David A. Rice feels like Mitt Romney wrote him off.
The 61-year-old has always been a values-based voter, generally votes Republican and could be a key vote in the swing state of Florida. But he's also among the 47% of Americans that Mitt Romney said don't pay income tax and rely on government support.
"There are 47% of the people who will vote for the president no matter what," Romney says in a clip from a secretly filmed private donor meeting in May, which was first posted on Monday afternoon. "There are 47% who are with him, who are dependent on government, who believe that, that they are victims, who believe that government has the responsibility to care for them. Who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing."
Romney's '47%' – Washington's tax-break obsession to blame
Rice says he is working part-time and doesn't pay taxes because he can't find a good job. And the fact that Romney wrote him off in those comments is frustrating.
"I am insulted. I support you and you just wrote me off with the 47% who pay no taxes. In that group are those who cry every time they use food stamps; people who would trade them in a minute for a real job. In that group are Christians who shudder at the thought of voting for abortion and gay rights," he wrote in an iReport. "You have strengths that appeal to the demographic you just wrote off ... use it! In the middle of rich supporters you cannot afford to write off a huge group with a careless word."
The 61-year-old said that he has been forced once or twice to take food stamps - and unlike what Romney contends in his comments - he maintains it was not something he was proud of or hopes to ever have to do again.
"It really hurt me," the iReporter told CNN. "It was not something that I wanted to do, I did it because I didn't have a job."
Rice says he didn't think it was right for Romney to lump every low-income person into the same group.
"Not everyone who takes food stamps is a food stamps junkie," Rice told CNN. "There are people who think the government owes them a living and that the government ought to take care of them and be their momma and daddy all their life. That doesn't apply to everyone."
It all left Rice a bit uneasy.
Which leads to the big questions swirling around the Romney campaign: How much damage will Romney's comments do to his chances for winning the election? Were his comments a big enough gaffe, combined with previous missteps, to really dent his campaign? Were his comments just the brutal truth others don't want to hear? Will it sway the votes of Republicans, independents or the undecided?
Rice says he'll still be voting for Romney because of the candidate's social views. But he knows it may not be the same for others.
"I think it was a mistake on his part because he insulted a lot of people who he needs to vote for him," he said.
CNN asked our readers on Facebook what they thought about the remarks and more than 71% said Romney was wrong and should apologize. Twenty-four percent of readers who answered our unscientific poll said he was right, and it was something someone needed to say. Just about 4.5% felt that Romney was right but shouldn't have phrased the remarks the way he did.
Nevin Sanli, from Los Angeles, California, said he is in the 47% and Romney's recent remarks, as well as other gaffes, have sealed his decision to vote for Obama.
"I never took a penny in help or government assistance money or otherwise. I own two businesses, and all I have been doing, along with my business partners, is creating jobs. I am not a victim," Sanli said in response to the CNN poll on Facebook. "I worked hard and built it all from scratch and I pay a lot of taxes. I am not as rich as Romney, but I sure pay a much bigger percentage of my income in taxes than he does. I find his remarks to be un-American, shocking and insulting."
And definitely unbecoming a president, he added.
"Elitism, silver-spoon arrogance and outright divisive statements, with undertones of racism, cannot be attributes of an American president," Sanli wrote.
For his part, Romney has stood behind the comments from the secretly recorded video. They were an honest reflection of his campaign's message, he said.
"This is a message I'm carrying day in and day out and will carry over the coming months," Romney said on Fox News. "This is a decision about the course of America, where we're going to head. We've seen the president's policies play out over the last four years."
Kristopher Daughtrey agreed with those tough words and took them to show that Romney won't shy away from the truth and will stick to his convictions.
"I applaud Romney for his remarks. He's the only one willing to not sugarcoat it. I'm not a huge supporter of either party, but at least Romney has the guts to speak out frankly about it, instead of Obama, Congress, and other politicians trying to justify their actions constantly or running away with their tail between their legs," Daughtrey said. "If you're going to be president then you need to have the backbone to walk the walk and not just talk about it."
Jason Asselin, an iReporter from Iron Mountain, Michigan, is an independent who says that he generally votes for the best candidate, despite their affiliation, though he likes the ideas and stances of the tea party.
While Asselin is normally a critic of Obama, he said Romney's comments really angered him because he doesn't pay taxes, but it isn't because he doesn't want to.
"I try paying taxes each year and every year they say we don't make enough, it isn't that I don't want to pay my taxes - they won't take them," he says. "Our government put rules and regulations in place for the lower class of people. It isn't our fault for falling under that. I don't like being called the 47%, I'd like to be called American."
Asselin said he is frustrated that Romney makes assumptions about how he will vote. And he is not alone.
Jeff Zicker, 21, might have been a candidate for the 47% category. He's college-aged, but left college because he landed a job performing with a national Broadway tour. He worked two jobs all through college, and these days he pays all his taxes, which puts him in the 53% category.
“For (Romney) to say his plan only appeals to those who don’t victimize themselves just further proves how out of touch he is with the rest of the American public,” he said.
Zicker is a moderate Democrat who will be voting for Obama this fall.
“I honestly believe that somebody that would say that a large of a portion of Americans, that this group victimizes themselves and tries to appeal to voters in that way, I don’t think that shows that they would be fit in any way to be president," he said.
But others say that Romney is merely beginning a dialogue that many Americans refuse to have. Steven Evans said that he thinks the discussion is an important one as the country moves forward.
"It is time to start a national dialogue on whether we are creating a major dependency class," he said on Facebook. "I am glad to see him tell the truth. Let's decide whether we are going the way of Greece or the traditional USA."
But some believe that having that conversation with only half of the country is problematic.
“It’s not in touch with what America’s values are and what we should be in a country," Zicker said of Romney's comments. "At the end of the day, we’re all connected. What I do affects you economically and socially. We shouldn’t see it as an one-for-all system.”
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
CNN you are behind..where is your disclosure that the video is conveniently missing crucial minutes. Mitt is 100% correct or the liberals wouldn't have such tightly twisted panties
Yeah, you're right! I can't stand those freeloading veterans, elderly and sick people.
Romney was "ACORNED." Right-wingers can dish it out, but sure can't take it. He's toast!
What nerves Romney has for making any remarks about people not take responsibility or calling them victims. Romney has done nothing but lie to the American people on a consistent basis. Give me a break!! In addition, where are Romney's tax returns? The partial tax return that he has produce shows that he is paying less tax than any poor person. Give me a break! I say Romney show your tax return especially the return for the year of 2009. My question to Romney did you get amnesty for the money you put in your Swiss bank accounts or the Cayman Island.
Wait... I hope you aren't one of the people who criticizes the president for the "you didn't build that" line. Talk about out of context. Typical political games on both sides. Do anything to get elected, and both sides are guilty
What the wrong with the truth, I would rather know the truth and be fed a lie. Romney told us the truth, and Obama will take your money if you do have a job to give it to those who are in our nanny state, food stamp nation. And if this keep up it will be 100 % living off the nanny state. Look across the pond , things are fine till you run out of other folks money.
So Rose, you think that someone who has worked their entire life and is now 60 years old and retired is lazy? You think that a young family struggling to make ends meet should pay taxes when it is difficult to put food on the table? Because these are the people that Romney said aren't personally responsible.
Want to rethink that?
Romney would not know the truth if it hit him in the face. Please give me a break!!! This behavior is not presidential. A potential president do not insult and/or belittle have of the electorate. It is wrong. This man refuses to produce his tax returns and he has the nerves to insult the American people about not paying taxes. This man pays less tax than the poor and elderly. Where is his responsibility to America? Is it in China or India? How about the Swiss bank accounts and the Cayman Island account?
Romeny is so truthful that he chose secretly to say what he felt like to some Rich donors. Show us your taxes will be the judge, if you pay taxes at all Mr. Corny. Like taking care of the vet’s is socialism that he despisers.
"Romney's remarks huge mistake or plain truth?"
If you're a democrat, you think it was a mistake. If you're republican, you think it was the truth. If you're independent, you probably think both.
He is absolutely right but he won't win because of it. Americans need a slap in the face and 47% collecting money from the government is just sad and wrong. I have never taken assistance even when I qualified, I have even turned down unemployment because I can go look for a job–even if it pays less than what I want. I am a democrat and I am now voting for Romney.
Is reading anathema to you?
I'll bet you are in that 47%. That 47% consists of seniors on fixed income, college students and middle class families who get deductions because of their children.
Moreover, guess who championed these tax cuts? The party of tax cuts, of course. All of the tax cuts from Reagan through Bush's tax cuts have trimmed the tax burden for decades. Now all of a sudden tax cuts are bad to the GOP?
How many alternate realities is the GOP going to create in order to appeal to the mainstream?
Truth hurts sometimes, but it's still the truth.. we need to grow a stronger, more independent nation for long term success. Those who truly need government assistance, will always get it no matter who the president is. But we need to quit letting Obama create a sob story for Americans, we need to re-estate our values, we need less government dependency, and less government regulation and we will thrive so much. Anyone ever thought the reason we need some much assistance is because we hardly have the opportunity to get ahead even if we tried.. there is so much red tape and brick-walls in order to get ahead.. we need to cut all that, and get back to work. Do it for ourselves, for our children, and for the future of the United States of America.
Well I am republican, I feel deeply offended and I will for for Obama. How about that?
@Alexvonorm
Dig a little deeper, he may have used missed words to describe what he's saying, but basically the 47% that ARE voting for Obama no matter what, whether or not they have had a dime of government assistance, you are still voting on more government assistance by voting for Obama, so in theory he is correct. just a bad choice of wording by his part.
You think it is right for Romney not to show his tax returns? A president does not insult half of the electorate. Give me a break. What about Romney and his Swiss Bank accounts and Cayman Island Account? Romney is paying less tax than the poor and senior citizens. Please, give me a break. Obama/Biden 2012
What Romney said was TOTALLY TRUE--and of course the liberal media is spinning spinning spinning because they are all in for OBAMA. What else is new-they don't even try to hide it anymore.
so people on social security need their taxes raised. disabled people, those working full time jobs but don't make much money. all these people need their taxes raised just so we can give more tax cuts to millionares. by the way, 35000 of those make over 200k a year and pay no taxes, 4000 are millionares but pay more taxes. what the gop wants is to raise taxes on the poorest and the retired just so more millionares don't have to pay taxes
It is the truth, I like him even more. Keep the faith and charge on!
I will bet $10,000 dollars that you are in that 47%.
How much did you pay in federal income tax for 2009?
Truth? Its about as true as saying the world is flat.
Romney is a looser, where is his 1040.
OK, GOV ROMNEY...
If you think people who don't pay federal income taxes should be paying them then you need to schedule a big meeting with all the millionaires who don't pay a dime in federal income taxes and tell them that you are going to raise their taxes if you get elected.
Your comment in itself is wrong. Millionaires pay taxes. Weather it be 10% or half they still pay. They may just shelter it better than most.
Your point is moot. Obama is just as in bed with big corporations. How about asking the current administration to get the corporate taxes from GE who didn't pay a dime last year. It should be pretty easy, the CEO, Jeffrey Immelt, is a former economic advisor to the White House.
Thank you!!! Romney is paying less tax than the poor and senior citizens. Where are Romney's 1040?
What he said is by no means a "gaffe". When he said he is not going worry about those people, what he meant was he will end all social safety net (social security, medicare, medicaid, food samps, health care) for people who are now dependent on them.
So Chandra is going to presume to tell us what Romney meant?
What he said was a year-old GOP talking point that has been proven to be misleading at the least – nothing about what he said regarding being dependent, looking for handouts and not taking responsibility for their lives hold any water. It's simply offensive and divisive.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but Romney is playing with fire by emulating the far rightwing blogosphere and their ridiculous propaganda.
He must be apart of the 47% since Romney is not paying tax as well. He needs to take a look at himself befor calling out half of the electorate.
I believe he spoke the truth. I mean all you have to do is look around and everyone has there hands out to one goverment angency or another! I find it pretty weird that when someone speaks the truth they get belittled!
Mark do you make more than 250K?
Have you thought about that Romney is in that same category? Where are his tax returns? Did he apply for the amnesty program in 2009 for storing his money in Swiss bank accounts and the Cayman Island? Please give me a break. This man does not have the right to insult half of the electorate. It is not presidential. This shows Romney does not have a heart and feels that 47% of the populations are beneath him. I pray the American people do not elect this idiot.
Romney + Karl Rove + Rush Limbaugh + Grover Norquist + super rich + $uperPACs = 1%
Your equation is slightly faulty. In order for the left hand side to equal the right hand side you must also add Obama. In it's current form the equation is unbalanced.
... so the constant GOP whinging that they're somehow on the dole is FALSE! There are 2 types of federal taxes and 83% of the american people pay income and/or payroll taxes. Stop lying FAUX NEWS! I'm grateful to be in the 53% but I remember when I wasn't (a poor child & then a student) and I'm glad to pay taxes & contribute to the Dems to help others move up as I did. Romney was right in a way – the 47% should vote for their own interests & support Democrats – not doing that is a sucker bet, as he made abundantly clear.
Alot of, if not most of that 47 %, are either seniors or people who dont make enough income to pay taxes. I'm sure alot of Republicans fit that bill.
Robme wants to tax lower income families and lower taxes for rich people, who already get around paying what they were supposed to pay through all the tax tricks that only they can afford. How does that help the economy? All that does is lower the living standards of most Americans while lining the pockets of the wealthy.
There are no tax "tricks"... there is only tax code which Congress and the President has legislated. Mitt Romney has nothing to do with this. Blame Congress and Obama.
The great irony is that if Bush hadn't cut taxes so much more people at the lower end would be paying federal income taxes. Romney and the Republicans are hypocrites.
Haha Obama legislated the tax code? Yes they are tricks, when most people don't know about them, or can't use them because it takes someone with alot of money to do so, then its tricks. The loopholes are in there for rich people who can afford the investors and lawyers that can find them and who can afford to stash money and use them. What middle class person or low income peson can afford to keep their money in an offshore account?
I think he spoke the truth, about time someone did.
What was the truth?
47% don't pay income tax. There are literally thousands of articles breaking down that segment of the population – half are elderly and the other half are low income families, college students, veterans and the unemployed.
The 47% covers all political spectra – he got tripped up in a talking point.
So, I'll ask you again, using his words without spinning them into oblivion, what was the "truth"?
Mitt could say the sun rises in the West and you would think that he was telling the truth. Trying thinking for a change.
Since Romney is calling-out half of the population for nt paying tax. I say, the American people call for Romney to showw 10 years of tax returns? Fair is fair!!
Not concerned. He was pandering to a select group of people. More worrisome is that Romney sometimes seems like a moderate masquerading as a far-right conservative.
This video has been dramatically altered. How come there is no mention of this?
Like how nobody mentions all the videos that go edited on Fox News? Maybe if it were presented in a fake pimp costume.
GOPer desperation is such a sad thing to see.