want a president who will stand up for America, not apologize for America. The government is spending $70,000 on advertisements on Pakistani television to denounce the Youtube video that they still claim sparked the unrest. I'm angry. Four people died at our embassy in Libya. Obama is apologizing. Of course, MSNBC and the rest of the "mainstream" media won't even tell you about that. The media is biased, Obama is a spineless wimp, and the rest of us are victims....all of us.
The 47% is a variety of people. It is measured by anyone that is of working age. So you can count out most young people and you can count out all retired people as well as most military personnel. We have 8% of that 47% out of work. The rest of the people don't pay federal income tax because of a thing called Earned Income Tax Credit. It is an incentive for low income people TO WORK not so that they be can depend on the government. That started in 1975 and was strongly supported by Reagan. Its not just a Democrat thing.
If Obama were to see a lot of "victims", he would be at a Tea Party gathering. They all consider themselves victims.
Please tell me how a Commander in Chief on 9/11 does not know that security staff on his watch do not have bullets in their guns? Please tell me how a Commander in Chief can sit on Letterman and does not know the amount of national debt? Please tell me how a person can rent an apartment or house with no job or no job history for 2 years? Please tell me how disability veterans pay is reduced to pay for a Obama general health care? Mr. Romney says security is his first priority, jobs are second and that pleased me. He gets my vote for that one comment alone because that comment tells me - he understands my life. He gives me the promise of a better tomorrow and renews my vigor and self respect.
bama hits Romney on 47 percent: 'I don't see a lot of victims' ... you see voters!
I have a dream for the United States of America.
I have a dream that we will have a leader that has the personal qualities required to bring all citizens of our Country together as Americans.
I have a dream that we will have a leader that will be proud of our Country and what it stands for.
I have a dream that we will have a leader that won't apologize for our Country and our beliefs.
I have a dream that we will have a leader that will embrace our allies and strike fear into the hearts and minds of our enemies.
I have a dream that we will have a leader that will govern based on the love he has for our Country and what it stands for.
I have a dream that we will have a leader that will do the right thing for our Country and our people.
I have a dream that we will have a leader that is guided by principles rather than political aspirations.
I have a dream that we will have a leader that will care more about this Country than he does about himself.
I have a dream that we will have a leader that has integrity and will make decisions he can be proud of.
I have a dream that we will have a leader that respects what our founding fathers went through to create this Country.
I have a dream that we will have a leader that respects our Constitution.
I have a dream that we will have a leader that will get our Country back on the right track and restore our Country to greatness.
I have a dream that we will have a leader that will respect of religious freedom of all people.
I have a dream that we will have a leader that the American people will respect and be proud of.
We are one nation and one family, we need someone to bring us back together as one Country.