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Obama in '98: 'I Actually Believe in Redistribution'

Conservatives bring to light old video

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 19, 2012 7:48 AM CDT

(Newser) – Suddenly Barack Obama has a potentially damaging soundbite of his own to contend with—although his is more than a decade old. The Drudge Report yesterday began promoting audio from 1998 in which he utters the words, "I actually believe in redistribution." Mitt Romney immediately latched onto the comment, mentioning it in his Fox News interview last night.

Of course, New York points out that the clip is actually pretty moderate. Obama points out that some of the attacks on government efficacy "[have] been deserved," and that it's crucial to design social programs "that are actually effective and meet people where they live." Even the redistribution quote is qualified: "I actually believe in redistribution, at least at a certain level to make sure that everybody's got a shot."

President Barack Obama boards Air Force One, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., en route to New York.
President Barack Obama boards Air Force One, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., en route to New York.   (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Barack Obama discusses how government can help the poor.   (YouTube)
Romney mentions the Obama video almost immediately in this Fox interview.   (YouTube)

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 176 comments
bhotheone
Sep 19, 2012 8:31 PM CDT
The Left who support women and GLBT with slogans "stay out of my womb" and "stay out of my bedroom" should also support those who say "stay out of my wallet".
OuttaHere
Sep 19, 2012 3:51 PM CDT
Tax codes are designed to redistribute income. The US has a tax code. Ergo the US redistributes income. Electing Romney isn't going to change that. 
lahoud
Sep 19, 2012 1:23 PM CDT
Simpleton righties believe the republican party was created three and a half years ago. It was Reagan in 1980 who created the trickle down war on America's working families. You fucked it up. We're fixing it. Clinton did it. Obama is doing it. That 47%? You're welcome in OUR AMERICA. OBAMA 2012.
 

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