Romney pounces on six-month lapse in Obama job council meetings

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - A fired up Mitt Romney enlisted small-business owners at a town hall Wednesday in his re-energized offensive against President Obama, arguing that Obama is so disinterested in job creation that he hasn't met with his jobs council for six months.

"You know what he's been doing over the last six months?" Romney asked in a crowded gymnasium at a community center here. "In the last six months he has held 100 fundraisers. And guess how many meetings he has had with his jobs council? None. Zero. Zero in the last six months."

It was a reference to a Politico article that said the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness had not met publicly since January. Asked why, White House press secretary Jay Carney said Wednesday that Obama "has obviously got a lot on his plate" but said he "solicits and receives input and advice from members of his Jobs Council and others about economic initiatives all the time." Politico noted in its article that some on the 26-member council have not endorsed Obama.

Romney has been making hay out of Obama's statement last week that "If you've got a business, you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen." Obama made the remark after citing roads, bridges, schools and other services that businesses need to thrive. Romney argued Wednesday that it shows how out of touch Obama is with the "character of America" and asked those in his audience who owned a business to stand and be recognized.

"Take that, Mr. President," Romney said, as the crowd of more than 500 cheered enthusiastically. He pointed out several signs in the crowd that read "I built my own business," "I created my business, not the government," and "Ohio for small business."

"These are fun," Romney said after reading several signs aloud. "Those who made those signs, thank you for reminding us who it is in America that creates jobs."

Although the signs appeared to have been homemade, a woman who asked to remain unnamed said that the audience had not been allowed to bring their own signs into the event. They were told when they arrived that "if anybody owns a business we have signs for you," she said.

One woman became visibly agitated and called Obama a "monster" as she described the state of "this awful economy" that was ruining her son's business. Romney quickly responded that "that's not the term that I use."

"I can," she shot back. "I'm an angry mom."

"You have every right to be angry," Romney replied.

For those keeping tabs on the veepwatch, Romney said he has "not chosen the person who will be my vice president."

[RollotheNorman]

Willard, what about you 6 year lapse in releasing those tax returns?

[wfw3536]

It is clear Obama doesn't think business owners deserve credit for all of their hard work. He doesn't care much about regular folks and helping them improve the jobs situation. What I find incredible about Obama's Job Council is the head of the council and his good friend the CEO of GE, is proud that he sends over 150,000 jobs overseas out GE's 300,000 employees. In a recent TV intervew he even bragged about all the jobs GE is sending overseas. What is even more interesting in 2010 GE didn't pay a penny in taxes. Just another example of how out of touch this president is and why our economy is heading for a second recession under Obama.

[milek0032]

20,000 US jobs a month are shipped over seas

[lami987]

U.S. unemployment problems cannot be solved without stopping job outsourcers and Romney wannabes. Outsourcers and Romney wannabes make a lot of money but don't create jobs in the U.S. Jobs are created only when consumers buy. Without decent jobs we can't afford to buy and outsourcers got more reasons for more layoffs regardless of how much money they have.

[Andrei1546]

What can he do when congress is set on blocking every move?
They made recommendations and they are not being legislated.

Sounds like Romney is trying to desperately throw everything but the kitchen sink and see what sticks. In order to deflect attention from his tax returns. Just few days ago wasn't it a republican talking point attacking the GE guy on the job council because, GE didn't pay any taxes. Now its Obama doesn't meet job council enough. The Strategy is transparent.

Its not working. American people want to see your tax returns. What are you hiding?

[DawnGurl]

Obama could care less about jobs. Everything he does is geared to destroy jobs, not create them.

[Doc60]

After the town hall meeting, Romney/Bain will buy those failing businesses. Then Bain will SLASH & BURN them into oblivion. His stockholders will be glad when he shows another profit. Score another point for the greedy teabaggers.

[gbuddha2012]

Mitt is right, he created Bain Capital... let him take responsibility for it

[charleskaye]

100 fundraisers, 0 job council meetings, the economy is doing fine, small business owners didn't build their businesses, baseless accusations and attacks on Romney, a proven to be fabricated birth certificate, no job growth, a stagnant economy, $16T of debt, 800,000 illegals now eligible to legally work, the largest penalty/fine/tax on the middle class in history, hiding behind executive privilege to cover up criminal activities...

This list just keeps growing. Yet, there are still numbnuts supporting this clown.

How much more do you BO lovers need to see before you figure out that Obama is completely unfit to be our president? Or, does it matter to you at all, as long as he is a liberal democrat? I'm thinking it will never matter.

Too bad you don't hold Obama to the same standards you hold conservatives to...

How much more damage

[erin_yu]

Romney is so looking for a way to change the topic. He is trying to pull out issues from his magic hat. The fact remains that Romney is a money-laundering, tax cheating, jobs offshoring financial predator.