Romney uses dad in Obama response
(CNN) – Mitt Romney on Thursday responded to President Barack Obama's "silver spoon" comment by highlighting his father's rags to riches storyline.
During a speech Wednesday, the president said he and first lady Michelle Obama were not born into privilege and credited their success with opportunity.
- Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
"I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth," Obama said during a speech in Ohio. "Michelle wasn't. But somebody gave us a chance."
Although Team Obama said he had used the line in the past and it was not directed at Romney, some took the comment as a jab at the wealth of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.
When asked about the remark on Thursday, Romney said he would "not apologize for my dad and his success in life," adding that his father, late Michigan Gov. George Romney, was born with little means and worked hard despite never attaining a college degree.
"One of the things he wanted to do was provide for me and for my brother and sisters," Romney said on Fox News. "I am not going to apologize for my dad's success."
The former Massachusetts governor faulted the president with attacking his fellow Americans instead of addressing the country's problems.
"I am not going to rise to that, this is a time for us to solve problems," he added.
Also see:
Ted Nugent to be interviewed by Secret Service
Romney to deliver Liberty University commencement speech
From CNN Politics
- Biden administration issues rules to curtail China's access to microchip technology
- Want To Travel Practically Free? Get This Card
- Iran's 'women's revolution' could be a Berlin Wall moment
- Kelly warns 'wheels' could 'come off our democracy' while Masters tries to tie him to Biden in Arizona Senate debate
- Herschel Walker's campaign fires its political director in key Georgia Senate race
- Mandela Barnes has signaled support for removing police funding and abolishing ICE -- despite ad claiming otherwise
Your father was rags-to-riches, Mitt, not you. The leg-up you've enjoyed in life was due in large part to his success, not yours. Frankly, the president has more in common with your father than you do.
We American voters need Mr.Romney, to make public his Tax Returns! Thank You?
Who asked Romney to apologize for his father's wealth or his wealth? Obama was just stating a fact, that he knew what working people feel because he was once one of them.
I am baffled at why daddy is being brought up again. Mitt WAS born into wealth, and that's what matters here. Who cares what daddy did? Stop bringing up daddy and grow up, Mitt. You're in your 60's for heaven's sake. No one cares what you daddy did or didn't do.
Mr. Romney .. you said you want to solve our country's problems .. the truth is, I don't think you can .. you have to think of everyone's benefit, not just a few standing up on that tall ladder to success. No, I really don't think you can.
Vote for Romney and you will be sadly disappointed like we were here in MA where Romney lost millions of jobs when he was Governor. After Romney's term, MA residents overwhelmingly elected a Democrat. The economy is now adding 250,000 jobs per month thanks to President Obama. That's a great improvement over the 800,000 jobs we were losing when the Republicans were in control of both house of Congress and the US Presidency from 1994-2008.
No one is judging hard work... the point being that mitt had all the opportunity that most don't get. Its kind of like MItt's wife who is an expert on the Economy who has never had a "paying" job and had the stress of paying a mortgage while trying to feed and educate your kids. Mitt represents the ultra rich who get to decide which mansion to live in this month.. (or putting an elevator in his garage for his cars) nothing wrong with being wealthy, but its just out of touch with the majority of Americans who are fighting in the trenches tooth and nail to keep their homes.
Seems to me we have a double standard here. What about the inherited/assumed wealth of President Kennedy, candidate Kerry? FDR seems to have done pretty well financially? John Edwards made millions off of litigation. Why is it different for Dems?
The key point that Mitt seemed to have missed is that it was his father, George Romney, who started with very little, worked hard, and earned a lot, not him. Mitt was born rich and raised rich.
So, Romney is going to play it safe. He's going to follow Obama around & just comment on his every word. So tell me, who's the leader?
Mittens was born in the end zone, and he thought he had just scored a touchdown.