Mitt Romney Says He Is ‘Not Concerned About the Very Poor’

Taken out of context, it doesn’t come as a total surprise, and that’s the problem for Romney. It’s not the kind of sound bite the trust fund candidate wants on the record.

Here’s what Romney said in full: “I’m not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there. If it needs repair, I’ll fix it. I’m not concerned about the very rich. They’re doing just fine. I’m concerned about the very heart of America, the 90/95 percent of Americans who right now are struggling and I’ll continue to take that message across the nation.”

There’s a lot wrong with that statement. Obviously the “very poor” are not doing just fine, unless by “poor” Romney means people who make only six figures. Also, with one-third of Americans either living in poverty or on their way down, that group would have to be included in the 90/95 percent Romney claims to be focused on.

Rival campaigns will surely distort Romney’s words, cutting the governor off at “I’m not concerned about the very poor,” and that will resonate with voters because Romney is a wealthy man who wants to give his friends at the club a tax break. But even in context, the statement betrays how little Romney understands about the economy and the people who are suffering under present conditions. Either that or he’s lying. As inconsistent as the candidate can be, it’s just as easy to believe he’s simply out of touch. — PZS

Hat tip to Political Wire.