The Ultimate Mitt Romney 2012 Gaffe List

Last Updated: March 21, 2012

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has been running for president since 2007, and in that time he has made a series of gaffes, mistakes, and misstatements on the campaign trail.

Here is the ultimate list of Mitt Romney campaign gaffes from the 2012 campaign cycle:

Romney “Not Concerned About The Very Poor.” In a CNN interview after the Florida primary, Romney noted, “I’m not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there. If it needs repair, I’ll fix it.”

Romney: “I Like Being Able To Fire People.” Speaking to a New Hampshire audience Romney said, “I like being able to fire people who provide services to me.”

Romney: “Corporations Are People, My Friend.” Appearing at the Iowa State Fair, Romney told an attendee that “Corporations are people, my friend… of course they are. Everything corporations earn ultimately goes to the people. Where do you think it goes? Whose pockets? Whose pockets? People’s pockets. Human beings, my friend.”

Romney Campaign: He Can Change Positions “Almost like an Etch A Sketch.” After winning the Illinois primary, a Romney aide told CNN that he could easily change his positions for the fall campaign. “Well, I think you hit a reset button for the fall campaign. Everything changes. It’s almost like an Etch A Sketch. You can kind of shake it up and restart all of over again.”

Romney: “There Are Times When I Wondered Whether I Was Going To Get A Pink Slip.” Romney, who has been wealthy all of his life, told a crowd in New Hampshire: “I know what its’ like to worry about whether or not you are going to get fired. There are times when I wondered whether I was going to get a pink slip.”

Romney Claimed $374,000 Was “Not Very Much” Money. Romney, discussing his low tax rate, said “I get speakers fees from time to time, but not very much.” Romney had received $374,000 for speakers fees.

Romney: It’s “Envy” And “Class Warfare” To Talk About The Uneven Distribution Of Wealth In America. Speaking to NBC’s Matt Lauer, Romney said he felt that discussions about the distribution of wealth were “about envy” and “about class warfare.” Romney is worth over $200 million.

Romney: We Should Only Talk About Income Inequality In “Quiet Rooms.” While on the Today Show, Romney was asked about remarks from President Obama on income inequality, to which Romney responded: “I think it’s fine to talk about those things in quiet rooms and discussions about tax policy and the like.”

Romney Tried To Bet Rick Perry “$10,000.” During a Republican debate in Iowa, Romney offered to bet Gov. Rick Perry $10,000 in order to prove Perry was incorrect about his position on health care reform.

Romney Joked: “I’m Also Unemployed.” At a Florida campaign stop, Romney made light of the unemployment situation and told voters that “I’m also unemployed.”

Romney: “I Have Some Great Friends Who Are NASCAR Team Owners.” Attending the Daytona 500, Romney responded to a question about his interest in NASCAR by answering, “Not as closely as some of the most ardent fans. But I have some great friends that are NASCAR team owners.”

Romney: “I don’t want to see [Peyton Manning] at Miami or the Jets. Both owners are friends of mine.” Discussing NFL player Peyton Manning, Romney said, “I don’t want to see him at Miami or the Jets. Both owners are friends of mine.”

Romney Bragged: My Wife Owns “A Couple Of Cadillacs.” Speaking to an audience in Detroit, Michigan, Romney said, “I like the fact that most of the cars I see are Detroit-made automobiles. I drive a Mustang and a Chevy pickup truck. Ann drives a couple of Cadillacs, actually. And I used to have a Dodge truck, so I used to have all three (big automakers) covered.”

Romney Made Fun Of NASCAR Fans: “I Like Those Fancy Raincoats You Bought. Really Sprung For The Big Bucks.” Speaking to NASCAR fans at the rain-soaked Daytona 500, Romney told them “”I like those fancy raincoats you bought. Really sprung for the big bucks.”

Romney Called A Rain Poncho A “Garbage Bag.” Discussing fans who wore rain ponchos to a NASCAR event, Romney told Fox News that “I have worn a garbage bag for rain gear myself.”

Romney: Trees In Michigan “Are The Right Height.” Campaigning in Michigan, Romney said that “the trees are the right height” there.

Romney: “I Am Learning To Say Y’All And I Like Grits.” Campaigning in Mississipi, Romney attempted to pander to a southern crowd and explained that “I am learning to say y’all and I like grits and things.”

Romney: “Never Get Involved In Politics If You Have To Win Election To Pay A Mortgage.” Romney implied that only rich people should run for office. In a debate on NBC he said, “I happened to see my dad run for governor when he was 54 years old. He said never get involved in politics if you have to win election to pay a mortgage. If you find yourself in a position when you can serve, you ought to have a responsibility to do so if you think you can make a difference, and don’t get involved in politics when your kids are still young because it may turn their heads.”