Romney comments at fundraiser outrage Palestinians

[TomClash]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Scurrilous (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: AP

Romney comments at fundraiser outrage Palestinians

By By KASIE HUNT and KARIN LAUB – 1 hour ago

JERUSALEM (AP) — Mitt Romney told Jewish donors Monday that their culture is part of what has allowed them to be more economically successful than the Palestinians, outraging Palestinian leaders who suggested his comments were racist and out of touch with the realities of the Middle East. Romney's campaign later said his remarks were mischaracterized.

"As you come here and you see the GDP per capita, for instance, in Israel which is about $21,000, and compare that with the GDP per capita just across the areas managed by the Palestinian Authority, which is more like $10,000 per capita, you notice such a dramatically stark difference in economic vitality," the Republican presidential candidate told about 40 wealthy donors who ate breakfast at the luxurious King David Hotel.

Romney said some economic histories have theorized that "culture makes all the difference."

"And as I come here and I look out over this city and consider the accomplishments of the people of this nation, I recognize the power of at least culture and a few other things," Romney said, citing an innovative business climate, the Jewish history of thriving in difficult circumstances and the "hand of providence." He said similar disparity exists between neighboring countries, like Mexico and the United States.

Palestinian reaction was swift and pointed.

"It is a racist statement and this man doesn't realize that the Palestinian economy cannot reach its potential because there is an Israeli occupation," said Saeb Erekat, a senior aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"It seems to me this man lacks information, knowledge, vision and understanding of this region and its people," Erekat added. "He also lacks knowledge about the Israelis themselves. I have not heard any Israeli official speak about cultural superiority."

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jUO0F3oTD_POLpUvSsyDkIYj1SWA?docId=f2542195c4d04d0b99881100e2a317df

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Racist.

[Kalidurga]

1. So Romney's defense is that his words don't mean what they mean?

And if you read the article it gets worse, much worse.

The campaign contends Romney's comparison of countries that are close to each other and have wide income disparities — the U.S. and Mexico, Chile and Ecuador — shows his comments were broader than just the comparison between Israel and Palestine.

This asshat has no idea of the complexities that cause poverty. Or, the role the United States plays in keeping some nations poor. How, much the US has interfered with other countries economies, I don't know I am not an expert. But, I know it is not zero interference. I know we have occupying forces in many countries and I don't think we are their to ensure the health of their economy. I can speculate that we are their to protect the interest of US, businesses. But, hey maybe we are just their to...errrrrrr what. Why do we have troops in 160 nations?

[McCamy Taylor]

2. Cultural superiority? Like that enjoyed by Anglo-Saxons?

[SkatmanRoth]

3. Romney doesn't give a shee-ought about Palestinians

Palestinians are not a significant voting group in the US nor do they contribute any measurable amount of money to political campaigns. With the Republicans, it is all about the money and the power.

[Scurrilous]

4. Locking: Dupe

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