Mitt Romney was
booed Wednesday at the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People) conference for promising to repeal the president's signature
health care reform law, bringing him to an awkward halt in the middle of an
otherwise civilly-received pitch for black voters.
It was an
awkward moment that forced him to go off script, after giving a somewhat pained
smile as the booing continued.
"I'm going to
eliminate every non-essential, expensive program I can find, that includes
Obamacare, and I'm going to work to reform and save --" Romney said before being
interrupted for about 15 seconds.
"You know, there
was a survey of the Chamber of Commerce -- they carried out a survey of their
members, about 1,500 surveyed, and uh, they asked them what effect Obamacare
would have on their plans, and three-quarters of them said it made them less
likely to hire people," he said when the booing stopped. "So I say, again, that
if our priority is jobs, and that's my priority, that's something I'd change and
replace."
Romney wasn't
entering a crowd that was likely to be convinced: a vast majority of black
voters went for President Barack Obama in 2008. Still, Romney made an attempt to
tout his policies and say they would better serve the black community on
education, unemployment and traditional marriage.
For the most
part, the audience was quiet and polite, applausing at points and listening to
his pitch. He explained why he made the appearance by saying he understands the
importance of all Americans.
"With 90 percent
of African-Americans voting for Democrats, some of you may wonder why a
Republican would bother to campaign in the African American community, and to
address the NAACP," Romney said. "Of course, one reason is that I hope to
represent all Americans, of every race, creed or sexual orientation, from the
poorest to the richest and everyone in between." Huffington
Post
He faced another
round of boos when he criticized President Barack Obama, who won 95% of the
black vote in 2008 on the way to becoming the first African-American U.S.
president and expects high support again in the November election. National
Post "I know the
president will say he's going to do those things, but he has not, he will not,
he cannot, and his last four years in the White House prove it, definitively,"
Romney said. "My agenda is not to put in place a series of policies that get me
a lot of attention and applause. I do not have a hidden agenda and I submit to
you this--if you want a president who will make things better in the
African-American community, you are looking at him. You take a look." US
News According to his
campaign, Romney is "committed to competing in the black community despite the
odds." On Wednesday, he stressed to the audience that he's not "presuming"
anyone's support. CBS "We have to make
our case to every voter. We don't count anybody out, and we sure don't make a
habit of presuming anyone's support. Support is asked for and earned - and
that's why I'm here today," he said. "I believe that if you understood who I
truly am in my heart, and if it were possible to fully communicate what I
believe is in the real, enduring best interest of African American families, you
would vote for me for president." CBS
KA/ARA
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