Upstream | February 03, 2012 | 96 comments

Romney: I ‘misspoke’ about the poor

KB723
By David Edwards
Friday, February 3, 2012 9:06 EST

A day after insisting that the media had taken his comments about not being concerned for the poor out of context, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney shifted positions on Thursday, claiming he simply “misspoke.”

On Monday, Romney had told CNN’s Soledad O’Brien that he wasn’t running for president to help the most impoverished Americans.

“I’m not concerned about the very poor, we have a safety net there, if we need to repair, I’ll fix it,” he said. “The challenge right now — we will hear from the Democrat party the plight of the poor. And there’s no question it’s not good being poor. And we have a safety net to help those that are very poor, but my campaign is focused is on middle-income Americans.”

A day later aboard his campaign charter plane, the candidate blamed reporters for not putting his comment in context.

“No, no, no, no,” the former Massachusetts governor said. “You’ve got to take the whole sentence, all right, as opposed to saying, and then change it just a little bit, because then it sounds very different. I’ve said throughout the campaign my focus, my concern, my energy is gonna be devoted to helping middle income people, all right?”

Speaking to KSNV’s John Ralston later that afternoon, Romney finally began to take responsibility for his remarks.

“John, it was a misstatement,” the candidate asserted. “I misspoke.”

“I’ve said something that is similar to that but quite acceptable for a long time. And you know when you do I don’t know how many thousands of interviews, now and then you may get it wrong. And I misspoke, plain and simple.”

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/02/03/romney-i-misspoke-about-the-poor/

Watch this video from KSNV, Face to Face, broadcast Feb. 2, 2012.

"Please Define Middle Income, many folks do not get Married because they have to pay Higher Taxes, and speaking of marriage, why are you against Same Sex Marriage???"
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96 comments // Romney: I ‘misspoke’ about the poor

  • MotherForTruth
  • bike10
  • jim_b
  • RevKen
    • +3
      RevKen  
    • I have no doubt Mr. Romney is indeed focused in on the middle class. Unfortunately he is focused in to destroy the middle class and redistribute the wealth to his 1% friends.

    • 4 months ago
  • FLeggplant
    • +2
      FLeggplant  
    • Romney doesn't care about the poor because it's their fault they are poor.
      They should have been more selective with regards to whom they were born.
      And..once this Republican gets his greedy 'Mitts' in charge of the Country he will be more than happy to drive the remainder of us into poverty so the rest of the Republicans can pull the safety net out from under All of us.
      Then they will truly rule the world..Muhahaha!
      Power to the 99%!!!!

    • 4 months ago
  • ThirdSection
  • KB723
  • The_Wanderer_Kansas
  • KB723
  • Ihatethemall
  • budsnews
    • +2
      budsnews  
    • a thirty second add by the Obama re-election campaign will destroy this assclown.
      sooner or later,people will see you're heart.

    • 4 months ago
  • Frosty46
    • +3
      Frosty46  
    • Were I king of America---I'd have Mitt's head on a stick on parade------
      I know, I know, a bit over the top but I would elevate every capitol sucking scum thug to the top of sticks! Lollypop politicians?

    • 4 months ago
  • VFORVENDETTA
  • warman1138
  • bike10
  • Incredulous
  • WalmartRamen
  • ThirdSection
  • KB723
  • WalmartRamen
    • +6
      WalmartRamen  
    • Image
    • The middle class, needs the poor to work for them!
      If the poor is really low & it takes 5000 background checks to get 3 workers.
      At $50 a drug test. (But note these days they will say "You have been randomly chosen to not take a drug test!" In other words the people you see working today slipped by, & is now working stoned!)
      It will cost too much to get some workers, that pass!

      But thats not the point! The poor is our foundation. When was the last time a middle class worked at Walmart? I guess not. Now think about shopping at Walmart with no workers, nothing on the shelf! The workers are so poor they, lost their car to help pay the rent. That is my town right now!

      Republicans do not know foundations very well!
      http://home.dbdbdugbug.operaunite.com/W/content/WPHOTOS/RECOVERY.jpg

    • 4 months ago
  • jeffissleeping
  • Plue
  • VFORVENDETTA
  • warman1138
  • supermanrico
    • +4
      supermanrico  
    • LIAR!!. You filthy rich guy. You meant it. LIAR BITCH. Now he will pretend to be the next Jesus to try to get elected. Hypocrite. He cares only about himself. He thinks that he has a chance to become President and add it to his EGO, not that he cares about people. Retard.

    • 4 months ago
  • KB723
  • attilatheblond
    • +3
      attilatheblond  
    • "I misspoke" is the new 'It was a JOKE! You liberals have no sense of humro!'

      They always have a stock answer for when they get busted for being so wrong.

    • 4 months ago
  • KB723
  • Leen61
    • +10
      Leen61  
    • "Romney: I ‘misspoke’ about the poor " No he didn't. I saw this on Rachel tonight. He said exactly what he meant. They always get caught when they have those moments of clarity and say what they really mean. Insert foot in mouth.

    • 4 months ago
  • KB723
  • warman1138
  • KB723
  • warman1138
    • +3
      warman1138  
    • KB723:

      Absolutely, sand and a mallet to pound it in with would be better, sand is cheap and you can always borrow a mallet and the expression on his face once the pounding started would be priceless.

    • 4 months ago
  • KB723
  • VFORVENDETTA
  • budsnews
  • Leen61
  • Leen61
  • HarukoHaruhara
  • KB723
  • VFORVENDETTA
  • joeredford
    • +7
      joeredford [removed]  
    • Someone this out of touch with the average voter will continually make " misstatements "for the next 9 months. This man is dead meat. put him on a platter and let the Republicans have him for a buffet lunch.

    • 4 months ago
  • KB723
  • SFirman
  • KB723
    • 0
      KB723  
    • SFirman:

      I am not sure our votes count any longer SFirman... No one really cares about 'Our' country any longer, and sadly still I think BO is a Suit for public viewing, an opportunity for folks to think someone cares about them and their families... Pretty convincing I might add... =(

    • 4 months ago
  • northernexpat
    • +4
      northernexpat  
    • KB723:

      I really don't think the country is ready for another Bush. Remember when Jeb left the governorship in Florida? His papa cried because he knew that after what baby brother was doing in office it would be a long time, if ever that Jeb could run for President.

    • 4 months ago
  • SFirman
    • +4
      SFirman  
    • KB723:

      I guess we'll find out in Nov. KB. I believe President Obama cares about the poor, unlike Romney that doesn't know what it's like to be poor. He didn't misspeak. When Trump supported him all I could think of was the 1% supporting the 1%.

    • 4 months ago
  • KB723
  • KB723
    • 0
      KB723  
    • SFirman:

      Fair Enough, but something in my heart tells me, or offers the opinion, that BO could give a flying fart about us, I Honestly think there will be No Election in 2012, but that's just me, and as an Old Friend said, 'Just my Paranoia!!!!' LOL!!!!! =)

    • 4 months ago
  • SFirman
    • +4
      SFirman  
    • KB723:

      Must be your Paranoia KB. Mr. Obama cares very much about the middle class. He knows what it's like not to be wealthy. I hope you don't think all the wealthy Republicans running care about us, our jobs or safety nets. =)

    • 4 months ago
  • KB723
    • +1
      KB723  
    • SFirman:

      I don't think any of them repup or demothug care the least about any of us... The Paranoia blurb was a mention to an old friend... Can't even stand worthy of saying friend, just another face gone by.... NOBODY CARES!!! =)

    • 4 months ago
  • SFirman
    • +4
      SFirman  
    • KB723:

      Obama cares KB. He is doing what he can around congress. Give him a better congress and he will come through for us. Congress, especially the teaparty house has stopped what he could do now, like his job's bill. How can you vote against jobs, infrastructure. The Republican's did. Rebuilding this country's infrastructure would have created many jobs and the country needs it. =(

    • 4 months ago
  • KB723
    • +1
      KB723  
    • SFirman:

      I agree, but I was expecting more diplomacy from BO, I was expecting him to do away with the Patriot Act, I was expecting a reestablishment of Haebeus Corpus, I was expecting a stop to deep water drilling, I was expecting a Halt to the Bush tax cuts, I was expecting a 'Change' and Transparency of politics... I was also expecting for the Bush administration to be taken to the Hague, lastly I was expecting the closing of GITMO... Many folks can still beat the Drum of BO, I will not.... =)

    • 4 months ago
  • attilatheblond
    • +4
      attilatheblond  
    • SFirman:

      They did a good job for the BFEE though. And they seem to think they have some sort of dynastic right to the throne.

      The fun begins when the Romney dynasty in waiting takes on team bush. Those Romney sons are 'serving the country by helping me {Mitt} become president' And those boys look mighty tickled with what all their dad as POTUS would mean for them

      Frankly, I don't think America is ready to elect another bush either. However, I could see them pulling a telegenic puppet unity candidate outta their bush hat and going for a brokered convention, rushing in the puppet without time for the people to vet him, and of course, Jeb playing cheney as VP or real power behind the throne. Yep, I could see that happening.

    • 4 months ago
  • kgMA
    • +5
      kgMA  
    • KB723:

      After the last Bush screwed up America, Jeb should wait about 30 or 50 years before showing his face in Washington! How does that saying go? Fool me once, fool me twice, but don't try the fool me a third time! Let him come! Wall Street Willard has a better chance...

    • 4 months ago
  • KB723
  • SFirman
    • +5
      SFirman  
    • KB723:

      The Patriot Act was signed into law by an act of congress by GW in 2001. Obama signed a four year extention of key provisions such as roving wiretaps, conducting surveillance of individuals supected of terrorist activities. I believe to do away with it all would take an act of congress. The Bush tax cuts will run out at the end of this year and not be renewed, unless a Republican is elected. Obama did an executive order to close Gitmo, but congress stopped funding. I will beat the drum of Obama. He has my vote. It will be nice to be off oil but first we need alternative fuel. =)

    • 4 months ago
  • KB723
    • -2
      KB723  
    • SFirman:

      There are already alternative Fuels, no one is willing to fight the Big Oil companies to move them forward. So lets get this straight, for all the BS we need to re elect BO or Suffer the Consequences??? Really??? I feel like a Chump, don't you???

      How do you feel about NDAA??? We can't Blame GW for that one!!!! LOL!!!! F**K Barack Obama!!!! =)

    • 4 months ago
  • SFirman
    • +3
      SFirman  
    • attilatheblond:

      I believe the Romney sons would be tickled if their dad became president. I'm sure they think they are serving the country, but I believe that would be bad for the country. Romney knows nothing about being in the middle class.
      I have thought they may try for Bush with a brokered convention. I could see that happening. I still believe Jeb will run someday but it's to close to GW and he didn't do well with our country. I believe at this time President Obama will beat him.

    • 4 months ago
  • northernexpat
    • +3
      northernexpat  
    • SFirman:

      I agree. People expected Obama to cure the ails of the economy with the snap of his finger. He was not given a chance. The economy was so bad that there is no way in hell, if you understand finance, that it could recover in two years, although he did make remarkable progress. He stop the country from falling off a cliff. But what did the American voter do? Instead of helping him pass his agenda to continue to improve the economy, they became impatient and send him an unwilling congress to deal with.

      The GOP controlled Congress has spent all their time trying to implement their own ideologies to suppress women's rights and hurt the poor rather than create jobs, which is what they promised they'd do when they were elected. I am surprise Obama has been able to do all he has with the bunch of loony tunes currently in Congress. And look at the price he has paid. He has the 'right' that constantly blames everything that happens in the world on him. He has the 'left' mad because they don't think he has done enough.

      The 'right' lied about the Affordable Health Care Act, lied about the stimulus, stopped him from closing Gitmo, and have done everything in their power to prevent him from succeeding. He negotiated in good faith, they didn't. He got some of the things he wanted, like repealing DADT and extending the payroll tax cuts. He also prevented them from disseminating SS, Medicare, and Medicaid.

      So yes, he does care and will continue to care if people give him the chance. Did he make some mistakes? Of course, but I believe he has learned from them and is stronger than ever.

    • 4 months ago
  • KB723
  • northernexpat
    • +4
      northernexpat  
    • KB723:

      First I am still an American Citizen. Second, because a sitting President allows a former President to visit him, this is wrong how? Was he suppose to be rude and tell them he would not see them? Obviously, he has respect for the office even if some don't.

    • 4 months ago
  • SFirman
    • +4
      SFirman  
    • northernexpat:

      Good comment. Obama has learned alot. That's why another term will benifit the American people.Congress is broken. They care little about us. They only care about making Obama a one term president. We must vote them out. It is they holding Obama back. He does care about us and no one will convince me not to vote for him.

    • 4 months ago
  • KB723
  • KB723
  • SFirman
    • +3
      SFirman  
    • Image
    • KB723:

      Your right Republicans and Dems in oil states want the oil, but Obama wants to cut unneeded and expensive oil subsidies. He has been fighting congress on this. What alternative fuels will take the place of oil today. I hope you don't mean fracking..Yes, I'm saying if a Republican becomes president we will all suffer the consequences. I don't feel like a chump. Swearing at the POTUS shows no respect for the office.He has my respect and vote. Good night. =)

    • 4 months ago
  • northernexpat
    • +3
      northernexpat  
    • KB723:

      You seem awfully bitter lately. You cannot blame this all on Obama. There are Senators in the GOP that have blocked everything he has tried to do for alternative energy. Because big oil has all the money they are winning the message war. Why do you think 61% of the American population thinks the pipeline is a good idea?

      And just who do you think could do a better job right now? Nobody who is left of Obama would win an election, because if they call him a Socialist and a Nazi, what do you think they call someone else? This is more important than just the 2012 election. If you hand over control to the GOP they will ensure that the 1% win. They will finish what the GOP governors have started. They will take away all workers' rights, women rights, and civil rights. Then where will you be?

      Just because Obama recognizes that he has to compromise to accomplish anything these days, doesn't make him an appeaser. If you want the country to move forward then give him people willing to work for that objective rather than just trying to take him down.

    • 4 months ago
  • SFirman
  • KB723
  • KB723
  • budsnews
  • budsnews
  • Ambill94
  • KB723
  • Ambill94
  • KB723
  • GRC54
    • +5
      GRC54  
    • I misspoke? More like I fall down and go boom!!!!! To think Our EX governor is just getting started with the misspoken talking points.
      Pray tell what will he muffle next?

    • 4 months ago
  • KB723
  • letsliveinpeace
  • GRC54
  • KB723
  • GRC54
  • kgMA
  • KB723
    • 0
      KB723  
    • kgMA:

      Scary indeed... We so need a new way and group of people worthy of serving our needs... I hate to say it, but it will not change til the bullets or pitchforks are brought out...

    • 4 months ago
  • The_Wanderer_Kansas
  • KB723
  • northernexpat
    • +6
      northernexpat  
    • Rachel Maddow just gave a thorough explanation on the difference of misspeaking and what Romney said about not worrying about poor people. If he misspoke then his has been doing it since June 2011. Does he think this is 1960 and that there is not instant video of what you have said previously, that you can see over and over again? This empty suit isn't qualified to be President. He is so out of touch with real America and insensitive to boot.

    • 4 months ago
  • KB723
  • letsliveinpeace
  • KB723
  • letsliveinpeace
  • KB723
    • +3
      KB723  
    • letsliveinpeace:

      Oh Yes!!! You are a Fabulous Poster, get in the Game, you have much to offer, in Fact this story has been around since this morning I just didn't think it would have any play... =)

    • 4 months ago
  • letsliveinpeace
  • KB723
  • KB723
    • +4
      KB723  
    • “I’ve said something that is similar to that but quite acceptable for a long time. And you know when you do I don’t know how many thousands of interviews, now and then you may get it wrong. And I misspoke, plain and simple.”

    • 4 months ago
  • KB723
    • +4
      KB723  
    • Romney: I ‘misspoke’ about the poor

      "Please Define Middle Income, many folks do not get Married because they have to pay Higher Taxes, and speaking of marriage, why are you against Same Sex Marriage???"

    • 4 months ago
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