James Carter, grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, explains his role in discovering the Mitt Romney “47 percent” YouTube video during the 2012 presidential campaign to those attending Friday’s Floyd County Democratic Party annual dinner. (Bobby Moore, RN-T.com)
James Earl Carter IV — grandson of President Jimmy Carter — told his story Friday night to members of the Floyd County Democratic Party at its annual membership dinner.
Carter explained how he first came across fuzzy video footage of Romney telling donors his opinion about the “47 percent” of Americans that pay no income taxes.
“That was the moment that changed, not just my life, but the election,” said Carter.
Carter first discovered a very brief, low-quality clip on YouTube of what sounds like Romney’s voice talking about Chinese sweat shops.
After Carter gained a Twitter follower using the same handle as the video’s poster, an online exchange landed him 68 minutes of video, including the infamous “47 percent” comment.
“It turns out the part of the video I had seen was one of the least interesting parts,” Carter said.
From there, Carter worked with journalists like David Corn of “Mother Jones” magazine to spread the news.
“That story came out on Monday, and by Tuesday it was a non-stop media blitz,” said Carter.
This new-found attention has led Carter to launch an Atlanta-based research firm that follows the actions of key Republicans.
Prior to the 2012 election, Carter had followed his family’s tradition of involvement in Georgia politics. While a student at Georgia State, he helped his cousin, state Sen. Jason Carter, battle against Gov. Nathan Deal’s HOPE scholarship policies as part of an internship.
“My cousin got a lot of free work out of that,” Carter said jokingly.
Thinking the government can spend its way out of economic trouble is like a father, whose family is in debt, can climb out of debt by borrowing money from the bank and hiring their child with that money. This flies in the face of basic economic principle. It is all rediculous.
We are on year 5. When does it stop being Bushs fault? I will tell you. Never. You could watch Obama rob a bank and you would still vote for him.
We MUST quit cheering our officials on like we are pulling for a high school football team It is childish. Republicans should hold Republicans to task and Democrats should do the same to Democrats.
Officials on both sides might as well have a mask on and be robbing our houses. That is exactly what they are doing. We watch and as long as they throw us a crumb we stand idly by and cheer them on.
What we would like to know is "where are all the jobs" after Bush lowered the taxes on the so called job creators?
It's simple. The video discussed here was the single most important piece of news to come from the election period. It changed the election, and it deserves to be revisited. It was the proverbial nail in the coffin for the Republican party.
It put into words what many felt about the party, blue and red alike. For those on-the-fence Republicans who were conservative at heart, but young enough to see the error in the party's ways, the video granted permission to jump ship.
For those who loved Obama but didn't know why (that demographic that you love to hate), it was a gift in the form of a talking point. One that was irrefutable.
Plus, it was just joyous to see a smarmy, out of touch candidate (from any party) try to explain away that which could only be translated one way. When else would you hear a candidate clumsily say in a debate, "I love 100% of Americans."
Our love of the video can only be rivaled by the hate the Republicans feel towards it. Take as evidence the attacks below that stoop so low as to call Carter a lardo. That's real hate, worthy of an official Republican Gold Member card.
-Stir often so as not to let the noodles stick together.
Who listens? Voters.
Article implies? Even rookies can spot a phoney.
Cape license: Purchased from Trump.
Training ground: Georgia.
Why written: To remind Republican's - shut out the light, you're party of No is over - Now: get whiny.
Who listens to the grandson of the worst President until Obama?
What is this article implying? Does Carter think he is a covert agent or a cape wearing crusader for justice and the American way?
When and how did Carter obtain a license for his cape? Was a thorough background check performed prior to issuing his cape?
Where did he train for this mission? Sounds as if The National Democratic Party has another minion in our midst.
Why was this article written?