# 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:** 17
**Author:** ![Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/321 "2012-09-19T18:06:53Z")
> [@Enkel](#): > > So, how do you account for all the people in California who are NOT on food stamps, but vote for the Democratic party? Because I never claimed that voting Democrat means you’re on food stamps? ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/322 "2012-09-19T18:08:14Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I find candid comments from politicians very refreshing. It’s nearly impossible anymore to hear the unvarnished truth. What we got was a peek inside Romney’s mind, nothing to do with the truth. > [@](#): > > Romney made many valid points. No he didn’t. > [@](#): > > Is a Israel / Palestinian treaty likely? Nope. Their best chance was back in the 90’s with the Oslo Accords and the creation of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). It failed because of continued radical Palestinian attacks. Like it or not the Arabs hate the state of Israel. They want to destroy it. Until that changes there will never be peace. This from a man whose experience in foreign relations consists of licking Netanyahu’s boots. More telling was this quote: > [@](#): > > On the other hand, I got a call from a former secretary of state. I won’t mention which one it was, but this individual said to me, you know, I think there’s a prospect for a settlement between the Palestinians and the Israelis after the Palestinian elections. I said, “Really?” And, you know, his answer was, “Yes, I think there’s some prospect.” And I didn’t delve into it. He didn’t delve into it? He wants to be president and he has no fucking curiosity about a possible path to peace? > [@](#): > > Why is it so shocking that Obama’s base is entitlements? That’s been the Democratic base since Roosevelt and The New Deal. Johnson and the welfare act. Democrats love socialism. I’m part of Obama’s base. I don’t get entitlements. The New Deal worked. Get over it. Social Security and Medicare are wildly successful programs. > [@](#): > > Can you nitpick and criticize Romney’s comments? Sure you can. They were a bit patronizing. But, I much rather hear candid comments then pabulum. It isn’t nitpicking- Romney is simply revealing himself to be a condescending entitled pompous stupid twit. > [@](#): > > btw, Obama has his own candid interview out there from 1998. His thoughts on Redistribution are fascinating. They are a blueprint of his future Presidency. > [Republicans Hit Obama for 'Redistribution' Remark in 1998 Recording - ABC News](http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/09/republicans-hit-obama-for-redistribution-remark-in-1998-recording/) Meh. You ran that play for no yardage in 2008. Remember Joe the Plumber? ---
**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 19, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/323 "2012-09-19T18:11:49Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > This is it, this is your kill shot? ALL taxes are redistribution. > [@BobLibDem](#): > > Meh. You ran that play for no yardage in 2008. Remember Joe the Plumber? Geez, Romney’s apologists remind me of nothing so much as the old Domino’s mascot “The Noid” in his never-ending and alway-failing battle to prevent pizzas from being delibered hot and fresh. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/324 "2012-09-19T18:16:59Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > To me, the most disturbing part was this little gem: > > > [@](#): > > > > And yet, in that election, in the Jimmy Carter election, the fact that we had hostages in Iran, I mean, that was all we talked about. And we had the two helicopters crash in the desert, I mean, that was the focus, and so him [Reagan] solving that made all the difference in the world. I’m afraid today that if you simply got Iran to agree to stand down on nuclear weapons, they’d go, "Now hold on. It’s really a – "I mean, if something of that nature presents itself I will work to find a way to take advantage of the opportunity. > > So, Mitt, if a situation arose where hostages were taken or Americans killed, you’d rush in and exploit that opportunity? I hope you were kidding. Oh wait a minute, that’s exactly what you did with the Libyan attack. > > Romney is a very small man indeed. What bothers me in that is Romney repeating the tired bullshit about Reagan solving the Iranian hostage crisis. Reagan had absolutely nothing to do with it. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/325 "2012-09-19T18:19:46Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > What bothers me in that is Romney repeating the tired bullshit about Reagan solving the Iranian hostage crisis. Reagan had absolutely nothing to do with it. Correct. The deal was all worked out during the Carter administration. The Iranians simply waited till the clock struck noon on Inauguration Day to let them go, just to rub Carter’s face in it. The Gipper was oblivious to it all. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/326 "2012-09-19T18:30:33Z")
I agree Romney’s comments about Iran were wrong. I also feel we have to pursue peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. It does seem hopeless at times but we have to keep trying. There’s a new generation of leaders emerging and potentially new opportunities for a peaceful settlement. Romney’s comment about kicking the can down the road was just stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/327 "2012-09-19T18:53:04Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I agree Romney’s comments about Iran were wrong. > > I also feel we have to pursue peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. It does seem hopeless at times but we have to keep trying. There’s a new generation of leaders emerging and potentially new opportunities for a peaceful settlement. Romney’s comment about kicking the can down the road was just stupid. Ok, that’s two points. Lets keep looking for that 75% you _do_ agree with. -The 47% of all Americans on the government teet are all Obama supporters. -Elderly and children don’t take responsibility for their lives. -His job is to ignore the needs of half of all Americans. ---
**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 19, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/328 "2012-09-19T18:54:14Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > But, I agreed with at least 75% of what Romney was saying. I just wish it hadn’t come out quite so elitist. Which parts did you agree with? The one where Obama’s supporters are the ones in the country who pay no income tax? Do you think that ALL of this 47% are Obama supporters like Romney says? > [@](#): > > And I mean, the president starts off with 48, 49, 48—he starts off with a huge number. These are people who pay no income tax. The one where Romney says his job is not to worry about the 47% who pay no income tax? Like retired folks on Social Security, students, people who work, but have lots of deductions, or the thousands who make over 200K a year but pay no taxes? > [@](#): > > Forty-seven percent of Americans pay no income tax. So our message of low taxes doesn’t connect. And he’ll be out there talking about tax cuts for the rich. I mean that’s what they sell every four years. And so my job is not to worry about those people Do you agree with the one where Romney shows he has no understanding of immigration policy? > [@](#): > > Instead, we make it hard for people who get educated here or elsewhere to make this their home. Unless, of course, you have no skill or experience, in which case you’re welcome to cross the border and stay here for the rest of your life. Do you agree with Romney’s plan for middle east peace? > [@](#): > > And we kick the ball down the field and hope that ultimately, somehow, something will happen and resolve. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/329 "2012-09-19T18:57:55Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > Ok, that’s two points. Lets keep looking for that 75% you _do_ agree with. > > -The 47% of all Americans on the government teet are all Obama supporters. > -Elderly and children don’t take responsibility for their lives. > -His job is to ignore the needs of half of all Americans. Or even that the poor don’t take responsibility for their lives. Sometimes getting help IS taking responsibility- maybe if you get some financial help you can be home in the evenings and help your kids with their homework. Or take some classes yourself. Or breathe a little easier while you work hard to get back up. The idea that asking for help is a moral failing is baffling to me. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/330 "2012-09-19T19:06:52Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > Luckily, I didn’t say that. I said that within those Republican leaning Southern states, you would find a greater percentage of Democrats on food stamps than you would Republicans, So who said this? > [@](#): > > A more likely reason that southern states have some of the highest food stamp usage in the country is more than likely because of Democrat voting minorities who live in these states. That is a direct quote from you. You are saying here that food stamp usage is higher in some states **because Democrats live in those states** , as if voting Democratic somehow makes someone hungrier or more likely to need food stamps. Your claim at the beginning of this post is a completely different claim. ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/331 "2012-09-19T19:07:47Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > I also believe in some redistribution. To be fair, Mitt Romney supports redistibution. He just wants it to flow the opposite way from the rest of us. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/332 "2012-09-19T19:22:08Z")
Romney made a good point that it is harder for Republicans to get elected. They do have a perception by voters for cutting entitlements. I don’t agree the entire 47% are against Romney. That seems like hyperbole. Romney also makes a good point on immigration. I’ve personally seen a huge increase in my own city’s Hispanic population in the past 15 years. How many are legal? I have no idea. Our justice dept is blocking states attempts to find people illegally living here. We do make it harder for professionals to immigrate here. We need more doctors for example. But a doctor from Europe or Asia can’t come here and work without extensive training to get licensed. It takes a long time to apply for a work visa.We are missing out on many professionals in all fields that would like to live here. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/333 "2012-09-19T19:32:33Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > But a doctor from Europe or Asia can’t come here and work without extensive training to get licensed. If there’s any profession for which I’d like to make absolutely certain that **any** practitioners (not just those moving here from other countries) get properly vetted, it’s physicians. Maybe you need a better example. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/334 "2012-09-19T19:46:21Z")
Medical schools in Japan, France, Britain, Germany etc. are on a par with the U.S. Some of the 3rd world Doctors would need additional training to work here. There is a severe shortage of Doctors in rural America. Some people in my state drive 30 miles just to see a doctor. For specialists they have to drive a hundred or more miles. Foreign doctors need some recertification, but maybe we could simplify the process a little? Get the better trained ones here working faster. Thats just one example of what Romney is talking about. Professional work visas should be easier and quicker to get. Cut the red tape. ---
**Author:** ![Sinaptics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Sinaptics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaptics)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/335 "2012-09-19T19:47:36Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > If there’s any profession for which I’d like to make absolutely certain that **any** practitioners (not just those moving here from other countries) get properly vetted, it’s physicians. Maybe you need a better example. This is probably a good one for another thread, but I’ve known several doctors from Slavic countries, one a neurosurgeon, that upon coming here, became nurses. I don’t know if the requirements are so lenient in the other countries, that this is necessary, or the process to get certified in America is too rigorous. I’d love to get some more info on this. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/336 "2012-09-19T20:15:19Z")
> [@Sinaptics](#): > > This is probably a good one for another thread, but I’ve known several doctors from Slavic countries, one a neurosurgeon, that upon coming here, became nurses. > > I don’t know if the requirements are so lenient in the other countries, that this is necessary, or the process to get certified in America is too rigorous. I’d love to get some more info on this. My understanding is that graduates of medical schools outside the US or Canada are required to complete a residency in the US before practicing as an attending physician in the US. Wiki has some information [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_medical_graduate#United_States). Even if the physician has practiced for a number of years in the other country, they will still need to complete a residency in the US. I imagine there might be a number of reasons why a non-US doctor would end up as a nurse or other provider here. It could be that the doctor was not accepted into a residency for whatever reason. Or it could be that they looked at the residency requirement, looked at nursing salaries, and at the number of working years left in their career, and said, “Fuck it. I’m NOT going through residency again.” ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/337 "2012-09-19T20:45:05Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Romney made a good point that it is harder for Republicans to get elected. They do have a perception by voters for cutting entitlements. Well, they keep saying that’s what they’re going to do, and it’s the obvious consequence of some of their proposals (like Ryan’s guideline on federal non-defense spending). It’s hard to blame voters for coming to that conclusion. > [@](#): > > I’ve personally seen a huge increase in my own city’s Hispanic population in the past 15 years. How many are legal? I have no idea. Why _would_ you have any idea, and why would you make this logical leap? That does kind of underscore the problem that Republicans are having with Latino voters and a lot of other minorities - that quick shift from “the Hispanic population has increased a lot” to "I bet a lot of these people are here illegally. > [@](#): > > Our justice dept is blocking states attempts to find people illegally living here. And the right wing of the Republican Party (that phrase is redundant at this point) has been killing any and all attempts at immigration reform for 10 years. Is that what they would do if they were serious about this issue? Just about everybody agrees there are major problems with the immigration system. The Republicans at this point have painted themselves into a corner and can’t come up with any actual solutions beyond “check people’s papers,” “build a fence,” and Romney’s “they should self-deport.” ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/338 "2012-09-19T20:49:38Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > :dubious: I’ve heard this before and seen the charts with federal dollars spent and received ratios favoring red states as deadbeats and blue as generous. > > That’s a poor assumption to make. > > Democratic states are typically urban, Republican rural. Maintaining services and infrastructure compared to taxation is cheaper in denser populations. If you’re maintaining a mile of road only with the resources of those living on it, it’ll be much cheaper for each individual household if there are 20 families on it than 2. That’s not an assumption, that was lifted verbatum from the article that stated the research from the 1980’s to now. ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/339 "2012-09-19T20:59:30Z")
> [@CJJ](#): > > Though “inelegantly” stated, **OMG** is [in the main correct](http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/new-economy/2011/0913/South-bears-the-brunt-of-America-s-rising-poverty-rate); blacks have a much higher poverty rate than other races, and the majority of blacks are in the South, so this is definitely a contribuing factor in the amount of government assistance received by these states. This is a much simpler explanation for the disconnect between government assistance and voting than simple hypocrisy. > > To be clear, this in no way excuses the fact that whites in southern states vote to reduce government funding despite the evidence that more citizens than average in their state receive food stamps. IMO it’s a side effect of the informal effort to keep this level of poverty hidden from the white voting class, and to write it off as a “black” problem. These factors encourage the majority whites in these states to vote for cutting off funding to the “shiftless moochers” (and we all know who they are, right?). The research shows that those getting more social assistance are the Republican voters who may be poor and they need it. [http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/us/even-critics-of-safety-net-increasingly-depend-on-it.html?pagewanted=1&\_r=1](http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/us/even-critics-of-safety-net-increasingly-depend-on-it.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1) So there’s a big myth out there that says a poor black man is the lazy moocher, since as Democratic voters they’re supposed to demand more social assistance. The truth is, social assistance is found in the RED states in higher porportions. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/340 "2012-09-19T22:01:39Z")
> [@Andiethewestie](#): > > OMG assumptions and no facts? > > One of the oldest criticisms of democracy is that the people will inevitably drain the treasury by demanding more spending than taxes. The theory is that citizens who get more than they pay for will vote for politicians who promise to increase spending. > > But Dean P. Lacy, a professor of political science at Dartmouth College, has identified a twist on that theme in American politics over the last generation. _ **Support for Republican candidates, who generally promise to cut government spending, has increased since 1980 in states where the federal government spends more than it collects. The greater the dependence, the greater the support for Republican candidates.** _ > > Conversely, states that pay more in taxes than they receive in benefits tend to support Democratic candidates. And Professor Lacy found that the pattern could not be explained by demographics or social issues. > [http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/us/even-critics-of-safety-net-increasingly-depend-on-it.html?pagewanted=5&\_r=moc.semityn.www](http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/12/us/even-critics-of-safety-net-increasingly-depend-on-it.html?pagewanted=5&_r=moc.semityn.www) It could be because people have a greater ability to witness the results. My mom turned into a Republican after a stint of working at the welfare agency in her state. Of course Red States should, by virtue of hiring Republicans, quickly lose their welfare-program excesses. That they haven’t is an indication that Republicans aren’t living up to their promise after they are elected. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007.md?page=18)