User:LM103/Romney Blames Election Loss on "Gifts"

In a conference-call to fundraisers, former presidential candidate Mitt Romney blamed his loss in the 2012 Presidential Election on "gifts." Romney claimed the President had targeted special-interest groups, "especially the African American community, the Hispanic community, and young people." Romney contrasted this with his own strategy of, “talking about big issues for the whole country: military strategy, foreign policy, a strong economy, creating jobs and so forth.”

Some of the things Romney said people wanted included contraception, collage loans, and the infamous Obamacare. “With regards to the young people, for instance, a forgiveness of college loan interest was a big gift. “Free contraceptives were very big with young, college-aged women. And then, finally, Obamacare also made a difference for them, because as you know, anybody now 26 years of age and younger was now going to be part of their parents’ plan, and that was a big gift to young people. They turned out in large numbers, a larger share in this election even than in 2008," Mr. Romney said. “Likewise with Hispanic voters, free health care was a big plus. But in addition with regards to Hispanic voters, the amnesty for children of illegals, the so-called Dream Act kids, was a huge plus for that voting group.”

Most conservatives did not support Governor Romney's comments, including New Jersey governor Chris Christie. One conservative who did was Fox News host Bill O'Reilly. Governor Romney's comments were similiar to those O'Reilly on Election Night when he said that half of the population of America, "wants stuff."

Sources

• Ashley Parker. "Romney Blames Loss on Obama’s ‘Gifts’ to Minorities and Young Voters" — The New York Times, 14 November,2012

• "Bill O'Reilly: Mitt Romney 'Gifts' Comments 'Right On The Money'" — Huffington Post, 16 November, 2012