Romney: I'm only "out of touch" with Obama

AP Photo/Evan Vucci

(CBS News) HARTFORD, Conn. - Mitt Romney pushed back Wednesday against the Democratic argument that he's "out of touch," saying that there is only one person he's out of touch with - President Obama.

Romney dismissed a question posed to him in an interview on Fox News about the perception that he doesn't understand the problems of average Americans. "The campaign started yesterday - the general election campaign," he said, arguing that voters would get to know him better over the next seven months while also taking a closer look at the president.

"They'll look at his record, which ultimately is the record upon which a campaign is going to be waged. But the person I'm out of touch with is Barack Obama," Romney said. "I'm in touch with the American people. They want to see good jobs and rising incomes."

Romney has made several references to his wealth that have been interpreted poorly, including remarks about his friends who own sports teams and his wife's two Cadillacs. Mr. Obama, meanwhile, scores higher than Romney on poll questions about who better understands people's problems.

Mr. Obama and Romney are fully immersed now in the punch-counterpunch mode of a general election. On Wednesday, Romney took issue with the president's statement that the election would give voters "the biggest contrast that we've seen since the Johnson-Goldwater election," a reference to the 1964 race that Democrat Lyndon Johnson won by the largest margin in more than a century after painting Republican Barry Goldwater as an extremist.

Asked about the president's comment, Romney said he thought a better comparison would be the 1980 presidential race between Republican Ronald Reagan and incumbent Democrat Jimmy Carter. "I think this president represents a throwback to the old-style Democrats of the past - big-government, welfare-state Democrats," Romney said on Fox News, adding that Bill Clinton and most Democrats had moved away from this model.

Carter was widely viewed as weak and ineffectual in the face of energy shortages, high gas prices and U.S. citizens being held hostage in Iran.

31 Photos

GOP candidates on the trail

[tgwoe]

Count me too Mitt... you are out of touch with me, and everyone I know.

[TJphoto]

The day the GOP starts offering solutions for the working class and stops playing the blame game is the day I'll start listening.

[Lindag10]

Romney can tout his "business experience" all he wants, but government isn't a business. A business exists to make money for its owners, which Romney is very good at doing by sacrificing the employees in a ruthless manner. Government is to serve the people and promote their welfare. The two things are in opposition so a successful businessman doesn't translate into a good president as promoting the welfare of the citizens goes against his/her training and experience. On the other hand Romney would be great for the corporations and wealthy as they would have their best man in office.

[pinkpanther123456789]

Of course we Must vote for MITT ROMNEY 2012! Corporations are people my friends!

GO PUPPET MITT ROMNEY of the Corporate Elite!

Go Puppet Romney of the MILLIONAIRS and BILlIIONAIRS that dictates and decides the law to their advantage.

Go Puppet ROMNEY for 2012! against equal taxation of the rich. He enjoys only paying 15% tax on his Millions so why should he give that up he even want's to cut it more! Let's all support him so we proptect the 1% that will get more tax breaks and we pay 30% taxes. GO ROMNEY 2012!
He is against women healthcare and vows to cut funding. Go PUPPET MITT ROMNEY!

We LOVE you and we want to give you more millions and the most powerful position in the US GOV.

We want you to fool the poor and the middle class so your buddies can expand their power.

PUPPET MITT ROMNEY for 2012!

[Shibbol]

Mitt, man, you have got to stop saying stupid stuff like this.

[progressivebpm]

"Corporations are people". - Willard "Mittens" Romney

[alaskan_sol]

In contrast of what these two are claiming, I don't really see much of a difference between them. They both seem to be willing to say anything, whether they believe it or not, to get elected. Then once elected, they will show there true colors which I believe to be the political center. Both seem willing to work with the other side which is a plus in my book, and honestly, I believe both will do a good job at being President. For me, the most important trait wont be their actual political views, but the ability to navigate our divided congress. Until we eject the left /right political extremists from the House and Congress, there will be little any President can do to combat our national problems.

[eMars1]

Not a problem navigating a divided congress. Democrats have been spoiling to vote Republicans, Tea Party included, out of the Country since they All so genuinely showed their collective 'rearends' last summer; something the entire nation will NEVER forget. The President will have no problem mobilizing his support and everyone else that disapproves of Republican REGRESSIVE OBSTRUCTIONISM. Democrats will show up in 'DROVES' at the polls in November AND TEACH Republicans A LESSON They WILL NEVER FORGET. No need for us to get all 'lathered up' this early in the season, but I assure you we are 'chomping at the bit' to vote in November. Better get there early if you want a parking space because the polling places will be 'teeming' with Democrats all day long. CAN'T WAIT!!!

[mijegdod1]

Man, you guys are just so cool calling Romney Mittens...that is just so new, so cutting edge, so...juvenile. Really? This is what you got? Obama will lose. Count on it.

[TJphoto]

A corporate raider who destroyed jobs and lives for profit against a man who supports "The Buffet Rule". Oh Yea!

[randy1980]

The way I look at this mess go with the evil you know (Obama) or with the evil you do not know (Romney)?? Honestly one is as bad as the other.

[Shibbol]

Sorry, there is no comparison. Obama kept us from a giant depression with zero help from the GOP. Mitt did well in the business world, but somehow it's not transferring to the political world.

[TimeToEvolve]

I wonder if Robmee actually even believes himself when he says something. He is a Slick Willie if there ever was one. How can anyone like this fool. He hates almost everyone who is not a rich white male. Crazy!