Romney and the Very Poor
In the wake of his double-digit win over Newt Gingrich in the Florida primary, Mitt Romney invited criticism from the left and the right when he noted that his campaign isn۪t focused on the very poor. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” />
In a CNN interview he stated “I’m not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there. If it needs repair, I’ll fix it. I’m not concerned about the very rich. They’re doing just fine. I’m concerned about the very heart of America, the 90-95 percent of Americans who right now are struggling.”
As a recent Spotlight poll showed, almost 9 in 10 voters say that a candidate۪s views on poverty are important in determining their vote for President. OOTS is glad that voters are paying attention to what candidates say about poverty, and we hope that Romney۪s comments spur a serious discussion among the presidential contenders about the millions of people in this country who struggle every day to meet basic needs. We call on all of the candidates to put forth specific proposals to address the needs of these families.
OOTS would also like to draw attention to Romney۪s commitment to fix the safety net if it needs repair and his assurance that if elected he will pay attention to the effectiveness of safety net supports.
To find out more aboutwhat the presidential candidates are saying about poverty, check out Spotlight۪s website feature Election 2012: Tracking the Candidates, which includes up-to-date policy statements, quotations and news clips about each candidate۪s positions on reducing poverty and promoting opportunity.
Posted by Amy
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Here at Out of the Spotlight, we offer a behind-the-scenes look at the latest news and information essential to anyone working to fight poverty. From key political appointees to clashes over policy, we cover the news that doesn’t always make the evening news. Check out Out of the Spotlight for our take on the twists and turns of the latest political developments and their impact on poverty reduction. Topics and ideas are welcome! Just contact mlaracy@aecf.org or watersboots@hotmail.com