# The Romney Tapes - thoughts as to how they'll affect the election? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 17, 2012, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007 "2012-09-17T21:14:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/181 "2012-09-18T17:14:25Z")
> [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](#): > > Wake up sleepy-head, it’s a ten-speed! > > [Romney Video Fundraiser also Hosted Sex Parties and Orgies](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/09/17/1133059/-Romney-Video-Fundraiser-also-Hosted-Sex-Parties-and-Orgies) _And the rumors of his parties and the orgies on his yacht Oh, he surely must be happy with everything he’s got…_ Just to make sure everyone shared my earworm. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/182 "2012-09-18T17:14:41Z")
The sad thing is that when Romney loses it will be all about the gaffes and horrid campaign rather than about the american people rejecting the Republican platform. Nobody is going to remember that Romney and every other Republicans were steadily losing the entire time, they’ll just remember all the Romney fuckups. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/183 "2012-09-18T17:18:55Z")
Rich Lowry, of all people, [wins the Internet on this one](http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/322478/romneys-comment-rich-lowry#): > [@](#): > > The overall impression of Romney at this event is of someone who overhead some conservative cocktail chatter and maybe read a conservative blog or two, and is thoughtlessly repeating back what he heard and read. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/184 "2012-09-18T17:23:04Z")
[This is how Mitt Romney sees the world.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq0QJOLbl2E) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/185 "2012-09-18T17:43:38Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Wow, really? I felt certain he’d walk them back, or at least qualify them into oblivion. The Obama campaign is going to spend the next week going nuts quoting Romney saying the elderly and bottom third of workers are dependent on handouts. I think the Obama campaign would be better off waiting for the debates, which is when people are going to be keyed back up to a higher level of interest. the opportunity for a devastating one liner or attack is just too good to be wasted in a press release; he’d be better off delivering it in person. “As we saw on video a month ago, my opponent says he isn’t interested in all Americans. If you’re part of the half of all Americans who don’t see things this way, he doesn’t think it’s his job to serve your interests, to worry about your families, to ask you what you think Washington should be doing to make this country better. As President, whether you vote for me or not, I shall serve every single one of you.” Come on, that’s debate GOLD. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/186 "2012-09-18T17:48:23Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > Why would it? This is what I like about you guys. Seriously, it’s great to see you - and your many conservative brethren and sistern - respond like this. You’ve got a major “Houston, we have a problem” moment, only you’re all saying, “Problem? What problem?” It certainly lessens the likelihood that any of you are going to figure out how to fix it. Needless to say, I’m good with that. Wouldn’t want the likes of you in charge of a nation, state, city, or even a school board, but in charge of a GOP campaign at any level? Hell, yes! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/187 "2012-09-18T18:26:27Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > The sad thing is that when Romney loses it will be all about the gaffes and horrid campaign rather than about the american people rejecting the Republican platform. Nobody is going to remember that Romney and every other Republicans were steadily losing the entire time, they’ll just remember all the Romney fuckups. No, that’s not sad. That’s really sweet. It practically guarantees a Republican loss in 2016 as well. ---
**Author:** ![CJJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecc23a/32.png) [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/188 "2012-09-18T19:03:39Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > The sad thing is that when Romney loses it will be all about the gaffes and horrid campaign rather than about the american people rejecting the Republican platform. Nobody is going to remember that Romney and every other Republicans were steadily losing the entire time, they’ll just remember all the Romney fuckups. This is a good point. What Romney is saying is pretty much the mainstream position of the Republican base. The majority of Republican votes think they need to save America from a growing moocher class that is too lazy whining, or non-white-male to become the self-made square-jawed hero they all imagine themselves to be. This is their contention, but they’re already dreaming up excuses for the inevitable Romney loss that’s brewing. I for one don’t mind that; the longer they keep echo-chambering their Randian clap-trap, the longer they’ll keep trotting it out there for the rest of the electorate to thoroughly reject. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/189 "2012-09-18T19:04:00Z")
And of course, now he’s headed into the warm embrace of Fox for damage control: > **[Mitt Romney Heads To Fox News Following Leaked Tape](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mitt-romney-fox-news-neil-cavuto-leaked-video_n_1894080)** > > Mitt Romney Heads To Fox News Following Leaked Tape ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/190 "2012-09-18T19:04:30Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > Yes, off the cuff, instead of a carefully planned speech, probably written by someone else, in which each statement can be analyzed for its rhetorical effectiveness or possible detriment to his campaign. In other words, what he really believes. …off camera in a room he felt comfortable in because his audience is on the same page. ---
**Author:** ![Pashnish\_Ewing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8797f3/32.png) [@Pashnish\_Ewing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pashnish_Ewing)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/191 "2012-09-18T19:40:55Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Here’s where that’s wrong. As [Slate.com](http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/frame_game/2012/09/romney_s_47_percent_vs_obama_s_cling_to_guns_or_religion_which_gaffe_is_worse_.html) explains it, Obama didn’t dismiss those he claimed was clinging to guns and religion. In fact, he urges people not to write them off, and does not blankly characterize them, instead saying they may simply be skeptical. He ends with a positive note to try to persuade them over to his point of view > > Romney, on the other hand, simply comes out and dismisses 47% of voters. He calls them moochers, easily characterizes them as greedy or lazy, and does not try to empathize with what they believe. Obama cautions an approach that respects their views, while Romney ignores them and calls them names. Once again, Obama is correct, and that idiot Romney is dead wrong I understand the differences of what they said, but I’m saying anyone who would disqualify Romney based on this quote has probably already disqualified him for his general Romney-ness. Just like how the Obama quote only meant something to those who already had disqualified Obama. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/192 "2012-09-18T19:48:22Z")
The difference is that Obama pissed off people with, essentially, the truth. Witness the reactions: “Yer goldern right I cling to my god and guns, mister.” Compared to Romney who pissed people off by accusing them of being deadbeats, when most of them are decidedly not. That said, things like this aren’t going to “swing” any votes, but they might cut down on the Republican turnout. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/193 "2012-09-18T19:56:12Z")
From [Gallup](http://www.gallup.com/poll/157508/romney-support-among-lowest-income-voters.aspx?utm_source=alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=syndication&utm_content=morelink&utm_term=Politics): > [@](#): > > PRINCETON, NJ – Although President Barack Obama has a substantial voting edge over Republican Mitt Romney among low-income Americans, Romney still gets about a third of the vote among those whose household incomes are less than $24,000 a year. Although Romney does better on the other end of the income scale, Obama gets the support of more than four in 10 Americans who make $180,000 a year or more. > > \ > > The biggest distinction in vote choice by income comes at either end of the spectrum, among those with incomes less than $24,000 a year and among those with incomes $120,000 a year and more. But neither Obama nor Romney rises above 60% support among either of these groups. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/194 "2012-09-18T19:59:22Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > That said, things like this aren’t going to “swing” any votes, but they might cut down on the Republican turnout. More so, Romney will be playing defense to this all week instead of getting his message out while Obama plays offense. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/195 "2012-09-18T20:25:31Z")
> [@Andiethewestie](#): > > Republican David Brooks sums up Romney’s Campaign - Inept. > > [http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/18/opinion/brooks-thurston-howell-romney.html?\_r=2](http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/18/opinion/brooks-thurston-howell-romney.html?_r=2) Which has a great title - “Thurston Howell Romney”. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/196 "2012-09-18T20:39:22Z")
> [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](#): > > [Romney Video Fundraiser also Hosted Sex Parties and Orgies](http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/09/17/1133059/-Romney-Video-Fundraiser-also-Hosted-Sex-Parties-and-Orgies) Another angle occurs to me re this part: > [@](#): > > It was as if the Playboy Mansion met the East EBond at a wild party at private-equity titan Marc Leder’s Bridgehampton estate, where guests cavorted nude in the pool and performed sex acts, **scantily dressed Russians danced on platforms** and men twirled lit torches to a booming techno beat. (emphasis added) Russian women (well, I’m guessing women, though one can’t rule out the possibility that he was catering to the wide-stance faction of the GOP) providing sexy entertainment… hmmm… :dubious: Is this guy only a decadent hedonist, or is he providing business to human traffickers? :eek: :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/197 "2012-09-18T20:52:57Z")
An interesting little twitter comment… [https://twitter.com/SayethSimon/status/248154084144738306](https://twitter.com/SayethSimon/status/248154084144738306) Now this type of thing has legs. Those pesky tax returns he doesn’t want anyone to see keeps coming back to bite him. ---
**Author:** ![Yumblie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/76d3ee/32.png) [@Yumblie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yumblie)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/198 "2012-09-18T20:53:14Z")
[And the Obama campaign responds.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUQ-j2sOA7c) I think this was the perfect approach. Don’t say anything, just let the 47% themselves speak. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/199 "2012-09-18T21:00:38Z")
I thought this quote of Romney’s from the tapes was quite telling: (about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict) "“We sort of live with it, and we kick the ball down the field and hope that ultimately, somehow, something will happen and resolve it,” Great. That really shows terrific leadership does it not? It’s too hard, so his plan is to simply ignore it, live with it and hope something happens. Otherwise his plan is to simply let someone else deal with it later. What kind of pathetic president would he be in terms of foreign relations anyway? Just ignore problems and hope they go away? That’s his plan??!! ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/200 "2012-09-18T21:11:21Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I thought this quote of Romney’s from the tapes was quite telling: > > (about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict) "“We sort of live with it, and we kick the ball down the field and hope that ultimately, somehow, something will happen and resolve it,” > Great. That really shows terrific leadership does it not? It’s too hard, so his plan is to simply ignore it, live with it and hope something happens. Otherwise his plan is to simply let someone else deal with it later. > > What kind of pathetic president would he be in terms of foreign relations anyway? Just ignore problems and hope they go away? That’s his plan??!! Yeah, he seems to be a total ass wipe on “leadership” and the scary thing is He’s talking straight talk to his “peeps” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007.md?page=11)