Romney gives cash to struggling supporter at rally
Sumter, South Carolina (CNN) - Mitt Romney gave a handful of cash Saturday to a woman who had told him she was struggling financially after an event in Sumter, South Carolina.
An aide said the GOP candidate gave the supporter "what he had on him" - about $50 or $60.
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The woman, Ruth Williams, met Romney earlier in the week and told him she was having trouble making ends meet. On Saturday, Romney recognized Williams while he was shaking hands with supporters after a rally, an aide said.
Romney spoke to the woman and handed her several bills.
"He was kind to me," Williams said. "He held onto me and he made Gov. [Nikki] Haley and them come see about me."
Williams told reporters that on Wednesday she had seen Romney's campaign bus on the highway and followed it to an airport. Aides then invited her to come meet the former governor at an event in Columbia.
"I was on the highway praying and said, 'God, tell me how to get [my] lights on, and I pulled up to a stop sign and his bus was there,'" Williams said.
Williams has been out of work since October and is caring for an ill son. She said that after meeting Romney she had also met South Carolina state treasurer and Romney supporter Curtis Loftis, and said he had given her money. She said she used the money to pay her light bill.
A Romney campaign aide confirmed Loftis had given Williams money.
Williams has been volunteering at Romney's state headquarters in Columbia since the original meeting, she said.
"God didn't tell me to go to nobody else," she said when asked whether she had approached other presidential candidates. "He told me to pray for Romney."
The cash gift is notable from a candidate who has said he would not give away "free stuff" as president but rather would focus on cutting back on federal spending and stimulating private sector growth.
"I know there are some people who run for president that will say, 'Hey, I'm going to give you more. I'll find a way to give you some more. I'll change the rules and give you more money," Romney said at a December event in Conway, New Hampshire. "I'm not that guy. If there's a competition for who will give you the most free stuff, go vote for that guy."
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Romney gives cash to struggling supporter at rally
Why didn't he give her a JOB. Instead of bragging about 100,000 jobs it could have jumped to 100,001 jobs.
Just doing a good deed. Nothing more nothing less. We should all be so kind.
In the words of his distant families, he never gave one cent away let alone attend family meetings.
The man is a worst presidential candidates I have seen since I follow American politics from 1988.
Is he real?
The way you handed her that money, Mitt. It just seemed to come so naturally to you; as if you were quite used to handing women cash. Or voters? Regardless of your motivation, just like strapping a crated dog on your station wagon and driving 12 hours, it shows extremely poor judgment. "Corporations are people" showed poor judgement. You show poor judgement, Mitt, time and time again. We can't have a president like that. You can blame it all on haters, but when you look in the mirror, you simply have to admit to yourself that you consistently and repeatedly make really dumb decisions. And if you can't admit that, then that disqualifies you too because then you're a liar, a fool or both. And we can't afford another one of those kinds of president either.
Mr Passionate,keep on buying votes cos you cant buy everyones vote,at least not me.
Romney's campaign manager just put his index finger up against his temple, clicked his thumb back and made a *k'chow* noise.
Not even cab fare for a hedge fund operator who off shores his profits, but it made him feel big, I guess.
To someone that's really struggling, 50 dollars could mean a lot. It'd cover a few meals, which can give that person a leg up on next month's rent. Of course, he couldn't give 50 dollars to everyone, but at least he helped one person. With the US debt going up more than a million dollars a minute, we must cut spending. While more socialism isn't the answer, personal charity is always nice.
I need money for a new computer because I just threw up all over my key board. Not only is this sickening but how is this even news worthy. The Republicans are sickening... what is more sickening is that the Republicans want Ms Williams electricity to come from the Keystone pipeline
Mr. Romney has learned how elections are done in other countries, BUY THE VOTES.
In related news, Ruth Williams was arrested shortly after receiving money from Mitt Romney while attempting to buy crack from an undercover police officer.
You know I think S Korea does certain things better than US.
It's actually become kinda common for candidates (yes just candidates) to donate almost all of their fortune just to get street creed to run for the office. Current president Lee donated much of his fortune (made from running the gigantic Hyundai Construction) except for his home. A family member of the Chung family of Hyundai Group donated ton of money just to run for the office which he ultimately lost. Now Ahn (of tech fortune) is donating half of his fortune to 'possibly' run for the office of president of S Korea.
Granted much of the donations are political, for show, and they still remain rich but at least it's not a fistful of cash...
Wow I think even he knows he cannot win so he has to cheat!Way to go Romney!Loser!
Wooow, this is newsworthy?? He shouldn't be letting this hit the press if he's really sincere, but he didn't, and he's not. #romney is a two faced showboat, and it probably Was taxpayers money lol.
When the election is over, and if he wins, the lights go off...
...When everything finished up he went back to the lady, took back his money and said, "In second thought, Im gona need this back cuz now I gota pay off the camera guys who video taped this money exchange..." What an indian giver! lol Kinda late on date idea Romney...Such a Nixon..
John Gotti used to do the same thing but it's what you do when the cameras arent filming that counts.
Romney is doing what the Bible says christians are supposed to do. The Bible says christians should help each other. The churches of today do not help people like they are supposed to because the government does so much for them. Before FDR started this giving spree churches were the source for people getting help and they did well. FDR saw a small group of people that would not ask the churches for help and started giving the taxpayers money away to them. Biggest mistake this country ever made was all the welfare. Make the churches do what they are supposed to.
hey that's illegal. Even praying praying is illegal in america, the only thing legal in this country is to pay taxes and shop at walmart!
The Church teaches "charity, the pure love of Christ".
Ah, this is the "trickle down economics" I've heard so much about. Brilliant.
A least he did not give her $500.00 for a bottle of wine....
Obama just sells them books, and loans money for companies to go out of business.....We will not get into that Union Thing...Jobs for Top Thugs...
The Lizard really shook him up with those ads about Bain Capital.
Why didn't he give a job signing people up to vote or working answer the phones for him. He gave he 60. Bucks that will last until she get home. I bet she was black too. This dude is a total fake. Give her a handout and she will go away. What a joke undefended.