RUSH: Okay, let’s listen to Romney. Have you heard this, Snerdley? Have you listened to Romney? Did you see Romney yesterday afternoon? Wow. Okay. I was gonna ask you if you’re depressed. All right. So it’s Your World With Neil Cavuto on Fox, and Romney’s on yesterday afternoon, and Cavuto said, “Obviously you’ve seen the fallout, the administration quickly coming back at you, governor, saying that you essentially disdainfully wrote off half the nation. How do you respond to that?”
ROMNEY: We have two very different views about America. The president’s view is one of a larger government. There’s a tape that just came out today where the president sang he likes redistribution. I disagree. I think a society based upon a government-centered nation where government plays a larger and larger role, redistributes money, that’s the wrong course for America. That will not build a strong America or help people out of poverty. I believe the right course for America is one where government steps in to help those that are in need, 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 the course for America is to create growth, create wealth, not to redistribute wealth.
RUSH: Cavuto says, “Well, you said that your wording might have been inelegant, but others have said that you just kissed half the electorate good-bye this election year. And you just called ’em moochers. Is that what you meant?”
ROMNEY: No, I’m talking about a perspective of individuals who I’m not likely to get to support me. I know some believe that government should take from some to give to the others. I think 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. I believe America was built on the principle of government caring for those in need but getting out of the way and allowing free people to pursue their dreams, free people pursuing free enterprises is the only way we’ll create a strong and growing middle class and the only way we’ll help people out of poverty.
RUSH: Yeah, ’cause, see, some people are hearing this, “Oh, my God, this guy thinks I’m gonna have to work. Oh, my God, I can’t vote for this guy. This guy’s gonna make me get a job.” Now, the question is, is that 50% of the country, 50% of the people who vote? I’m here to tell you I don’t believe that it is. In fact, I actually think that it is a minority of people who actually think that way. I really do. So Cavuto finally says, “Well, a lot of these seniors, the seasoned citizens are in that camp. They’re not paying income taxes, governor. It might have boomeranged on you with an important base. Do you worry about that?”
ROMNEY: I was talking about the fact that I don’t expect to get 60 or 70% of the vote. I understand that some portion will be the president’s, some portion will be mine. I’ve gotta get as many as I can from every single cohort in this country. But the intent that I want to talk about and that that was intended to speak about, was the fact that you have a great divide about whether we want a government that’s larger and more intrusive and redistributing income, or whether instead you want a government that sees its role as protecting freedom and opportunity and letting free people build more wealth for all people.
RUSH: Let me tell you what happens at these fundraisers. I’ve been to a couple. It was a fundraiser, but at the same time he’s thanking big donors. I’ll tell you what happens at these things. I’ve not heard the tape of this one. I just heard Romney’s tape. But what happens is, since they’re big-money people, you get to ask ’em questions. And some of these people — I’ve been there — “Well, what are you gonna do about blah wah wah wah, and what are you gonna say about… and I’m sick and tired of you people sitting around.” And the candidates say, “Look, there are just certain people in this country that are gone, they’re lost, they agree with the other guy. Like 47% of the people, I gotta focus on the people that I can get from that larger 53%.”
This is why, by the way, at these events, gosh, folks, I could really get in trouble. I have been to these things. I really want to say this just to make a point, of what goes on at these things. I have been pointed out and looked at by top dog-candidates, and they have said, “Don’t you say a word of this on the radio tomorrow.” And they launch, and they tell these donors, and every time I hear it, I say, “Why don’t you say that tomorrow?” It’s the consultants combined with the fear of media. Do you remember all those times during the Bush years we’d have people call, even you, “Gosh, Rush, put him on TV and he looks like a deer in the headlights, looks like he can’t talk, sounds stupid.” And you remember all the people who would tell you, “You ought to be with this guy when there’s not a camera around. This guy can go 45 minutes without a single stutter, without repeating a word, without a pause, you ought to see this guy when the cameras aren’t around.”
How many people have you heard say that about George W. Bush? A lot. My only point is that things go on at these fundraisers or parties for donors. It’s a little looser, and these are the big money people, they’re asking questions and it’s a more relaxed atmosphere. Candidates, not just for president, for everybody, are a little bit more open and forthcoming. Because, after all, at the end of the day it’s all about money. You wouldn’t believe the number of people that brag to me over the years, “Yeah, I went to party with the president.” Really, how much money did you give? “Oh, you know about that, huh?” They wanted me to think they just got invited because they were popular.