Mitt Romney’s “I Like Being Able to Fire People” Remark, which Referred to Consumers Firing Service Providers, Already being used Against Him – Video 1/9/12

Here is a sound bite that will be used over and over again against Mitt Romney – by both GOP rivals and Obama (if Romney is nominated). Nevermind the context. Romney was talking about Americans having the freedom to choose their own insurance and to “fire” a provider that does a poor job for them. But he made the mistake of saying, “I like being able to fire people” – which is being used to mean he likes firing workers from their jobs.

Even the New York Times reports the full context:

. . . . Answering a question about health care Monday morning, Mr. Romney said that he would allow individuals to have their own insurance because it will provide the insurance company with an incentive to keep its clients healthy.

“It also means that if you don’t like what they do, you can fire them,” Mr. Romney said. “I like being able to fire people who provide services to me.”

He added: “You know, if someone doesn’t give me the good service I need, I want to say, ‘You know, I’m going to get someone else to provide that service to me.’”

Mr. Romney was making a point that many Republicans agree with — that individuals should be able to have their own insurance, and choose the plan they want. . . . Read More