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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Romney is a big business guy. If you're high up in your corporation, he's your man because he's looking to make you more powerful and weaken the power of the workers. TOTALLY legit to vote for him, he's there for you. If you don't fall into that category, voting for him is supporting the people you work for. Weird, but totally legit. If you don't belong to either of those camps, voting for him means that you have no clue what's going on.
Well put.
Actually I don't think you've really looked at Romney's record in Massachussettes. He's a middle of the road guy, like Obama.
Study the issues, get comittees together, daily polls to take the pulse of voter reaction, cutting deals – doesn't really believe in anything – yes his background is more conservative than Obama, and you get the usual divide – unions going for Obama – but the reality is Obama's 4 years, didn't bring about the golden age of unions – white southern baptists going for Romney – but the reality is he's been pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage – and certainly didn't bring around any social changes in Massachussettes – you have two middle of the road people going against each other.
No significant difference in philosophy – it's just the process we do every 4 years, making big deals out of tiny differences. Other countries have candidates with real differences – communist vs democrat, totalitarian vs. libertarian – religious party, athiests....
We don't do that here, we make a big deal out of two people that will both run huge deficits, make incremental changes, and take most of their advice from pollsters.
It's not an issue about whether his remarks about those on assistance or who pay no taxes are true or not, it is about his comment, "it's not my job to worry about THOSE people" .... that is disturbing from a potential president !!!!!!!
Exactly. That is divisive and he should be ashamed of it. I concur with President Clinton when he said we are all in this together. He is trying to divide the American people, making middle class hate the poor.
He didn't say that. He said that these people would vote for Obama regardless...
It doesn't mean he is not going to take care of them. Please don't spin this out of proportion.
And you really believe that Obama doesn't plan his campaign according to whose votes are still viable?
You morons! He was asked how did he intend to get elected. He said he wasn't going to concentrate on the 47% who will automatically vote for Obama but he was going to concentrate on the independent voters int he middle. If you can't see there is a percentage whether it be 47% or not that are going to vote democratic no matter what whether it be because they are dependent upon the government or because daddy was a democrate. There is a percentage whether it be 40% or whatever th at are going to vote Republican no matter what whether it be because we are sick of liberals and tax and spend and a $16 trillion deficit or because daddy was a Republican. Then there are 13-15% percent or some number close that are independents. His point was those are the people he needs to concentrate on! You people take things so out of context and liberalize everything! Hope the first of the month gets here soon so you can cash another welfare check!
rdpslp,
But the 47% is disproportionately republican to begin with. The less educated party as a whole makes less money and pays less taxes per person. So they end up with quite a bit more than 47% paying no taxes and relying on Government handouts.
WORTHLESS USE OF ALL CAPS.
I USE CAPS BECAUSE I HATE PUNCTUATING..
Appears you know how to use them too to send your witty comments.
@ 3:54 seconds, you can see Mittters wearing a Daytona Speedway jacket. Once again, Lesa France and NASCAR are trying to buy their agenda with the Republican office. Who are the ones that "tent" in the infield of a NASCAR race? Hard working Americans that live within their budgets. Democrats! The very money you give to NASCAR is being earned and given right back to the Republicans, wake up people!
Ryan, sorry to break it to you, but the majority of NASCAR fans are in the south-which is basically a Republican stronghold. There may be some Democrats tenting in the infield, but I would venture to guess that a large majority of the fans are Republicans.
And a huge number are in the 47%.. So he does not care about them either......Unless they fail to show at the polls.
Unfortunately, the very people who would benefit most form Obama's programs like universal healthcare (first suggested by Romney- now his flip flopped against it) don't vote for him. We all need to have social programs like education, the police, fire departments, the FBI, the CIA, the military and HEALTHCARE to be a strong society. Social programs to not make us a Socialist country. All of the European countries are capitalist societies, but have strong social programs to grow a strong societies.
Brutal truth? I think not. I hardly think 47% of Americans think they are victims. Romney is the one the comes off sounding like a victim. He squeals that he has to pay 13% in taxes and all of that hard earned cash that he can't hide offshore goes to moochers. His tax burden is paltry and most of his taxes go to pay for the military and debt servicing incurred by Bush.
Romney acts like a victim too when Americans ask to see his tax returns. Romney is a spoiled much like his Republican predecessor GW Bush- the only difference is that Romney was born with a gold foot stuck in an even bigger orifice.
Romney has a golden opportunity to demolish Harry Reid. All he has to do is show his hand like any honest player. It will be a hell of a dramatic event if he can show he paid a fair amount of Federal taxes. Why would he not want to collect all the votes he would get from rubbing the Dem noses in their claims? He could force Reid to resign. Why won't he jump at this opportunity?
He totally omits mention of payroll taxes, school tax, gas tax, sales tax, utility tax, and other state and local taxes paid by the 47%. He gives the impression that the 47% contribute nothing.
Most people on assistance of one type or another have jobs, but because they jobs are minimum wage, part time, they can't live on the wages of one or two jobs.
I'm part of the 47% because I worked all my life until my body fell apart and now 100% disabled. I guess that makes me a worthless moocher. And unlike Romney, I served in the military and receive VA benefits, including compensation for a service related injury.
Lord Romney, go back to the private sector, and for once try to be a productive member of society, not some greedy corporate raider.
Why do the liberals have such a hard time with the TRUTH.
Why do the republicans have such a hard time with the TRUTH.
The problem is that the Republicans keep redefining the truth, usually by ignoring the facts and stating what they wish were true. For conservatives everything can be redefined, evolution, the age of the universe, Thomas Jefferson's role as a founding father, the intent of the founding fathers with regards to creating a "Christian" nation. As was stated during the convention, the Republican party is not going to have its campaigns based on fact checkers. Facts are irrelevant in the conservative universe, as long as they can pronounce the "Truth".
they don't. It's out there for all to see. No spin necessary on this one.
@no...why do you put your blinders on...have you not noticed the high unrmployment numbers...the real numbers not the made up ones by the leftist media and the housing bubble isuues and Holder and ovomit trying to cover up fast and furious and the deep debt we are in and yet the libs keeps spending all of OUR money and want to keep spending it and come up with srupid sayings like "it is patriotic to pay your taxes" and in the same breath the libs want to raise taxes...you want to work and depend on the gov....move to Europe...get out of the way and we will elect a real man for president to get thse chains off of ourselves...vote Romney...now that is the truth!
Because Republicans can't handle the truth!
Why do the republicans have hard time with the truth that not all Obama supporters are on govt handout. In fact, more in the red states are on welfare than in the blue states. The GOP needs to understand that the country belong to everybody and we need to give hand to those in need occasionally.
so does that 47% include Wall Street bailouts, Bank bailouts, Oil Company Subsidies and free oil leases in the gulf, what about the contractors in the national parks, on military bases (Haliburton), doctors who take medicare payments and the railroads that pay no property taxes; does it include farmers subsidies, car company loans and bailouts, does that include tax write offs and depreciation write offs for large and small businesses? That door swings both ways..just who all does that include Senor Romney..answer please..to whom should the government serve?
PS WHERE IS THE VIDEO WHERE OBAMA TALKS ABOUT REDISTRIBUTION AT? WHERE WAS THE PROTECTION FOR THE AMBASSADOR OF LIBYA. AS THE US GOVERMENT WAS ADVISED OF THE ATTACK OR SITUATION ON THE GROUND? WHY DID THE MEDIA BLAME THE NO BODY MOVIE MAKE AND EQUATE A MOVIE TO A TERROIST ATTACK? OR ARE OUR FOREING POLICIES & 1ST ADMENMENT RIGHTS BASED OFF OF BEING POLITICALLY CORRECT WITH THE OVER 27 COUNTRIES WHO ARE IN AN UPROAR? I AM AFRAID THAT BY THE TIME THE "SOCIAL" MEDIA STARTS REPORTING THE TRUTH ONCE AGAIN IT WILL BE TOO LATE... ,AGAIN; WHERE HAVE ALL THE NEWS REPORTES GONE?!
Enema, first of all, your grammar is terrible. Secondly, all the good and unbiased reporters are at Fox. Go there and you will feel right at home.
The "news reporters" left cause you type in all caps.
You hit the nail on the head! What happened to honest news reporting?
If you shout, no one will pay attention.
Watch the whole clip, not just what Fox wants you to see. You will see a completely different Obama than the one the "good Christians" on the right want you to see. It was not about taking from the rich to give to the poor. Remember, it is rich men who are trying to make you believe their edited version of the video.
BTW, Why is the Republican redistribution of wealth from the poor and middle class to the wealthiest few good, but the redistribution of wealth to those who actually built the wealth with their hard work bad?
This is all Obama trying desperately to divert attention from the meltdown in the Middle east. And you all are falling for it.
Yep, that's really Obama in that video with a Romney mask on his head.
Yeah. Romney is secretly working for Obama, and intentionally allowed himself to be recorded saying controversial things to distract attention from the unrest in the Middle East. Brilliant!
And yiou think Romney isn't trying to divert the attention on himself cause he got with his pants down? Please, you reap what you sow, my brother. . . . .
And if you think your god ovomit is a good president then you are the kind of person that thinks that you have to study to do a urine test...
Obama does not have to divert attention from anything. Romney does it all himself with his preposterous claims. Who wants to watch a rerun of Lucy when you have an opposing candidate committing 9/11 style events daily.
Yeh, Obama forced Romney say things that are so stupid. Get real.
it was a business meeting. Mitt was talking about votes not lives. if people knew anything about him or Mormons in general they would understand. Meet a Mormon and find out how we live our lives and love our neighbor.
I am so sick of hearing that he's mormon. Who the heck cares? The government should be seperation of church and state, yet his beliefs keep coming up. The more he talkes about his beliefs, the more I am actually swayed to vote against him!
Morman? Cult. I know a few and they all seem to have money, and they don't really live up to their ads on tv.
Who cares he is Mormon? For all I care, he could be Hindu or Jewish? He does not come across as caring (not 1 bit) and that is what counts.
Yeah, you are just a wonderful bunch of people. Just as whacky , secretive , and violent as any other religion can be. But, I think people should read about how Joseph Smith received his revelations from God. He makes a street corner guy with the three cups and find the pea look like a sophisticated magician. It is like hiding your thumb from a baby. I also encourage people to look up a little picnic the Mormons had at Mountain Meadows . The leaders who they worship ( Smith and Brigham Young ) were as nutty and as violent as you can imagine.
So, we send millions of manufacturing jobs offshore, most to Communist Red China and Mexico, then blame 47% of the American people of not working. Hey Mitt, all those jobs you and your friends have off shored, whats the income tax rate for them? My father fought for your freedom and now is disabled and collecting Social Security, is he a loser?
Good one. If Romney wins, he probably will sell some govt land to China. After all, that is all he was good at.
Problem for Romney and the Repubs is it reveals the truth about Repub policies for last 30 years. They don't care about those who need Medicare,medicaid, social security. They always make it seem like they are angry with the black people on welfare–when their real agenda is to gut those programs– programs that many Repub supporters need..not just democrats who vote for Obama. Cat's out of the bag with his comments. Anyone in the middle class (who needs medicaid for their parents or Medicare) Anyone who needs Social Security–if they vote for any REpublican–Romney, or the Senate/House need to have their heads examined. And this is why the "establishment" Republicans like Kristol etc. are so upset.They knew they were fooling so many middle class and poor whites for 30 years..Now Romney's comments prove the Repubs really never cared about them..He has blown thier cover. Will those whites who voted REpub all these years see how they've been played since Reagan??
Sure and the last 4 years that the liberal terrorist organization in the WH are good policies? if you think so you really are a liberal zombie puppet that needs to be deported to Mexico...
Reagan probably didn't know any better but he was the tool that created this absurd financial disparity that threatens our freedom. This what they meant by "all evil needs to succeed is for good men to remain silent."
Hey Obozo, why don't you go back to the WH and do the job you were hired to do instead of using Air Force One as a fund raising and campaign tour jet!
No, the White House in not in LA.
Sorry to disappoint.
And why don't you stop getting your news from email forwards.
WOOSHED: Ignorance is not knowing, however if you use it another way of stup-idity then you fit the bill.
DJohnson – Why does this president not get to have the same benefits the past Republican presidents had? You don't think Bush and Reagan didn't use Air Force One when they were campaigning. Open your Redneck eyes! You and all your poor GOP brothers will be on the welfare line if you vote Romney in! Don't vote for Romney! It's not going to get any better. Let President Obama have another term so he can continue to fix the mess that Bush left behind.
If you ever bought a gallon of gas or a loaf of bread, you paid taxes. That's why these comments were so utterly goofey. Mitt Romney lives in an alternate universe of the ultra-rich. He knows nothing about you or me. He probably payus somebody to chew his food for him. Geesh!!
And you all think that Obozo is not a multi-million aire and uses tax loop holes like EVERYONE does, how stupid you democraps are.
Hello?! We're talking about federal income taxes. Pay attention!
I read a very inspiring story recently in my local newspaper about a local woman who only made 35-40k at the most for the years she worked, and she was able to save enough money to retire early. She said that all she did was make wise choices with her money and also invested little bits whenever she could. Well all those little bits added up and now she's living her dream. That's called incentive for being wise and living within your means. Obama has it backwards and offers incentive to do little/nothing. I have nothing against helping those in need and I truly do not like to see anyone suffer. But that does not mean that it's OK to give hand outs just because of weak, sorry feelings. There needs to be much, much tighter restrictions when it comes to welfare - if you can't admit that much then you are part of the problem.
Thank you for such a logical statement.
I agree. But, then again, she apparently has accepted the concept of personal responsiblity. Something sadly lacking in the Democrat party.
welfare welfare. Wake up please. That is so old. Less than 2 % are on welfare. It is pennies out of the federal budget. but it does connote lazy blacks right? So Repubs reargue it this election. it is not an issue. Repubs used that to get power 30 or so years ago–. Now they want to kill Medicare medicaid and social security That has always been their goal.. you want those three programs gutted?Vote for Romney and Repubs for Congress too. Welfare is a non-issue–and Romney knows that. He was complaining about 47% of the people who "take": he admits Repubs dont help them– Now.. you think 47% are on welfare? No –he was complaining about (whites and blacks) who get Medicare,social security and welfare..Betcha that is you or your family memebers. But keep stubbornly voting Repub–rather than saying "i've been fooled"–Just dont cry when it is too late– the Repubs run the deficit to the stratosphere and then say.."
we are broke.We have to close down medicare,Medicaid and Social Security..while taking care of defense corporations and giving the top 1 % even more tax cuts.