Romney Likes ‘Being Able to Fire People’

As the conservatives in the race attacked Romney for being too moderate – the rank and file were calculating that made him the most electable versus Obama.

Unfortunately that is reading the leaves all wrong. The mood of this country is to hold accountable the bankers and raiders who are, at a minimum share the blame for the state of the country.

Romney is a corporate raider – he was the least electable of all the candidates. The democrat’s held off for him to be the clear front runner – but soon they’ll lay into him.

Obama isn’t going to have trouble winning against a corporate raider – omg, this is his dream opponent.

I don’t know who the raiders are. It certainly was not Romney and Bain Capital. They created 150,000 net new jobs.

How dare he even mention that he knew what it’s like to be worried about being fired, with 200 million in his pocket. If I’m laid off I am homeless…may he rot in hell!

Maybe Romney can tap former Countrywide CEO Angelo Mozilo for the veep spot.

Ah, even that isn’t quite good enough, maybe Obama will issue a pardon for Bernie Madoff – under the condition that he run with Romney as the vp candidate. Romney/Madoff 2012.

I mean Romney by himself is a great choice for the Republicans, but that would be the quintessential EPIC choice. Perfect understanding of what the country was hoping for as an alternative to Obama, lol.

His comment was that he should have the right to fire people who do not provide the service that they were hired to perform. In this particular instance it was in relation to health insurance, where you should have the right to “fire” or change insurance companies if they do not provide the service that you thought you were getting. As the new health law is written, companies will not be able to change insurance providers like they can now to get more services or to maintain the same services for a lower premium. Pay attention to the context people.

Romney trying to ‘play’ like he’s the average guy is sickening to me. This man has NEVER, EVER had to worry about when or where his next yatch will sail in. If ANYONE were further away from reality, it IS Romney.

Good to know MITT, we will remember that come November.

What a ridiculous headline! It’s borderline malicious. I’m not a Romney supporter, but I find the headline for this story unfortunate. The politicians don’t even need to purchase “hate” ads when the media behaves like this.

DUH! You should have a right to fire those service providers that aren’t doing good by you. And business owners should have a right to fire those employees that are wasted space, not working hard, or are just not cutting it. Welcome to America – where every person has a right to work hard and EARN health insurance, food, a roof over their head, and other things. In other words, don’t listen to the liberals saying that “the country owes its citizens” these rights. We owe you nothing but the opportunity to get a job and be protected by the best military in the world. Stop whining and get to work!

So what? Romney likes to fire people, that’s the most honest thing he’s said in the campaign. He’s a businessman, firing non-productive or employees that are not needed is a manager’s job. It’s a CEOs responsibility to increase the bottom line by reducing labor costs and to make sure that dividends are paid.

The problem with the republicans is they try to defend big business when they don’t understand how business works. Tax breaks and de-regulation will not create jobs. Jobs create jobs. When the public no longer is afraid to spend money, demand increases and businesses are forced to hire to meet the demand. It’s simple.

The common sense of the American people have been telling the republicans for three years, that jobs are the key to getting out of this recession. The republicans just don’t get it, or maybe they do and don’t want jobs so they can defeat this President.

“It also means if you don’t like what they do, you can fire them. I like being able to fire people who provide services to me.”

Very poor choice of words, but I agree with the sentiment.

The headline by ABC is a cheap shot hit piece trying to put Romney in a framework as someone who loves firing people. His talk was about choice in healthcare and picking your own docs. . I’m shock to see that misleading line. That is not journalism, you folks are becoming like fox and msnbc.

I am puzzled that we want life long politicians to turn around the country. The remaining repubs and the dems are trying to portray Romney’s success as a greedy liability. Come off that.

I’m hoping that you are looking to pick him off because you are afraid he may be a formidable opponent for Obama. I hope you don’t think the opposing party should bring forward any of the remaining 5 others.

Perry is done, Gingrich is an angry hypocrit, Huntsman said well Obama selected me for a China position so I should immediately start running for President(that is loyalty), Ron Paul reminds me Ross Peroit, and Santorem thinks gay folks are handicapped.

cynic – I’d like to see one of you guys try to defend Romney’s statement in a little more depth. Romney’s 200 million means he can hire anyone he chooses.

But the government takeover of the healthcare system, that Romney started in massachussetts mean that very few of us will ever have that same ability.

Romney’s arguments are a red herring. He’s arguing against some fictional universe where you can’t choose your own Doctor. We always had that ability.

When the Healthcare system was largely a cash affair – we had that ability. As it changed to be healthcare insurance driven – we had that ability. And as it is now being regulated by the government, we have that ability – although its never been in greater danger, thanks to people like Romney.

But – if you think for one moment your switching from ‘plan a’ to ‘plan b’ at your employee sponsored healthcare plan is firing a shot across anyone’s bow – boy are you deluded.

The entire point of government takeovers is the government will have the ability to influence outcomes – I mean, think about it, if not that, what is the point? They will have the negotiating ability -not you. They have the regulatory ability – not you.

And basically all you can do as the powerless person forced by law into paying into the plan and using the plan – is to hope your government works for you. Although our government tends to bloat costs and make things more complicated, so hope and pray, and good luck to you.

The headline by ABC is a cheap shot hit piece trying to put Romney in a framework as someone who loves firing people. His talk was about choice in healthcare and picking your own docs. . I’m shock to see that misleading line. That is not journalism, you folks are becoming like fox and msnbc.

I am puzzled that we want life long politicians to turn around the country. The remaining repubs and the dems are trying to portray Romney’s success as a greedy liability. Come off that.

I’m hoping that you are looking to pick him off because you are afraid he may be a formidable opponent for Obama. I hope you don’t think the opposing party should bring forward any of the remaining 5 others.

Perry is done, Gingrich is an angry hyprocrit, Huntsman said well Obama selected me for a position so I should immediately start running for President(that is loyalty), Ron Paul reminds me Ross Peroit, and Santorem thinks gay folks are handicapped.

The sensationalizing of a quotation like this one and placement on the front page paints a clear picture of the editorial intent to help elect Barack Obama to a second term. This is outrageous, as the context of the quotation is about demanding better service, not about firing people in the manner it is usually associated with. ABC News should be ashamed.

i agree with being able to fire people, so Mitt, if you aren’t up to par, adios!

I’d love to fire Romney before he ever takes a job in the public sector. I’m already sick of hearing his smug, “I know I have the nomination” act. I don’t like his condescending way of speaking to people and I find he gets very ticked off when things don’t go HIS way and when people don’t just “Fall” for all the lies he’s telling. I can just picture him as President getting angry at anyone that disagrees with him. He can really parlay this into a tag-team if he picks the bully of all time – Governor Chris Christie. Wow, two meanies for the price of a country. ICK!

What is wrong with going somewhere else if you are dissatisfied with a service?

ABC News’ smear campaign shining through loud and clear.

Mitt Romney , you’re FIRED! I love being able to fire jerks like you too.

“…gave his rivals new material today when he said that he likes “being able to fire people.”————No, actually he gave ABC and MSM new material. You will hear this sound bite every time Romney turns around, unlike the silly remarks and slip ups made by Obama and Biden (Biden’s mouth looks like a size 12 to me.) Both repubs and dems make the same mistakes–one is not smarter or dumber than the other–it’s the American people who are dumb.

Bye, bye Mitt. But wait, who’s left? That means here comes Huntsman on the outside and he’s gaining but, will it be enough?

This is dumb. As in a story being written on it.

Total hit piece. The title of this article, taken out of context, is a complete embarrassment to journalism. I think Romney is a lifeless robot, but this article goes too far. Come on journalists, stop telling us how to think and just report the substance of candidates’ positions… please?

The normal thing one would say in that situation is “I like having a choice in service providers.”

It took me a few tries to find a dentist I was satisfied with, but I never went to one’s office, told him “You’re fired!”, and took pleasure from it.

There are so many ridiculous statements he has made my head is going to explode but the one that really sticks out is the one where he says ” There were times I was worried about getting a pink slip” Really you may have been worried about getting a pink slip BUT YOU NEVER HAD TO WORRY ABOUT MONEY YOU ASSSSSSS. So what if you got canned your wealthy father made sure you would never have to worry about money. Another idiot comment from someone that thinks coporations are people toooooo. And if he fires his insurance company he has the money to pay for medical bills out of his own pocket and not worry about pre-existing conditions. Insurance companies hold all the cards right now and what about those that have no job no money and can’t afford insurance? Are you Mr. Romeny going to step over their dead and dying bodies?

John Kennedy was a wealthy man and would have taken the same criticism Mitt (Catholic or Mormon) does except for one thing, John Kennedy never forgot is poor, Irish, immigrant roots. Kennedy worked to improve the middle class and move the poor into a better social class. He fought big business to make sure the middle class was treated fairly.

Mitt has no roots; he feels big business is where his priorities should lie. He believes in the trickledown economics that got us into the great depression and into this recession. When are the republicans going to learn, the future of the middle class depends on the middle class. Your blind belief that big business should run this country is dead wrong and unconstructive.

What Romney said was 100% correct and American, the opposite would be communism or worse. This article is preposterous. he said he wants to be able to fire his health insurer. I hope everyone agrees.

Could the headline and story be any more biased, than to cut off the words “who provide me services” — in the context of being able to switch health iinsurers??? I wasn’t aware the Obama administration was so in love and protective of teh health insurance industry.

If Obama opposes this right I’m glad to hear him admit it. Romney was one million percent correct.

Sometimes it’s necessary to fire or lay people off but it shouldn’t be enjoyable. These are people’s livelihoods we are talking about. Finding a new source of services is not really firing someone, they still have a source of income despite whether they lose one customer.

What Romney said in itself is not bad, except the fact that he enjoys it. It just goes to show how he is totally connected to his class and not the middle class.

Romney just doesn’t get what it means to be middle-class or poor.
It is laughable that he says if an insurance company doesn’t provide good service, just ‘fire’ them and buy other insurance.
He doesn’t seem to understand that when you find out your insurance isn’t very good is the very time you need it! Sure, just picture the scenario where someone finds out that they have cancer, their insurance coverage isn’t very good so they will just buy a new policy elsewhere! Romney has always been rich and just can’t understand how the real world is for most Americans.

What is so controversial here?

Is the out of context headline merely political baiting on ABC News’ part? Or should we read more into it: that ABC is a proponent of Communistic business practices? That we should submit– ‘shut up and take what we get’.

Hmm… I have to support Mitt on this one. Everyone has taken this out of context but it was a gift to his opposition. I can see the political ad now with his saying; “I like firing people” repeating over and over again. Once gain… an example of why a teleprompter can be quite, quite, useful.

OF COURSE he meant that Obamacare (which will lead to Single-Payor Govt control) CANNOT be fired once it is the ONLY choice!!! —- DUH, people!! —- Anyone here who doesn’t believe that is the real intent of Obamacare is delusional!!!

So if someone has an opposing view – you use your influence to increase the music so loud that it drowns out the opposing view? That is very mature Mr. Romney !! Guess it is better to do that than to have to respond to it instead. It matters not who gets the nod for the GOP – many Americans have had it with the GOP yak yak yak without saying anything of substance. Many of us know that President Obama is on the right path and this country will once again be the strong respected country it once was. OBAMA/BIDEN 2012 GO LSU TIGERS – BEAT ‘BAMA !!

A local math teacher was daily sitting at his desk playing solitaire while his students had to fend for themselves ( public school–union teacher). He couldn’t be fired, so parents took rotations sitting in on his class in an attempt to shame him into teaching. Can’t wait for government controlled health care.

Emily Friedman is such a liar. I just don’t know why ABCnews would publish from someone who intentionally twists facts. Shame on ABCnews.

News media should be unbiased, however that’s not the case for ABC. Your network news people, especially George S. are doing everything possible to tear down Mitt Romney. Gee, do we realize you are major liberals & are looking to bring back Obama for another 4 years. Please do your job….report the news..don’t try to create it!! The debate this past Saturday was a joke. Possibly the worst one yet! George made an ass out of himself with his ridiculous contraceptive question, and Diane (loved her on GMA), was a total non-factor. ABC as a whole, a total disappointment! As for GMA, been watching for years, what the he’ll is going on there! Would someone please reign in Josh Elliott….I mean, who does he think he is???
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This whole media circus has taken a farcical turn.

The same inane headline repeated ad nauseam.

It’s comical in a way but it’s also troubling after a point because it detracts from quality of engagement with voters and rhetorically obfuscates the facts.

This whole media circus has taken a farcical turn

Could not agree more.

Would anyone in the press care to characterize President Obama as a man who likes to fire people? It is he who has had 4 men in the role of Chief of Staff.

One of the worst responsibilities a manager has is firing people. Sometimes it has to be done but it’s never a pleasant experience.

I understand Mitt was taking about health coverage but he needs to realize everyone is not as rich as he is. A lot of people aren’t too happy with the health care they have at work but can’t afford to go out and buy new coverage on their own.

It’s obvious that Mitt is trying to hide the huge salary and big bonuses he got while at Bain Capital. Bain Capital is a private company and their records are not open to the public, this makes the information about whether he created jobs or lost jobs unavailable.

He says he created 100, 000 jobs (an insignificant number compared to today’s unemployment). Some analysts say he was responsible for the loss of 1/2 million jobs at the 77 companies he managed.

romney trying to hide something?….obamas hid it all…we dont even know what his grades were, give me a break. and if you have been fired….there is a reason….someone else was more valuable than you. make yourself valuable so a democrat wont have to give you something for compliance.

tm…we have had every presidents grades in recent history. since they all seem to go to an ivy league school their grades would be relevant. as you pointed out bush got C s , so did kerry and kennedy.obamas grades are relevant when it comes to labeling him a constitutional scholar.

Disgusting hackjob, Ms. Friedman (Gee, who will you be voting for, journolister?)

I didn’t know that Romney wanted to make insurance individual based until I read your article. This is exactly the reform of Health Care that is required and would actually work: When you’re employer picks your insurance for you, you really aren’t the customer and the insurer knows it. When the government picks your insurance for you, the voting public at large is the insurer. Hey, let’s put Grandma’s expensive hip replacement therapy up for a vote by a million strangers. I wonder what will happen then?

Private insurance discriminates against the people too poor or irresponsible to buy insurance. Single payer insurance schemes discriminate against the chronically sick and expensive. So compassionate, eh?