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TOLEDO, OH -- Mitt Romney on Wednesday pointed to the health care reform law he enacted as governor of Massachusetts as proof of his empathy and care for the American people.
In an interview with NBC News, Romney referenced an element of his record he almost never invokes on the campaign trail to answer a question about how he can better connect with Americans and prove he understands the lives and trials of middle class Americans.
"I think throughout this campaign as well, we talked about my record in Massachusetts, don't forget -- I got everybody in my state insured," Romney told NBC's Ron Allen in an interview before his rally here tonight. "One hundred percent of the kids in our state had health insurance. I don't think there's anything that shows more empathy and care about the people of this country than that kind of record."
A new CBS/New York Times poll shows Obama leading in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, Romney is focused on wooing the swing state of Ohio which has been won by every Republican who ever became president. NBC's Ron Allen reports.
Romney's health care law in Massachusetts has long been a lightning rod issue for conservatives, who unfavorably compare it to President Barack Obama's own federal law and as a damning reflection on Romney's conservative bonafides.
The former Massachusetts governor also touched on another portion of his biography that he seldom discusses to connect with average Americans: his time as a Mormon pastor.
"I think people have the chance, who watched our Republican convention, to see the lives that I've had a chance to touch during my life, to understand that as I served as a pastor of a congregation with people of all different backgrounds and economic circumstances that I care very deeply about the American people, people of different socio-economic circumstances," Romney told Allen.
Taking the stage for the final rally of his two-day Ohio bus tour moments later, Romney also spoke about the importance of compassion in his speech and said his interactions with Americans from all lots in life have shown him the greatness of America -- and that everyone has challenges of their own.
"You look around, you see everybody, they look happy, and you think everybody else is doing just fine, and you're the only one with problems. But the truth is, most people that you see have some real challenges in their life of one kind or another. I understand that," Romney said. "And I've seen that inside the heart of the American people, despite our challenges, is a conviction that this nation is the greatest nation in the history of the earth."
Reuters, Getty Images
In the final push in the 2012 presidential election, candidates Mitt Romney and Barack Obama make their last appeals to voters.
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Pssssttt......
mitt,... you're on record as saying you wanted to REPEAL the national healthcare program, based on the state program you got passed..
Just sayin'
To quote Bugs Bunny (who must've been referring to Romney), "What a maroon!"
"K1200RS" - - - you, sir or madam, have nailed Fmr. Gov. Romney to the proverbial wall. Nice job ! ! !
Romney has more waffles than an IHOP. Is he the BEST my party can do??
Hey, I love IHOP - don't insult the chain by comparing it to Romney!
Does Romney offer six different flavors of syrup?
And what is Obamacare then, Mr. Romney? The discussion is taking a turn for the better.
Let's talk about how Rachel Maddow's true colors shown with getting punked by Krugman. She is such a tool for the democrats, but what am I saying, all of MSNBC is the DNC.
Like Fox News is the RNC. What's your point?
OMG Rachel Maddow is a Democrat????? Who knew?
How bout we talk about how your nominee for President can't keep the same position on different issues from week to week, day to day, minute to minute.
Forgot to mention Rachel Maddow is a Rhodes Scholar and has a Doctorate in Philosophy in Politics. Oops I forgot, Republicans hate education AND the educated. They want to dumb down the population of the US so only the rich, white entitled men can rule, as they have for decades.
President Obama will win by an unbelievable margin.
What a lie, only in NBC. Romney is 9% ahead overall. Obama is well behind and this corrupt media insists on calling Odumbo ahead. All the Left Media is skewing all the polls towards Odumbo. The CORRUPT MEDIA on the left is trying skew the election in Odumbos corner. His failed economy, failed foreign policy, his failed Presidency is enough to sent him back to Indonesia!!!!!!!
Get back on your meds, Ben. Now!
Where do you buy your drugs? I want some.
Ben
I'm interested in what poll you're looking at. Link?
"Ben Arch" - - - remember: just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you anyway ! ! !
Hey Ben go check out realclearpolitics.com then come back here and tell me Romney is ahead by 9... Laughable
sorry ben, really sorry. party's over.
Ben ... there has to be instructions somewhere online about how to make a tin foil hat. Good luck.
any one is better than obama
Huh?
Any Republican, you mean. Any white Republican. Let's be honest here, for once.
"forestgirl" - beyond your functional illiteracy, clearly you are woefully ignorant of simple facts. I don't know your age, but I suspect you are of tender years - yet to come to life's realizations.
As I said so many times before, the epitome of the political chameleon. This guy truly has no ideology, no philosophy (except profit), no vision. He blows with the wind, taking opposing positions every other day depending on the current intel...and then wonders why nobody believes him (or in him). This is just another blatantly transparent ploy to sucker voters. It shows you how desperate he is, to suddenly be holding up his health care plan as evidence of his compassion, while simultaneously attacking Obama for exactly the same policies.
Hypocrisy, thy name is Mitt.
I think he has lost it...how can Romney be against Obamacare which was based on his own health care reform in MA....and then use that law to show that he cares??? How convoluted can one's reasoning be?
God help us if Romney wins. I have heard nothing but lies everytime he speaks.
Don't worry, it'll never happen.
Willard confuses pandering with empathy.
If you need proof of empathy, then you don't have empathy. You either have it or you don't.
The Republicans can't even admit that ANYTHING the current administration has been good for the country. The Repbulicans CAN'T admit they have made mistakes about the tea party. The Republicans need to really take that look in the mirror and see if what they really really believe.
Empathy - yeah, like only SOME rapes are legitimate. Remember to shun anyone who gets pregnant by rape. They must have really wanted it otherwise, it would have been a "tighten and frighten" situation.
And did you see Ryan at that Ohio rally this week? The lady who's working, on Welfare but wants to get off it? Ryan gave the "teach a man to fish" line and literally turned his back on her to answer another question. I think the lady was crying. So cold.
Ladies and Gentlemen: The Stench has spoken.
Sounds like he's advocating for voting for someone who will implement Romneycare nationwide since it's so empathetic. Oh yeah, we did. Guess we better keep Obama. Thanks for clearing that up Romney!
Your stupidity is showing News Girl when you are praising the messial (Comrade Obama) you will receive a full bowl of rice. He will display you for the ignorant display of the Socialists who follow him. It did not take too much deception in getting you into his Social club.
you are so badly informed it's sad. Open your eyes ben, do your own research.
Poor Ben Arch - so full of venom. So jaded by the oral spewings of the Ultra Right Wing of our society.
President Obama is, perhaps, the most compassionate and responsible president of my voting lifetime - and I'm 62 years old.
he is the biggest crook this country has ever seen he is a Li-er and a crook .if he gets any votes its only because he has bought them obama cannot be voted in
Ironic that Republicans want to do away with the department of education, isn't it?
what
You say stupid things with the grammatical skills of the average preschool age child. It's ironic that Republicans want to do away with the Department of Education, because clearly, education is what they lack the most. The proof is in the pudding; your need for an explanation.
forest, how old r u? 14,12, what?
"VirginiaDemocrat78" - it is glaringly apparent "forestgirl" is a pitful soul. With that said, it is important for posters to use proper expression. "The Proof is in the Pudding" is not the correct phrase. The actual phrase is "The Proof of the Pudding is in the Eating!"
Best Regards, and be sure to encourage all eligible voters to vote ! ! !
If one must TELL people one is good, they surely are not ! ! !
Fmr. Gov. Romney has demonstrated - beyond the shadow of a doubt - what a miserably inept presidential candidate he truly is. He is a sad, pitiful soul - who has not even one clue about successful interface with "real" people.
Maybe he had empathy, once upon a time, but it's way too many fairy tales later and he hangs around the wrong friends.
OMG, please spare us this whining about how he connects with average Americans. We may be average, but we're not stupid!
But he DOES connect with average voters. Some of his best friends are NFL and NASCAR team owners.
Is this the health care law he brought to Mass.?
The one that was the 'blueprint' for Obamacare?
The one that republicans now call unconstitutional, because of the individual mandate?... The individual mandate the republicans advocated in the 90's?
Flip-flop, Flip-flop, Flip-flop...
You republicans had a better chance with Ron Paul.
And I bet Jeb Bush has hired someone to kick his own azz for passing up this nomination. LMAO!
Look forward to hearing you all bitch and moan for the next 4...
Not only will Obama have the distinction of being the first African-American president he will also be known as the second president to drive the nation into a full depression. Hows that for history making?
Larry,
Incorrect. President Obama prevented a depression. Before he took office, the Bush economy was bleeding 750,000 jobs a month. President Obama stopped the bleeding with 30 straight months of job growth.
Larry,
I disagree with your assessment. Obama will be the second Democratic President to rescue America from a depression caused by the Republican presidents who preceded them--Hoover and Bush.
Like a bunch of giddy high school kids the Liberals think a presidential election is like a high school class president election. They call names and say absurd things while snickering to themselves about how creative they are. Go ahead and remain ignorant you soon will realize just how dumb you were.
I don't think any liberal will be as creative as Mitt is going to have to be to spin how he loves Romneycare yet is now against it. Or is he? Who can keep track anymore?
Right on time you absolutely affirmed my post. Thank you.
I guess being left leaning lemmings and buying into anything the media tells you, makes you intelligent. No, go do some research before you troll.
What do you find factually inaccurate here? You whine, yet are the very kind of troll about which you speak.
if any one votes for obama they will be the down fall of this country and god help us
deluded
Mitts a good man and a good leader,
Obama just plain sucks!!
Suck is what will happen to all our money if Rmoney ever gets in charge. Right down the tubes.
Mitt Romney is arguably the least qualified presidential candidate I have seen. He just does not get it, regardless of how one defines "it."
The Mittster has to be, without a doubt, the lamest guy to run for President in the entire history of the U.S.A. Obama is going to totally LANDSLIDE the guy, and anyone who doesn't think so is not paying attention.
The man is an idiot.
Rmoney has more empathy for the people of the Cayman Islands than he does for the 47% in this country. They have more money than the people in the USA (of course, it's all his money).