In a new minute-long TV ad released by his campaign Wednesday, Mitt Romney speaks directly to the camera, explaining that his policies will do more for poor and middle-class Americans than President Obama’s.
“President Obama and I both care about poor and middle-class families,” Romney says in the ad. “The difference is my policies will make things better for them.”
Romney continues: “We shouldn’t measure compassion by how many people are on welfare. We should measure compassion by how many people are able to get off welfare and get a good paying job. My plan will create 12 million new jobs over the next four years — helping lift families out of poverty and strengthening the middle class.”
Leaked footage of Mitt Romney calling 47 percent of Americans self-perceived “victims” whom he doesn’t have to “worry” about has reinforced Democrats’ narrative that Romney is out to help rich people like himself — and this perception is starting to show in the polls.
A Quinnipiac University/New York Times/CBS News poll of likely voters in Ohio and Florida conducted after the 47 percent comments became public showed that a majority of voters in Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania believe that Romney’s policies will favor the rich. Majorities also believe Obama cares more about their needs and problems. The findings back up polling conducted for the pro-Obama super PAC Priorities USA Action, which found that large majorities in Ohio and Iowa believe Romney’s policies will benefit the rich and raise the financial burden on the middle class.
Pema Levy
Pema Levy is a News Writer at TPM covering the 2012 election. Before coming to TPM, Pema was an assistant editor at The American Prospect where she wrote about politics and the economy.
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