NBC News has dug up an excerpt from Mitt Romney‘s speech at the 2002 Winter Olympic games that parallels President Obama‘s recent “you didn’t build that on your own” gaffe:
“You Olympians, however, know you didn’t get here solely on your own power,” said Romney, who on Friday will attend the Opening Ceremonies of this year’s Summer Olympics. “For most of you, loving parents, sisters or brothers, encouraged your hopes, coaches guided, communities built venues in order to organize competitions. All Olympians stand on the shoulders of those who lifted them. We’ve already cheered the Olympians, let’s also cheer the parents, coaches, and communities. All right! [pumps fist].”
Of course, there’s a difference between making it to the Olympics and building a business from scratch. You can decide if it matters. I just like the Jersey Shore-esque fist pump he did at the end.
[NBC News]
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Individualism
Jul. 24, 2012 at 11:16amRomney = Obama DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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ldaopines
Jul. 24, 2012 at 3:24amNice try, libs. Romney credits parents, families, private coaches, and communities who donate…not the government. The message here was quite, quite different.
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questioning_politics_not_God
Jul. 24, 2012 at 1:24amWait a minute he couldn’t have said that as he was CEO of BAIN capital at the time, (HEAVY SARCASM.)
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Kenszen
Jul. 23, 2012 at 9:02pmUh, no…it *doesn’t* matter. This is non-news. Big difference between training for the Olympics and building a business.
As to @Carpee and @Watchingtheweasels, you may have your opinions, but to base it on this article and what Romney said to Olympians does not make any sense.
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Marrabella
Jul. 23, 2012 at 8:04pmFirst of all – the government does not subsidize Olympic athletes. So yes, parents and coaches are important as a support group. But to compare the Olympics to governmental support is apples to oranges. What a stupid article.
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JustSomeGuy
Jul. 23, 2012 at 8:56pmFor this to be comparable Romney would have had to be giving this speech to all the athletes who didn’t make it into the Olympics. And say you worked just as hard as them, you are just as talented, they must have cheated to get where they are at. But no Romney is talking to the people he is talking about, unlike Obama who is talking behind people’s back to cause envy and strife. Besides didn’t you hear , Obama never said you didn’t build that…
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Annika2011
Jul. 23, 2012 at 6:48pmBeing grateful to your parents, coaches, and community supporters is not the
equivalent of TAXING, harassing and socializing American business.
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spirited
Jul. 23, 2012 at 7:18pmThat does sum it up!
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carpee
Jul. 23, 2012 at 4:10pmnews flash: romney is a progressive.
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Watchingtheweasels
Jul. 23, 2012 at 4:19pmAfter 2008, I didn’t think the RNC could promote and nominate a candidate less competent than John McCain. Apparently, I was wrong.
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