Manchester, New Hampshire (CNN) – Ron Paul defended rival Mitt Romney Tuesday over his Monday comment that he likes having the ability to "fire people."
Texas Rep. Paul said the Republicans who are taking aim at the former Massachusetts governor over the comment are "unfairly attacking" the candidate.
"I think this is just typical politics and they're unfairly attacking him on that issue," Paul said outside a polling place at Webster School in Manchester. "He never literally said what they say he said. They're taking him way out of context."
In a speech to the Nashua Chamber of Commerce Monday, Romney said he wanted Americans to be able to switch insurance companies if they were unhappy with their service.
"I like being able to fire people who provide services to me," he said. "You know, if someone doesn't give me the good service I need, I want to say 'You know, I'm going to go get someone else to provide that service to me.'"
Paul also said Romney's history as CEO at Bain Capital, over which he has received criticism, is an example of the free market.
"You save companies, you save jobs when you reorganize companies that are going to go bankrupt," Paul said. "They don't understand."
While Romney touts his job creating past, he has increasingly come under attack for his private sector experience, with critics suggesting thousands lost jobs while he was at the helm of the venture capital company.
White House hopeful and Texas Gov. Rick Perry recently chastised Romney over the two topics while he campaigns in South Carolina.
However, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich also said Tuesday he believed Romney's comments are being misconstrued.
"His comment yesterday about liking firing people, as soon as I saw the whole quote I said it's not fair to take it out of context, he clearly was talking about the right to choose between service providers," Gingrich told reporters in Bedford, New Hampshire. "He wasn't talking about actually firing people per se."
From CNN Politics
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Senility is setting in FAST. Already he has forgotten Romney is his opponent. Please don't let this angry old man ANYWHERE near the White House. PLEASE.
Paul takes the high road again. Actually states what he believes, imagine that.
I am going to make my bold prediction on the clear winner of the Republican Primaries:
Wait for it......
The winner is: THE SWEATER VEST!!!!!
Yes, it started with just one showing on the person of Rick Santorum. But following it's surge in Iowa it showed up on Ron Paul and Mitt Romney, and soon will be spreading to the other candidates.
The only question that remains is whether the Sweater Vest will be able to defeat the Navy Blue Suit in the general election.
Alright Dana. You have a long way to go to regain any credibility in your ability to be objective. At least this is a start.
Of course it is all leftist and media concocted lies trying to smear the Republican front runner. Nothing new there! Not sure why Obama will need a BILLION dollars to get re-elected when he has the LSM doing all his dirty work for him free of charge.
I like when people stand up for the Truth ! Go Ron Paul. I am a Mitt supporter, yet if he wasn't in the race I would vote for Ron.
@Woman in California... If Ron Paul is the one who is angry, then why is he stating facts calmly while you are hysterically pleading for his non-election? Sounds to me like you are a Woman in California who needs a partner in life, perhaps someone who can show you that life is worth living peacefully, opposed to your current strategy, rage-fueled hysterics.
Paul is right. There is stuff aplenty that you can use to attack Romney without resorting to taking the MEANING of what he said out of context. However, Romney should learn, as should Gingrich and the rest of these clowns,that you have to say what you mean and mean what you say when you're running for the highest office in our land. Telling Russia that you had no intention of dropping nukes on them, even though that was literally what you said,isn't going to cut it. Presidents cannot and should not speak in such a way that the MEANING of their statements can be so easily misconstrued.
For someone who's in his, what, third run for the Presidency, Rommey is coming across as a punka$$, rank amateur.
Obama 2012.
"I like being able to fire people who provide services to me," he said.
"You know, if someone doesn't give me the good service I need, I want to say 'You know, I'm going to go get someone else to provide that service to me.'"
-----------------
How many people have you ever heard talk like that? 99% of people would say that they need to "change or drop" insurers, and most of those would not enjoy the hassle of having to make the changes.
Romney called it firing people, and seems to find a pleasure at the thought of being "able to fire People." He seemed to relish in the decision making process, and showed no sign of having experienced the hassle of making the change himself, or being on the receiving end of getting fired.
His words do not need to be chopped up. Just play the entire quote from above....and listen to the murmer of shock and awe that goes through the crowd when he says it. Watch the frantic hand movement as he tries to clean it up. He gaffed, plain and simjple. But his gaffe wasn't factual. His gaffe revealed a heretofore hidden side of his personality. The one that plays right into the picture that liberals have been painting of Romney.
The only question that remains is whether the Sweater Vest will be able to defeat the Navy Blue Suit in the general election.
------------------------
Thanks for the chuckle!
The candidates should put more effort into getting Romney mad, he gets that crazy scary eyed look when he's mad and he gets so flustered he looks like he will snap.
Credibility and principle. Paul refuses to jump on the Romney-bashing bandwagon when he sincerely believes it is wrong to do so.
Romney should have know a better way to say it; such as "If I don't like the service, I'll drop them." Yes, there was more to the sentance, but Romney is having it come back to him. His campaign had a video of Obama quoting a McCain staffer from the 2008 election that was taken completely out of context. Payback is a royal pain in the... pick a body part.
This is all they got. Way to go DNC. Wasserman-Shultz is completely out of ideas. She knows she is up a creek with no paddle. Shame on the Republican candidates for actually following this ridiculous line of thought. Like water of a duck's back, this will roll off of Mitt just like Obama will.
Ron Paul is such a class act. The guy is 100% pure honesty.
@Truth – Really??? It has been Huntsman, Perry, and Santorum that have been taking pot shots at Romney for that comment... and I agree it is totally out of context and unfair. However, after watching dozens and dozens of unfair attacks on candidate and then President Obama from the GOP, it is a bit amusing to see the GOP eating its own. That said, Ron Paul is showing some class here.
Obama will need $1B to counteract all the money that will be poured into the campaign through Super PACs by those (Koch brothers, etc) who want to further game the system to their benefit. Remember, the vast majority of Obama's money comes from individuals making small donations (average donation less than $100 and average donor gave less than $200 in 2008). Most votes in history. Most volunteers in history. Most donors in history. Obama is the President of the entire United States, not the privileged few.
He really believes in what he sais. RON PAUL 2012
@ Wish you could "tell the truth and nothing but the truth"
Sorry but the "leftist media" has not even begun to "smear" your precious con front runner the other cons are doing a great job of it on their own....and no at this rate President Obama, yes he is your President, won't need a BILLION dollars to get re-elected, it really shouldn't take any more than a couple of dollars to sufficiently trounce anyone besides Huntsman that the republicans have to offer.
Truth somebody wrote:
Of course it is all leftist and media concocted lies trying to smear the Republican front runner.
----------–
I guess you missed the sound bite of Mitt Romney expressing shock and dismay that ALL of the attacks over his words are coming from the other candidates and other conservatives. He expressed surprise that no attacks were coming from the left.
What you are seeing are signs of the long time simmering, civil war within the Republican Party between extreme elements of the Tea Party and the more moderate majority who have run the party for decades. This battle needs to play out in public with clear cut winners and losers, if the Republican Party wants regain any credibility and respect with The People.
I love Ron Paul. I hope Romney gives Ron Paul a nice position on his team at the White House.
Why should facts be considered in this case? They all lie, they are misconstrue the facts, they all put words in other people's mouths
Republicans have to be careful in speaking about Bain and corporate raiders. To rale against that, would in effect be raling against the same type of crony capitalism that the GOP has slaved to provide to the wealthy for decades thru deregulation and tax breaks for exporting jobs.
When have you ever heard a republican scream bloody murder over the predatory capitalism that pays them to stay in office?.
I find it confusing that people don't want this "angry old man" in the white house. If he is indeed angry, it's because this nation is on the verge of total collapse.
I'd be angry too, if my country has been put on its death bed by corrupt, typical, politicians.
Oh wait....I am angry, because my country is dying. Ron Paul 2012.
Ron Paul is not afraid to speak his mind. Ever. Even if that means dirty politics. He's done it to Bachmann, Santorum, Gingrich, Huntsman and most notably, Perry. I just don't understand why he seems to go out of his way to not say a thing about Romney. Now he's defending him? Granted, I see nothing wrong with Romney's "fire" comments, but why is he coming to the rescue of his rival? What gives?
This is why people love Ron Paul. Out of his mouth comes the truth.
Nice to see people defending others when they know the attacks are false. It is always nice to hear the FULL story too, not just assume...bad business there!
People are positioning themselves for the VP spot, but it won't do any good...that spot is already taken by Joe Biden for the next 5 years.
This is -on its face- a moral high-ground moment for Paul, it is clearly an angle that is cleverly conceived of by Bash/CNN to marry Paul's policy position to something distasteful that was stated by another candidate; Romney. Truth is, it is hard to find fault in Paul directly, so this is the kind of thing I would expect from CNN.
Ron Paul is a normal, down-to-earth honest man. I think that's why I like him. I don't see him as the self-centered politician that so many presidential candidates are.
I dont believe that it was as much what he said as much as how he said it. Turning to the camera the way he did and staring blindly with those cold black eyes and stating, I like to be able to fire people, said it all to me. Speech is only one form of communication, and the way I and many others took the way he said and how he said what he said to be the true meaning in his heart. Watch the video and I think you'll see what I mean.
And here's another example of why Ron Paul will never be president. When you start complimenting or defending your opponent, it's tantamount to an endorsement.
Might as well just hand Romney the nomination.
When Romney ran an ad taking what President Obama said out of context, I don't recall Ron Paul coming to the President's defence. I wonder why.
Mikey - Obama is the President of the entire United States, not the privileged few.
===========================================================
Mikey, you're posts are nothing but a series of contradictions. Obama should present ALL CITIZENS of the USA, not just the ones that he thinks deserve it. Should a rich US citizen be taken hostage abroad, will Obama value their life less than others because they are rich and heck, he can do without that evil rich person?
Obama is a class warfare buffoon because he can't run on a record of accomplishment. Because he isn't going to criss-cross the country talking about Obamacare, that a large majority want repealed, he'll instead have to find another way of getting re-elected. And that tactic is class warfare brought to us by the great divider-in-chief. Yes, his policies cannot possibility be the reason for his failures because as we all know, he is the Messiah. It must be that vast right wing evil rich person conspiracy that is keeping him and everybody else down. Yes, grab the pitchforks and torches and join the Messiah as he marches through the streets uniting America in hatred.
"You save companies, you save jobs when you reorganize companies that are going to go bankrupt," Paul said. "They don't understand."
Oh, so now it's OKAY to bail out companies?? Ron Paul keeps talking in circles. I never understood all the supporters who claim he is "honest" and 'consistent" when all he does is talk out of both sides of his mouth.
@ Mikey who succintly and TRUTHFULLY stated:
Obama will need $1B to counteract all the money that will be poured into the campaign through Super PACs by those (Koch brothers, etc) who want to further game the system to their benefit. Remember, the vast majority of Obama's money comes from individuals making small donations (average donation less than $100 and average donor gave less than $200 in 2008). Most votes in history. Most volunteers in history. Most donors in history. Obama is the President of the entire United States, not the privileged
------------------------
Mikey the truth bears repeating so that lies poorly disguised as the Truth do not take root in the fearful minds of the perpetually misinformed, and the intellectually challenged.
Thanks for your post.
I agree with Rick in AZ. Where is Dr Paul's concern about unfair attacks and taking comments out of context when the GOP is bashing President Obama?
I think we all forget what makes America... well America. Do great not good or risk being fired. Make a mistake you might end up being fired. If you miss work... you might end up fired. Being able to fire people isn't bad for a society, and should be thought of negative only to individuals. No CEO or business owner has to give you a job or keep you working. You are working to better their company and profits.... PERIOD! Jobs are meant for you to bring more income to a company than they are paying you. We are becoming a country who thinks a job has a responsibility to baby us. Take the approach that you are working to make a company better and investors money... who care nothing about you and you will succeed.
[Woman In California
Senility is setting in FAST. Already he has forgotten Romney is his opponent. Please don't let this angry old man ANYWHERE near the White House. PLEASE.]
Dear Woman In California... Did you actually READ the article? Ron Paul DEFENDED Mitt Romney's statement as taken out of context...That makes Ron Paul an honorable man, and he did not use it as an opportunistic attack...(which is probably what CNN was hoping for ...conflict makes for great news headlines/ratings). How did you come to percieve Ron Paul as being angry?
Same for Newt clarifying Romney's sounde byte..While .I do not agree with Newt Gingrich's positions on the issues, at least he did the right thing and come to another candidate's defense when it was an honest gaff.
Ron Paul for President!
the newt has lost all support... hail mary passes wont work..
Remember, the vast majority of Obama's money comes from individuals making small donations (average donation less than $100 and average donor gave less than $200 in 2008).
=======================================================================================
Right.... Which is why Obama holds campaign fundraisers that raise MILLIONS charging $35,000 a couple! Yeah, a real man of the "people" he is. Next joke. Obama is bought and paid for like everybody else. His owners are the trial lawyers, labor unions, green jobs scam artists, etc. Open your eyes once in a while.
@cf.. since when is reoganizing bailing out??? Reorganisations do not require federal funds.
"Truth somebody wrote:
Of course it is all leftist and media concocted lies trying to smear the Republican front runner.
----–
I guess you missed the sound bite of Mitt Romney expressing shock and dismay that ALL of the attacks over his words are coming from the other candidates and other conservatives."
-
To be fair, the Dems are about to release the hounds on Mittens for his out-of-touch completely insensitive (or should I say insensate?) inability to relate to the middle class and poor and his blatantly ridiculous attempts to pretend that he does. That doesn't change that Dingbat and Nothing but a Dingbat is completely full of guano when he blames all the attacks entirely on the "leftist LSM" or some other nonsense. Simple fact is that Santorum and Newtered and the rest went rabid on Mittens with what really amount to classically liberal criticisms of his corporate wh-ring plutocrat lifestyle and are forcing the issue earlier than the Dems would actually prefer, leaving them no choice but to join in the pigpile on Mittens now rather than later.
Truth. . . -Your post are usually out and out lies. Thanks to you, I don't have to tune into foreign owned media, Fox, to find out what the crazy right wingnuts are being told to say. I, like most Americans, have had enough of the division and republican created class warfare over the last 30 years.
Question to the right wingnuts, "Since Mittens' dad was born in Mexico, is Mittens an anchor baby? I can see the bumper sticker now, "Mittens/Marco anchor babies for 2012."
Truth knows no politics.
I thought the same thing as Dr. Paul when I saw Romney being attacked on those statements. This, coming from someone who seriously dislikes Romney as both a politician and a human. I seriously can't stand that liar. But those are out-of-context ad hominem attacks being waged upon him. Kudos to Paul for denying bias its frequent attempts to shroud the truth.
Vote truth! Ron Paul 2012!
Uh-oh. Looks like Rove's Plan to Elect the Next Neocon Robot has moved into Phase 2.
He's just telling the truth (Doctor, take that Politicians temperature). It was blown out of propotion. The thing Romney needs to worry about is a survey showing that us Independents make up 40% of voters. And most of us like what Ron Paul is saying. Not electable? If the Election was held today between him and Obama? Obama would walk away with his tail between his legs while licking his wounds.
Sounds like someone has switched over to running for Vice President.
@Truth, well said, but the liberals on here have blinders so thick that no light of real truth gets through. I suppose they are just to racist against white people to see the real truth.
I respect Ron Paul for standing up for the truth not like others unfairly attack Romney (shame on them). I am a Romney supporter however Ron Paul will be my 2nd pick. Anyway, Republicans need to be united not attack each other and give democrat a chance be reelected again.
Sounds like Paul is looking for a VP running mate meal ticket!
Ron Paul isn't ever going to be politically expedient. He could have thrown Romney under the bus. Yet he said what he believes, even if it isn't what people would expect.
what about when mitt took obama's word out of context? double standard i call that.
Dana Bash practicing yellow journalism.
Instead of attacking Ron Paul she smears him with an apologists view for her preferred candidate. She needs to be fired and her managers need to be demoted. She's not objective and is actively spreading propaganda.
150 years ago, tar and feathers
300 years ago. Look to the French.
When journalists give up or sell their Fourth Estate responsibilities they damage the country and must be held accountable for their actions.
Sadly, Ron Paul showed a remarkable lack of intellectual ability in defending Romney's record at Bain. Paul obviously doesn't have his facts straight, as he assumed (as some of our resident extreme right radicals do here) they were "failing" companies. That's not what Bain and vulture capitalism is all about. They strip assets to sell off, then offload the pensions (the ones they raided beforehand) onto the US taxpayer via the Pension Guaranty system. Romney is a psychopathic predator who preyed up workers, businesses and the US taxpayer, It is stunning that Ron Paul is not aware of these well-known facts about Bain's business model.
@common, unfortunately that is the reality the liberals don't like. They want to keep people "down" and dependent on the government dole so they can stay in power.
"Because he isn't going to criss-cross the country talking about Obamacare, that a large majority want repealed,"
Well, if you're gonna jump on the "huge majority" bandwagon, why aren't YOU and your GOBP deathcult supporting the two thirds of America that want the millionaire's surtax and an end to the Bush tax cuts for the filthy rich?
As for your repeal comment itself, I think you'll find the polls are worded differently and the result reflect the opinions of those who wanted a better ACA, not no ACA.
These RP freaks are scary.
"And most of us like what Ron Paul is saying. Not electable? If the Election was held today between him and Obama? Obama would walk away with his tail between his legs while licking his wounds."
HAHAHAHAHAHA. Obama beats Paul as follows:
Reuters/Ipsos 1/5 – 1/9 48 41 Obama +7
CBS News 1/4 – 1/8 46 45 Obama +1
CNN/Opinion Research 12/16 – 12/18 52 45 Obama +7
PPP 12/16 – 12/18 46 41 Obama +5
ABC News/Wash Post 12/15 – 12/18 49 44 Obama +5
Rasmussen Reports 12/10 – 12/11 43 35 Obama +8
NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl 12/7 – 12/11 50 37 Obama +13
McClatchy/Marist 11/8 – 11/10 49 41 Obama +8
Average...Obama 47.9, Paul 41.1...Obama +6.8
But hey, whatever helps you sleep at night pal.
Rick in AZ – RIGHTON. They will NEVER answer that. Not sensibility anyway.
Gurgi-Which show on foreign owned media, Fox, gives you the 'light of real truth?' Conservatives are an embarrassment to our country. They have created $12 trillion of our national debt, almost destroyed the country with their near depression, and have put their bigotry ahead of moving our country out of the Bush debacle.
Why is Ron Paul defending Bain Capital?
Bain Capital's own web site says they help outsource jobs to other countries.
When Romney was running for Governor, Bain Capital was moving IT jobs from Massachusetts to communist China.
"@Truth, well said, but the liberals on here have blinders so thick that no light of real truth gets through. I suppose they are just to racist against white people to see the real truth."
LOL!!! Yesterday you falsely claimed all I post is emotion with no facts in reply to a post in which I clearly pointed out facts you conveniently ignore. Specifically, two thirds of America want a millionaire's surtax and an end to the Bush tax cuts for the filthy rich. I then point out correctly that the GOBP deathcult refuses to acknowledge that previous stated fact. This you insanely describe as being emotion without substance.
If you want to see who "on here have blinders so thick that no light of real truth gets through" check the mirror, dude.
Truth-The real owners of Mittens are the Kochs, Rove, Wall Street, and who knows how many foreign governments.
If you look up "honest" in the dictionary, Ron Paul's picture is there. He is a man with absolutely no guile. He may be the most honest candidate for president we have had in over a century. I cannot see who anyone would call him an "angry old man."
I keep hearing he is "unelectable," and that may be a sad truth. It appears you need to be able to lie and waffle on situations to ever successfully navigate the horrendous circuit of primaries and caucuses that pave the billion dollar road to the presidential election.
Now i see what Ron Paul has to do to get some quotes/coverage on CNN: talk about Mitt Romney!
The truth and nothing but? More like the truth will never come out of me. When President Obama calls for millionaires to pay taxes at the same rate as the middle class, he's invoking class warfare. What would you call it when Republicans bash union workers and try to prevent them from trying to get a decent life for their families? What would you call the GOP effort to make it more difficult for minorities, the young, and the old to register to vote? What about the plans to kill Medicare and Social Security? We have seen class warfare, and it is firmly entrenched in the Republican platform.
And this is way Ron Paul is a better man than all the other candidates and pretty much every other politician out there. I'm a liberal, and from a policy perspective, I think Ron Paul would do more harm than good as President. I'm voting for Obama regardless of which Republican makes it through this gauntlet. But if we are to judge politicians by standards such as intelegence, purity of conviction, consistency of action... along with the the general ability to keep it real... Paul is better than any of them, including Obama.
I bet Romney would not defend Paul on any issues..These republican are class clowns
Ron, I respectfully dissagree! All across this nation, there are "repesentatives" that need be dismissed. Isn't necessarily enjoyable though yet necessary. When politicians aren't representing responsibly, the responsible thing to do is replace them with those who provide the leadership expected of them. Govenor Romney is not a qualified candidate in this regard. You are. Go Ron Paul!
Shocking that the hack "report", Dana Bash, didn't try to twist Paul's words to suit her own agenda.
I wonder what the paulinites are gonig to say now. Your leader in age is for the same thing you have blogged against the $250M flip flopper. Mitts by himself is bad for the US if he picks this back to 1860s clown he will be doing what mcnasty did with the she devil from AK.
I think that for these candidates who have never had to worry where the next paycheck came from or have been fired (since most of them had government jobs and have health care and pensions for the rest of their sorry lives) they can't really know what it is to lose your job when you buy and sell a company!
All of them are so out of touch with the working poor and the vanishing middle class that it's pathetic!
Well, taken out of context or not, I'll bet you ten thousand dollars he wish he hadn't said it.
If you look up "honest" in the dictionary, Ron Paul's picture is there. He is a man with absolutely no guile. He may be the most honest candidate for president we have had in over a century. I cannot see who anyone would call him an "angry old man."
Honest? Really? He claims to be an admirer of the late Martin Luther King but yet voted AGAINST having a holiday named after him (more than once). Truly amazing.
That angry old man is the head of the TEA(KKK)Party and is one the main members of the do nothing Republican Party. Republican keep saying Obama's bad polices are bring this country down but What polices the republicans/tea party keep blocking. Mexican-Americans for Obama 2012
@Wire,,,,,funny, but conservatives and centrist independents like myself, have the same opinion about liberals.
Paul has spent the entire campaign attacking his true conservative opponents while avoiding attacking liberal-in- conservative-clothing Romney. Paul's actions to date have left me disappointed. Now he's defending Romney?!? Finally, I see the light. He's a shill for Romney!
Ron will never see the Oval Office – unless he goes for a tour; it's just the way it is.
Because he isn't going to criss-cross the country talking about Obamacare, that a large majority want repealed,
------
How often do you have these delusions of grandeur? Or are you just that much of a dolt that you think that "a large majority" means you and the anchors at Fox News?
Ron Paul has class!!!
To Dominican Mama for Osama: I agree that anyone representing the United States, especially as President, should say exactly what he means. I seriously doubt any of the Republican "clowns" would EVER bow down to a Saudi Arabian Prince, or say that the United States is "not a Christian nation" anymore. They would give more thought to that before ever saying something so absurd. The highest office in the land should have respect for it's citizens and the country, and never, ever forget WHO they are suposed to be serving. The PEOPLE – not a third world philosophy.
Paul is CRAZY!!!
"@Wire,,,,,funny, but conservatives and centrist independents like myself, have the same opinion about liberals."
Opinions are like butts; everyone has one. What facts support your opinions?
Ron's the only honest candidate. When will people see this?
Hey Dana, Don't "worry" so much about Ron Paul being a "spoiler" for another candidate. He will win because WE NEED SPOILERS right now. –cheers, and say hi to John.
Ron Paul 2012.
@uscguy77,,,,You have to be careful. Liberals don't like it when you point out an inconvenient truth about Obama, who campaigned in the "57" states in 08. An interesting slip of the tongue, there happens to be 57 islamic states. Hmmm, maybe that is where he was campaigning?????
Paul is right and anyone who read the comment and doesn't agree with what Romney said is a communist, and I don't like Romney.
Woman In California
These RP freaks are scary
------------------------
Naw my friend, they are desperate, and frustrated. They cannot understand why their looney tune candidate who endorses "separate but equal" is just not taking hold. How many times has Paul run for President? I've lost count, but they figure "surely he can beat the Black guy if they jsut gave him a chance; after all the trouble we've gone through to setback the economy and the job situation, jeez, if he doesn't get the nomination now up against these other jokers he never will".
That's how they are feeling.
This is Paul Revere's last ride....and his supporters know it.
Never mind them.
Now wait a minute here folks – don't get all mad at Mitt just because he likes to fire people! That's the privilege he deserves for being born wealthy: the pleasure of watching other people beg for their lives and the greater pleasure of refusing! That's freedom, folks! That's what I want to give America! Folks? Hey, stop! Where are you going? Aw, shucks!
To all the Paul supporters out there, there is a program called Phone From Home and you can volunteer to call voters on behalf of the Ron Paul campaign. It's an awesome way to help get Dr. Paul the nomination. Google "Ron Paul Phone From Home".
Ron Paul 2012
To all the Paul supporters out there, there is a program called Phone From Home and you can volunteer to call voters on behalf of the Ron Paul campaign. It's an awesome way to help get Dr. Paul the nomination. Google "Ron Paul Phone From Home".
Ron Paul 2012
Gurgi – You, a centrist independent? Get real. No, you really think that after all the baseless and factless attacks against the current presidency you still want to pretend that you are not a far right-winger.
Get real...
@CF
"You save companies, you save jobs when you reorganize companies that are going to go bankrupt," Paul said. "They don't understand."
Oh, so now it's OKAY to bail out companies?? Ron Paul keeps talking in circles. I never understood all the supporters who claim he is "honest" and 'consistent" when all he does is talk out of both sides of his mouth.
__________________________________________________________________________
You're clueless. He's not talking about Government Bail Outs...he's talking about going into a company, in a free market system style of society as he belives in, and doing what needs to be done to keep the company from going bankrupt, thereby saving jobs. He's talking about exactly what he states his opinion is. Letting the private company deal with the private company from the inside.
I take back my previous statement...you're not clueless...you're an idiot.
Rudy NYC you are FIRED !!!
I would like to see Ron Paul as Secretary of Treasury in Romney's administration. I also would like to thank Mr. Paul for his courage to stand up to nasty Newt and wicked Perry. ROMNEY ALL THE WAY TO THE WHITE HOUSE!
Only Ron Paul is pro-peace, pro-freedom, pro-life, pro-right-to-bear-arms and anti-NYC-bankster bailouts.
It has started. The people are finally opening their eyes. They are coming out of the old age and stepping into the new. They are finally paying attention. The true change you have been looking for has arrived. Do not be fooled. Do the research and get informed.
Ron Paul 2012
...but I thought corporations are people! Why, if corporations are people, and he wants to be able to fire corporations then that means–He DOES love firing people! Oh no! Let us all overreact!
@Rudy: I read in your earlier post that some people have urged you to run for office. Suggestion: Put your name on a ballot somewhere and include all those Left Wing editorials you post every day! Then sit back and watch how your elitist, self-indulged BS washes with people that don't spend their lives pontificating on Liberal blogs like this one! It might help provide a little more clarity and get that inflated ego of yours in check for once!
I can't remember if Pail defended the President when the President's quote on we have been lazy.
It's not about WHAT Romney said, it's HOW he said it. yes we as americans have the right to fire anyone we want if they're not providing the services we are paying them for. But no one "enjoys" doing it! and that's the problem with these republican candidates, they don't have any problem firing someone with a smile on their faces! The only decent one is John Huntsman, and i'm a democrat!!!
Republicans are nothing but a joke and bullies when they don't get their way!
OBAMA 2012!!!!
JOHN HUNTSMAN 2016!!!!!
Ron Paul is a square guy, and is personally quite refreshing. I like to see him campaigning even though he will never win a nomination, let alone the presidency.
I'm glad Ron Paul recognizes the truth here. Honestly, considering all of the times that these candidates speak publicly, it's amazing that they misspeak so few times. For anyone to criticize Mitt for the "fire" remark is ridiculous, including many of the commenters here. Have you people ever misspoken in a conversation? Said something that doesn't *quite* articulate what you were thinking? I think perfection is an unrealistic expectation for us to have of any political candidate.
Dominican mama 4 Obama you're right.
Poor things.
The highest office in the land should have respect for it's citizens and the country, and never, ever forget WHO they are suposed to be serving. The PEOPLE – not a third world philosophy.
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A man does not diminish in rank when he acknowledges wrongs and tries to right them. Yes even with an apology if necessary.
We screwed, disrespected, and pissed off A LOT of nations all over the world. They left us in the lurch in Iraq in a final act of basically telling us and our arrogant, ignorant, and bullying leadership: go screw yourselves you're on your own. We were being told to claim being Canadians if travelling abroad; they were throwing shoes at President Bush.
Now the difference is PALPABLY different. Nations align their efforts alongside ours in defeating tyrants, and evil. They come to our assistance in our time of need; our President is awarded the highest honor in the land as a Nobel Laureate, and respected and admired by millions not only at home but worldwide.
What was your point again?
Woman in California cannot think for herself. Just because you dont support a holiday in someone's honor doesnt mean you are against everything the person stands for. Some people just dont want any holidays that honor individual people. They prefer holidays that honor ideas. For example, Medgar Evars and Malcom X both gave their lives for civil rights just like Dr. King, do they deserve a holiday? Maybe, maybe not, depends on who you ask. Maybe your hero is Malcolm X. If we had "Civil Rights Day" opposed to MLK day I'd endorse it. I'm the least racist person I know......I like to judge people by their character (sound familiar?) but I think MLK day was a bad idea. Our values as a country should honor ideas, not people. Honoring people is political, but honoring ideas defines values. But you dont think or yourself, you think what you are told.
For me, it's Ron Paul or Obama. Romney isn't in the question, and the USA can't afford to go to war.
Most of the comments here are saying the same thing: he's not applying politics to his statements, he's just speaking the truth. This doesn't mean he's setting himself up for Vice President or senile or talking out of both sides of his mouth. It just means he's saying it like it is. Maybe Romney's comment gave people a bad vibe based on his "beady eyes" but, the reality is that Romney's comments are in line with the vast majority of the US...if someone or some company isn't providing quality service, we enjoy having the freedom to fire them and hire someone who's more effective. Who in their right mind is going to argue that viewpoint? And, to switch topics, Paul's foreign policy is dead on accurate if you look at the state of our country yet, people want to act is if he's crazy for opening us up to endless terrorist attacks. In case you missed it, all he's saying is this: A) Iran won't use a nuclear weapon even if they get it because they'll be destroyed the same day...therefore, there is no REAL risk and B) our military involvement in these other countries is bankrupting us, pissing everyone off (i.e. it is the singular reason that every terrorist organization gives for wanting to bomb us and probably the number one reason free people around the world consider us war mongers and unreasonable), and completely the opposite of what our founding fathers had in mind. He wants to keep our defenses high while redistributing our active military budget back into our country so we won't continue losing our jobs and homes...not to mention the side benefit of no longer relying on the largest communist country in the world for cash. If that's crazy, I'm crazy. Finally, for those of you who think we were attacked on 9/11 for being free and having wealth, you are in denial. I can list 10 other countries who are free and wealthy and yet do not induce the rage of these people nor suffer their attacks. Not to mention the fact that they've repeatedly told us exactly why they're attacking us...our occupation and the killing of their citizens. If this were reversed and we were all poor and surrounded by Al Queda bases who constantly spied on us, controlled our government, and killed our people, I think there's a good chance we'd have just as many "extremists" looking for revenge. Romney is a talking head and Ron Paul, while not the most effective speaker, is so far beyond the current candidates in forward thinking that, unfortunately, it leaves him describing concepts that few can understand. Ron Paul 2012
I love Ron Paul. This guy's integrity knows no bounds. What a class act!
America could do with a good dose of that honor of his.
Honest words from an honest man. That's why I admire Ron Paul because he doesn't think twice before he tells the truth
Joe4808 – Rudy NYC you are FIRED !!!
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Technically I do believe you gotta have a job before you can be fired....
I don't think I ever see our joker of a President saying anything is right that might conflict with re-election plans. The Ron Paul's of the world are too moral and ethical to get elected in this day in age.
The republican primaries are a circus, and the candidates are all clowns.
Truth and blah, blah...
Leftist media? It's his own party that is attacking him, you knuckle-dragging dolt!
Granted the "fire" was taken out of context however, there is no person I know that leaves an insurance company out of poor service and says they "fired" that company. They may leave one insurance company for better service to another but I've never heard someone say they "fired" the company. And so it is the mindset and choice of words that give insight to Romney and that further links his mindset to Bain.
Do all you RonPaulbots reallythink he speaks the truth? Perhaps you think he really didn't write that junk that came out under his name in his newsletter. Or that he never read it. The man is as much of an opportunistic prevaricator as the rest of the GOP hopefuls
Dr. Paul is my Hero. He deserves the Noble Peace Prize. An E-x Obama supporter.
"The reality is, that our military presence on foreign soil is as offensive to the people that live there, as armed Chinese troops would be, if they were stationed in Texas." – Ron Paul.
@ seriously:
I happen to agree with Ron Paul's view of our military presence throughout the world. And I completely concur, personally, with your breakdown of why we are a terrorist target. Yet Paul, IMO, would turn us into isolationists and that is an extreme that won't work. Just as importantly, if not more, is the fact that under Paul I wouldn't be able to sit in any restaurant in this country and talk this over with you over a cup of coffee.
I think the voters should take a lesson from this and do a bit of firing right now, at the polls. Romney and his merry band of profiteers and their Republican supporters in congress should get the ax the nest time they stand for election or reelection.
It's not taking it out of context. The context is simple. Mittens is sooo very "in touch and in tune" with the suffering middle class and poor during these "difficult economic times"...after all, Mittens is also "unemployed" dontcha know....that he said something which, taken at face value, is two things: (1) precisely the kind of language he uses in his thoughts because he spent umpteen years as a coroprate raider and that, I'm sorry to say, is precisely the kind of objectifying language and perspective they have of all the "little people" their multi-million dollar decisions scatter to the four corners like so much flotsam and (2) is the knid of sloppy, insensitive remark that showcases his inability to put himself in the shoes of his audience in order to hear what they will hear when his words come out of his mouth...i.e., he can't relate and doesn't understand the average, struggling person or their everyday hardships and how it effects their entire lives and perspective. Rondroid can beg for the VP slot all he wants, but the Mittens ticket is a ticket to nowhere.
America has such an opportunity...an honest, non partisan Constitutionalist! The founding fathers would have voted for Paul, and I'm going to too. Do your homework, and don't believe the smear campaign...the establishment fears him. The Federal Reserve is shaking in their boots.
@Dominican
You have got to be kidding, right? Respected around the world? Really??? Please give me tangible examples of how we are so much more respected and/or liked. Iran? No. Pakistan? Not so much. Afghanistan. Nahh. Palestinian situation? They went to the U.N. against our wishes. Russia? Sure, keep telling yourself that. China? Nope. Shall I go on???
Ron Paul, the only person running for president who is actually, well, a person. that's right, I'm fully convinced the rest of the GOP contenders are robots, that they would all fail the Turing Test, and that their robot heads would explode and hundreds of thousands of little bureaucrats and CEO's would come scrambling out of their robot necks demanding our money and our freedom, and Ron Paul would be standing there, laugh a little, and then continue explaining Austrian Economics and the principles of Liberty.
Ron Paul, 2012
@Dominican
You should go look up the term "isolationist" because Ron Paul is absolutely not one. Typical hyperbole to try and get your point across rather than tell the truth. Does Paul want to trade with foreign countries? Absolutely. Therefore, you are being intellectually dishonest in your assessment. Or you are just not telling the truth.
I'm quite shocked at how many men in uniform support Ron Paul. He's not an angry man. He's a realist. With a decent supporting cast I'm sure he would be the next Roosevelt. RP12!!!!!
Romney said he likes firing people. And he had a gleam in his eye like the Marquis de Sade. Ever had a boss who liked making people miserable? That's what Romney reminded me of. I don't care if he said it about people or a corporation. Anyone who gets that much happiness from dismissing others has something wrong in their core.
When he made this comment Saturday night during the debate it was not associated with health care. I don't mind clarification later, but he was refering at the time to business in general. The Bain practices could have been considered as exploitive if he had such a simple attitude. That kind of profit would in no way cure the current economic problems.
Turns out I was for Ron Paul before I knew there was a Ron Paul.
Sounds like Ron Paul is hoping for a VP spot on the ticket. Rick Perry is an idiot to even make an issue out of this.
You would think Ron Paul was working for Mitt Romney, he took down Newt Gingrinch with the "serial hypocrisy " add. Then has taken several shot at Gingrich. Ron Paul is owed a serious fruit basket, when this is all said and done.
Paul wants to fire most of our government. He is an anarchist who offer simplistic solutions for complex problems. This is appealing to people too young or too unaware to understand the complexity of today's world. If these folks could comprehend what America would be like if his vision was reality they'd find another candidate. For example, if we actually tried to defend America with four submarines, ostensibly armed with strategic nuclear weapons, our only solution for any problem requiring military capabilities would be a multi-megaton nuclear strike. This is the problem with Ron Paul – he puts out half-baked sound bites and the naive think it might actually work. He's an old man who's lost touch with the world and needs to go back to Lake Jackson and retire – take John McCain with him...
Oops, I meant several shots at Santorum.
Of course it's 'an example of the free market', Ron - but there are other examples, like in the HongKong tenements, of the free market too! Get back with us on libertarianism when the economy isn't in a ditch and we can better afford to experiment, OK? On paper your ideas look great though, Doc!
All those that are saying that Ron Paul wants to be VP have no idea what they are talking about-Us Paulbots know that he would never do it--Romney has so many other issues, but Ron Paul knows that out of context attacks are below him.
@ Larry L that stated "For example, if we actually tried to defend America with four submarines, ostensibly armed with strategic nuclear weapons, our only solution for any problem requiring military capabilities would be a multi-megaton nuclear strike. This is the problem with Ron Paul – he puts out half-baked sound bites and the naive think it might actually work. He's an old man who's lost touch with the world and needs to go back to Lake Jackson and retire – take John McCain with him..."
When did Ron Paul say that he'd cut our military to 4 submarines? You're just another one-of-them. Oh, what are the words I'm looking for... Ah yes! Fear-mongering idiots.
Since when is "firing people" not actually "firing people per se."? Clinton tried this semantic game with the verb "to be." Now the Tea/Repubs try it with firing people. What's next, "black is white, up is down, truth is lies."?
These criticisms are truly idiotic – exactly why I would never vote for someone like Huntsman and Santorum.
These criticisms are the most idiotic thing I've ever heard – exactly why Santorum and Huntsman would never get my vote.
@Sniffit
Even if it wasn't taken out of context, which it clearly was, what's the problem? I like being able to take my business elsewhere (fire them) if they are not performing the services to my satisfaction. This is capitalism, which you clearly do not agree with from reading all of your angry and hateful posts.
Good for Ron Paul.
Huntsman took Romney's comments out of context and distorted their meaning. This is the same as lying outright. The last thing politics needs is another liar, Mr. Huntsman.
Ron Paul has the best chance against Obama. He is pulling in the young voters that Obama had last election. He is pulling in democrats upset with the way Obama has run things. He is getting much of the independent voters. Add that to the die hard libertarian GOP and he is the next pres.
The people who are trashing Dr. Paul didn't listen to Mitt Romney's comment's. I heard all of it, and everyone except Dr. Paul who understood what Mitt Romney meant. However Ron Paul has the only plan to truly cut spending–it's on his webpage. Others do not have a plan, just saying what they'll do to restore economic prosperity to this country. Ron Paul 2012! Restore America Now! Legalize Freedom!
Well now I can't vote for Romney because if Ron Paul defends him, there must be something wrong with him. I guess I am left with Googling to find out which candidate Chuck Norris is endorsing this go around and voting for that guys...
As an "Independent" voter, (once registered republican) I have to say, as much as it pains me, to say Mitt Romney is right, I would ABSOLUTELY LOVE to be able to fire all the "politicians" who "work" for me and everyone else in the country, and I mean ALL. He was spot on when he said to fire the persons who do not provide the services they were hired for, and hire people who WILL. You want the work to get done? STOP spoiling your employees, letting them run their own agenda through their workplace, SOME people can't even make a personal phone call on company time, yet these fools can use their positions to increase their private pocketbooks? WE NEED A PURGE. I know this is not what he meant by his comment, however, I hope this can stir the voters to vote with their minds clear, wallets firmly shut, and opinions and feelings undaunted by politicians' ideological rantings, and deceptive campaign ads.
Tom L. – But what if your 'satisfaction' (huge profits) demands that you fire people regardless of how good or bad they are performing their jobs? What if your 'satisfaction' can only exists on such a situation, because get a profit without firing people and selling everything but the kitchen (or perhaps not even them) from the companies you 'bought' or 'invested in' is like... hard work (and you're not up for that, you weren't born for that).
Is this still acceptable for you?
@ Rudy NYC
Comon, are you serious. Sounds like you need to listen with your ears to what he said, wether its fire or change, you and everyone knew what he meant. What kinda of person running for the country's highest office would enjoy firing people when so many are out of jobs, listen more.
The criticisms are not idiotic or overboard. We could easily accept I suppose, that he meant the he likes having the choice. Would that satisfy most of you defenders? That's what he meant?
Now try this one. Anybody with an ounce of compassion and especially someone who fronts to be a smart as Romney purports to be, would at least show some empathy by commenting to the effect that it is an unfortunate situation. But he didn't. He relished in his powerful presence about his ability to "fix the problem" by termination. Like he did for Bain. Remember? No? No one wants to remember or care for that matter. "Just defeat Obama!" A spoken mantra.
Marcus,
First of all, that is not what he was talking about. However, the short answer is...yes. This is America. You answer to the bottom line. It is not up to you or me to determine what "huge profits" are. IMHO I think it's better to worry about yourself and not what other people make. We have got to stop this. It is not any of my business or yours what someone else makes.
Ron Paul continues to impress me.
I think Romney should fire half of Washington as his first act as POTUS.
Once again, Ron Paul shows that he's real and honest. He knows that the media wants to twist Romney's small words. Romney's right; if someone sucks at something, you get someone else who can do it right. There's no way I would vote for Romney, but if this is the best controversy anyone can come up with, then Romney's not doing too bad in the GOP clown car show.
Romney said "I like to be ABLE to fire people" – what's the problem with that. He did not say "I like to fire people." Why are some folks finding this objectionable at all? Do we really want a society where we should not be ABLE to fire people (or companies)?
Absolutely shocking to think that a candidate would put the truth before politics. Who doesn't want that from a president!?
Ron Paul is right, again.
Too bad that while Romney was busy saving some money for rich people and protecting their interests he was wrecking the lives of the little guy. You know, the ones that actually work for a living.
Ron Paul is a man of conviction – I respect him for that. He has bad ideas and misunderstands economics (basically he has an econ 101 level of understanding without comprehension of institutional economics, transaction costs, externalities, and so on), but at least the man is honest. I can't say that about many politicians.
For the sake of our country, please take a couple hours to read what Ron Paul it is all about. My God people, we have so lost our way that Newt Gingrich was a viable candidate! Our country needs a president with solutions. Paul HAS SOLUTIONS! Paul is the last congressman with integrity. He is the only congressman who doesn't play politics like a game. Please read. Please educate yourself. Take a few steps back from your own situation and consider what the country needs. Consider what future generations will need. We need to get back to basics and make the united states of america a country we can all be proud of again.
Tom L. – Yes this is America, as if I did not knew that.
And that's a false answer.
I am NOT criticizing what he said. It was taken out of its contest and was turned into what it wasn't by his political rivals within his own party.
That's a fact.
Another one is that if your definition of success is downsizing everything you can, fire anyone you can and leave behind but ashes, because all along you were giving to yourself a huge paycheck for those actions...
...then your definition of 'success' and mine are very different and irreconciliable.
Success has nothing to do with this conversation. I just think it's sad that we are so concerned with what others make. It is not for you or I to judge what is too much. There are laws in place so that employees are not exploited. If they cut, they cut not to be mean, but to be more profitable and I just don't think it's for you or I to judge. If an individual is valuable to the company and helps improve its bottom line, then an employer would be foolish to get rid of them.
Woman In California
Ron Paul defended Romney because he puts principles above political point scoring. Nothing lends more credibility to a politician than defending an opponent when not doing so would score political points. He has said some things I don't agree with, but when it comes to integrity no one comes close to Ron Paul.
Ahhhh the media. The media. The true politicians of this country.
This is why Pauls numbers want go up, when your running against the guy who wants the same job as you, why defend him? Let the chips fall were they lay! Attack one week defend the next day, No Way!
Ron Paul is a national disgrace. The guy has no knowledge of history or economics, and yet writes wacko books and articles about reinstating the gold standard or eliminating the Fed. And, yea, let's eliminate all the government regulations while we are at it too - the very ones that people have struggled to pass into laws over the past couple hundred years at great personal dedication and sacrifice. I sure don't want a weird Ron Paul vision of life in the 1700s. Go away Ron Paul. PLEASE GO AWAY!
Ron Paul has class,, he knows the comment was out of context and a wasted arguement better time spent discussing an issue.
It would be great if this article was written as a way to show Ron Paul's honesty and integrity, even when dealing with a political opponent, but if you note who the author is......and have followed her recent attempts to derail Paul's momentum after being asigned by CNN to cover his campaign you will read between the lines and realize that its just her attempt to provide some damage control for a potential stumbling block for Rommney (the establishments pick for president)
The purpose of a business is to create wealth, not to give people jobs.
Of course. The Tea Party is nothing but a shill for corporate America.
Then he follows it with : "They don't understand."
Here's the truth of the matter. When someone spends that much time spilling words out of their mouths, they are going to eventually say what they really mean. And I think, they have both said exactly what they believe, that they are in the single-digit percentage of Americans that want control for control's sake.
Good for Congressman Paul. I was disappointed that Huntsman took this cheap shot line of attack. Not at all surprised that Gingrich did. Also disappointed at the Dems who jumped on board.
If you have to lie to defend your ideology, maybe your ideology is a lie.
It doesn't surprise me that these republican insiders are attacking Romney like this. And Ron Paul is a good man with integrity. The truth is...Romney is also a good man. He has proven himself successful in both politics and business, and he has done so without becoming a Washington insider. This country needs a president who has the balls to FIRE all those people Obama has yet to get rid of. I don't think Romney will flinch for a second. Romney will be Washington's worst nightmare.
The record is there .. perhaps that’s why Mitt and his surrogates want to shut down any discussion of his business record.
Just one example:
Mitt Romney’s company engaged in Medicare Fraud at the expense of taxpayers, the government, and seniors so he could make more money for himself and his wealthy friends.
In fact, Mitt Romney and Bain made large profits from the sale of a medical testing company whose revenues were generated in part from a criminal scheme to fraudulently bill the federal Medicare system for unnecessary blood tests.
Mitt Romney personally made $473,000 when Corning Inc. purchased Damon Corp. Bain made a profit of $7.4 million.
In 1996, Damon Corp. pleaded guilty a federal conspiracy charge of defrauding the government of $25 million between 1988 and 1993.
Mitt Romney personally served on the board of Damon from 1990-1993.
The company paid a fine of $119 million for Medicare Fraud. At that time, its was the largest fine in history for Medicare Fraud. The Medicare fraud scheme was described by then the US Attorney as “a case, pure and simple, of corporate greed run amok.”
Wow, shows how screwed up your values are. Paul is the only honest man in the race, and the only true conservative and constitutionalist. Romney is not a bad guy, just to liberal for me. Paul believes in balancing the budget and living within our means. If that's crazy then you MUST be from California, the must underwater state in the nation.
"Ron Paul continues to impress me.
I think Romney should fire half of Washington as his first act as POTUS."
If you want that to happen, vote for Paul. That's high on his list.
The "fire" comment was taken completely out of context not by any of Romney's political opponents, but by ratings-hungry reporters and producers who can't seem to do their jobs without generating unnecessary controversy. The media in this country has infused politics, as well as virtually other aspect of our society, with drama more fitting of a trashy reality TV show. It's sad what our world has come to.