Romney seeks to shift focus to Obama "redistribution" comment

AFP/Getty

Updated: Sept. 19, 2012, 4:11 p.m.

(CBS News) Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Tuesday sought to shift the focus from a leaked video of controversial comments he made at a fundraiser earlier this year to comments President Obama made in 1998 about the "redistribution" of wealth in America.

Romney, speaking on Fox News, did not back down from his controversial statements, in which he can be seen at a private fundraiser describing the majority of President Obama's supporters as people who are "dependent on government" and "believe that they are victims."

"We were of course talking about a campaign and how he's going to get close to half the vote, I'm going to get half the vote, approximately, I hope," Romney told Fox News' Neil Cavuto. "I want to get 50.1 percent or more. Frankly we have two very different views about America. The president's view is one of larger government, there's a tape that came out today where the president's saying he likes redistribution. I disagree."

Romney acknowledged that many of the "47 percent" he criticized for not paying income taxes are retirees and members of the military, adding, "and that's as it should be." He then went on to say that the problem in the country is "so many people have fallen into poverty that they're not paying taxes." Pointing to the record number of Americans on food stamps, Romney said "the right course to help them is not to just have government handing out, it's instead government helping people to get back to good jobs."

Romney also referenced "a tape that just came out today where the President is saying he likes redistribution."

"I disagree," Romney continued. "I think a society based upon a government-centered nation where government plays a larger and larger role, redistributes money, that's the wrong course for America. That will not build a strong America or help people out of poverty."

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Romney is referring to a video being featured on the conservative news aggregator The Drudge Report and pushed aggressively by Republicans today. It features what is billed as Mr. Obama speaking at Loyola University in 1998. In the video, the president is heard saying that it's important to "somehow resuscitate the notion that government action can be effective at all." (See it at left.)

"There has been a systematic - I don't think it's too strong to call it a propaganda campaign - against the possibility of government action and its efficacy," he says. "And I think some of it has been deserved. Chicago Housing Authority has not been a model of good policy-making and neither necessarily have been the Chicago Public Schools. What that means then is that as we try to resuscitate this notion that we're all in this thing together, leave nobody behind, we do have to be innovative in thinking how - what are the delivery systems that are actually effective and meet people where they live."

He continues: "And my suggestion I guess would be that the trick - and this is one of the few areas where I think there are technical issues that have to be dealt with as opposed to just political issues - I think the trick is figuring out how do we structure government systems that pool resources and hence facilitate some redistribution - because I actually believe in redistribution, at least at a certain level to make sure that everybody's got a shot."

In his Fox News interview, Romney said these comments illustrate the difference between the two candidates.

"I believe the right course for America is one where government steps in to help those that are in need," he said. "We're a compassionate people, but then we let people build their own lives, create enterprises. We believe in free people and free enterprise, not redistribution. The right course for America is to create growth, create wealth, not to redistribute wealth."

Romney, who said in the leaked comments that the 47 percent of Americans who don't pay income taxes are going to vote for the president so he doesn't need to worry about them, also said that he is trying to "get as many [votes] as I can from every single cohort in this country."

Correction: An earlier version of this post inaccurately included the word "some" before "redistribution" in the 1998 Obama quote.

[HopeforAmerica]

Republicans believe in the redistribution of tax payer money for Corporate Welfare.. including the $1.3 Billion Romney collected from the Federal government to Save and accommodate Salt Lake City's 2002 winter olympics. Another example, the billions of $$$ in tax subsidies for the most profitable corporations in history such as; Exxon Oil, or billions of tax payer dollars to hugely profitable AG corporations like Cargill!! Yeh.. Republicans like Romney beleive in Corporate welfare.

[paulstewart9]

Mitt says his campaign is about 100% of Americans. It is! It even includes the bad 47% along with the good guys like him. And his policies if elected will reflect his thinking.

Its okay though really, because Mitt says he will look after 100% of Americans. You can trust Mitt! Ann says so and besides, he's shared everything with us; even one year of his low tax returns..... (Mitt must be so happy it was not one of his zero tax years, or he would be in the 47% too and he would have to deride himself)

So don't worry. Be happy and vote for Mitt. His name even starts with W. Safe bet. He will inflame the middle east, destroy America's safety net. And he will start a bonfire of opportunity for the .... well.. for himself and his family and friends; but don't worry, some of it will trickle down to you, if it doesn't evaporate in the heat of his success.....

What does Mitt really believe? Truth is he is in Wonderland, with Alice and the Mad Dirty Harry.


http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/12903382-michele-obama-and-bill-clinton-lay-out-at-the-rnc-just-how-much-obama-believes-in-america-does-mitt-romney-believe-in-america-or-something-else?clear_cache=true


http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/12889195-footprints-at-the-republican-national-convention-in-tampa-florida

[Maerzie]

Yes, this economy from Bush's poor judgment of de-regulating the entire financial industry, and Mitt Romney outsourcing of our jobs has fostered such a GREAT dependency of the super wealthy for one of their BEST WELFARE "entitlement" programs, their trillions of dollars worth of tax cuts!! This entitlement is ONLY for those making at LEAST $250,000 EACH ($500,000 per couple) a year!! They DO NOT have to do a LICK of work to get ANY of their share!Cutting the needed food and healthcare from babies and children, the poor, and the elderly will give them "PART" of the money for these TRILLIONS of dollars worth of outrageous tax cuts for THEMSELVES. Does that include YOU and YOUR family?? Do YOU make that much?? Then, the REST of us get to pay the BALANCE of their "FAIR" SHARE of taxes that they get out of paying for our country's debt, much of which was made by Bush's unbudgeted wars and THESE clever tax cuts for ONLY the wealthiest! (Jas 2, 14-18).

[jimatmadison]

My Mom paid in to Social Security for over 40 years, and only quit working when her body wouldn't let her any more. So did Dad until his 10 year illness took what they had saved for retirement, and then his life.

Now that Mom is living on Social Security and is part of the 47% who doesn't pay Federal Income Tax, Mr Romney says she's a 'dependent' 'victim' who won't 'take responsibility' for her life.

Mitt Romney can kiss my a--.

We all need to clarify things to any senior who doesn't understand just how insulting and disparaging Mitt Romney has been to them.

[jimatmadison]

So poor Mitt not only doesn't have anything bad about Obama from this year, or this decade, he doesn't even have anything he can bring up from this century.

What's Mr Romney dragging out next? A Frowny Face that Obama got on an outside-the-lines first grade coloring project?

[thebob-bob]

In 1998 Romney was pushing hard for a "Government Takeover" of Medicine. In 1998 Romney was pro-Choice.

If paying income taxes (never mind all the other taxes that you might pay) is what you need to do to prove to the Conservatives that you are not a social parasite but a contributing member of society then why won't Mitt "prove" that he's been paying Income Taxes for the last ten years. What about all the Corporations that are "entitled" to tac breaks and subsidies?

Romney will need to be the President of all Americans. So far there's no sign that he's ready.

[HempyD]

It's no surprise that Mormon Bishop Romney would find fault with redistribution. It's a biblical principle found several times in the bible.

Leviticus 25 is one such place. Nehemiah told the people to share in what they had with those who didn't have anything.

In the New Testament the feeding of the 5,000 is an example. In the book of Acts a group of believers shared everything they had.

The Apostle Paul collected money to take to Christians in Jerusalem. He also advocated paying slaves a fair and just wage.

But attacking anything that smacks of biblical or Christian values reveals the Republican agenda to rid the Constitution of any and all such values.

Biblical redistribution apparently is not a part of Mormon theology.

[blau808]

Digging up 14 year old comments, can you smell desperation?

How about those comments when Romney said he was pro-choice? I dont even think those were 14 years ago, lol.

[KYJurisDoctor]

MITT ROMNEY IS A PHONY, AND AN INSUFFERABLE ELITIST FOOL, TO BOOT. AND I AM A REPUBLICAN!

[Peterlongrod]

What this Mittsy Rolls Royce does not understand that the Prez knew back in 1998 that one way of re-distribution of wealth is called "TAXES" something apparently he is not familiar with, but sure used in terms of services and american resources. Of course, all this stopped re-distribution stopped at the water's edge when he sent companies to other countries and left Americans without jobs.

This, Mr. Willard, is why we need re-distribution.