Obama slams Romney on Letterman for 'writing off a big chunk of the country'

Carolyn Kaster / AP

President Barack Obama talks with David Letterman on the set of the "Late Show With David Letterman" at the Ed Sullivan Theater, Tuesday, Sept. 18, in New York.

President Barack Obama slammed Mitt Romney on Tuesday for "writing off a big chunk of the country" after a secretly made video showed the Republican presidential nominee dismissing Obama supporters as victims who are dependent on the government.

"One of the things I've learned as president is you represent the entire country," Obama said on CBS's "Late Show With David Letterman."

"My expectation is if you want to be president, you've got to work for everybody, not just for some," he said to applause from the studio audience.

In the video, the first part of which was published on Monday by the liberal Mother Jones magazine, Romney told donors that 47 percent of Americans would back Obama no matter what and "my job is not to worry about those people."

Romney said they did not pay income taxes and were people "who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them."

Obama said he tried to reach out to people who did not support him after his victory four years ago.

"When I won in 2008, 47 percent of people who voted, voted for John McCain. They didn't vote for me," Obama said.

"And what I said on election night was, even though you didn't vote for me, I hear your voices and I'm going to work as hard as I can to be your president."

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Obama, who as a candidate in 2008 made a damaging gaffe of his own that white rural voters clung to guns or religion, indicated he thought Romney should admit his remarks were a mistake.

"When you run for president, you are under a microscope all the time. All of us make mistakes. That incident in 2008, I immediately said, 'I regret this,'" Obama said.

"What I think people want to make sure of is you're not writing off a big chunk of the country."

Despite the focus on the video that was shaking up the presidential campaign, Obama's appearance was not wholly serious in tone. Upon arriving on stage, Obama told the comedian that he looked sharp. 

"You haven't seen me naked," Letterman replied. 

"We're going to keep it that way," Obama retorted. 

Letterman opened his show, which airs later on Tuesday, by poking fun at an incident at the Republican National Convention in which film star Clint Eastwood delivered a diatribe addressed to an imaginary Obama in an empty chair. 

"I want to know before we get started if you want to say something to the empty chair," Letterman said. Obama smiled. 

"Late Show With David Letterman" airs at 11:35 p.m. on CBS.

Copyright 2013 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions.

Discuss this post

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Obama has no class.

  • 8 votes
Reply#27 - Tue Sep 18, 2012 9:34 PM EDT

Hey Mr. President. How is your buddy Bernadine Dorhn doing these days???

  • 3 votes
#27.1 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:37 AM EDT
Reply

Romney spoke the truth.

  • 9 votes
Reply#28 - Tue Sep 18, 2012 9:49 PM EDT

And the liberals can't stand that at all. After all, if they learn the truth, then they have to stop believing in their Obama.

    #28.1 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 10:02 AM EDT
    Reply

    All you Obama people, if he does win lets see how you will feel about him in a year.

    • 8 votes
    Reply#29 - Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:04 PM EDT

    It's been three and a half years. He's the best president we've had since 2000. What's going to change in a year?

    • 3 votes
    #29.1 - Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:26 PM EDT

    sailcat has been in a sensory deprivation tank for the last 3.5 years. EVERYTHING you can measure has got worse under little barry

    • 6 votes
    #29.2 - Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:39 PM EDT

    Obama is still trying to make things look good in the short term by mortgaging our children's futures. Last week the Obama administration started its third round of printing fiat money (currency that a government has declared to be legal tender, despite the fact that it has no intrinsic value and is not backed by reserves). $600 billion is the current estimate. That's almost $2,000 apiece for every man, woman, and child in the country!

    Inflation is now inevitable.

    Under Romney, inflation may be relatively mild; under Obama it will be brutal.

    Those of you who are still planning to vote for Obama - what's your plan for when you see the buying power of your savings and income cut in half?

    The economy may be the biggest victim of Obama's failed policies, but certainly not the only one.

    • 6 votes
    #29.3 - Tue Sep 18, 2012 11:56 PM EDT

    If things still suck under Obama they won't blame little Barry he can do no wrong they will blame it on the big bad Congress.

    • 5 votes
    #29.4 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 12:00 AM EDT
    Reply

    Yes obozzo was elected - by the electoral college - not the people - but he was elected to represent and work for ALL OF US - not just who HE wants to work for. And the same goes for ALL congress members - even though they were elected by their individual states - they were elected to a position that they are to work for ALL OF THE UNITED STATES people - not just their lobbyists, friends and who they want to work for. So when you vote for your congressmen - tell them they WILL put into the Constitution - term limits for all senators and representatives. If term limits is good enough for the president - then it is good enough for congressmen. There are people that have been in office "since Jesus Christ was a child", not to be offensive to Christ - but they have wayyyyyyyyy outlived their usefulness. Like Feinstein - 42 years, McCain 25+ years, etc etc etc. Time they are all replaced. Maybe if we get new people in there and can only serve two terms - more things will get done and there will be less "buying" buddies, lobbyists, etc.

    • 7 votes
    Reply#30 - Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:09 PM EDT

    Obama is the first president to make it a priority to hire military. To set forth measures to increase employment veterans and their spouses. To put them back to work so that the are not losing their homes or in financial binds so that that when the return they have something to return to. It is about time that someone stood up and made our military who stand up for our country a priority. I may not agree with every decision but his idea of America is more realistic than Romney's. As America were do not look after the poor and elderly is not one that I would be proud of.

    • 3 votes
    Reply#31 - Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:11 PM EDT

    You obviously do not service - Obama put forth the smallest pay increase for the military the last two years thankfully Congress voted for more. Obama wanted to take away TRicare for vets and retirees and force us to have Obamacare. Obama is cutting the military positions on installation but not federal employees jobs. Miltary retirees didn't see a cost of living allowance for two years. Obama and his wife are nothing but talk. Unemployment rate among vets is still over 12%. Thanks for nothing Obama.

    As Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney was the only governor to have a VA REP as a cabinet member. Governor Romney pass one of the best vet bill in MA giving all MA Vets and guardsmen 100% free tuition and fees to any state school along with other benefits for our returning vets. Romneycare pays the deductible for Vets on Tricare.

    • 5 votes
    #31.1 - Tue Sep 18, 2012 11:58 PM EDT

    Evidently you are too young to know the law! Before Obama had to try and make himself look like he did some thing. There was already laws to hire military first! D.A.

    • 2 votes
    #31.2 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:46 AM EDT
    Reply

    Watch this video and then tell me you believe this 2-faced, hypocrite, lying POS for President:



    feature=player_embedded&v=BdjoHA5ocwU




    What do you think would have happened IF a Caucasian president had ever produced and published a You Tube video for ALL WHITE PEOPLE to unite for a WHITE PRESIDENT.
    Seriously, what do you think would have happened?
    In my opinion, this is the MOST SIGNIFICANT DEMONSTRATION of INTENTIONAL DIVISIVE RACISM by ANY PRESIDENT in the history of OUR COUNTRY that I recall having seen.
    WHOSE PRESIDENT IS HE?

    THIS IS A DANGEROUS VIDEO.

    Obama announces the 2012 launch of African Americans for Obama.
    This is what racism smells like. It can't be explained away.

    Would you vote for a white person who did this?
    I wouldn't, and I think they would be run right out of town if they tried it.


    This is just some food for thought if you're pondering your vote in November.

    Can you imagine Santorum or Romney, Newt or Paul putting out a call for all the white brothers and sisters to vote for him because he's white and so are they?

    If this video is not alarming to you, simply delete. If you are offended by what's taking place, so am I.

    feature=player_embedded&v=BdjoHA5ocwU

    • 6 votes
    Reply#32 - Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:12 PM EDT

    watch this video of your hipocritcal, 2-faced, POS president:

    feature=player_embedded&v=BdjoHA5ocwU

    • 2 votes
    Reply#33 - Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:14 PM EDT

    ?feature=player_embedded&v=BdjoHA5ocwU

    • 1 vote
    Reply#34 - Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:15 PM EDT
    • feature=player_embedded&v=BdjoHA5ocwU
    • 1 vote
    Reply#35 - Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:15 PM EDT

    I drive a city bus and you should hear the anger that Romney invoked with his comments. These are everyday people that ride the bus because they can't get the good jobs and some lost their jobs because of Bane Capital. Mitt Romney and his co-horts at Bane Capital destroyed hundreds of jobs and now he is slamming the exact sme people that are broke because of his exorbant greed? When him and his greedy friends ruined a company the tricle down effect worked. First the company went under, then their support companies lost income and so on. Only the ignorant people blame the President and ignor what Mitt Romney did by getting rich off the hard working real Americans. Now he has the audacity to blame the same people he helped put out of work? Get with it people, Romney wants to destroy the middle class. Don't take my word for it, go check it out on YouTube. It's enough to make you sick!

    • 3 votes
    Reply#36 - Tue Sep 18, 2012 10:43 PM EDT

    YouTube as your source....that means all this is true.

    Barack Obama is really Barry Soetoro, a Socialist, a space alien, born in Kenya and visits Gay bath houses just to name a few.

    Under President Obama's leadership(ugh) the average family income is at a seventeen year low for the info Ralph Kramden.

    "Socialism says it is for the people, but notice not the Socialist himself"

    • 2 votes
    #36.1 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:52 AM EDT

    and you held one of the jobs that were lost? Just asking, just gathering facts... not commercials sir.

      #36.2 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 8:22 AM EDT
      Reply

      Half a Chic, if you want to vote for Romney go for it. I doubt that you are in the 53% that are the best and brightest for America.

      • 5 votes
      Reply#37 - Tue Sep 18, 2012 11:26 PM EDT

      LAYTON - PLEASE STOP SPREADING THE LIBERAL LIE THAT THE MILITARY DOESN'T PAY FEDERAL INCOME TAX! I serviced for 27 years and I made both federal and state income tax the only time the military doesn't pay federal income is when we're station in a war zone. Maybe you would know that if you ever service or knew a vet. Please do not talk for the military when you know jack@!$%#.

      • 5 votes
      Reply#38 - Tue Sep 18, 2012 11:49 PM EDT

      "One of the things I've learned as president is you represent the entire country," Obama said on CBS's "Late Show With David Letterman."

      "My expectation is if you want to be president, you've got to work for everybody, not just for some,"

      Obama, you've never represented me. Your work hasn't helped me one bit. You certainly haven't given me hope. You have failed, and it's time to let you go.

      • 6 votes
      Reply#39 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 12:15 AM EDT

      You ever notice all the Democrat presidents are just like Kim Kardashian (Fame Bit_ches) How tacky to go on some of these shows. Anything to extend their fame. You expect the president to be above this, but instead he is wallowing in the mud like all the other fame hungry pigs.

      • 6 votes
      Reply#40 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:23 AM EDT

      Just like the Oprah Winfrey show isn't it.

      • 2 votes
      Reply#41 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:23 AM EDT

      Lets be Clear-

      The people who are going to vote for Obama again,

      are going to vote for him for One Reason and One Reason ONLY!

      He is Black! They could care less, just as long as he is Black!!

      That is the God Giving truth..

      • 6 votes
      Reply#42 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:24 AM EDT

      MS/NBC Socialism agenda pushing central...............Americans boycott it.

      • 5 votes
      Reply#43 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:25 AM EDT

      A puppet, a black guy, a Muslim, an illegal alien, a communist walk into a bar. The bartender says,

      >
      >
      >
      >
      >
      >
      >
      "What'll be Mr. President"?

      • 6 votes
      Reply#44 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:26 AM EDT

      Doesn't have time to talk to Israel's Netanyahu in person while he was in New York, but has time to strut his arrogant ass on Letterman. All the man want's is to be seen! Has not a clue on anything!

      • 7 votes
      Reply#45 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:29 AM EDT

      Obama talks a good talk - but his walk has been crippled to say the least. He does NOT represent me...nor do I want him to. He is a Marxist and has every intention of turning this country into a socialistic country. The writing is on the wall. He has made us look like a nation of wimps. He has bowed down and apologized to terrorists across the globe.

      Say what you will about Bush - but you would have NEVER seen him back down on the recent events. The difference between Romney and Obama - Romney is telling the truth and at least he has the guts to stand behind what he says and believes.....instead of Obama - who runs and hides under the bed every time the going gets rough.

      And...for the record - it was Jimmy Carter's grandson that was in on the secretly taping of the conversation. If you weren't around when Carter was president....let me tell you - that was a scary and very tumultuous time. Idiots begat idiots. Clearly.

      Time will tell...my prayers are that the people of this country open their eyes and see the wolf in sheeps clothing for what he is - before it is too late. We have a president in office that literally came out of nowhere and because he "talked real good" people bought into it and voted him in as president.

      If he is elected again - we may all be hiding under our beds....life will never be the same.

      • 6 votes
      Reply#46 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:33 AM EDT

      You are a Nation of Wimps....let me rephrase that... you are a nation of cowardly, greedy, hateful bastards. You could be a hell of a lot better, but you are too busy smelling your own a**es.

      America itself was founded on the principle of words, but has never as a Nation been able to back those words up....

      And you know it.

        #46.1 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:38 AM EDT

        Elatt - whatever rock or cave you crawled out from under or out of - go back. People that don't like America - are jealous. If America is so bad then why does every one try to come here. The countries that are protesting right now - are destroying their own countries in the process..hmmm...that sounds very intelligent.

        America was founded upon Principals, Morals and the good Lord above...and for most of us - that will never change. You are cleary one of the idiots. Lets see what you have to say when we are under martial law if Obama is elected again.

        • 3 votes
        #46.2 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:57 AM EDT
        Reply

        You Republicans are just upset because your candidate is showing the world how incompetent he his....... sore losers.

        • 3 votes
        Reply#47 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:34 AM EDT

        Any one else catch last night that Obama didn't know what the national debt was ? surprised it wasn't edited out.

        • 5 votes
        Reply#48 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:35 AM EDT

        I'm wondering, what is it that everyone now sees or didn't see before. Was it the promises that we all hoped for and didn't get? Was it the pride of being a nation who stepped out in the face of a world who is watching? Is it the promise of more government to support the U.S. of whom it's people struggle to pay their salaries and benefits? I don't have a good candidate this time, my hopes were dashed about a year ago. What makes me ill is the headline people in this country that stand behind the others who have the money and the prestige that most of us will never have, and making us think they are for us. I'm worried for my 6 kids, for my 2 grandkids and frankly, who we are today... I'm worried that we will wake up in a different country and that all the people who were in my face 4 years ago were right. I don't see why I pay for someone who can't. That's why I tithe at church, that should be out of your heart, not because you have to. Pray hard and trust God has us held tight.

        • 3 votes
        Reply#49 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:35 AM EDT

        "Obama supporters as victims who are dependent on the government".... Well if that ain't speaking the truth I don't know what is... Kudos to Mr. Romney for calling it as he sees it. It's about time we cut the public funding cord to those who leech off of the system. I for one am so disgusted to have my ever-increasing taxes go to deadbeats especially when I can use that extra income for the things MY family needs...

        • 6 votes
        Reply#50 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:36 AM EDT

        Deadbeats?......You Idiot, Educate yourself. You have no clue who Romney is referring to. Do you even know who makes up that 47% .....Your prejudice and hatred is blinding you.

        • 3 votes
        #50.1 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:42 AM EDT

        @ Elatt... Oh, Shut Up Aleady. I'm not one of the 1% nor am I part of the 47%.. I'm the guy who works for the rich so I can pay for the poor.. I'm well educated .. not that I need to be to see you're nothing more than a sheep.

          #50.2 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 12:04 PM EDT
          Reply

          Ok, I've had my fun with el dopo Romnyo's disdain for half of America, now its the turn for all the right-wing red diaper-doper babies to have a go at big O. ....and from the postings, I am not disappointed.

          • 3 votes
          Reply#51 - Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:36 AM EDT
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