MITT ROMNEY "TO DO" LIST: 1. OPEN MOUTH, 2. INSERT FOOT

For all you "freeloaders" out there. 
9/20/2012

Most Americans. No, Most people on earth, by now know of presidential candidate Mitt Romney's "off the cuff" comments on the working poor at the home of Marc Leder, private equity mogul of Sun Capital Partners and sex party host, in May of this year. 

Incidentally, Mr. Leder is a man who was personally inspired by Mr. Romney's tenure at Bain Capital, to go into private equity in the first place. In the secretly-taped video, Romney made several controversial comments, including mentioning that 47% of people in America, all Obama voters, pay no federal income taxes and that welfare is creating culture of dependence upon government and that's why they won't respond to his message of "low taxes." His implication was that president Obama is buying votes by supporting their dependent lifestyles. 

An excerpt:

There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that's an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what…These are people who pay no income tax…[M]y job is is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.

Later in the video, Mr. Romney implies that his campaign would be a lot easier if he were born to Mexican parents. I bet a lot of Mexicans would disagree. He also maintains that Palestinians have no interest whatsoever in peace and the the conflict with Israel will remain an unsolved problem in the region. What leadership.

The video was taken by a self-proclaimed "opposition researcher" from Georgia at the 50k-a-plate dinner and put on Youtube. It was then found by James Carter IV, grandson of the former president, who by the way, Mr. Romney never hesitates to dis from the campaign stump. It goes to prove the old adage that nobody needs more enemies. From there, it ended up in the hands of Mother Jones, a liberal web mag, who formally "broke" the story, nationally. At press time, the magazine claims to be preparing more provoking excerpts for release.

The video spurned an uproar in the media. Mainstream press in 41 states mentioned the video release on the front page,  with negative implications. Some conservative bloggers don't believe the statement was a big deal. Many down-ballot republicans jumped ship. RNC Chairman, Reince Priebus opined that Mr. Romney was "on message." Others, a group that includes me, were tremendously offended by such statements, that implied a real malice for the working poor in this country, if they are Obama supporters. The crime of that demographic? Not making enough money. 

Mr. Romney's first response to the release of this video, was a statement to imply that he would like the "whole thing" released, rather than excerpts. The owner of the video quickly obliged on Youtube. (at bottom of post). Mr Romney doubled down on his comments, first in a hastily called 10PM press conference, then in a USA today OP-ED.

Within 72 hours, the Obama campaign released a commercial exploiting The Romney campaign's gaffe:

(Obama ad-2 minutes)

See, Mr. Romney can't take the comments back, cause the tea party wants to hear him speak that way. And the people he dissed, he's already written off anyway, regarding their vote. Another precarious position for a politician to be in. You don't have much respect for the people you largely need to vote for you.

Soon after the release of the video, and candidate Romney's response, more news broke. It was revealed (I first noticed the story on NPR) that Mr. Romney's father, George Romney, former Governor of Michigan, was a welfare recipient for 5 years as a child. This is a fact that Mr. Romney's mother, Lenore LaFount Romney, proudly cited in reference to his relation to the common man, during George Romney's Michigan Gubernatorial race in the early 1960's.

(Mr. Romney's mother-3minutes)

On top of welfare, the Romney family apparently received 100K from the federal government as relief for having fled to Mexico and losing their assets in returning to America. Why did they flee? Cause the Romneys and other Mormons in their group wanted the freedom to practice polygamy. They saw government restriction of marriage as oppressive. How ironic. Someone should ask Mr Romney how he feels about government restricting marriage rights now. 

(Charts-Click to enlarge)

As I mentioned, I am disturbed by Mr. Romney's comments. While my conservative friends are quick to point out that I was not ever going to vote for Mitt Romney anyway, I take particular umbrage at the implication that the working poor of America have to be "convinced" into personal responsibility and caring for their own lives. My conservative friends are also quick to point out that Obama had a similar gaffe during the democratic primary four years ago when he implied that rural folk cling to "guns and religion." It is widely speculated that Obama lost PA to Hillary due to this gaffe and he still pays a political price for it, to this day. However, it's important to point out that Obama was talking of reaching these voters, as opposed to writing them off as Romney implicated.

Where I'm from, "personal responsibility" isn't measured by how much federal income tax one pays. It is my understanding that most people would like to be in the highest tax bracket, if not to pay more taxes. And as you can see from the chart above, it's not like the poor aren't working, or haven't worked all their lives, in the case of seniors who pay no income tax.

I take umbrage to Mr. Romney's statement, because I believe it perpetrates a stereotype of the poor that is most oppressive to them. This kind of stereotype is made of the same type of stuff that makes it hard for the long-term unemployed to get work. "If you are poor, or unemployed, something must be wrong with you. It's your own fault." This "hatred of the poor" seems emblematic of most Americans. But in my experience it has no foundation, and only makes a bad situation, more difficult to get out of for those that need our assistance. Many people have needed welfare as a safety net, and rebounded becoming fully productive members of society, like George Romney did. In short, Mr. Romney telling rich people, behind closed doors that poor people are losers, does nothing to help poor people to escape poverty and in fact, hurts them. Is this something a potential president of everyone-rich and poor-should be caught saying behind closed doors?

One more thing. I suspect Mr. Romney may have cut off his nose to spite his face regarding that 47%. It most likely includes his most loyal base: White seniors, who generally, pay no federal income tax on Social Security. Can you say Florida? A state Mr. Romney can't win without? Politically, Mr. Romney's statement was unpresidential, unproductive, degrading, untrue and just plain stupid.
(Fundraising Video-37 minutes)

PRESIDENT CLINTON'S REMARKS @DEM CONVENTION 2012

Bubba's back in town...
9/7/2012

Former President Bill Clinton spoke in defense of a second term for President Barack Obama on Wednesday, September 5, at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC. Mr. Clinton's official role was to formally nominate Mr. Obama for a second term, the first time in history a former president has ever done so.

I say, that he spoke "in defense of" Barack Obama, because that's exactly what it was. It appeared, to me, that Mr. Clinton made it his business to get directly involved in presidential campaign "tit for tats," between Mr. Obama and his rival, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. He mounted a searing defense, point by point, for Mr. Obama against the claims made in the Republican National Convention of 2012, just a week previous. He made Mr. Obama's case, better than the President, himself. Quite frankly, there is nobody better in politics, to make a case, than Bill Clinton.

Mr. Clinton hovers at around a 70% favorability rating in most polls. He's quite frankly, the most popular politician in America, right now. And probably the most talented at feeding off of an audience. His popularity is amazing, when you remember all of the political adversity he's come through like sex scandals of the type that have killed political careers and being one of only 2 presidents to be impeached in history. Mr. Clinton is, indeed, the "Comeback Kid."

On the other hand, Mr. Romney does not have high favorability ratings. In fact, Mr. Romney, has been invoking Mr. Clinton's name in a positive light, on the campaign trail. His Vice Presidential running mate, Congressman Paul Ryan, has invoked Mr. Clinton's name, as well.

Mr. Clinton's speech puts Mr. Romney in a precarious position. The speech was long and professorial, but excellent, with some in the press calling it the best speech of his post-presidential career. The speech is even more impressive, when you remember that Bill Clinton and Barack Obama aren't really close friends. It's always more impressive to get "kudos" from a former enemy. Mr. Clinton's speech is the most relevant at the 2012 convention.

Mr. Obama properly gave Mr. Clinton a well-deserved hug afterwards. Hillary seemed to enjoy the speech, which was taped for her playback at an undisclosed location (as of press time) in the world. Incidentally, her ratings are hitting the roof, as well. There is talk of a presidency run.

To sum it all up, Bill Clinton's entire speech deserves posting on GBJ. Below his speech, you will find former Governor Mitt Romney's response, via commercial.

Former Governor Romney's response, is classic. The "Give Me A Break," campaign, I think, is very effective: