Mitt's "THEM" Problem

[kpete]

And then he says it.



"President Obama and I both care about poor and middle-class families. The difference is my policies will make things better for them."

Them.

Mitt Romney keeps talking about the people whose votes he needs as "them."

In the 47 percent video, it was "those people."

"I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives," Romney said.

video & more:
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/09/mitt-romneys-them-problem/262890/
http://www.dependablerenegade.com/dependable_renegade/2012/09/words-matter.html

[LongTomH]

1. Mitt's campaign is turning into a horrorshow!

[Ardler333]

2. Open the door

Wow- that says it all- he calls people in need: "them" Its really a divisive message. Check out this youtube music video I saw the other day- the song was inspired by the Obama and Clinton speeches at the Democratic convention. The lyrics are pretty cool.

&feature=plcp

[MrSlayer]

3. "Them" is a perfectly good word at the end of that sentence.

You're reaching for shit on this. What was he supposed to say?

"President Obama and I both care about poor and middle-class families. The difference is my policies will make things better for poor and middle class families."

It's redundant. It's obvious who he was referring to and the word "them" is completely appropriate.

Romney is an elitist, upper class twit and an A rated asshole but his use of the language here is fine. There is nothing wrong with using personal pronouns.

[The Magistrate]

5. Ending With 'You', Sir, Would Have Been Better Politically

The use of 'them' indicates he is addressing people who are not part of 'poor and middle class families'. But in fact, the whole point of the advertisement is to address poor and middle class people who do not feel he connects with them, or respects them, or holds them in any regard at all. So missing the point of identification, the direct address of 'my policies will make things better for you' is very, very sloppy work....

[MrSlayer]

6. I can see that.

That's a fair explanation. I wonder if most people would notice the subtlety there. I certainly missed it.

[Ikonoklast]

4. Look, you people are waaaay too sensitive.