# 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:** 20
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/381 "2012-09-20T14:16:07Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > You know, I used to concede that Romney was a smart fellow: good education, Harvard Business, Harvard Law, successful at business–how dumb could he possibly be? > > I’m starting to rethink my original position. He can confidently predict what the markets will do, but he can never predict what the markets will do. Whaaaa? He must be slipping. Usually he lets a week or two pass before he states the diametrically opposing view to what he said before. By election day he’ll be contradicting himself by the end of the same sentence. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/382 "2012-09-20T14:26:20Z")
Since Romney was fact and specific free at the RNC 3 weeks ago, he was very specific in the candid tape, it seems he believes Democrats and Independents aren’t the only ones that vote based on emotion over truth. His campaign approach makes more sense to me now. ---
**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 20, 2012, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/383 "2012-09-20T14:30:20Z")
This story has legs that Betty Grable would die for. It has resonated like nothing I’ve never seen. The 47% comments are going to not only kill the Romney campaign, it’s going to keep Reid in the Majority Leader’s office and give the gavel back to Pelosi. As Trump would say, it’s HUGE! Now Pawlenty has stepped down as co-chair, recognizing a sinking ship when he sees one. Senate candidates are distancing themselves from Romney. Just seven weeks till Romney can donate his campaign mommy jeans to Goodwill and get a donation receipt for his taxes. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/384 "2012-09-20T14:31:39Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > t’s going to keep Reid in the Majority Leader’s office The Democrats were likely going to keep control of the Senate regardless. > [@](#): > > and give the gavel back to Pelosi. I think you’re probably dreaming here. ---
**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 20, 2012, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/385 "2012-09-20T14:34:28Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > The Democrats were likely going to keep control of the Senate regardless. > > I think you’re probably dreaming here. Well, if it happens, can I get the SDMB Crystal Ball Award? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/386 "2012-09-20T14:47:16Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Well, if it happens, can I get the SDMB Crystal Ball Award? You could probably get a job making political predictions on TV (or at least CNN, which is kind of like TV without the audience). ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/387 "2012-09-20T15:13:05Z")
While it is true that overturning the House majority in one swell foop is unlikely, we can reasonably expect that House Republicans will rediscover the value and beauty of bi-partisan comity. And Pawlenty left some time ago, it wasn’t until just recently that anyone noticed. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/388 "2012-09-20T15:20:31Z")
> [@](#): > > After originally standing by his comments at that May fundraiser in Florida, where he was surreptitiously recorded saying that he can’t win the “47%” of Americans who are dependent on the government, Romney backed down last night. “This is a campaign about the 100%,” he said at a forum in Miami sponsored by Univision, per NBC’s Garrett Haake.\*\* But Romney did more than back down from those 47% remarks; he also softened his tone on health care, immigration, and gay rights.\*\* "Now and then the president says I’m the grandfather of Obamacare. I don’t think he meant that as a compliment, but I’ll take it,” he said, going on to praise the Massachusetts law. He also clarified his earlier remarks on self-deportation. “I said I’m not in favor of a deportation, a mass deportation effort rounding up 12 million people and kicking them out of the country,” he said. "I believe people make their own choices as to whether they want to go home, and that’s what I mean by self-deportation. And he added this about gay marriage: “I would like to have the term marriage continue to be associated with a relationship between one man and one woman, and that certainly doesn’t prevent two people of the same gender living in a loving relationship together having gay domestic partnership, if you will.” > **[Meet the Press: Inside Takes on the Latest Stories with Kristen Welker](https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press?lite)** > > Follow Kristen Welker as she uncovers breaking news events with the experts on NBCNews.com. Find coverage on the latest in politics, news, business, and more. Will Fox News start trumpeting the New Truth? How will this play with the Conservative voters, especially those who vociferously defended Romney over the past three days? Think any Independents are impressed and swayed back into the Romney camp? ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/389 "2012-09-20T15:33:38Z")
Sounds like the team has made a real conscious choice about turning back towards the middle. I doubt it will help poor Mitt much, becasue I predict he’ll just get tagged with the “Etch-A-Sketch” stuff again, now. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/390 "2012-09-20T15:38:41Z")
> [@Truman\_Burbank](#): > > Sounds like the team has made a real conscious choice about turning back towards the middle. I doubt it will help poor Mitt much, becasue I predict he’ll just get tagged with the “Etch-A-Sketch” stuff again, now. Plus, how will the noisiest right-wing voices explain and support his moderate views to their audience? These are the people who loathe conciliators and moderates. This does nothing for keeping the base interested in this guy. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/391 "2012-09-20T15:42:37Z")
Saying one thing privately, to fundraisers, “I don’t care about 47%…”, and another publicly, “I’m all about the 100%”, is not going to mix well with his, ‘non specifics’, strategy concerning immigration, job growth, etc. What’s that boy thinking? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/392 "2012-09-20T15:45:23Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Will Fox News start trumpeting the New Truth? We have always been at war with [del]the 47%[/del] Eastasia. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/393 "2012-09-20T15:45:28Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Saying one thing privately, to fundraisers, “I don’t care about 47%..”, and another publicly, “I’m all about the 100%”, is not going to mix well with his, ‘non specifics’, strategy concerning immigration, job growth, etc. > > What’s that boy thinking? Well, with less than 2 months ago, I fear they are still grasping for a strategy they hope will show some positive traction. They look like a beater on slick ice, with 4 bald tires… ---
**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 20, 2012, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/394 "2012-09-20T15:49:09Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > This story has legs that Betty Grable would die for. It has resonated like nothing I’ve never seen. The 47% comments are going to not only kill the Romney campaign, it’s going to keep Reid in the Majority Leader’s office > [@Marley23](#): > > The Democrats were likely going to keep control of the Senate regardless. > [@](#): > > and give the gavel back to Pelosi. > [@](#): > > I think you’re probably dreaming here. It depends on how quickly and effectively the downticket candidates are able to break out the plastic sheets, duct tape, and Febreze[tm] to keep the stench of Romney Fail from clinging to them. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/395 "2012-09-20T16:01:52Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > You know who loves food stamps more than welfare queens? Monsanto. Cargill. General Foods. Archer Daniels Midland. Their Republican stockholders hear about an expansion of the program, they smile inside. They rail against the socialism, but they cash the checks. Gee, it’s almost like without food stamps nobody would be buying any cereal! :rolleyes: If they weren’t cashing the checks they’d be depositing the cash. People gots ta eat, ya know, and it’s not like food stamps are people’s only access to packaged food. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/396 "2012-09-20T16:03:03Z")
I’m not even sure what the above post is trying to say… 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/397 "2012-09-20T16:10:34Z")
**luci** is trying to insinuate hypocrisy on the part of the presumably Republican shareholders of the aforementioned companies because while they presumably rail against the evils of socialism, they happily reap the profits derived from people using their socialistic food stamps to buy the products they sell. My point is that people have to eat and they will be buying these products anyway, so there is no extra special benefit for the evil, greedy Republican shareholders of these companies to gain as a result of people using food stamps to buy their products. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/398 "2012-09-20T16:11:02Z")
Poor people will magically be afford food without foodstamps, because cash? ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/399 "2012-09-20T16:12:29Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > I’m not even sure what the above post is trying to say… 😕 > [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Gee, it’s almost like without food stamps nobody would be buying any cereal! :rolleyes: > > If they weren’t cashing the checks they’d be depositing the cash. People gots ta eat, ya know, and it’s not like food stamps are people’s only access to packaged food. It _looks_ like he’s trying to say that food stamps spend the same as cash, so if we weren’t helping those lazy welfare queens out they’d be forced instead to use all that money **Starving** thinks they’re sitting on but don’t have to use because we’re giving them handouts. **Starving** , do you even think about what your name _means_? Or did you think it was just some witty irony when you picked it? ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2012, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007/400 "2012-09-20T16:28:45Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > It _looks_ like he’s trying to say that food stamps spend the same as cash, so if we weren’t helping those lazy welfare queens out they’d be forced instead to use all that money **Starving** thinks they’re sitting on but don’t have to use because we’re giving them handouts. Nope. You’re quite wrong about that. You are ascribing to me motives and thinking that are not mine. The point is simply that people will buy cereal whether they have food stamps or not. Their “sitting” on other money never crossed my mind, as it’s my general belief that most people on food stamps generally don’t have a lot of money in surplus. > [@Bosstone](#): > > **Starving** , do you even think about what your name _means_? Or did you think it was just some witty irony when you picked it? I was young and innocent when I joined this board and had no idea of the political lunacy I was about to find myself subjected to. Also, I had developed an interest in painting and had put a couple of paintings out for sale in a local shop, but they did not sell. Thus a very dear relative of mine suggested “Starving Artist” as a moniker for the board, and as it seemed appropriate at the time that is what I did. I’ve considered changing it from time to time - something along the line of **REAGANNUGENTEASTWOODCOMMONSENSEANDREALITY** 😃 - but I rather like the fact that my user name was selected for me by the person who suggested it, plus I think the name is so strongly connected with me by now that most people no longer experience the cognitive dissonance that they once did in the beginning. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007.md?page=19) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-romney-tapes-thoughts-as-to-how-theyll-affect-the-election/635007.md?page=21)