Romney: I have friends who own NASCAR teams

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (L) speaks Sprint President and CEO Dan Hesse during the driver's meeting prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 26, 2012, in Daytona Beach, Florida.

/ Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Mitt Romney went to the Daytona 500 NASCAR race Sunday for what should have been a chance to show he's one of the guys. Instead, in casual conversation with an Associated Press reporter at the Florida track, he reminded people once again that he is not exactly a regular Joe.

Asked by the AP reporter if he follows NASCAR, Romney responded, "Not as closely as some of the most ardent fans. But I have some great friends who are NASCAR team owners."

Democrats and liberals quickly ridiculed the remark on Twitter. "I don't know people who fish but I know people who own yachts," tweeted Brad Woodhouse, communications director of the Democratic National Committee. Ari Melber, a writer for the liberal Nation magazine who apparently was watching the Oscars, tweeted: "Do I like movies? Well I have some friends who own movie companies."

Special Section: Campaign 2012

It was the second time in three days that Romney, a former CEO and former Massachusetts governor who is worth up to $250 million, stepped on his message with an offhand remark that backfired. After giving an economic speech at Ford Field in Detroit on Friday, he ignited a media eruption by mentioning at least four cars he owns and saying his wife Ann drives "a couple of Cadillacs."

"Governor, can you understand why some voters would be put off by those things?" Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace asked Romney on Sunday morning. "I can't be perfect. I just am who I am," Romney responded.

He demonstrated that at the race track, where he chatted about visiting the work space of team owner Richard Childress and recalled childhood memories from races. "I go back to the 1960s, back then when you had guys like Bobby Allison driving, they were driving stock cars," Romney said. "Maybe they'd taken out the passenger seat and the back seat so they can put in a restraint system and a fire extinguisher. But now these cars really are built from the group up entirely by the teams themselves." He said he had recently spoken to Allison, who endorsed him in Sumter, S.C., on January 15.

For Romney, it was just his world and his friends. For Democrats, it was a political opportunity. "This is just the latest example of how out of touch Mitt Romney is from the average American experience. From an economic plan that provides tax cuts to line the pockets of his friends -- like those who own NASCAR teams -- to wanting Wall Street to write its own rules, Mitt Romney just doesn't get it and won't work to restore economic security for the middle class," said DNC press secretary Melanie Roussell.

[andy5499]

Hi
All of you who posted negative comments...Have you ever purchased a lottery ticket, ever played a slot machine...WHY !!!!!

because YOU want to be worth $250 million.

I just want to live in USA with a chance to earn $250 million...Romney gives me the best chance to do that. All Obama gave me is NO job... Unemployed since 2010.

[fredisalive]

ever watched the vikings at the dome? No but team owner is a friend of mine!

[JRC_903]

Romney's problem is not that he is wealthy. His problem is that he is nothing else--- but wealthy. And, he knows it.

[venusvegasvada]

Well said.

[Conservalibmiddle]

Mr.. Romney has more in common with Terry Gou, Oleg Daripaska, and the Rothschilds than he does with anyone posting here. I do not hate him for being born wealthy. I do feel however that his life experience is far different than all but a few thousand Americans. He just does not "get it"

[ratm1185]

The liberal media is so desperate to take statements to try to typecast Romney as out-of-touch with voters.

[BlameRepublicanz]

he made the statement himself...take it how you want it...stop blaming the media and playing the victim.

[ProgressNow]

Mitt Romney: "Some of my friends even drive there own cars...not many, but a few!"

[ProgressNow]

That should have been "their"...just trying to keep from being called and elitist snob.

[liveloveforgod]

This man is proof of everything that is wrong with Capitalism.

Imagine this man in the White house.

The Bankers and Real Estate brokers would be drooling as the middle class is eliminated and people lose their homes. He is the boss you hat at work who will fire you without caring one bit.

He knows he cannot be the President, this Presidential run is for his ego

[js2212]

by MarineVet46 February 27, 2012 1:47 PM EST
Back to Faux Nooz with you.
We'll find some other moron to mock when you leave.
_______________________________________________________________
So Obama has no rich friends? I don't watch Fox but you sure seem to know a lot about them, since you refer to their stories all the time. In fact, you can pretty much quote their talking points verbatim.

The liberal bias in the media is well-documented so if that's your point of disagreement, then you are a typical lib - deny facts that don't support your warped view and false facts.

[BlameRepublicanz]

blame the media and play the victim....two things conservatives do best.

[barreto716]

SOMEHOW IN SIMPLE TRUTH, BY ALL MEANS; HE PLACE HOPE & DEEPLY INVOLVED PAYING ATTENTION ,FROM NOW ON;TO MILLONS OF WORKING CLASS, THAT NOW ARE SURVIVING ON FOOD STAMPS

[js2212]

I don't get why this is a story other than liberal media want to stoke the fires of those who envy the rich. I believe that Obama has some pretty rich friends too, so I'm sure there will be plenty of comments bringing that up on this thread too LOL

[uisignorant]

Vet,
So people are stupid and blindly lead by a bias media.

[dj_chi]

Polls show most GOP voters wish there was another option to the four still in it. The catchword for the GOP this year is disappointment!