Did Mitt Romney just blow the election?

Comments caught on video reveal that the GOP candidate thinks half of Americans are losers. This is an utter disaster for his campaign.

By MSNMoney partner Sep 18, 2012 12:16PM

Bloomberg logoBy Josh Barro

 

You can mark my prediction now: A secret recording from a closed-door Mitt Romney fundraiser, released Monday by David Corn at Mother Jones, has killed Mitt Romney's campaign for president.

 

On the tape, Romney explains that his electoral strategy involves writing off nearly half the country as unmoveable Obama voters. As Romney explains, 47 percent of Americans "believe that they are victims." He laments: "I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."

 

So what's the upshot? "My job is not to worry about those people," he says. He also notes, describing President Obama's base, "These are people who pay no income tax. Forty-seven percent of Americans pay no income tax."

 

This is an utter disaster for Romney.

 

Romney already has trouble relating to the public and convincing people he cares about them. Now, he's been caught on video saying that nearly half the country consists of hopeless losers.

 

Romney has been vigorously denying President Obama's claims that his tax plan would raise taxes on the middle class. Now, he's been caught on video suggesting that low- and middle-income Americans are undertaxed.

 

That one is especially problematic, given the speculation about what's on his unreleased pre-2010 tax returns.

 

Corn tells us there are more embarrassing moments on segments of the video he hasn't released yet. Romney jokes that he'd be more likely to win the election if he were Hispanic. He makes some awkward comments about whether he was born with a "silver spoon" in his mouth.

 

But those are survivable. The really disastrous thing is the clip about "victims," and the combination of contempt and pity that Romney shows for anyone who isn't going to vote for him.

 

Romney is the most opaque presidential nominee since Nixon, and people have been reduced to guessing what his true feelings are. This video provides an answer: He feels that you're a loser. It's not an answer that wins elections.


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1526Comments
buddadon
Sep 18, 2012 2:45PM
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hahaha amazing how could you even think to consider this nation is in trouble because of people on welfare you got to be kidding. perhaps you should stop blaming them and begin to ask yourself why they are there. Our republican friends have been allowing the very businesses who are supporting romney to outsource american jobs to mexico, india, china etc et. Please do some research and have a look at how many of our american comapnies are doing business in other countries and closing down their factories here I dare you. Also the last time I checked i pay money into the feds every check to pay for these services not for them to waist and put into their own pockets. We the people have a goverment for the purpose of making decissions that will in the end take care of us all. We do not have a goverment just to pay them mone and say it is job creation. Ask yourself what do you really want out of your gov do you want  someone in office who collects all your money and in return gives you no programs is that what we pay them for? or do you want  your money you pay and we all pay to better the lives of the people of this great nation. have a good look in the mirror before you answer.
Jeff Rasmussen
Sep 18, 2012 2:44PM
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Blew what??LOL this article is a joke and is lame stream media at its best welfare people are slaves you blow hard laughable piece of journalistic **** get a life and give up journalism
Duane Green (greendude)
Sep 18, 2012 2:43PM
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Maybe people will actually respect the truth.  If half of American's were not clearly stupid Obama wouldn't be the president, let alone in a position where he expects to be re-elected.
WTFRUTM123
Sep 18, 2012 2:43PM
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Ha Ha Told ya so. He is of the elite and unles you are filthy rich Dem or Rep you mean nothing to Mutton Romney.
not_a_crook
Sep 18, 2012 2:42PM
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My parents worked until my dad was 70, then started collecting Social Security.  He was laid off twice during his work career, living off savings while out of work.  He died at age 80 (8 years ago).  My mom now lives off his Social Security, and pays no income tax because she gets roughly $1600 per month.  Do either of my parents sound like deadbeat losers?  If you think so, you are twisted.  If you don't think so, but still think Romney is correct in his assessment of the 47%, you need to do some more research.

There are absolutely people who take advantage of the system.  That percentage is FAR less than 47%, and can't be conveniently grouped as "the people that pay no federal income tax".


chuck bing (Bingsland)
Sep 18, 2012 2:41PM
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I've always said long ago,ROMNEY was an arrogant self seeking FRAUD and could care less about the majority of the citizens of the U S of America and this tape of him proves it,he cut over half of the people in the U S out of even being worthwhile according to him, and and really even his so called compadres- what do you think...this guy is such a backstabbing **** that do you really think any of you are safe or needed if he decides that YOU DON'T FIT MITT ""the self proclaimed god "" ROMNEYS' so called self serving standards...you people better also take a second look because this guy cares nothing about anyone except himself..he's ruthless jerk...and that's putting it kindly...
BamaDude15
Sep 18, 2012 2:39PM
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Truth hurts.....the only ones not voting for him now are the 47% he is speaking of, who weren't voting for him in the first place. In my opinion, he will gain a few votes from those on the fence.
eric ford
Sep 18, 2012 2:38PM
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My wife is from Europe where they do not care for the lazy people and they thrive there. You get what you work for and lazy people get jobs if they want to eat and thats fair and they do not reward them for being worthless like we do here in the USA
eric ford
Sep 18, 2012 2:36PM
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Its unfortunate for Mitt that he told the truth and people in this 47% dont care if he is right because they do not want to lose thier free ride. I bet if government took away the free ride there would be very little people not working .I get tired of seeing people driveing Lincolns and using thier free food card and spending $30 a day in lottery. Its pitiful that 47% of the people think they desevre it and dont do anything about it and the guy that worked hard his whole life to have what he has only for government to take more from them so the free loaders can have now the Hummer instead of the Lincoln. Its so obvious what the problem is here in the USA its called laziness. Older people have paid maybe $40,000 thier entire life to social security, but the free loaders get that every year in free food , housing, cell phones and medical. Soon the hard working people will have no choice but to take thier businesses over seas where there is no tax on being successful and no welfare system. Or just plan revolt.
Someone
Sep 18, 2012 2:35PM
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So,he's right and he said it. The truth is the truth. I will vote for him.

Satanchia
Sep 18, 2012 2:31PM
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We have fostered the loser syndrome since the early 1960's when welfare started to become rampant. Giving able bodied lazy people money for doing nothing because all the jobs are beneath their dignity has never worked. Now we have 3 and 4 generations of parasites who seem to believe they are entitled, try moving to Africa, Haiti or any other no European based country and see how far you get saying "That is beneath my dignity, how can you expect me to do that, just to feed my kids"
EzyBreeze
Sep 18, 2012 2:31PM
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Well, I guess all the "53 percenters" in here who support Romney don't understand that a president needs to lead 100% of the nation and not just the ones he deems responsible?!  The problem is he decided to write off half the country instead of figuring out a plan to get people more motivated to do for themselves.  That's what a president is supposed to do!  And how dumb do half of you sound talking about "the governement shouldn't take care of people" when HALF THE WORLD is taken care of by the governement...and they're not on welfare! 

willowtom
Sep 18, 2012 2:29PM
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Josh Barro is a loser.  Romney merely states that he is looking for support from other than the 47% of Americans who pay nothing and receive handouts from the rest of us.

 

There are way too many on welfare, too many receiving food stamps, and too many receiving unemployment insurance for way too long.  When 25% of discability claims are fraudulent, and those frauds receive social secirity payments they are unnecessarily diminishing an already troubled fund and instead, should be out looking for work. 

 

There are 23Million people unemployed while Obama speaks of hope and change, (promises, promises . . .) but he has no ability to solve any problems .Obama refuses to work with Congress and somehow is unable to see why he cannot accomplish anything good for the country and the economy.  Hei s the media's annointed one, but is vying to be named the worst president ever.  He is converting America into a communist socialist republic.

 

Another four years of Obama will be the death of this country.  The lazy cannot continue to shirk their responsibilities to earn a living and care for themselves and their families.  The rest of us will balk at continued support of the societal leeches. 

 

Romney earned his money.  All of the complainers didn't.  Jealousy will get you nothing.  Try to emulate him and make your own fortune.

Billyd52
Sep 18, 2012 2:29PM
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A new President and Senate in less than 2 months!

Amen!

ARMY 1971
Sep 18, 2012 2:28PM
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Yea the truth is alway a disaster for the Dumbocrats. Not to worry this group of none payers guess what they are also none voters.
StewieGriffin786
Sep 18, 2012 2:27PM
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“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”  Thomas Jefferson

ksmama0507
Sep 18, 2012 2:27PM
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Liberals have perfected how to play the part of the victim.  Mitt spoke the truth.  If you don't like it, too bad.  If it bothers you, it's probably time to ask yourself "why?" The guilty cry the loudest.
musiclover88
Sep 18, 2012 2:24PM
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he lost it???

we a seer and know this for a fact...

if you do, then you know he is speaking the truth....

how many of you lazy bums are out there on welfare?

collecting food stamps?

have a hdtv because of us hard working people, knowing full well you can't afford it

maybe you have a cell when you also know you can't afford it...oh yes....romney is right...you will vote dumocrat all the time...why kick the gift horse in the mouth when you don't have too....

GET OFF YOUR LAZY ARSES AND GET A JOB....

don't say they aren't any....LIES...which is all you dumocrats know how to spout from your mouths...LIES...just​ like the ILLEGAL - in - chief.....

Serve The Time
Sep 18, 2012 2:24PM
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Everything that comes out of his mouth is jumbled because that big silver spoon is still in the way.  He doesn't want to reveal all of his tax forms because he doesn't want people to know he's a lot richer than they event think.  No problem with his wealth, but surely, most Americans not in that category of wealth can relate to him.....or his never had a job wife, either.  What can she possibly know about hard work when she's never had a job?  To ease her depression, they bought a million dollar horse.  Really?  Yes, really.  When the odds are already against you: 1) you should know it; and 2) you should refrain from comments that put you even further behind than you already are. 

 

Throw in with Romney's insensitive and stupid comments a running mate who lies about the time he finished a marathon, something that is easily verifiable.  Ryan lied about something that stupid.  What else will he lie about?  If the only thing that can be said about Obama is he's a Muslim (he is not a Muslim) or question his birth certificate, then decide at the polls who is better to lead this nation. 

Fay Uyechi (faythful)
Sep 18, 2012 2:23PM
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Hey MSN, who are you kidding??  We know you, Yahoo, etc., etc., etc., are all in the same "bed" with the MSM folks held by Obama.  He owns you....you are his, and nothing, I repeat nothing you can do will change that.  Like when Satan gets hold of you, he ain't gonna' let go!  So, lighten up, as there are those of us out here in "never-never land" that still use our brains, do a little research of our own now and then, and find out the TRUTH!  Maybe Romney can't keep the "kiddies" swooning with his "song and dance" routine like Obama, but just maybe, I repeat, just maybe, he would make a better LEADER.  If, the "gimme-gimme" crowd that Obama has pandered to to get his votes, succeed in Nov., the rest of us Americans can look forward to becoming Detroit personified.  If, on the other hand, we stop listening to you folks, and doing our own research, and can get the millions of others that "think" with their heads vs. their bodies, to get out in Nov. we still might have a chance to return this country to the "exceptional" nation it was before "O"!  Romney is right, re: pathetic followers of Obama.  They are already his "slaves"!  What? Slavery in America AGAIN??  That's what it is called folks, regardless of how you "dress it up"!  If and when you can't think for yourselves, and cater to others and their "whims" or ideals, you are THEIR subordinate or slave.
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