We cannot solve our problems if our leaders can’t tell the truth. Romney’s flip flops, fibs, and fast ones show he’s putting extreme ideology ahead of mainstream values and his own self-interest ahead of America’s best interests.
That’s why he keeps flip-flopping and pushing disproven lies on everything from Medicare and welfare reform to the "birther" conspiracy theory. He’s even willing to pander and mislead on the values that many Americans hold deeply, including forcing rape victims to bear their rapist’s child one moment then claiming they shouldn’t have to the next.
Romney is trying to gain power to pull off his long game: redistribute more wealth from the middle class to the already-rich like himself. What’s worse than an extreme ideologue as president? A politician who’ll say and do anything — shamelessly pander, lie, and divide — just to win an election.
Flip Flopping
"I’m a strong believer in stating your position and not wavering." [2002]
"When you face challenges, you go to your core beliefs." [2007]
"There’s no problem, in my view, with someone who changes their view on an issue, because I certainly have." [2007]
"I’ve been as consistent as human beings can be." [2011]
Rape
Mike Huckabee: "Would you have supported a constitutional amendment that would have established definition of life beginning of life at conception?" Romney: "Absolutely." [2011]
"A Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape." [2012]
Abortion
"I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years, that we should sustain and support it. I sustain and support that law and the right of a woman to make that choice." [1994]
"I never called myself pro-choice." [2008]
Campaign Lies
Romney on misleading campaign tactics: "wild and reckless accusations…disgrace the office of the presidency." [2012]
Romney-Ryan TV ad: "On July 12th, President Obama quietly announced a plan to gut welfare reform by dropping work requirements." [2012]
Fact-checking Romney-Ryan’s claims: "Pants on fire!"; "simply not true"; "blatantly false"; "debunked by multiple independent fact-checkers"; "huge and shameless deception"; "wildly misleading"; exaggeration…hypocritical"; "now remember I’m a Republican…the ad is very misleading."
Romneycare
“I’m proud of what we’ve done. If Massachusetts succeeds in implementing it, then that will be a model for the nation.” [2007] "…the president’s copying that idea. I’m glad to hear that." [2009] “I like mandates. The mandates work.” [2008]
“What works in one state may not be the answer for another.” [2011] "I will act to repeal Obamacare." [2012] “I think it’s unconstitutional on the 10th Amendment front.” [2010]
The free rider fee is a "penalty," not a "tax." It is a "tax." It wasn’t a "tax" when I did it, but it is when Obama does it. [2005–2012]
The Same Medicare Savings In The Romney-Ryan Plan
“I’m very supportive of the Ryan budget plan." [2012] "Paul Ryan and I have been working together over some months to talk about our mutual plans and we’re on the same page." [2012]
"We’re the ones who are not raiding Medicare…" [2012] "The president’s cuts of $716 billion to Medicare — those cuts are to be restored if I become president." [2012]
Climate Change
"I believe the world’s getting warmer…I believe that humans contribute to that. … And so I think it’s important for us to reduce our emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases…" [2011]
"My view is that we don’t know what’s causing climate change on this planet. And the idea of spending trillions and trillions of dollars to try to reduce CO2 emissions is not the right course for us." [2011]
Social Security
"I’m not in favor of privatizing Social Security or making cuts." [2007]
"…president [Bush] said let’s have private accounts….That works." [2007]
Tax Pledge
"I’m not intending to, at this stage, sign a document which would prevent me from being able to look specifically at the revenue needs of the Commonwealth." [2002]
"I’m proud to be the only major candidate for president to sign the tax pledge." [2007]
Auto Rescue
"That’s exactly what I said, let Detroit go bankrupt." [2008; 2012]
"I’ll take a lot of credit for the fact that this industry’s come back." [2012] “"he president tells us that without his intervention things in Detroit would be worse. I believe that without his intervention things there would be better." [2012]
Gun Violence
"I don’t line up with the NRA." [1994] "We do have tough gun laws in Massachusetts. I support them." [2002] "I supported the assault weapon ban." [2007]
"I support the work of the NRA, I’m a member of the NRA." [2007] "I don’t support any gun control legislation…" [2008]
Campaign Finance
"When campaigns spend the kind of money they’re now spending…I think that’s wrong… I would like have campaign spending limits." [1994]
"The American people should be free to advocate for their candidates and their positions without burdensome limitations." [2007]
Bin Laden
"It’s not worth moving heaven and earth spending billions of dollars just trying to catch one person." [2007]
"We’re delighted that he gave the order to take out Osama bin Laden. Any president would have done that." [2011]
Immigration
"Those… paying taxes and not taking government benefits should begin a process toward application for citizenship." [2006] "The 12 million or so that are here illegally — should be able to stay sign up for permanent residency or citizenship." [2007]
"The idea of an amnesty-type provision is something I oppose and continue to oppose." [2007]
Working Mothers
"…even if you have a child 2 years of age, you need to go to work. And people said, well that’s heartless." [2012]
"I happen to believe that all moms are working moms." [2012]
Adoption
"I know many gay couples that are able to adopt children. That’s fine." [2012] "Obviously, that’s their right." [2007]
"I simply acknowledge the fact that gay adoption is legal in all states but one." [2012]
Ronald Reagan
"I was an independent during the time of Reagan-Bush. I’m not trying to return to Reagan-Bush." [1994]
"When I was running for office for the first time in 1994, I was trying to define who I was…. I’ve said since, and continue to reiterate, that one of my heroes is Ronald Reagan." [2006]