AP: Romney miscasts economy in GOP debut
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, accompanied by his wife Ann, arrives to announce his 2012 candidacy for president, June 2, 2011, in Stratham, N.H. / AP
WASHINGTON - In rhetorical excesses marking his entry in the presidential campaign, Mitt Romney said the economy worsened under President Obama, when it actually improved, and criticized the president for issuing apologies to the world that were never made.
Romney launches presidential bid with attack on Obama
Video: Romney enters the race
A look at some of the statements by Romney on Thursday in announcing his bid for the Republican nomination and how they compare with the facts:
ROMNEY: "When he took office, the economy was in recession. He made it worse. And he made it last longer."
THE FACTS: The gross domestic product, the prime measure of economic strength, shrank by a severe 6.8 percent annual rate before Obama became president. The declines eased after he took office and economic growth, however modest, resumed. The recession officially ended six months into his presidency. Unemployment, however, has worsened under Obama, rising from 7.8 percent in January 2009 to 9 percent in April, after hitting 10.1 percent in October 2009.
A case can be made for and against the idea that Obama's policies made the economy worse than it needed to be and that the recession lasted longer than it might have under another president. Such arguments are at the core of political debate. But Obama did not, as Romney alleged, make the economy worse than it was when he took office.
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ROMNEY: "A few months into office, he traveled around the globe to apologize for America."
THE FACTS: Obama has not apologized for America. What he has done, in travels early in his presidency and since, is to make clear his belief that the U.S. is not beyond reproach. He has told foreigners that the U.S. at times acted "contrary to our traditions and ideals" in its treatment of terrorist suspects, that "America has too often been selective in its promotion of democracy," that the U.S. "certainly shares blame" for international economic turmoil and has sometimes shown arrogance toward allies. Obama, whose criticisms of America's past were typically balanced by praise, was in most cases taking issue with policies or the record of the previous administration, not an unusual approach for a new president — or a presidential candidate. Romney's actual point seems to be that Obama has been too critical of his country.
But there has been no formal — or informal — apology. No saying "sorry" on behalf of America.
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ROMNEY: "Three years later, foreclosures are still at record levels. Three years later the prices of homes continue to fall."
THE FACTS: Although foreclosures remain high, the number of U.S. homes that were repossessed by lenders fell in April, compared with March and a year ago, according to the foreclosure listing service RealtyTrac Inc. Romney's claim about home prices, though, is supported by the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller 20-city monthly index. It found home prices in big metro areas have sunk to their lowest since 2002. Since the bubble burst in 2006, prices have fallen more than they did during the Great Depression.
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ROMNEY: "Instead of encouraging entrepreneurs and employers, he raises their taxes, piles on record-breaking mounds of regulation and bureaucracy and gives more power to union bosses."
THE FACTS: Romney ignores ambitious tax-cutting pushed by Obama. The stimulus plan early in his presidency cut taxes broadly for the middle class and business. He more recently won a one-year tax cut for 2011 that reduced most workers' Social Security payroll taxes by nearly a third. He also campaigned in support of extending the Bush-era tax cuts for all except the wealthy, whose taxes he wanted to raise. In office, he accepted a deal from Republicans extending the tax cuts for all. As for tax increases, Obama won congressional approval to raise them on tobacco and tanning salons. The penalty for those who don't buy health insurance, once coverage is mandatory, is a form of taxation. Several large tax increases in the health care law have not yet taken effect.
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ROMNEY: "The expectation was that we'd have to raise taxes but I refused. I ordered a review of all state spending, made tough choices and balanced the budget without raising taxes."
THE FACTS: Romney largely held the line on tax increases when he was Massachusetts governor but that's only part of the revenue story. The state raised business taxes by $140 million in one year with measures branded "loophole closings," the vast majority recommended by Romney. Moreover, the Republican governor and Democratic lawmakers raised hundreds of millions of dollars from higher fees and fines, taxation by another name. Romney himself proposed creating 33 new fees and increasing 57 others — enough to raise $59 million. Anti-tax groups were split on his performance. The Club for Growth called the fee increases and business taxes troubling. Citizens for Limited Taxation praised him for being steadfast in supporting an income tax rollback.
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example my own financial problems. before Katrina,I was debt free,but after Katrina, I fisrt lost an uninsured trailer, and needed lots of cash to recover other lost,so I must obtain some credit cards.and,a new job don't have enough to repay those credit but also other problems also come,and I must take care first,as of the result,debts grew with more debts.and,I KNEW I must have more time to fix my own problem.BUT,AMERICA IS A BIG COUNTRY WITH DIVERSE PROBLEMS,AND IT MUST HAVE MORE TIMES TO HAVE ITSELF GOT FIX. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHO WILL BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT,BECAUSE FOUR MORE YEARS STILL NOT ENOUGH TO FIX AMERICA; THUS,I DON'T MIND TO LET OBAMA ANOTHER FOUR YEARS TO TRY HIS BEST,BECAUSE I KNEW FOUR MORE YEARS STILL NOT ENOUGH.AMERICA NEEDED AT LEAST 10 TO 20 MORE YEARS TO BE FREE OF PUBLIC DEBT( MOST OF IT).
His claim that Obama apologizes for America is not unfounded. It's true that the words "apology," "apologize," or "I'm sorry" were not used, but an apology is not qualified by the use of precise words. A show of contrition, verbal or unspoken, can be taken as an apology, and P. Obama has certainly done that.
The man put some salt on his claims, but he's running for public office. Doesn't P. Obama try to get a crowd going when he speaks? Can any of us blame him? Some of these assertions are matters of opinion, but they're not outright falsehoods.
It is truly regrettable that the Associated Press has lowered it's already pitiful standing by pretending to fact check something. For those of you actually interested in a valuable fact-checking resource, I commend to you the use of Factcheck.org. This article is written with the intent to smear, not to correct or inform.
Anyway, isn't it funny how good these people (GOP candidates, or any candidates for that matter) all seem to be at pointing fingers and putting words out of context?
Ask "user"
we are normally opposite each other in our political views
But we were both in Haiti during "Operation Uphold Democracy" when I was the Command Sergeant Major of Task Force Warrior and he was with the 2nd Armor Cav at the same time
"user" is a true Patriot and American Hero and even though we may disagree I will never disrepect him or his opinion
That being said I will never bring your drug use up again
Let God be your Light -- not Drugs
"Rangers lead The Way!"
Out
None.
How many lies and bits of totally misinformed tripe are you going to post, Mr. right wing extremist gone mad? (angry for sure, damn!)
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Did you or did you not admit that you smoked pot and was supported by your loving family?
Tell the truth for once - it'll set you free
So, maybe you need to tell the truth. But frankly, I do not see in any of your angry, accusatory posts that you understand what the truth is.
I still feel sorry for you and hope God can help you.... it will take that much love to cover your sins.
I'll drop it
Call me what you want - Cause I'm the Big Bad Ranger!
HAR!
The sad thing is that Romney is saying things he doesn't even believe.
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I disagree with that David. This man believes Joseph Smith Jr. had a visit at night by an angel named Moroni, who revealed the location of a buried book on the golden plates of Christianity. He believes anything!
This dude "Dave4673" admitted is was a dope smoker last night defending legalizing pot -- he got all irate when I told him drug pushers should be shot in the face at close range with high caliber weapons
HAR!
Went out Thurs and played in the 3rd Ranger Bn golf event they held to raise money to build a memorial to their KIAs
RLTW
Obama has clearly FAILED in all the ways you can possibly judge an ecomomy - from lying about the "laser on jobs" to "unemployment won't go above 8%" now at 9.1% and rising
Of couse you just keep on smoking your dope and everything is just fine
Ain't it?
So tell me Wildman -- is he high now?
What a Loser