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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People get jobs and start careers at companies Mitt Romney owned, managed, or invested in. He creates wealth for the nation.
Staples Office supplies
Sports Authority Clothing & Equipment
Totes Umbrellas, Gloves, shoe covers
Experian Credit Reporting
Sealy Mattresses
Dominoes Pizza
....road to prosperity!
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People get in lines for jobs promised by Barrack Obama and receive a regular check just for the attempt, from tax payers. He destroys wealth for the nation.
Food Stamp Lines
Welfare Education Classes
Free Citizenship to Illegals
Envy vs Self Reliance
No tax obligations
Free Crony Higher Education
Free Crony Green Consumption
....road to serfdom!
YES!!!
"No tax obligations"
Republicans spend 30 years cutting taxes and you blame the fact that people don't have to pay any taxes on Obama.
Dunce.
Might want to look at his history of raigin companies and outsourcing jobs, too... not to meniotn his failure at job creation as governor. But like Mitt says, we can't be burdened by facts.
What is leading to serfdom is corporations taking control of the government.
Meanwhile, you cheer on fascism, while being scared of the black man in the white house... where were you when Bush was doling out tax rebate checks to people that didn't pay any taxes? Forgot about that didn't you? Did you forget about the Republicans who FAILED us on 9/11?
Bubba,
You are clearly out of your league on the brains dept. Businesses have metrics that investors can, and do, review before they invest with them.
Romney and Bain Capital have produced excellent returns for "Fire & Police Funds", various "Teacher Union Funds", and thousands of Retired Seniors who ...go to guys like Mitt... to invest their life's savings!
ROMNEY is pompous ( YOU-TUBE :What makes Mitt Romney happy) his wife is Cruella de Vil .
There are about 40% to 47% that have made up their mind for each canidate, and will be unlikely to change without a strong reason.
The people in these groups are of all segments of the population, and those who may be under their potential should be helped to find employment that helps them pay taxes also.
No one likes to pay excess taxes but almost all would gladly do so if it was tied to a good paying job.
This is the focus we should have giving all a chance at the "American Dream", but the richest nation should never disparage those who may not have much, nor looked down on bring those we can up and have a minimum level of support for everyone, and thank god or whoever if you are not in the same boat.
Who cares about all this!!! What about coverage of the fast and furious decision that came down today?!!!!!!!! C'mon CNN...this is such an non-issue!!!!!!!! If you're going to cover gaffes, cover it both ways!!!!!!
It's the truth. Most people now are "what can you do for me", not "what can I do for myself". btw, have you heard the Obama audio from 1998 talking about redistribution of wealth? Now that's what people should be concerned about.
Yep – heard it. Not surprised by it. But there are people out there who won't believe it even though it came from Obama's mouth. I'm waiting to hear "it was taken out of context".
Well since Romney presented us with brutal truth, and the truth hurts and all--–Why don't all you baggers take in your parents and grandparents with alzheimers, and you become responsible for changing their diapers, paying for their food, and health care, and oh I forgot you won't have to pay for their housing--YOU are their housing. Watch and see how many of these people are excited about taking care of dear old Mom and Dad. Fools.
Why do you assume that if Romney is elected people with Alzheimer's will not be able to get government assistance? I personally am concerned for those elderly who need so much help will not get all the assistance they will need from Obama's Healthcare plan. I'm not a "bagger", and I do believe Romney is our best choice.
The thruth about Mitt Romney true nature is too ugly and scary to be let out. Multiple damage control squads have thus become a permanent and essential element of Romney's campain. Still, these troups don't seem to suffice to reverse the sudden realization by the nation that the GOP has again made it possible for them to elect a man that would inevitably preside over the realization of their worst nigtmare as a country and as a society.
No such thing as a moderate Democrat that's going to vote for Obama. That animal is extinct. If you are voting for Obama, you are way left. Period.
College educated white suburban 1% moderate. Wife and I, as well as both adult children will all be voting for Obama.
That's just factually incorrect.
Incorrect. I'm middle-aged, white, gun-owning, republican male with a graduate degree earning six figures and I'm voting Obama.
I have far more respect for him calling it like it is. I'm
so sick of Obama pandering and convincing people that they are victims of the
evil people doing well. That is what a Community Organizer does. It's not "can
do, and I'll show you how", it's "you can't you losers and I'll take care of
everything with other peoples money". Sad for our once proud country.
CNNs headline on this is insulting, dishonest and blatantly 'pro-Romney.' There is no question about whether or not Romney's comment about the 47% was a Brutal Truth. It's not a matter of opinion but fact that he was talking about two different groups of 47%. One is the group that makes up Obama's voting base. The other is the group that doesn't currently pay income tax.Those are not the same 47%. The economic 47% has nothing to do with party affiliation and, in fact, there may be more Republicans than Democrats who don't pay income tax.
CNN is way out of line playing these games. You're being dishonest with this and giving cover to one of the candidates in the race. I know a lot of confused people repeat the old canard about "Liberal Bias." But right here in front of our noses is a blatant case of pro-Republican bias. You are doing EXACTLY what the Romney campaign needs to try to put this behind them. Confusing people by intentionally mixing up issues.
This is shameful.
"and, in fact, there may be more Republicans than Democrats who don't pay income tax"
There are.
IRS figure released this morning show that 8 of the 10 highest no tax paying states went McCain in 08. 8 of the 10 least not tax paying states went Obama in 08.
It's funny that red staters are so dumb that they will vote for the guy who just called them fat stupid and lazy.
Romney is typical American Rich expained his stand in one line.I am rich and i wish me and my entire generation of my family will stay rich. The rest of the americans need to stay poor to show case Romney richness. This guy with a business back ground and corporate greed and businees thinking will not do anything for the country or world except for himself. Please do not vote for him in your lifetime.
Well my only income is my social security and a small private pension. I cant find a job who is going to hire a 67 year old. SO I fall into the 47% and I am proud of it
Where's the coverage of the Fast and Furious decision?!
It is on the front page clear as day.
Are you blind or stupid?
See, this is why our media fails us. Instead of, you know, seeking the TRUTH, they somehow try to make it "fair and balanced" by seeming to give both sides equal weight. What he said was wrong-headed (I'm not sure he actually meant what he said, which is typical of Mitt), but for the media to insinuate it's remotely true of the "47%" is, frankly, stupid and lazy. Please, CNN and others, seek and report the truth! You have failed our country and our forefathers' intent.
The 47% figure is actually accurate. You just need to understand the demographics: it made up of children, elderly living on social security, people in desperate poverty and soldiers, all of which have tax exemptions from income tax for good reason. However, many people, especially the poor ones, still pay a higher tax rate than Romney because of payroll taxes (Romney's 13.9% to what is often 15% for poor workers). There are, however, around 25,000 people who did not pay federal income taxes and have a significantly high (250k+) income, and of them, around 1,500 are millionaires, and it's all thanks to tax loopholes.
In any case, a lot of it is the GOP's own fault anyway - tax credits given away by Reagan and Bush. They wanted it this way. And frankly, I can't complain about not applying the federal income tax to elderly subsisting on social security alone, or soldiers currently in active duty. It's only to Romney and his donors that these people are somehow lazy.
It's best to remember that marrying a woman is a HUGE mistake. Just don't do it. If you want a child, get a surrogate and you'll end up paying much less than marrying some woman who will just play head games with you for the rest of your life. It's not that I've ever done this, oh my stars no, I'm 100% however I've taken care of enough husbands to know the deal.
Just don't do it, guys. Don't get married, get a surrogate and in the end I won't have to listen to your problems while bobbin on your knob.
LOL, that had nothing to with Romney but truer words could not have been written.
finally someone I can vote for.