Romney's entire quote is even more out of touch than the snippet.
90% of Americans are middle class? ha! Frigging poverty line, how does it work? I think the production of these mythical safety nets got outsourced to China.
If you poll them, you'll find that nearly 100% of Americans consider themselves "middle class." It's a pretty ambiguous term that seems to appeal to the self-image of trailor-park trash, wealthy old wasp families and everyone in between.
I'm not generally a fan of taking quotes out of context. Yet if you actually look at the full contexts in which Romney has spoken said quotes, that argument does not do him any favors. As Not rusty points out, he seems even more out of touch under the additional scrutiny.
Some words (such as "I'm not concerned with poor people") should just never cross the lips of a presidential candidate. He could have just as easily made his point by taking an inclusive tone and saying something like "I'm concerned about all Americans but I am going to focus on the middle class". Instead he keeps providing sound bite fodder and those things stick. Twenty years later and who doesn't still associate GHW Bush with "read my lips, no new taxes" or Clinton with "I didn't inhale" or Pee Wee Herman with "I know you ar but what am I" ?
For someone who has considerable high-level business and governing experience, one would expect him to have more PR savvy when speaking publicly. As he comes under greater scrutiny in the general election rich boy is going to be roasted, rightfully so.
It's looking pretty solid for another 4 years of President Obama. Now about those construction jobs, yo!
despite that he's still tied nationally with obama. you don't see anyone quoting the part about the rich. i suppose thats just media and politics. he needs to stop giving them soundbites.
according to the news this morning the unemployment rate just got significantly lower, and i think if it sinks any lower obama will have a decent chance. if they stay the same, i'd say its any man's race.
and for those who keep insisting that Obama is expanding government:
12 month employment change:
Total +1.5%
Private Sector +2.1%
Construction +2.1%
Manufacturing +2.0%
Information Services -1.7%
Financial Activities +0.3%
Professional and Business Services +3.5%
Education and Health Services +2.1%
Leisure and Hospitality +2.7%
Government -1.2%
Federal government -1.5%
State governments -1.4%
Local governments -1.1%
"you'll find that nearly 100% of Americans consider themselves "middle class.""
It gets even more hilarious than that. Average American will typically identify themselves as one subclass higher than they actually are (especially the poor) AND will then proceed to blame everything on everyone below their perceived class. There was a recent survey. Too lazy to dig it up.
Me? I'm just a supewealthy down on his luck. But my case is unique.
Good one ol' boy! Sorry I didn't get to see you on the slopes in Gstaad this year. But of course with the main house under renovation and since I've given all of the staff a very generous holiday break this year, I just didn't have any choice but to clean up my small temporary rental apartment all by myself. You do understand, of course.
But let's still plan on spending the winter break sailing about the Grenadines. For now, at least.
Obama promised construction jobs!
the other two quotes are out of context as well. way to go media.
wow (some of) you guys are actually kinda sorta paying attention
nice!
Romney's entire quote is even more out of touch than the snippet.
90% of Americans are middle class? ha! Frigging poverty line, how does it work? I think the production of these mythical safety nets got outsourced to China.
If you poll them, you'll find that nearly 100% of Americans consider themselves "middle class." It's a pretty ambiguous term that seems to appeal to the self-image of trailor-park trash, wealthy old wasp families and everyone in between.
I'm not generally a fan of taking quotes out of context. Yet if you actually look at the full contexts in which Romney has spoken said quotes, that argument does not do him any favors. As Not rusty points out, he seems even more out of touch under the additional scrutiny.
Some words (such as "I'm not concerned with poor people") should just never cross the lips of a presidential candidate. He could have just as easily made his point by taking an inclusive tone and saying something like "I'm concerned about all Americans but I am going to focus on the middle class". Instead he keeps providing sound bite fodder and those things stick. Twenty years later and who doesn't still associate GHW Bush with "read my lips, no new taxes" or Clinton with "I didn't inhale" or Pee Wee Herman with "I know you ar but what am I" ?
For someone who has considerable high-level business and governing experience, one would expect him to have more PR savvy when speaking publicly. As he comes under greater scrutiny in the general election rich boy is going to be roasted, rightfully so.
It's looking pretty solid for another 4 years of President Obama. Now about those construction jobs, yo!
despite that he's still tied nationally with obama. you don't see anyone quoting the part about the rich. i suppose thats just media and politics. he needs to stop giving them soundbites.
according to the news this morning the unemployment rate just got significantly lower, and i think if it sinks any lower obama will have a decent chance. if they stay the same, i'd say its any man's race.
and for those who keep insisting that Obama is expanding government:
12 month employment change:
Total +1.5%
Private Sector +2.1%
Construction +2.1%
Manufacturing +2.0%
Information Services -1.7%
Financial Activities +0.3%
Professional and Business Services +3.5%
Education and Health Services +2.1%
Leisure and Hospitality +2.7%
Government -1.2%
Federal government -1.5%
State governments -1.4%
Local governments -1.1%
source
"you'll find that nearly 100% of Americans consider themselves "middle class.""
It gets even more hilarious than that. Average American will typically identify themselves as one subclass higher than they actually are (especially the poor) AND will then proceed to blame everything on everyone below their perceived class. There was a recent survey. Too lazy to dig it up.
Me? I'm just a supewealthy down on his luck. But my case is unique.
Good one ol' boy! Sorry I didn't get to see you on the slopes in Gstaad this year. But of course with the main house under renovation and since I've given all of the staff a very generous holiday break this year, I just didn't have any choice but to clean up my small temporary rental apartment all by myself. You do understand, of course.
But let's still plan on spending the winter break sailing about the Grenadines. For now, at least.
Yo!