Business

Robert Gibbs’ Answer When Confronted on Romney-Killed-My-Wife Ad: We Just Don‘t Know the ’Specifics’

Robert Gibbs Doesnt Want to Talk About the Romney Killed My Wife Ad

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 21: Robert Gibbs speak during a press conference before a taping of Jeopardy! Power Players Week at DAR Constitution Hall on April 21, 2012 in Washington, DC. Credit: Getty Images

When confronted on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” about a new pro-Obama ad accusing Mitt Romney of being somehow responsible for the death of the wife of Joe Soptic, a former employee at GST Steel in Kansas City, Obama campaign adviser Robert Gibbs really, really didn’t want to talk about it.

“This is an ad by an entity that’s not controlled by the campaign,” Gibbs said. “I certainly don’t know the specifics of this man’s case. I do think there is a lot of concern in the country about what happens when people lose their jobs.”

The anti-Romney ad explains that after GST was shuttered by Bain Capital, Soptic lost his healthcare coverage and couldn’t afford to take care of his cancer-stricken wife. As sad as his story is, let’s be clear about what the ad is trying to say: Because Soptic lost his healthcare coverage, a woman is dead and it’s kind of Mitt Romney’s fault.

But here are the facts:

1. Romney left Bain in 1999 (do we really need to keep going over this?)

2. Top Obama bundler Jonathan Lavine was Bain‘s managing director at the time of GST’s bankruptcy

3. GST Steel was shuttered in 2001

4. Soptic’s wife passed away in 2006

5. Soptic’s wife had insurance through her own employer

Wouldn‘t you say it’s just a bit of a stretch to blame Romney for her death?

“As everyone dusts off their white horse … let’s go through an ad we know the Romney campaign is entirely responsible for,” Gibbs said, trying to turn the conversation towards a discussion of Romney’s supposedly racist “Obama Gutted Welfare” ad.

But the panel wasn’t about to let him off the hook that easy.

“It goes to a different level. It’s a different kind of conversation,” Steele said, referring to the difference between debating policy and accusing someone of being responsible for the death of another. “You have a visceral reaction to this ad. Is it or is it not below the belt?”

Gibbs had nothing to say to that.

“The message is a little over the top. Can’t you admit that?” Scarborough asked.

“I don’t know the specifics of this person’s case,” Gibbs said.

“What specifics would you like to know?” asked Time magazine’s Mark Halperin.

Gibbs answered by saying he “didn’t know the specifics” of Soptic’s wife’s health care coverage.

Meanwhile, over at CNN’s “Starting Point,” Obama deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter didn’t want to talk about the ad either.

“Is this ad accurate? Is it fair?” asked CNN’s John Berman.

“I don’t know the facts about when his wife got sick, or the facts about his health insurance,” Cutter replied, “but what I do know is that Mitt Romney personally handled the deal to take over GS Steel, and personally handled some of the decisions made to load that company up with debt so much that it went underwater, it went bankrupt.”

But is the presumed Republican presidential candidate responsible for someone’s death?

Where is this communication breakdown coming from?

Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter

(H/T: POLITICO, Hot Air), this story has been updated.

Comments (113)

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  • Maji
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:43pm

    Wouldn’t this lady under obamacare be asked to
    “just take a pill”??

    Report Post »  
    • eCharleen
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:24pm

      Yeah… Stage 4 cancer. The government wouldn’t waste resources on such a lost cause.

      Report Post » eCharleen  
    • Wayner
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:32pm

      Just as in the Gibbs of old “uh,uh,uh,uh,uh I mean, uh,,uh,uhh”

      Report Post »  
    • Ben__Franklin
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:40pm

      As always another Obama attack ad that is a complete lie and no one in his Administration or Campaign takes any responsibility. Again, who is running the country as no one knows nutt‘in about nutt’in in the Obama Administration.

      Report Post »  
    • HKS
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:08pm

      Have you ever seen anyone in your life that can lie like these democrats? Outstanding job, takes lying to another level.

      Report Post » HKS  
    • Ben__Franklin
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:33pm

      Baghdad Bob Gibbs feigns the Obama Campaign does not know the specifics on Mr. Soptic, yet the Campaign keeps hiring him for attack ads. Here is another one from earlier in the year. Notice Mr. Soptic has forgotten about his dead wife in the ad as she is never mentioned. Also notice where the video was credited to have been published and also the link in the upper left of the page to the Obama Campaign website. Ooops Gibby has been caught in another lie. Watch the MSM bury the story to cover Obama.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMndjLIQUFw&feature=plcp

      Report Post »  
    • cbrown
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 7:22pm

      You have to appreciate the honest remark from Romney spokesperson – Andrea Saul Below is the news flash:

      Mitt Romney spokesperson offered an unusual counterattack Wednesday to an ad in which a laid-off steelworker blames the presumptive GOP nominee for his family losing health care: If that family had lived in Massachusetts, it would have been covered by the Gov Romney’s universal health care law.

      Report Post » cbrown  
    • KURT1010
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 6:07am

      Come on, she could have gotten welfare. Also, anyone can go to a non profit hospital and be taken care of….there are all sorts of help with the bills…I know, 30 years in healthcare as a business mgr…
      give me a break ! There is also bankrupcy….NO one is refused service !

      Report Post » KURT1010  
    • ron2win
      Posted on August 9, 2012 at 7:27am

      Its called the Erkell defence . “ Did I do that ” ? Well I diden’t see it that way and inspite of the fact every one is talking about it ,I just don’t know enough about it to comment . Next question.

      Report Post »  
  • LovinUSA
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:41pm

    Him and Jay Carney are related I would think, they both do the same dance around the mulberry bush every time, hoping the original question will go away. That way, they can’t be called the liars they are.

    Report Post » LovinUSA  
    • the_system_disconnect
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:28pm

      Yep. It’s more than just a stretch. It’s a downright lie. Where are all the progressive tyranny praising trolls on this one? They should be backing up their side. Come on, let‘s hear you sing Romney’s murderous sins.

      Report Post » the_system_disconnect  
    • kiwis-in-USA
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:19pm

      Let’s be fair though… who the heck would want their job with all the crap Obama does and doesn’t do.
      I reckon they should get paid danger and I hope their pay entitles them to counseling after this is all said and done.
      Both are incapable of having a normal conversation.
      I wonder if they speak to their wives like that… are are they more leaning towards supporting Starbucks?
      Both seem incapable of telling the truth. This means they both fit in well with this administration.
      Both seem incapable of answering a simple true or false question.
      Mindless drones they are…
      Would not care to have a conversation with either man. My IQ would go down after listening to these guys for 5 minutes.

      Report Post »  
  • Carlinpa
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:36pm

    Yet again another example why I’m not a democrat. they are pure evil. Liberals use an tactic I call preemptive recrimination where they essentially accuse conservatives of what they are actually guilty of. ( projection) To preempt a legitimate accusation on them. As we see below, they are in fact the “ guilty” one for this man’s wife death. That is IF we accept the causality and responsibility premise, which I emphatically do NOT.

    “Top Obama bundler Jonathan Lavine was Bain‘s managing director at the time of GST’s bankruptcy”

    I don’t believe that health care is a right, it’s a benefit and should be doled out at the business owners discretion just like bonuses, raises and cars.

    The man in that ad is a despicable human being for saying that someone who wasn’t even there was someone responsible for the death of his wife because of a loss of a benefit.

    Businesses are NOT in business to provide perpetual health care and income to anyone.

    America has gone from independent rugged individualism to dependent, self centered whiners.

    Report Post »  
    • Alessandre
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 8:20pm

      Though companies call health insurance a “benefit,” it‘s actually part of an employee’s salary package. Health insurance is earned. It is not a gift.

      “Under the 1942 Stabilization Act, Congress limited [] wage increases… but permitted the adoption of employee insurance plans. …[&} health benefit packages offered one means of securing workers. ...in 1949, the [NLRB] ruled …that the term “wages” included pension and insurance benefits. …This ruling, affirmed later by the U.S. Supreme Court, further reinforced the employment-based system.” (http://bit.ly/Nehnbd) Because there are no payroll taxes on company “contributions,” health insurance as part of an employee’s salary is even more attractive (for the company).

      Now that we think health insurance is a “benefit” & not part of our salary package, let’s say a company “contributes” $9600/yr for an individual plan & charges the employee $2400. If the employee receives a $3000 raise, his salary is actually decreased by $2,400 so the raise is just $600. Families are hit even harder & their salary decreases mean negative “raises.” Employers disingenuously complain about the cost of health insurance. In fact, EMPLOYEES pay for health insurance & employers take the tax benefit. Once again, companies are the ones receiving a benefit. Health insurance is just another way employees are doling their money out to businesses.

      Report Post »  
  • red_white_blue2
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:35pm

    Isn’t it interesting that even the main stream media is now questioning them harshly-uhmmm!!

    Report Post » red_white_blue2  
    • HKS
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:24pm

      Now that guy can lie like a democat.

      Report Post » HKS  
  • C141BEngineer
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:34pm

    They are preying on the common persons lack of interest and knowledge. Most people are concerned with getting a paycheck and worrying about how to keep their head above water with the cost of gas and food and utilities and everything involved with raising a family. Time is a premium and they only hear these ads while driving to work or to spend a fortune at the grocery, or taking the kids to school, or catch a snippet on TV, and they think Oh My Good , how awful, How could someone do such a thing. People just do not have the time to think about or know what the real issues are.

    Report Post »  
    • quiltgal
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 3:05pm

      Yes, I think it’s a strategy of “let‘s throw all kinds of outrageous crap out there because it’s bound to stick somewhere.”

      Report Post »  
  • MBA
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:30pm

    Boo Hoo! I‘m sorry this man’s wife died, but what responsibility did they take to have her health evaluated? The really stupid thing about obamycare is that if you need to see a doctor-all you have to do is go to a public hospital. They will see you for free or help file a medicare claim. Just because you don’t have “insurance” doesn’t mean you have to go without. If this woman went without medical treatment–it was her choice. People are acting so stupid right now, I think this country needs group psychiatric care and not at the expense of the tax payers. Man up people.

    Report Post »  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:29pm

    And this Joe guy is pretty guilty of homicide in his own right. To think his wife was 24 days away from death of brain cancer- And he didn’t notice a thing along the way? Not buying it. She needs an autopsy to tell the truth. It’s a little suspicious actually. Yep- Brain cancer and nobody noticed a thing.. Sorry for his loss. Sorrier than he is by all appearances. Romney was 7 years down the road and Baine didn’t have anything to do with it anyway.

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • Tigress1
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:25pm

    Obama’s a habitual liar – now calling his opponent a murderer, but Obama’s such a LIKEABLE guy! Ha!

    Report Post » Tigress1  
  • Pray for USA
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:24pm

    Robert Gibbs is a coward.

    Report Post »  
    • GeorgieJo
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:36pm

      The word is out that Bobby dresses in lady lingerie but I don’t have the SPECIFICS………….
      BagdadBobby go away—-You sir are a LOSER.
      OMG 2012

      Report Post »  
    • marybethelizabeth
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 5:46pm

      Robert Gibbs is obeying the law.

      Political Action Committees act on their own. Campaigns are not permitted to interfere with their operations.

      It would be illegal for Mr. Gibbs to comment.

      Report Post » marybethelizabeth  
    • AvengerK
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:09pm

      LOL….yes HAIRYBETHELIZABETH…Gibbs is forbidden from commenting so he offers “we don’t know specifics“ instead of ”I’m forbidden to comment”.
      You need better material airhead.

      Report Post »  
    • Ben__Franklin
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 6:57pm

      Riiiight Mary, Gibbs and the Obama Administration paid this guy for more than one attack ad. The first one was pulled to YouTube right off of the Obama Campaign Website – but hey Gibby knows nothing about the guy. Mary, Obama could crap on the floor and you would say its a piece of gold.

      Report Post »  
  • Ghandi was a Republican
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:23pm

    Ahh! The finger pointers are guilty of their own accusations as usual. Between the black culture of death they have engineered and their meanderings about a baby just being random cells that happened to find their way to a uterus we are into saddam territory. Millions or more maybe. But then a liberal can justify anything in the darkness of their poisoned souls.
    These are the specifics that WE DO KNOW~!

    Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  
  • Duey2000
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:22pm

    How on God’s green earth do you get from Romney ran Bain Capital to Romney killed my wife? I mean, who in their right mind would buy that garbage? By that logic, Obama killed US troops because he didn’t pull them out of Iraq soon enough. Where are those ads? Oh, we‘re not that insane so I guess that we won’t be seeing Romney’s super PAC making those ads.

    Report Post »  
  • blackyb
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:21pm

    Then there is that insurance that continues after employment that is very expensive, but there are no easy answers because those in power have wasted money until those in need suffer. It is not the fault of one person, but the fault of those who allow medical, dental and hospital insurance and education to go through the roof as well. This needs to be addressed. It is a racket. This needs to be looked into from the education to the insurance to the overcharging in hospitals, and in every aspect and see what the underlying problem is. There should be no socialized medicine for that is the pitts. Ask anyone in England or from England. These people could use some good dentists over there. Like here the dental educations costs so much and the insurance after becoming a dentist that it is more than many people can handle. As a result there are a lot more medical problems with people because of bad teeth, so it does affect other aspects of the health issues to a point that good dental health could alleviate many other health issues that would otherwise not have happened had some had good dental care.

    Report Post » blackyb  
  • jackact
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:17pm

    Any reference to ‘being killed’ made by a died-in-the-wool socialist will always require specifics.
    Even when the allegation is made in a nationally televised campaign ad.
    The current White House politi-bureau is no different than the Kremlin’s.

    Report Post »  
  • AJAYW
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:17pm

    For Joe Soptic to use his dead wife in this manner makes one wonder is there a chance that he is really the one responsible for his wife’s death? Why didn’t she get care that she needed?. We know she had insurance. Did he stop her from going to the doctor? Its easy to blame someone else for ones own mistake. Was there a life insurance pay out?

    Report Post »  
  • JUSTANOTHEROPINION
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:16pm

    I’m just more and more confident we the people will be taking back control of our government when I see these acts of desperation manifest themselves in Obama ads. They’re running scared, oh yes, they’re scared and for good reason too.

    Report Post »  
    • FREEDOMoverFEAR
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 3:15pm

      The Obama administration I doubt is scared they know how to manipulate the uninformed masses by constantly attacking Romney they keep him on the defensive. I believe Romney should answer the question by addressingn the fact he wasn’t even at the company at the time as well as the fact that the person running the company when this man lost his job is a Obama bundler. Then after that in the same statement he needs to address Obama taking over GM and that some dealerships and plants had to be shutdown. Find a GM employee who had hardships after they lost their job turn it back on them.

      Report Post » FREEDOMoverFEAR  
  • UpholderOftheConstitution
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:15pm

    Cutter should do here own research and see that GST was already going bankrupt, that is why a VC was brought in! Seriously do these people believe their own lies expecting others to also fall in line?

    Report Post »  
  • blackyb
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:14pm

    There are millions upon millions of baby’s who could say the same thing to Obama and the rest of those supporting of killing innocents to satisfy the agendas of the leftists, whose lust for sex outweighs their decency to keep babies alive. Their souls of the innocents will stand as judgement against the murderers. These people are the scourage of America. They are less than trash.

    Report Post » blackyb  
    • Verceofreason
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:25pm

      A fetus is not a baby.
      You are clearly a one issue zealot.
      And to be frank – no one cares.
      I would say easily most of the 60ish educated women in NYC I know,
      have terminated an unwanted pregnanctyat some time in their life.
      My own sister has has 2 abortions – on ein grad school and one from a ling term (9 years)
      relationship with a guy she accepted never wanted to marry.
      They were the right decisions, YOUR approval not required.
      We are not christians. So she did not sin.

      Report Post » Verceofreason  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:24pm

      Seems you kicked a nest of hornets.(Me thinks they be a bit touchy about killing baby’s ).
      Nice job

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • Ben__Franklin
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:36pm

      VERSE_of_baby_killing, It is not a fetus unless you want to murder it. Couples who plan to have a child call it a baby from the day of conception. Just ask the proud pregnant wife and husband what they are having – A FETUS or A BABY, everyone knows the answer except Obama voters. Its really sick how the Liberal Left protest to save a serial killer from being put to death, and then turn and protest for the right to kill babies. Its mind boggling!

      Report Post »  
    • QuincySmith
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 1:57pm

      VerceofTreason;

      And you KNOW “A fetus is not a baby.” how? Without intervention a human fetus becomes a human baby. A fetus is a living organism, ‘terminating’ it extinguishes life.

      “And to be frank – no one cares.” I, for one, care; I guess that makes you WRONG!

      “I would say easily most of the 60ish educated women in NYC I know,
      have terminated an unwanted pregnanctyat some time in their life.” And you conducted a full scientific poll to reach this conclusion (as if educated NYC women constitutes a national majority).

      “My own sister has has 2 abortions – on ein grad school and one from a ling term (9 years)
      relationship with a guy she accepted never wanted to marry.
      They were the right decisions, YOUR approval not required.” I suspect you sister is no smarter than you – perhaps not as smart, a slow learner, perhaps. I‘m sorry for the two aborted ’fetuses’, they are true VICTIMS, unlike you or your sister.

      “We are not christians. So she did not sin.” Since you are not Christians you think you have a ‘Get Out Of Jail Free’ card? I’m nor sure it works that way. I am happy for you that you are so confident in your beliefs, however as an atheist told me before she died, “If we’re right, no problem; if you’re right, we (and you) are in trouble”.

      Report Post » QuincySmith  
    • The_Cabrito_Goat
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:02pm

      I wish you could have been an Uncle, Verse.

      Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
    • barber2
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:03pm

      VERCE: If a person does not have a conscience , does that mean he/she can not be found guilty of a crime ? or does that just apply to a sin ?

      Report Post »  
    • Ben__Franklin
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:37pm

      VERSE are you glad your mother was not like your sister – or is your life as sad as it appears and she would have done you a favor?

      Report Post »  
  • RJJinGadsden
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:11pm

    The really sad thing is Mr Soptic has allowed himself and the tragedy of loosing his wife to be used to tell and bold faced lie. Furthermore, the CEO of Bain at that time of the closing is an 0bama bundler.
    Truth in advertising should apply to political ads, but it doesn’t.

    Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 2:01pm

      It should at least be vetted by the press…and it‘s not if you’re a Democrat.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 3:06pm

      GONZO, The media will swallow anything that is put out that is favorable to 0bama. Generally, they swallow it all hook, line, and sinker.
      Another thing Gibbs, I bet you where one of those scream at Bush and blaming him for those Swift Boat ads. Think about it. And, before VERSOFDICKHEAD can call Kerry a war hero again, I’ll say this again. The man was in the Vietnam combat zone for all of four months before his commanding officer returned him to the states for his own safety, and that of the men on his Swift Boat that he was supposed to be commanding. The big tough warrior (tongue in cheek) put himself in for his Purple Hearts, for which none were for any serious wound. At least one wound was self inflicted out of his own stupidity.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • leasecommander
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:10pm

    I love it, caught in one of their lies, and I checked this is even on MSN, now that might be even a bigger story.
    The Democrats are still hoping that some will see the ad and not read the follow up and the true story, and then vote for Obama, this is just how they operate.

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:09pm

    Oh they know alright the truth of the matter; they just do not care and will keep their tushies in a sling right until the moment of their crushing defeat this November.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Maji
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:23pm

      It‘s kinda self explainatory of the style of governance isn’t it?
      They don’t fully understand a commercial
      they produced.

      Report Post »  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:08pm

    Glib Gibb’s spineless, stupid, ignorant, lying self is a disgrace. Shame on him.

    Report Post »  
  • QuincySmith
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:06pm

    bobbie; you should KNOW the FACTS before airing an attack ad. – DIRTY LIAR!

    Report Post » QuincySmith  
  • IAMMADDOG
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:05pm

    And how many deaths is Obama and the entire Democrat party going to be responsible for under Obamacare? Because a lot of people are going to die as a result of being deemed “not financially viable”.

    Report Post »  
  • summersmom
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:02pm

    Spineless bastards!

    Report Post »  
  • AJAYW
    Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:02pm

    Did I hear right, Obama’s pimping his fat *ss wife to raise money for his election.

    Report Post »  
    • Common Sense 24
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:12pm

      good luck even getting $3 for that angry black woman, drawn on eyebrows and all.

      Report Post » Common Sense 24  
    • AJAYW
      Posted on August 8, 2012 at 12:20pm

      CS
      The way it sounds thats a lot for him to get as long as she don’t get tired………

      Report Post »  
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