WASHINGTON — An new Obama campaign video released after a presidential gaffe suggests that Mitt Romney supports public sector cuts — particularly for firefighters and teachers.
"[Obama] wants to add more to government,” Romney says in the video, filmed at a campaign event in Iowa last week. “He says we need more firemen, more policemen, more teachers. Did he not get the message in Wisconsin? American people did. It’s time for us to cut back on government and help the American people.”
Romney’s comments were in response to claims made by President Obama last week following the release of lower-than-expected May job numbers, which drew criticism from Republicans.
“The private sector is doing fine,” said Obama said at a news conference Friday. “Where we’re seeing weaknesses in our economy have to do with state and local government.”
The Obama campaign said the video focuses on the Republican’s “job elimination plan,” and it features Mass. public employees describing Romney’s 2003-2007 tenure as governor.
The IAFF endorsed the Obama/Biden ticket last week.
“The simple fact is, over the past two years IAFF members have been literally assaulted — their rights attacked, their standard of living attacked, their retirement after a career serving their community attacked — and those assaults have been launched at every level by people who say the same things, promote the same policies and have similar records in public office as Mitt Romney,” said IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger on the IAFF website.