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By Karoun Demirjian (contact) 
Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012 | 2 a.m.
Sen. Dean Heller is shown during a dedication ceremony for the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System Las Vegas Medical Center (VASNHS) in North Las Vegas Monday, August 6, 2012.
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Sen. Dean Heller has joined the parade of Republicans rejecting GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney’s caught-on-hidden-camera comments suggesting the 47 percent of Americans supporting President Barack Obama are government dependents.
Romney also implied it’s not his job to worry about those Americans.
“I don’t agree with the comments that he made. I just don’t have that view of the world,” Heller told reporters Wednesday in the Capitol.
Although Heller distanced himself from Romney’s comments, Democrats spent the day trying to tie Heller to the sentiment behind the remarks.
“Mitt Romney and Dean Heller are reading from the same script when it comes to struggling middle-class families,” Heller’s Senate rival, Shelley Berkley, said in a statement. “Mitt Romney says they lack ‘personal responsibility’ and Dean Heller refers to them as ‘hobos.’”
Sen. Harry Reid echoed Berkley on Wednesday afternoon.
“We have a long line of people who are running from Romney as if the Olympics are still on,” Reid told reporters. “I’m told that Dean Heller is running, but Dean’s gotta be very careful. ... I think he recognized how toxic Romney’s comments are, but that’s interesting coming from someone who just a short time ago compared the unemployed people to hobos.”
Heller never directly referred to jobless Nevadans as “hobos,” but in a speech two years ago, he questioned whether extended unemployment benefits might create a new class of hobos for the first time since the Great Depression.
Heller hasn’t repeated that line since 2010. But in that 2010 speech, he did say he believes in a government support system. He echoed that statement Wednesday.
“You gotta understand my background. I have five brothers and sisters. My dad was an auto mechanic. My mom was a school cafeteria cook,” he said. “So I have a very different view of the world [than Romney]. I do believe that the federal government has certain responsibilities. One of the responsibilities is building bridges and roads and national defense, but I also believe in a safety net for individuals who need the help, so that’s why I would respectfully disagree with the comments that (Romney) made.”
But Heller didn’t completely run from Romney. When asked if the leaked video might damage the credibility of Republicans in Nevada — including himself — Heller was quick to deflect.
“I don’t think that’s the discussion,” he said of Romney’s comments. “The discussion today is Obama’s comments on redistribution of wealth. That’s what everybody’s talking about: If I work hard, if I work hard in this country, will I be rewarded? And this president says, 'No, you’re not going to be rewarded; you’re going to have to give that to somebody else' — that’s the issue; that’s what everybody’s talking about in Nevada.”
Heller wouldn’t say whether he agreed with Romney’s contention that 47 percent of Americans aren’t paying federal income taxes.
But Heller’s Republican colleague in the House, Rep. Joe Heck, waded into that debate.
“It is not about making some pay more, it’s about making more pay some,” Heck, a Romney campaign co-chair for Nevada, said in a statement Tuesday. “Every American benefits from the man or woman in uniform standing a post somewhere around the globe keeping us safe, and I believe every American wants to be supportive.
“Unfortunately, under this president’s administration and its failed economic policies, fewer Americans have the opportunity to be supportive."
But Democrats are asking how Republicans would go about increasing the tax contributions of the 47 percent.
“Whose taxes would Mitt Romney raise?” Reid asked on the Senate floor, rattling off people who would be hard-pressed to see their taxes go up — students, Social Security recipients, people with disabilities, veterans and active members of the military.
“The 47 percent are ordinary, hard-working Americans who deserve respect,” Reid said. “They’re not avoiding their tax bills using Cayman Island tax shelters or Swiss bank accounts.”
On Wednesday, Heller tried another tack to redirect the conversation — and give Romney a small bit of campaign advice.
“The issue is creating jobs. I mean, this is about jobs and the economy,” Heller said. “I’m hoping at the end of the day that that becomes Romney’s message, which I do believe it will be.”
Teabag Republican Heller's got to go!
Welcome to the life of Julia - Redistribution on steroids
Dave Brook says "In 1980, about 30 percent of Americans received some form of government benefits. Today, about 49 percent do.
In 1960, government transfers to individuals totaled $24 billion.
By 2010, that total was 100 times as large. Even after adjusting for inflation, entitlement transfers to individuals have grown by more than 700 percent over the last 50 years.
- 9-18-12 New York at Club 40/40 -- President Obama on redistribution of wealth says "we're on the brink of moving America in a direction where we're going to be more just, more fair."
President Obama playing his role of celebrity-in-chief with a glamorous fundraiser at the downtown nightclub of hip-hop mogul Jay-Z and his wife, superstar singer Beyonce. Obama addressed a group of 100 supporters at the club 40/40 on West 25th Street, his supporters having paid $40,000 apiece for the privilege of sipping champagne, lounging on luxurious, pale couches and noshing.
- In 2008 Obama tells "Joe the Plumber" he wants to "spread the wealth around."
- Conference at Loyola University; OBAMA "I think that what we're going to have to do is somehow resuscitate the notion that government action can be effective at all,"
- Conference at Loyola University; OBAMA "I think the TRICK is figuring out how do we structure government systems that pool resources and hence facilitate some redistribution -- because I ACTUALLY BELIEVE IN REDISTRIBUTION ... to make sure that everybody's got a shot."
- We understand that Obama tried to hit back at Romney during a taping of the "Late Show" with David Letterman, disputing that 47% of Americans aren't required to pay federal income taxes and another 47% are taking check in the mail."
As the eco-whackos would say about fossil fuels, this is unsustainable.
Heller's comments are refreshing. But can we trust him to do what is reasonable? Well, Heller did pass the first test by voting on the Veterans Jobs Bill.
We hope Heller is not deceiving the voters with his vote for the Veterans Jobs Bill. After all, four Republican Senators who co-sponsored the Veterans Jobs Bill voted against the bill. Now, is this just plan crazy!!! You have to call it for what it is, Republicans are deceiving the American public. The Republicans say and do one thing to get our attention as if they are doing the reasonable thing, once our backs are turned, the Republicans do the opposite!!
Deception, fraud, this is the Republican Party. Call them for what they are. Judge them by their final actions. The Republican Party is lying to the America public! They don't care. They will lie at the drop of a hat! Their standard bearer, Mitt Romney sets the tone for lying, distortions of facts, and using misleading statements. So, can we believe Dean Heller? We think not!! A track record of lies, during a campaign of lies. Why would anyone of them change now?
Dean Heller, stop deceiving Nevadans!!! Stop lying. Stop distorting the facts. Stop using misleading statements to fool Nevadans. Dean Heller, Nevadans don't believe you. Why? Because your party, the Republican Party, is lying to the American public. You guys aren't hiding it, you don't care. We need a new congress, now!
So Heller is a RINO traitor now yes??
Heller is running away from Romney as far as he can, but still trying to be supportive, but he knows the recent revealations of the true Romney that are coming out now are going to hurt him. And Heck as well.
I don't care how much Heller/Heck run away from Romney's 47 percent comment, they are linked to it. And can't get away from it.
Look at both of their recent voting records while they have been in office in this 112th Congress.
Both Heck and Heller are PRIME REASONS, an important cog in the Tea/Republican Party political machinery of obstruction, why this Congress is the most useless Congress in hundreds of years. The Tea/Republicans, even when they write bills, vote against them (as evidenced by this recent put Veterans back to work when they come home bill).
Why? Because they want the ship called America capsized and destroyed all so they can politically kill the Captain (President Obama).
I say enough. This 47 percent links both Heck and Heller to the Tea/Republican radical and extreme ideology they continually pound out there all the time.
Well, I for one am putting a stop to it.
Enough of the constant over reaching.
One question voters need to ask themselves before going to the voting booths this November: Why do you expect things to change if you vote for the same people from the same political party that have destroyed America in the past, and are continuing to do so now by using obstruction, blocking, filibustering and standing in the way of EVERYTHING?
I'll answer that. You can't expect any different.
Both Heck and Heller, even though they are trying to distance themselves from Wrong Way Romney's constant stupidisms....THEY CAN'T. They belong to the same dumb political party that continually says this junk.
And, I'm sorry if it don't seem fair, but everyone needs to cast their vote all the way down the ballot to get rid of Tea/Republicans wherever they can. Though they might not be to blame for some exact thing Romney did, there damn sure is enough blame to throw out there for the constant wrecking of this economy and spinning our wheels on getting America fixed. Because both Heck and Heller are not innocent. THEY and THEY alone are a constant source for us going nowhere.
Time to put a stop to it. Vote all them bums out.
Obama/Biden 2012! AND a Democratic Party majority in both the House and the Senate!
Romney/Ryan produce your 1040s!
And to Heck with Heller and to Heller with Heck.
The point is that too many people could work but would rather sit around and watch tv or go to the local bar or sports book and drink. That is why you have to reign in welfare and food stamps to only the truly needy. I would rather give much more money to wounded veterans and cut the benefits of those who are just plain lazy. I have no idea whether it is 47% or 30%. It is still too high. People have to be responsible for their own actions and not expect everyone to subsidize their lifestyle.
All republican politicians say one thing in public and another in private. If we knew what they really believe, as was so elegantly stated in the Romney 47% video, the GOP would never again win another election to any office, not even assistant dog catcher.
They have no choice but to keep their true intentions secret until after the election.
Romney has failed. Everyone is running from the greedy bigot.
Mitt Romney is not fit to be president.
Until Mitt Romney release some more tax returns, I am inclined to believe he might be part of that 47%
Rep. Heck is so wrong....very few Americans benefit from boots on the ground. The last righteous war war WW2, Korea possibly, Vietnam a travesty conducted under knowingly false pretenses as was Iraq 2. Iraq 1 had cursory legitimacy but was about access to oil for the most part. Afghanistan should have been a quick in and out but we had to do the old nation building thing...the great white bwana is bringing you democracy and candy bars.
The Earned Income Credit which makes up the bulk of "lost" revenue of the 47% is a Republican economic concept championed by Reagan and the Chicago School fellas which actually works quite well.
Mitt Romney is now claiming that he supports 100% of Americans. This is Thursday though.
Bull..Heller is a Teabagger and an Ayn Rand fan. He believes every word of what Romney said, he's just too much of a coward to admit it!
Probably the worst statement Mitt could have made. If republicans think this is helping their cause....wow. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. At least wait until you get elected to say such things. You just sunk your battleship. Until republicans start finding ways to attract the 47% and show them their way is the better way"..they have no chance in this election.
Heller says one thing but votes with the Republican pack of haters and social Darwinists. If he is sincere about his beliefs let him withdraw his support from Romney.
Comment removed by moderator. ALL CAPS
As a reminder to all readers this is the man who not once but twice voted for Ryans plan to replace medicare with vouchers.
He and his cohort Rep Heck who refers to medicare as a ponzi scheme.
Dont fall for his running away from Romney they are cut from the same cloth.
I read this week that the gap between the rich and poor is still increasing.
Is this not defined as redistribution of wealth?
A healthy society (and economy) would focus on narrowing this gap, right?
So whats worse. Telling it like it is, Romney saying he's not worried about the 47% of Americans who won't vote for him anyway OR our President wanting to re=distribute wealth. MMMM let me think about that.
As an active duty member of the Armed Forces, I truly believe that neither Mitt Romney or Paul Ryan gives a damn about our military at all. Romney is a draft dodger just like Clinton and Bush were.
I have a word for Romney and friends. "Corporateers" In the 17th century, their were buccaneers. Unscrupulous pirates who had no loyalty to country and stole from anyone and everyone. To me, the 1% who believe in Romney/Ryan are not Americans. They are loyal only to money and where they can make the most of it in the world. They are the 21st century pirates. If Romney/Ryan, Heller and any Republican wins, we loose. We will be gleaned and left with the bill.
Interesting how his politics changes at elections time! He votes party line most of the time.. even in some cases that hurt Nevada's interests.
I think he is a decent enough guy personally.. but in this political climate every Republican knows if they go against the party they will be run out of office by their own and not get anything of theirs voted on. So don't expect any change if he is elected.
I am more of the opinion everyday that putting a Democrat majority back in will at least get some bills passed by breaking the standoff we currently have had since the Republicans took control of the house.
Now Romney has flip flopped on 5 issues gay marriage, immigration, health care, safety net, and the 47%. Heller is a double talker.
The Democrats are the party of government handouts, welfare dwellers, illegal aliens, taxes (never met a tax or illegal alien they didn't like), intolerance and hate, protectors of the rights of criminals instead of their victims (soft on crime), Union thugs, the lazy, socialized medicine, Wall Street (Obama and the Dems recieved the most from Wall Street campaign contributions), etc.