Mitt Romney’s Wealth: An Independent View
By Jane Susskind | 07/14/2012 | Elections 2012, Headline | 6 Comments
Does Mitt Romney's involvement with Bain Capital and the confusion surrounding his role influence your chances of voting for him? Credit: David L. Ryan/Globe Staff file 1993
A recent Gallup poll goes so far as to claim that independents are less likely to vote for Mitt Romney because of his wealth, reporting that 19% say Romney’s wealth makes them less likely to vote for him and 4% say more likely.
We decided to go directly to the source to ask our Facebook community: As an independent, do you think Mitt Romney’s wealth is a factor in this election?
We were flooded with a wide array of responses and opinions from varying viewpoints, once again proving that the independent voice cannot be categorized by a single poll.
Here are the top 5 answers we got on each side of the debate:
No, It’s Not a Factor
Reta Sanden: I care not of his wealth but of his intentions and integrity.
Leslie Shaw Klinger: His wealth? Why would that have anything to do with it? Obama is wealthy too!
Lucy Mae: His wealth does not bother me as much as his integrity of character. Flip flop…lies…just tell the truth.
Thomas Johnson: I frankly couldn’t care less about how much money he has. My only questions are in how he made it. If he did so honestly, he can own the moon for all I care.
Sal Delvisco: His wealth is not a factor. His horrible track record as governor and his tenure at Bain Capital outsourcing our prosperity for his own profit are factors. He will not get my vote. Neither will Obama. I’m third party, all the way in this one.
Yes, It Is a Factor
Erin Bolte: It is a factor in this election. It won’t affect my vote. It’s not a crime to be wealthy but it does give the impression that he’s out of touch with most of us.
Rich Kluender: Yes it is. And his not putting out ALL his financials tells me he is hiding something. Cannot trust the guy he comes from the corporate world . He looks like a weasel.
Benny Hill: It should not factor in at all, but it will.
Curtis Warner Sr.: I am a registered Republican, only to vote in primaries. I am an independent in my beliefs. I doubt I will vote for Romney because he became rich making unethical business decisions. That’s what gives capitalism a bad name.
Nancy Lind Corradini: I consider success at work endeavors (than creates wealth) a plus when considering who to vote for.
Didn’t get a chance to respond? Feel free to leave your opinion in the comments section!
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6 Comments
Craig D. Schlesinger
07.14.2012
@craigschlesinger
As an independent voter with no party affiliation, I think this whole issue is a distraction from the fact that Obama and Romney are essentially indistinguishable on just about every issue. And it cuts both ways too. All we hear from the political and media establishment are these petty gripes from both candidates about irrelevant personal stuff. So let’s be honest with ourselves, both Obama and Romney are very wealthy individuals. JFK and Reagan were wealthy too. It happens, and people shouldn’t be punished for it. I can’t believe I’m actually defending Romney.
Good, that’s out of the way. Now we can move on to issues that matter like Obama and Romeny’s similarities on foreign policy, bailout economics, health care, drug war, LGBT rights, NDAA, and the list goes on and on.
But yeah, let’s focus on who made more money – the important stuff.
Bob Jackson
07.27.2012
“craig”; A distraction? What? Willard, “Show Us the TAX RETURNS!” Your Dad ‘Showed America 12 Years of Tax Returns (to Prove “HE WASN’T A FRAUD.”) In 2008, YOU gave McCain 23 Years of Tax Returns, to be considered his V.P. Running Mate, and he chose Sarah Palin – OVER YOU.. “Show Us those Damn TAX RETURNS!” …….
Chad Peace
07.15.2012
@Chad_Peace
I don’t think his wealth alone is a factor. I do think that it seems that he does not have a real understanding of the trials and tribulations of “normal” Americans, perhaps because he has had great wealth his whole life.
Barbara J
07.16.2012
I admire Romney for his success. He has corporate offices all over the globe, so anyone who says he doesn’t know how to create jobs is just plain wrong. He handled the monstrous task of turning the failed Olympic games around and proved he is a fix it fast kind of guy. Not many people in the US could have handled that task, especially Obama. We need someone like him in the Whitehouse
Bob Jackson
07.27.2012
Right “barbara,” just what we need – in these critical times, a “Stealth Puppet of Corrupt Billionaire$” Right ! …….
andrew mcadam
07.23.2012
I don’t think Mitt’s wealth should be an issue – but it is, because he makes it an issue. If, as he purports, success and entrepreneurialism are laudable characteristics – why is he so prone to hide his success (non-disclosure of his tax returns and no explanation of his gargantuan IRA). And this is not humility – he has berated Obama for what he says is his attack and hostility to being successfule.
Mitt says wealth is good – his actions say it is shameful, maybe even unethical? This is like his avoidance of discussing his religion (to which he is very committed, an active Priest and previoulsy a Bishop).
In the end – if a candidate isn’t comfortable in their own skin, they are not ready to lead. This dis-ease is undestandable in adolescents, unbecoming in adults, intolerable in leaders. Mitt needs to grow up and stand up for who he is and what he believes – or he is not worthy of the office of the President, or even our votes. Hard, but true.