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Video: Romney Tells Millionaires That 47% Of Americans Are Dependent Layabouts
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 17, 2012
Modified Sep 17, 2012
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Boston Globe / Bain Capital
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 17, 2012
Modified Sep 17, 2012
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Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is trying to convince America that he has the solution for their problems (who cares if he can't articulate it), but it probably doesn't help that he disdains 47% of them. Mother Jones' David Corn has footage of Romney speaking to millionaire donors, explaining, in Corn's estimation, "what he truly thinks of all the voters who support President Barack Obama. He dismissed these Americans as freeloaders who pay no taxes, who don't assume responsibility for their lives, and who think government should take care of them."
Here's the quote: "There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that's an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what…These are people who pay no income tax." He also added, "I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."
AP reporter Kasie Hunt, who is covering the Romney campaign, Tweeted, "Half of the people who pay no income taxes are elderly Americans," with a link to this Tax Policy Center infographic. And Obama campaign manager Jim Messina said, "It’s hard to serve as president for all Americans when you’ve disdainfully written off half the nation."
Romney also offered nuggets like, "Had [my father] been born of Mexican parents, I'd have a better shot of winning this," "I have inherited nothing," and "There is a perception, 'Oh, we were born with a silver spoon, he never had to earn anything and so forth.' Frankly, I was born with a silver spoon, which is the greatest gift you can have: which is to get born in America." Check out Mother Jones for more; Buzzfeed also has a breakdown of shorter clips.
Tagged
america
election 2012
mitt romney
poor people
president obama
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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