Romney: I "misspoke" with comment about the poor

By: Corbett B. Daly
Topics: Campaign 2012

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney

(Credit: Getty Images/Ethan Miller)

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said Thursday he "misspoke" when he told CNN on Wednesday he was "not concerned about the very poor."

In an interview with Nevada political reporter Jon Ralston, Romney sought to downplay the comments, which have been widely criticized.

"It was a misstatement. I misspoke," Romney said.

"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," Romney added.

The morning after winning Tuesday's Florida primary by a large margin, Romney went on the morning television shows to promote his campaign's message of helping the middle class.

Asked about his economic proposals, Romney said "I'm not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there. If it needs repair, I'll fix it. I'm not concerned about the very rich. They're doing just fine. I'm concerned about the very heart of America, the 90-95 percent of Americans right now who are struggling."

Corbett B. Daly
Corbett B. Daly is CBSNews.com's deputy politics editor.
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by AdelbertAmes February 4, 2012 9:03 PM EST

You did not 'misspoke' Mitt you realy do not care about the poor

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by former-nyr February 5, 2012 9:33 PM EST: What Gov. Romney said is the plain truth. There is a safety net for the poor, this is something that I've realized for a long time. Yes, it IS the middle class that has no safety net and struggles most in this economy. And we don't want a handout, we just want jobs and security! My family is middle class and I know what it was like to grow up poor, where there was a safety net and we could keep a roof over our head. Now as a middle class family, and I might add lower middle class, we can receive no help if there are hard times like when my husband was unemployed for nearly two years several years ago. I get sick of hearing all this blasting Gov. Romney over his wealth--do you really think any of these men running for President, including our current one is the guy next door? And if it wasn't for people who could afford to open, start, and create a successful business most of their critics in America wouldn't have jobs?
@by taxchruches, et.al.,: And before some people go off ranting half informed check out the facts. He did pay taxes, he was NOT trying to avoid paying them by having off-shore accounts. Why should he put all of his eggs in one basket? Do you care where Obama or any of the other candidates keep their money?


by taxchurches February 4, 2012 6:48 PM EST: justamaz: To answer your question: I care if he's rich. I care if he keeps his money off shore and in Swiss accounts to avoid paying U.S. taxes on it. I care if he is so detached from the lives of average U.S. citizens that he can't even imagine what issues affect them. I care if his main concern is maintaining and increasing his wealth. I care very much about those things.; Reply to this comment

by jameskatt February 4, 2012 4:38 PM EST

Mitt Romney: You are a HUGE BS-er. You are also a LIAR.

The fact that you are super rich with 250 MiLLION DOLLARS - most in OFF-SHORE Cayman Island Banks and Swiss Bank Accounts - makes you also a HYPOCRITE.

SHAME ON YOU.

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by justamaz February 4, 2012 5:50 PM EST: There is really only a few loud voiced narrow minded people that would be bothered by Romney's comment, but this is the world we live in. You have to constantly watch every word you say, unless of course, you're a far left liberal. Who also cares if he is rich? Do you hate Tiger Woods because he's rich?


by taxchurches February 4, 2012 6:46 PM EST: justamaz: To answer your question: I care if he's rich. I care if he keeps his money off shore and in Swiss accounts to avoid paying U.S. taxes on it. I care if he is so detached from the lives of average U.S. citizens that he can't even imagine what issues affect them. I care if his main concern is maintaining and increasing his wealth. I care very much about those things.

by DebbieCorona February 3, 2012 9:45 PM EST

BS! I saw/heard the interview myself. Romney was asked to "clarify" his statement a 2nd time. Romney repeated what he said the first time. So there is no way he mis-spoke. This line about "mis-spoke" tells me he is backpeddling. Romeny's true self came out.

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by shortbus1130 February 4, 2012 10:57 AM EST: what a total jackass... so tired of these ---wipes that dont exist in real world like the rest of us


by thomasmc1957 February 3, 2012 7:40 PM EST: Yeah, what he really meant to say, was that anybody making less than a million dollars a year is too poor for him to give a damn about.; Reply to this comment


by skyk801 February 3, 2012 6:11 PM EST: If you "Misspoke" Governor why did you first come out and DEFEND IT? If you are being HONEST why not just say it right away? People I guess you CAN believe this man, I guess you can think he stands for something.. I just don't know WHAT! He is just plain Dishonest and that's all there is to it.; Reply to this comment


by Noval53 February 3, 2012 5:21 PM EST: Open mouth, insert boot.; Reply to this comment


by senexxx February 3, 2012 4:20 PM EST: Romney may as well team up with Bachman now, they can mis-speak together.; Reply to this comment


by Montana5 February 3, 2012 4:16 PM EST: I was hoping he'd say he misspoke when he announced his candidacy for President. dang!; Reply to this comment

by stevex47 February 3, 2012 4:09 PM EST

It's the same reason boosh shipped all the jobs to China.

He figured there would be a safety net for all those he unemployed, while makin' his boy's trillions.

Good plan-Mission Accomplished.

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by skyk801 February 3, 2012 6:14 PM EST: Founders1792, the SIGN he had put up you poor uneducated human.. the GREAT BIG, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, SIGN above his head SAID: "Mission Accomplished". You can't HONESTLY think, even for a MINUTE that Karl Rove would have let him walk out there IF it wasn't intended? Seriously?? LMAO Please go back to school... learn something about READING and UNDERSTAND what you have read!