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.”
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I am neither a Democrat nor a Republican, however, can clearly state that Romney is NOT right for this country. This isn't a Football game where we blindly and loyally pick sides. Please read the ingredients on the label and don't fall for the Marketing ( though that is even suspect at this point) There is very little that qualifies him as the leader of our Country...he is not ready for this responsibility at all. You may not think Obama is the best choice....but if you put your "Pom Poms" down for just a minute, he is clearly the most qualified. I will not even touch on his VP, who is a hell of a lot scarier than Romney. If you have seen Lion King, do so....see the mess that Scar left the Kingdom in and you will know what I am talking about.
What a ridiculous comment. Romney, as a seasoned businessman is infinitely more qualified than Obama ever will be
Unfortunately you have no clue about what is happening in this country and by the way what were Oidiots qualifications? RIGHT, LETS NOT DISCUSS THAT!! What a joke, Obama states Romney has no foreign policy experience yet with all Oidiots foreign policy experience we get, FLEXIBILITY WITH RUSSIA, AN APOLOGY TOUR WHICH GOT 4 AMERICANS KILLED AND EGYPT IS NOT AN ALLY OH WAIT IT IS AN ALLY BUT IT DEPENDS ON THE DEFINITION OF "IS". DIDN'T WE HEAR THAT WITH CLINTON?????
The right wingers on here pointing to polls just Google electoral maps. Remember those electoral votes the votes that put a candidate in office. I can not find one showing Romney leading or tied. If Barack takes Florida or Virgina its over. I hope you are ready for 4 more years!! or will you be like our congress and be ignorant and get nothing done. The choice is yours but Barack isnt going anywhere!
I searched the CNN website for the story about the video released yesterday that reveals Obama's self-admitted belief in the redistribution of wealth, a primary tenant of Marxism. Tell me again that Obama gives a damn about the middle class because if reelected, he'll be redistributing your wealth like there's no tomorrow.
Man you need to clear a lot of confusion in your head, about Marxism, Obama, and redistribution of wealth. Why not start with simple things, like meaning of the common words? Is it tenet or tenant you mean?
You won't find any story on CNN's website that would cause voters to question Obama's credibility. Anyone who thinks Fox News is any more biased than CNN is crazy.
Romney is only telling the truth, which liberals do not want to hear. You cannot give someone something without first taking it away from someone who earned it. People should use government relief as a short term help, not as a career.
Including children, right? The elderly who are unable to work and have put their time in? Our soldiers that Bushie so swiftly put into harms way for the support of big oil, military establishment and lies? How about the working poor who make SO little, they aren't taxed. You know...all of the humane and necessary reasons they aren't taxed via INCOME. There are all kinds of taxes in this land – sales tax ring a bell?? You people need to get all your facts straight before you come on here and start shilling out your blather. Mitt stands for absolutely everything that is wrong in this world. A big headed, flip-flopping, elitest who will do whatever it takes to get to power...including selling out 47% of the 'useless' people in this country. For your children's sake, for your grandparent's sake and for the sake of FACT...wake up.
Yes, that's a concept of taxation. To make a country work you need money and that comes in the form of taxes, which is indeed taking a share of everybody's earnings and using it for the common good, including your own. So the real questions are what is a fair share, and what is our shared definition of the common good.
HEY MITT ROMNEY, WHY HAVE YOU OMMITTED THE MILLIONS OF REPUBLICAN WELFARE RECIPIENTS? SO WHAT CATEGORY DO THEY FALL INTO? BLATANT RACIST SOB!
It's about time some of the truth is getting out there. You go, Mitt. I'm voting for the European American.
Ah, you mean "the white guy"
The American public better wake-up to the realization that core of Romney's message is that everyone wants "it" fixed whatever "it" is – as long as someone fixes it – that will never work. Don't blame either candidate – blame our govt leaders that put the tax code/laws in place – laws that pander to the well-to-do (i.e. incentives, tax breaks, etc) and we the poor and middle-class shoulder the debt – Neither one of the clowns running for office will dare broach this subject – ever wander why that is? Why do you put put up with it? It's pathetic that the majority of the people in this country based their opinion on the crap published by both sides – educate yourself – if not we deserve what we get.
Ummm, Romney's comments were obviously not true.
Tens of millions of voters who fall into Romney's 47% VOTE REPUBLICAN and many millions who DON'T fall into that category will vote for Obama. Most of the people I know will vote for Obama, and we all have jobs, pay taxes, work hard and receive no government benefits. Obama is, for example, leadiong among small business owners. Romney was, in other words, LYING as always.
Romney has absolutely no clue about the country he wants to lead. He's trapped in a 1% bubble of snobbery and denial and he insulted just about every American with a conscience.
We dont know if he wasTruthful this time. Romney started out hiding and being dishonest. May he was truthful may be this was a mistake to cheat the donors. This guy is not a President quality by any means and I dont think GOP cares, the right side will vote for him or if donkey in his place......
I will vote to re-elect the President. I have always voted Republican, but not this time.
WOW, can we please get a 3rd candidate in here? 4 more years of Obama and there might not be anything left. Romney is as crooked as they come. He will take care of the rich on the poor and middle classes back. Obama wants the middle class and the rich to pay for the poor. Middle class is screwed either way, just Romney might put me in a better position to earn more money.........
Corporate wh0re Romney will do nothing but help the wealthy rob the middle class blind.
Anyone who does not see this as truth is truly blind. No harm no foul.
Do yourself a favor and take your blinders off then. You have no idea what you're talking about. I notice you've provided ZERO fact-based evidence to 'support' your claim. Shocking. Factor in children, the elderly, our soldiers overseas, the working poor (making less than 20K) to your and twit's stereotype...and you're done. Your statement is meaningless...and you've just fouled-out.
Wow the sheer amount of ignorance being spewed fourth by "Conservative" folk here is just unbelievable. No wonder political discourse in this country has gone so downhill. You are akin to the radical islamists burning down embassies, with your blind fanaticsm, which seems to be more based on race than actual policies. Why don't you actually independantly research what you are talking about instead of beating your chests and regurgitating whatever you heard on Fox news this morning. As for CNN giving any credit to the 47% statement being accurate is just as bad, unless you consider children, our servicemen in the military, families making below 20k a year, and senior citizens who make up the large bulk of this 47% all the worthless leaches Romney is implying.
Preach it brother!
What a slanted joke of an Article..way to go CNN...your a pro Obama hack media outlet.
The article IS slanted: A more correct headline would be "Romney's Remarks: Lie or Truth?" The remarks show what kind of man Mitt Romney is, either way.
Would love to see an uproar about how Obama declared war on the EVIL rich since the day that he walked into the oval office. No president has ever done more to split the country right down the middle. He could careless about the people paying the bills. Romney happens to be on the otherside of the fence. Sometimes the truth hurts.
Well that is just a bold face lie!! The people who are dividing the country are those that fropm day one wanted this President to fail and have done everything they can to see this happens.
he never declared war on the rich...
Sad that anybody would think that romney is for anybody except romney. and you can not base your decision solely on the economy! talk about VERY scary foreign policy. that shoot now ask questions later will be what him and ryan use to start world war 3 and the end of our world. If you are smart (i know you think you are but voting for romney is stupid) you will vote for President Obama. there are so many more reasons not to vote for romney that it could take up lots of room so i will be nice and leave it at that.
The rich will do very well regardless of who's president. The rich don't care about politics as much as you think they do. If taxes go up for them, they will always find ways to make more money. That's why they're rich. Why should life be easier for them than it already is? So they can "create" more jobs for everyone? Do you think that jobs are created because rich people have money burning a hole in their pocket and they want to do a good deed by creating jobs? Don't be a sheep and stop bowing to the rich like your their indentured servant.
Were you awake during the last administration?
The pitfall to Romney's remarks is that he is pointing to "47%" of American people as the problem. Okay but who created the laws or made decisions that put the 47% into that category to begin with. Perhaps that's where we need to look.
SS: DRoosevelt (?Great Depression?)
Medicaid: LBJohnson
Medicare: LBJohnson
Medicare Prescription: W. Bush
Obamacare: really?
Federal employee increases (non-military) "since Carter": RReagan, Bush Sr, W. Bush
theother53%: You are a flat out LIAR! At present the rich pay THE LOWEST TAXES IN THE LAST 50 YEARS !!! What part of that is unfair you drooling dunce? How is that making the rich out to be evil? You need some serious medication.