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Rep. Jason Chaffetz Discusses Romney ’47 Percent’ Comment on ‘Wilkow!’

Sep. 20, 2012 12:49am Christopher Santarelli

Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign has spent the last 48 hours addressing backlash due to a report released by Mother Jones that featured “secret” video of Romney making controversial remarks to donors at a private fundraiser in Boca Raton, Florida, this past May. Romney’s comments in the video that have drawn the most criticism relate to his description of and tone towards those Americans who do not pay income taxes and are dependent on government:

“There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it,” the former Massachusetts governor can be heard saying.

“That, that’s an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what…These are people who pay no income tax,” he continued, adding “so our message of low taxes doesn’t connect.”

“[M]y job is, is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.”

Romney has claimed that his remarks were “off the cuff” and not “elegantly stated,” but has stood by the point that his criticisms of the president’s approach to taxes is more likely to attract “those who are in the middle” than those not paying income taxes.

Republican Utah Rep. Jason Chaffetz came on TheBlaze TV Wednesday to speak with Andrew Wilkow about the Romney video, how the media has covered the comments in comparison to remarks made by Barack Obama during the 2008 campaign, and whether or not Romney made substantial points in the video that relate to key policy differences between Republicans and Democrats in 2012:

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Comments (12)

dataplayground.com
Posted on September 20, 2012 at 12:04pm
Being an independent politically I examine each issue individually. For instance I’m not a man of faith and I care very much about cleaner technology. But being a father of 4 I also care very much about the safety of my family and the economic future. Government is our tool to try fix current problems and build the future. I believe we need to look at our current situation and determine which tool is needed right now. Personally I’m focused on the economy (deficit, jobs, etc.). Regardless of party, 4 years should be enough to make a considerable difference. We need the best tool we have for the economy right now. Romney does have a great track record of repairing bad fiscal situations and is personally very charitable. I find myself making a concession in other areas at the moment to focus on the biggest issue.

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EndTheGOPTEA
Posted on September 20, 2012 at 7:21am
Romney stated that The 47% will NEVER vote for him..
So.. He will have to win 95% of the remaining 53% to win.. Do ANY of you really, REALLY think that is going to happen?
Obama has already Won.. Romney is a Loser Cultist.
ALL Polls Show Obama Up.. Some Polls by over 14%.

Again.. Taking Bets over here all day that Obama will Win.. Losers!!

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- Obama Snake Oil Co
  Posted on September 20, 2012 at 12:51pm
  If you don’t mind buying in bulk, Wallyworld had koolaid on sale this week!
  
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- PuppyKisses
  Posted on September 23, 2012 at 12:59pm
  The part that ****** the Democrats off the most, is that Romney is dead right about the 47%. Obama has been buying their vote for the past 3 and a half years thru handing them entitlements with no accountability and lower and lower standards which they must meet in order to get their monthly bribe! Anyone who is too stupid to see that deserves to lose their rights. The problem is so widespread however, that the sheeple (Obaminacs) will be taking the people who want to preserve America, it’s liberties and ideals with them. O has got to GO!!!
  Anyone who feels guilt over slavery that happened before any of us were born, feel free to write a check to a reparations fund but for those of us who realize we had nothing to do with that and it is over we should be able to keep our Tax money!!
  
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sueforpeace
Posted on September 20, 2012 at 5:40am
On Sep 20, 2012, at 4:04 AM, carl smith wrote:
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( I repeated the subject message , just in case you ouldn’t see the whole thing:

Romney needs to say now or later or now and later, but say, ” I know bill Clinton’s policies and record, and mr Obama , you are no bill Clinton, and bill Clinton is not running for president. (he might then show that he is more like bill Clinton than Obama will ever be maybe without even outwardly stating he is like bill clinton so much but…… Mitt and bill clinton were concernednabout the deficit, both wanted to be a problem solver……!,,,,,,,!!,! The country is dying for someone who will bring the 2 parties together. ,!!!! Mitt worked in a democratic state and compromised-which isnt happening in congress and government right now….this is what the people are dying for, its what they want to hear. ITS THE HOPE AND CHANGE WE REALLY NEED RIGHT NOW. Mitt might add bill Clinton’s own words complementing him as a businessman , that Billl expressed faith in romney. and use “romneycare” to show that he is out for everyone . Romney should show how Massachusetts became one in education , during his term,mwhich I heard. Women are afraid of loosing all control of birth control, it’s ok to show that Massachusetts did not go back into the dark ages, because mitt was governor. There will be plenty of time to educate the public more later , to achieve more conservative goals. After he is elected, if he educates the public

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- martyinhagerstown
  Posted on September 20, 2012 at 6:13am
  the bill/mitt comment demonstrates why there will be a 3rd party after mitt is elected. It may be Tgop, IE enough Tea inserting C in to the GOP or a replacement for the GOP.
  
  It will happen either way.
  
  Mitt is capable of avoiding the most troubling results of the coming collapse / hyper inflation and depression but that ain’t saying much.
  
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BOMUSTGO
Posted on September 20, 2012 at 3:33am
We are approaching the tipping point. Before long,there will be more people in th cart getting a free ride than those pushing the cart…This is what Obozo wants. He wants to diminish America as a Superpower. It is just not fare that we stand out as a nation.

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Docroxall
Posted on September 20, 2012 at 2:59am
…and these people latched onto the governments tit…they are offended by being “outed” how? Oh, yes, I get it…they don’t WANT anyone to point out their selfish, irresponsible dependency…they just want to suck away in quiet. Too freakin’ bad…those of us footing the bill want EVERYONE who’s footing the bill…to see the kind of selfish, wasteful, lazy behavior we are being asked to fund. If that loses Romney the election, we are already dead as a country, and just don’t know it yet.

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- marybethelizabeth
  Posted on September 20, 2012 at 8:10am
  If you and your are starving after working all day for minimum wage, the responsible thing to do is see if you qualify for food stamps and get your family food.
  
  This also helps the banks who make a ton of profit administering the credit card-like program. Just another way for the rich to make money off the backs of the working poor.
  
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- TEIN
  Posted on September 20, 2012 at 10:53am
  @Mary…what you described is getting rich by crony capitalism… and I got to may family first to get help, not the government..then I also have a church community and neighbors always willing to help, before government…government is the last option…plus if the government truly cared about poor minimum wage earners, then why do they tax tips as income?? In college I made minimum wage as a pizza delivery guy, and with tips, cause I was good at my job, I was doing very well, but then Uncle Bill Clinton and IRS “knew” that tips weren’t being recorded as income so they regulated the stores to make each driver claim a fixed amount on tips whether you made tips or not. That is how caring the government is particular the Demo’s are about those who make minimum wage.
  
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Micmac
Posted on September 20, 2012 at 2:25am
what he said was just the truth.

NoBama > MoBama

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Sirfoldallot
Posted on September 20, 2012 at 2:21am
The dirt is getting mudder.

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