E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS“Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has described his disparaging remarks about the 47 percent of Americans who don’t pay federal income taxes as ‘not elegantly stated.’ Now he’s calling them ‘just completely wrong,’” AP’s Hunt writes.
Politico: “Inside the campaign: Reinventing Romney.” (How many times has a headline been written about Romney not just in the last six years, but also in the last six months or six weeks?)
From the story: “In the afterglow of the Denver duel, top campaign advisers said Thursday that the reinvention efforts will include forthcoming ads featuring clips from Romney’s much-praised debate performance, and the increased behind-the-scenes role of two close confidants — Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), who played President Barack Obama in debate prep, and oldest son Tagg Romney, who has subtly taken a more active role in the selling of a more likable version of his dad.”
More: “Early this week, top Romney aides began contacting friendly pundits and political allies in Washington about a new umbrella message for the rest of the campaign: what the campaign is calling ‘the choice narrative,’ posing a contrast between Obama’s policies in the past four years and what Romney would do in the next four. The construct is an effort to continue undermining Obama while responding to voters who in campaign focus groups have said they would like to know more about Romney’s policies. The frame is designed to acknowledge that many swing voters still like Obama as an individual, and also is aimed at elevating Romney and telling his story, now that the campaign realizes it’s insufficient to be ‘not Obama.’ Romney used that message as an organizing principle for his answers, and aides said Paul Ryan will do the same at his debate with Vice President Joe Biden next week.”
National Journal: “Trying the capitalize on the momentum after the first presidential debate this week, the Romney campaign released three new television ads on Friday focused on the Republican nominee’s economic plans. The campaign’s first 30-second ad, ‘Facts Are Clear,’ attacks President Obama on the nation’s debt and on job creation.” More: The other two 30-second ads focus on specific states. ‘Ohio Jobs’ shows Romney talking directly to the camera in a warehouse, saying he will challenge China on U.S. manufacturing. And: “The final ad features former basketball player Greg Anthony, who says that after voting for Obama in 2008, he is switching his vote to Romney.”
“The solid verdict for Mitt Romney following the first presidential debate — on style points, at a minimum — has pushed the Obama campaign to rethink strategy and the Republican team to reload,” the Boston Globe writes, adding, “How this performance, the most widely viewed event of the campaign so far, affects the race will become apparent in coming days as new polls are released in the key swing states where the president has built a lead. Another milestone in the campaign will be the release Friday morning of updated monthly jobless figures. But the debate disparity between Obama and Romney has prompted immediate rethinking among the president’s advisers and a reenergized push to build on momentum among Republicans.”
More: “A CBS News poll of uncommitted voters, conducted before and after the 90-minute debate, indicated Romney had made great strides in critical areas in the first face-to-face debate. Before the debate, when asked whether Romney ‘cares about your needs and problems,’ 30 percent agreed and 63 percent disagreed. After, the numbers flipped, with 68 percent saying Romney cares and 36 percent saying he does not.”
“A reenergized Mitt Romney joined forces with Paul Ryan in the battleground state of Virginia on Thursday evening and said the previous night's debate enabled voters to‘listen to substance,’ even as the Obama campaign began aggressively questioning the details of several of Romney's assertions,” National Journal reports. “ ‘People got the chance … to cut through all the attacks and counterattacks and all of the theatrics associated with a campaign, and instead they were able to listen to substance,’ Romney said as the crowd of more than 5,000 in this rural town west of Charlottesville roared its approval.”
About that tax deduction limit proposal… “Pressed during Wednesday’s presidential debate to explain how he would pay for the huge income tax cut he has proposed, Mitt Romney said he would consider a cap on the amount of charitable donations, home mortgage interest, state and local tax payments, and other expenses taxpayers can claim on their returns,” the Globe writes, adding, “Tax analysts said it is difficult to evaluate the idea, since Romney has provided few details and has tossed out several dollar figures as a potential cap. But critics say such a cap could be problematic in two significant ways: It would increase the tax burden on many middle-class taxpayers and it would not make up for the roughly $5 trillion in federal revenue over 10 years that would be lost in Romney’s plan.”
The Wall Street Journal notes that historically challengers have had difficulty sustaining the momentum of a good first debate performance.
The Globe also notes that despite Romney’s claims of bipartisanship in Massachusetts, important context is lacking: “Romney’s work on health reform was more an exception than the rule during his four years on Beacon Hill. Many Democrats who served in the Legislature during that time have described Romney as disengaged, treating lawmakers as if they worked for him and sometimes not bothering to learn their names.”
(In fairness, that distance sounds similar to criticisms of President Obama with those on Capitol Hill.)
Speaking of numbers that don’t add up… “Mitt Romney’s Medicare plan won’t try to control costs by limiting the payments that future retirees would use to buy private health insurance, aides say, adding detail to a proposal from the GOP presidential nominee that has both intrigued and confused many Americans,” AP writes. “Reining in costs is vital to keeping Medicare affordable, and in their plans both President Barack Obama and Romney’s running mate, Paul Ryan, set limits on the growth of future spending. Independent experts say they doubt that Romney’s Medicare plan can succeed without some kind of hard spending limit; Romney campaign officials say the savings will come through competition among health insurance plans. ‘It sounds like Romney is trying to have it both ways,’ said Robert Bixby, executive director of the Concord Coalition, a nonpartisan group advocating to reduce government deficits. ‘It’s a really important point whether there will be a cap. It will help determine whether the health care savings he’s touting are credible.’”
Leave a Comment:
Not to worry Mitt your bid for the presidency is over we dont need your type of person.Our Pressident Obama isnt perfect but he is better than you could ever hope to be
he is only saying 'completely wrong cuz he got caught...
OBAMA is human and ROMNEY is not..that's the difference..one has to wonder exactly which disc they will put in Robitic Romney today..
you got caught talking out your backside and now you want to take it back. It's funny how when someone gets caught talking crap they all the sudden want to take it back or say it's out of contex. The only issue I see for you is we saw the entire video. Nothing is out of contex...sucks to be you.
"My name is Romney and I stick by whatever I said when I said it!" (Except when I say something that will lose me an election, in which case, weeks later I will retro-actively dis-own it.) Losers for Romney foundation. Please send pazusas now ^^
This money will go to recuperative mental care Romney refuses to endorse for himself or our returning servicemen, since he has no idea what a serviceman does and is in denial about his own "core issues" problems.....
It would be nice if you could bring up one fact...
Mr. Obama is dividing America. No slur can cover it up.
Facts side with Mr. Romney. Makes you even more desperate.
Miron1 (#1.4)
No, Obama is NOT dividing the country. The Repulsicans have done that during the past four years and continue to do so.
Obviously you have NOT been paying attention.
I watched Romney's 47% comments. It was a very well constructed argument that he made. ProBusiness made the same argument in his post here last month before this story broke. I conclude Romney made this argument because it is an argument that the top 1% like.
It is certainly not a misstatement or an off the cuff remark.
Romney LIES again.
Many of the top 1% believe workers are lazy and deserve their fate. They believe they are the job creators, in their own opinion.
What really creates jobs is business expansion based on sales growth. Sales growth needs a healthy middle class.
Too late, Mitt. Anyone that knows your record knows you really believe what you said earlier.
The bulk of Romney's wealth was made via venture capitalism and Bain capital has a very despicable record. Remember KayBee Toys? That, along with many other companies, Bain acquired via hostile takeover, next they took out huge loans against the company's assets, POCKETED that money, defaulted on the loans which made the company insolvent, "reallocated the remaining assets", you know where they take those silly little things like worker contributed pension funds, liquify them (turn into cash), POCKET that money, essentially sell the contracts for production to companies in China or India (off-shoring the jobs), declare the company bankrupt and walk away, leaving the workers robbed of all their pension money and unemployed. Got it? That's Mr. Job Creator for you. The same man who claims "he really cares for the worker". By the way, even though Tony Soprano would envy his tactics, everything he did was LEGAL, thanks to the laws that are custom written for corporations by the judicial system and politicians they essentially buy and install. If he were to get in these crimes disguised as "good, successful business" will VASTLY increase.
Romney has said it and still believes half this country are shiftless layabouts looking for a handout. If he didn't he couldn't do the despicable things he did in the business world: why not rob a bunch of bums, they'll end up collecting welfare anyhow, right?
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012 White House
Romney/Ryan 2013 Jail
Obama thinks the same thing but he is not stupid enough to say it.
Here's a film to see about good ol' Mitt and his vile "business" practices.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLWnB9FGmWE
JOSE can you give us the facts on that statement.. by the way u are the stupid one for saying that without any proof
Amen
Just walking back ANOTHER "misstatement".
Just more Willard flip flopping. Nothing new here.
Now if Romney admits he is "completely wrong" about marijuana I will vote for him. I will not vote for a prohibitionist who vowed to fight "tooth and nail" to deny my right to "Pursuit of Happiness."
let me see JOSE.. why not find a country that allows maryJane go there NOW!! try Mexico, Panama, or some where other than here
Aint no KB toy stores on the PLANET KOLOB either
The main problem I have with Mitt is his running mate and the entire GOP legislature. How many time were GOP legislators caught stating there goal was to make sure that Obama was a one term president. It was never we are here to do the best for the American people.
I think Barack has stated quite often bring me ideas that will create jobs, help middle class and we will get it done. Best thing would be to vote out all incumbents and let the new ones know they work out the problems or they are the problem and won't be reelected.
Ironic, isn't it? And they call themselves "patriots". The only thing they're patriotic to is their own agenda, which is awfully mean spirited.
Competition among health insurance companies? We already have that - been going on for years. The competition is for the "healthy" enrollees, not for those with previous health issues. If we want to end discrimination against pre-existing conditions it takes three steps: (1) mostly universal coverage (2) regulation forbidding discrimination against those with pre-existing condition (guarantee issue with no lifetime limits) and (3) subsidies for those who can't afford coverage. Absent one of these three components it all falls down.
Under the three conditions, insurance firms will be forced to compete for customers on price of coverage and customer service. But of course - those three steps are the substance of Obamacare and ... Romneycare in Massachusetts.
To me Mitt the Twit is saying......."I am completely wrong saying I am completely wrong"..... and I do not care a rats behind for you 47% low-life........he is one lying SOB.
Gov. Romney as CEO of Bain Capital.... bankrupted several entities however leave with a balance sheet showing millions of dollars now hidden away in the Cayman Islands & Switzerland banks.....Of course, to evade the IRS.....
The other Gov Romney the used car sales man has the ability to sell ice to Eskimos........ believe it or not.......hence he package his lies and sold them articulately to 67 million Americans the other night like butter against sun.....Even as President Obama stuttered with truthful rebuttals, Gov. Romney intercepted with his lies on top of lies....
Here is the deal .....look on the back of our money and we'll see "IN GOD WE TRUST"
Let us ask our self one question who can we trust in this election?
I'll give you a tip.....
My mother usually tell me when I was a child that a liar is a thief...
It’s not that I dislike Mitt Romney, it’s just, well geese…
Flip…Mitt Romney said…The Middle East will "remain an unsolved problem... and we will kick that ball down the field". He dismissed Israel's concerns about Iran as mere "noise" that he prefers to "block out." And at a time when Israel needs America to stand with it, he declined to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Flop…At the Fox News Google debate in September of 2011, Governor Romney was asked how he would address the middle east given the new realities in the region. He answered that the first action should be to ensure that everyone knows that the US will stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel and not let any light be shown between the two of you.
Flip…Mitt Romney said…"There are 47% who are with him(Obama)” (lower income families, elderly, veterans, disabled Americans) who are dependent upon government,” Mr Romney said in the video that his role "is not to worry about those people”.
Flop…“It’s not those at the low end and it’s certainly not for those at the very high end. It’s for the great middle class, the 80 to 90 percent of us in this country.”
Flip…Mitt Romney said…”I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country, and you will never see me wavering on that”.
Flop…"I believe people understand that I'm firmly pro-life.
Flipity-Flop…“When I am asked if I am pro-choice or pro-life, I say I refuse to accept either label.
Flip/Flop/Flip…On stem cell research…‘Look, you don’t have to think about this stem cell research as a moral issue, because we kill the embryos after 14 days.’
Flip…Mitt Romney said…“The middle class should not be expecting a cut in taxes because I'm also going to lower deductions and exemptions,”
Flop…“My own view with regards to tax policy is that we ought to provide help to the people that have been hurt most by the Obama economy, and that’s the middle class.”
Flip…Mitt Romney said… Millionaire Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said Wednesday that he was seeking better tax policies for people in the middle class like himself.
Fact…The former Massachusetts governor has a net worth estimated at 250 million dollars.
Flip…“I think I’m best off to describe my own positions. And my positions, I think I’ve just described for you – secure the border, employment verification and no special pathway to citizenship.”
Flop…Mitt Romney said illegal immigrants should have a chance to obtain citizenship.”
Flipity Flop…Mitt actually employed a contractor, of whom had 5 illegal immigrants working at his site, on his own ranch.
Flip…Gov. Mitt Romney (R) signed a bill Wednesday (4-12-06) requiring all Massachusetts residents to purchase health insurance.
Flop…He’s now a critic of his own biggest achievement.
Worth Repeating…
Flip…Mitt Romney said… Millionaire Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said Wednesday that he was seeking better tax policies for people in the middle class like himself.
Fact…The former Massachusetts governor has a net worth estimated at 250 million dollars.
Mitt’s last words before killing of Osama Bin Laden…”It’s not worth moving heaven and earth just trying to catch one man.”
Mitt’s first words after killing of Osama Bin Laden…”Of course I would have given that order, even Jimmy Carter would’ve given that order.”
It’s not that I dislike the guy, but what the heck am I supposed to think…?
All POTUS has to do is take a few of these flips and flops, in the next debate and it will retribution for a lack luster performance the last time.
good one Bill Hoo
During the debate, when Romney puts his rune stones in his hat and gives his response, does his answer change depending on which angel he is channeling ?
How would Mitt be able to make a domestic or foriegn policy in regards to economics, without causing a conflict of interest?
You know when you're overheard stating how much your in-law gets on your nerves? And then you say, "Well, that was wrong. That was so mean spirited." But everybody knows you meant every word. That's exactly like what Romney's apology was regarding his volunteered statements among friends about the 47%.
"Romney: 'Completely wrong'"
Amazing! A headline that not only quotes candidate Citizen Romney backpedaling yet again, but it sums up his candidacy in the exact same words!
.
Wait...WHAT? Still another flip flop? Watch for another Mittens/Paulie 'reboot' tomorrow.
The Parade just keeps getting better and better, yes?
------ YAWN ------ Wake Thee when Kimmel gets slammed back to his normal time slot...
The most shocking thing is that on this open and shut issue, there are just 21 comments!!! TWENTY-ONE!!! I sure do hope you're all busy voting, cos if not, we're dead for sure!
Obama/Biden 2012
This little Opinion Piece by MSNBC is nothing more than a pathetic attempt to try to defend the lack of position of the republicans and continuing support for the now almost defunct Republican presidential runner up ,Romney. I hope he is not a sore loser, but maybe President Obama will give him a little job in the White House, maybe something on the order of getting the Republican house ( GOP-SOB's)and big money interests, back into helping the country and it's other ((5 , survive the Holocost of the Bush Years.
My momma always told me, when a man has to keep repeating the same thing over and over and over, he must be lying! Willard repeated "creating jobs in America" numerous times in the debate with the President, and the first thing he wants to do is put PBS employees in the unemployment line. Sure doesn't sound like creating jobs in America to me.
What do they call it where you live?
Romney, for me, made a critical error when his campaign decided to politicize the death of our Ambassador and 3 others in Benghazi. When an event such as that takes place its insanity not to be very careful with publically made comments and allegations. The sage move is to address the loss of those lives and the grieving family members left behind while gathering as much information as possible on the event.
The following day when Obama publically addressed the attack on our Embassy he didn't do so with the finger of blame jutting to the camera. We didn't have the information to do such yet. He commented that America would not tolerate such acts and guaranteed not only the American people but the families who had suffered the worst losses possible the attack was being investigated and the aggressors would be brought to justice.
Romney on the other hand showed how he would handle such an incident by his very condemnation of Obama not tagging the attack as apparently he would have.. before he had more than heresay.
The leader of America doesn't go on television alleging responsibility to any person or group before their absolutely positive of the facts. In some cases individuals and/or groups will claim responsibility even when they had no involvement. We've seen that time after time in dealing with crisis in the middle east. We've also seen the finger of blame be pointed in the wrong direction initially.
The last thing we needed was a knee jerk reaction and a reminder of the Bush days of insta-blame followed by weeks of weak retraction.
Romney on this single incident showed me beyond question he is not prepared to undertake the foreign interests of this wonderful nation.
I was undecided until I saw Romney use this horrifying heartbreaking incident as a means to pounce and publically comment when if he were wearing his thinking cap he would have been quiet and let those who have to deal with the safety of the balance of Americans not only there but circling the globe before he used it as a campaign tactic. The comments he made publically far to soon after and without the knowledge Obama had were unforgivably dangerous.
There are so many lies in the Bengazi attacks, that Obama was caught with his pants down and now is doing damage control. He wouldn't know a mob from a "terrorist attack" (oh, I'm not supposed to use that term in an Obama world) if he saw one. Says to me that he could never manage (and did not manage) another 911 attack. His administration is a flop!
Flip flop flip flop.
I think Mitt is starting to lose it. He has just too many lies and numbers to keep straight. It takes a lot of work to try keep all that stuff straight, but the truth can run around naked and their is nothing to keep straight. Try the truth Mitt. You are burning out.
Romney
reminds me of a sleaze ball cut
rate used car lot sales man with his smooth
talk, phony smile and his fingers
crossed, that takes advantage on
Women.......if elected maybe he will probably make ADULTERY LEGAL.