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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The low end, baby killing, "swish" party is busting at the seams. Mittens called you out. You truly are victims. Victims of your own making. All you have is your g-a-y marriages and birth control issues. HA HA losers. Better buy some ointment for your sore behinds.
Romneys braking away in the polls, looks like hes got the election in his pocket
I'm not all that concerned. Having the Bombo in office is all I need to pay 15% in taxes. He's a buffoon. Romney knows how to fix tax loop holes.... the "community organizer" doesn't. He has 0 knowledge of anything business.
Sounds like the "march over the cliff' republicans are going to have a tougher time voting for Romney than voting for McCain, if they vote at all. Remember, there are 4000 millionaires in that 47%. and they have lots of friends.He's rich, but nobody said he was smart. He makes that point almost every day.
I will have no problem voting for him.
Romney is incredibly smart and I will have no problem voting for him. I believe what you are describing is that he is not nearly as smooth or as good of a politician as Barak and many people confuse that with intelligence.
I guess I should have said "Inept".
I am sick and tired of standing in line at the grocery with 2 bean burritos watching the card people haul out better stuff than I could ever afford. Why is my "fair" share all of mine and most of several other people. I am paying for more than my life and not getting to live any of them.
Vote for Obama = Get Free stuff What else do you need to know. Most would say you are crazy for not applying for the food stamps that you deserve so you too can also get the good stuff.
Amen. I live on peanut butter sandwiches. Everytime I buy a few groceries I see the food stamp people with cart loads of stuff I could never afford. I guess it's my fault for working. Wish I had been smart enough to buy a million dollar home and Lexus, then loose my job, and now let government pay all my bills. I wonder where these dedbeats are getting this obama money? Whooops – that Obama money is coming directly out of my and your paycheck.
I guarantee that Romney himself is part of the 47%. That's the real reason he won't release his taxes.
You guarantee it? He has released two years worth and he paid millions in taxes. You are a sheep and belive what the media has fed you. The debate is income taxes verses capital gains taxes. Romney paid at the capital gains rate as was his right under tax law. Romney has most definately paid more than his "fair share" for the right to be an American, and many times more than virtually everyone who is commenting here.
Obama is a millionaire too! So what if one has $20 million and the other $2 million (or whatever the exact numbers are.) The only difference is one of them talks like he is one of us, reading from a teleprompter of course, and the other does not. Since the federal government is essentially a very large business, albeit a poorly run one, I'll take the guy with the business experience, even if he seems "cold" and "out of touch". Neither one can really relate to us. If you work for a large corporation, are you going to quit your job because your CEO can't relate to you? Give me the CEO who at least can run the corporation for a profit.
Mitt was right for Truth!!!~ Obama hiding from truth and more lied!!! Obama do nothing with 47 per cent did not pay taxes?? and talk about nothing because getting focus vote!! Obama is worse lair!!
Barak HUSSEIN Osama. I HOPE he will CHANGE but he seems like a Muslim.
Romney is the only candidate that is telling the truth. Obama is incapable of telling the truth.
tell the republicans in the south to quit freeloading. there the root of wellfare
I am yet to decide my support. But there is something I see very clearly. It's not the 47% who are writing him off, it's the media. I can see CNN inviting Republicans for discussions but do not allow them to talk. The anchors ask questions and before they could get answers they cross fire questions again like a stress interview. Seems to me that CNN anchors do not want viewers to listen to what the Republicans want to say.
If the Fed had introduced an unlimited QE3 to prop up the economy 2 months before an election with a Republican incubent, the media would have gone nuts.
The truth is that we wouldn't have so many people NEEDING government assistance if we had a President who could do the job of fixing our economy and creating jobs...but we don't.
Don't think the media is trying to influence our election? This CNN Website has 12 side tabs on stories about Romeny and the video. These have been on here for days. I guess there isn't other news in the world that we need to know.
I'm voting third party. Romney is an elitist and Obama blows smoke to screen his agenda.
The people should be free to make decisions regarding life AND business...not one or the other!!
Best post of the day!
This is why I'm voting Gary Johnson.
your third party vote is a vote for Obama....and more of the same.
Mitt you just lost the election don't bother trying to defend yourself to late... You continue to bash obama but can't tell us the 47% what your plan is to help the economy. TALK TALK TALK AT LEAST OUR 47% PRESIDENT WALKS THE WALK... If you would just distance yourself from the bush family you might have a chance... I'm 47% and i approve this message...
I have been waiting for CNN to run a big headline and story fact checking Obama on everything from the debt, foreign policy, attacking opponents, blaming others, on and on for four years. Well Ill stop holding my breath as CNN is too busy trying to elect Obama than reporting news. Oh why CNN is becoming irrelevant and the rest of the main stream media.
Obama makes perfect sense if we had a money tree, magic wand and no enemies, Note we dont!!!
And Mittens would make perfect sense if everybody had millions of $ stashed away and no one ever needed Gov support.
Note we don't.
Ted, change back to fox news...easily the worst news programming and least informative around. Then you will hear what you want. CNN does the most balance reporting around. Romney is a disaster Waiting to happen. Obama has been "okay." I'd rather not change horses midstream at this point. If a better Republican was running maybe...but no way. Mitt is not the answer.
Too many folks who keep voting against their self interests.
Tom,
Sorry I dont have a million stashed but its ok I dont need your money either as I live within my means and take advantage of every oppurtinity the rich give me. So unlike you I thank the risk takers and innovators as Id rather do that than have Obama give me your money. Really keep your money, do what you think is right for you, and let me do the same!
Back to reality with Romney as I need an oppurtininty not a handout taken from you!
But hay if you insist on sending me a check Ill give you my address if it will make you feel better.
Brett,
LOL you watch CNN and only can say Obama is ok, that is funny!! No I love to watch CNN, MSNBC and NBC. I love the bias and how they ignore all and every negative story on Obama, but yes I have to go to FOX to hear those things, so go figure.
So Brett keep those blinders on knowing only half the facts for that warm and fuzzy feelings you need to up hold your blind "OK" love for Obama, lolol! Note: Putin loves sheep like you, go russia.
I keep looking over your report........such as it is......and don't find the answer to the question in your headline. Mr Romney's numbers are accurate. The fact that some in that category don't like it does not make the number false.
Any numbers can be accurate – it just depends on what you choose to include or exclude. The guys is out of touch – its the unguarded comments that reveal a preson – foe example – " Take a risk -, go to college, get a degree .... get a loan from your parents IF YOU HAVE TO" (emphasis added) ... that comment reveals so much about Romney, his privileged upbringing and his complete lack of understanding of the struggles most American families face. It assumes that firstly you are rich enough to pay for a degree on your own, or that if you not and your desperate enough that your parents have the money to pay for you.
That 47% of housholds pay no federal income tax may correct, but what is false is Romney's statement that Obama's support comes entirely from that group. That would mean that virtually no one who pays incpome tax supports Obama. That is patently false.
Have a good read...look at the recent Rolling Stone article on Mr. Romney. I think Obama is garbage as well...but Romney is an absolute slime ball. Facts...have a look at facts. Both of these clowns have flaws...they both will do more good than bad.
Sorry...they will both do more bad than good.
Many (not all) large corporations pad their bottom line by refusing to pay a living wage or decent benefits. Then they support guys like Romney who blast the workers who turn to government help. I would prefer the government to force employers to pay a decent wage and benefits so workers don't have to turn to "handouts". The Republicans resisted an increase in the minimum wage for 10 years while prices rose over 30% during the same time period. Many of the same companies outsource jobs and then blame the laid off workers for asking the government for help.