Mitt Romney faulted President Obama for declaring, in 1998, that government should redistribute wealth to some people.
“Those that think government’s job is to redistribute, I’m not going to get them,” he said. “I know some believe that government should take from some to give to the others. I think that the president makes it clear in the tape that was released today that that’s what he believes. I think that’s an entirely foreign concept.”
Romney was referring to a Youtube video of Obama speaking in 1998 at Loyola University. “I think the trick is figuring out how do we structure government systems that pool resources and hence facilitate some redistribution,” Obama can be heard saying. “I actually believe in redistribution — at least, at a certain level – to make sure that everyone’s got a shot.”
Obama made another comment to that effect in 2008, when he told a Pennsylvania voter that he wanted to “spread the wealth around,” but he has since disavowed such and denied that he has “some grand scheme to redistribute wealth from one group to another.”
Romney was on air to defend himself for remarking, during a private fundraiser, that he’s unlikely to gain the support of 47 percent of Americans because they are people who are “dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them.”
He stood by that comment today while trying to avoid appearing insensitive to poor people. “I believe the right course for America is one where government steps in to help those that are in need,” he said. “We’re a compassionate people, but then we let people build their own lives, create enterprises. We believe in free people and free enterprise, not redistribution. The right course for America is to create growth, create wealth, not to redistribute wealth.”
