Posted on 02/01/2012 1:02:13 PM PST by NormsRevenge
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney renewed his support Wednesday for automatic increases in the federal minimum wage to keep pace with inflation, a position sharply at odds with traditional GOP business allies, conservatives and the party's senior lawmakers.
"I haven't changed my thoughts on that," the former Massachusetts governor told reporters aboard his chartered campaign plane, referring to a stand he has held for a decade.
He did not say if he would ask Congress to approve the change if he wins the White House this fall.
Congress first enacted federal minimum wage legislation in 1938 and has raised it sporadically in the years since. The last increase, approved in 2007, took effect in three installments and reached $7.25 an hour for covered workers effective July 24, 2009.
It has never been allowed to rise automatically, as Romney envisions.
Organized labor generally supports increases in the minimum wage, and Romney's position could give him cross-over appeal among blue-collar Democrats in a general election campaign.
Republicans have generally opposed attempts to raise it, although in 1996, the GOP-controlled Congress passed an election-year increase that included a package of tax cuts for business and a subminimum wage to apply to new, younger employees.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Do you listen to Limbaugh?
He has said in every way possible why he is not endorsing anyone.
He has also said he will vote for anyone who wins because he is voting against BHO.
For me I will not vote for Romney if he is the nominee, he is no different that BHO.
Will somebody please this idiot to take a hike? He’s a disaster.
Will somebody please tell this idiot to take a hike? He’s a disaster.
If he is this liberal before winning the nomination, just imagine how liberal he’d be in office.
OK I have defended Romney when people go off on him here. I don’t support his position on this at all. Minimum wage is one of those government mistakes/ liberal traps which do the opposite of what is intended.
I still will vote for the nominee, and I think Mitty is trying to pivot a bit for the general. I would have preferred he take that position back in light of the current economic situation.
Go Newt and Santorum.
He is a good family man! Of course, so was Jimmy Carter.
That is very democratic position for a “conservative” like Romney.
Mitt treats Conservatism like it is a uniform he can take on and off depending on which crowd he needs to garner votes from. Conservatism comes from the core.
And WTH is wrong with the tea party voter in Fl. Did they not realize Mitt is EXACTLY the kind of politician they worked their butt off to destroy in 2010!!!
Mitt Romney: “I love the tea party and true conservatives. See I made a special car carrier for them to ride in on the way to the convention. Comes with a special windshield and everything!”
And yet, we are supposed to believe he is the Colosus of Capitalism and Champion of the Free Market system.
I love the attacks on Limbaugh now. Yes he is a bit of a phoney though he gave a decent explanation for not endorsing anyone.
But I got over worrying about his endorsement last time when he never endorsed Fred Thompson, even though he hates McCain. Then he railed against the party leaders giving us McCain.
We have to wear our big boy pants in dealing with all these people. In the end it’s our country not theirs. I’m not sure we’d enjoy a dinner party withg any of them, but they serve their purpose.
many people do not know... union contracts are normally fixed to a percentage above minimum
an increase in minimum wage results in an increase in union labor rates
Automatic, smaller increases are better than less frequent, larger raises imo. /s
He bloviates on his talk radio show about being the most courageous man in American politics, accuse many of being gutless, but yet he has no guts to endorse someone in the race. That is Rush Limbaugh… Finally many on our side are waking up and realizing that this guy is one of the biggest phonies in the country.
Plus it takes minimum wage away as an issue for the left wing to exploit. I don't like minimum wages anymore than anyone else. What's Newt's position on minimum wage?
Rush is an outright liar. I stopped listening to him after Bloody Thursday. I have listened to him since the late 80s. Rush is a fraud. Take off the blinders, Rush in his own subtle way is endorsing Mitt. Only a fool could not see that.
I second all of what Patton@Bastogne wrote. Unfortunately, I bought Two if By Tea in the past. Never again.
Yes; unfortunately it is one issue he should have flipped on.
I was being sarcastic. Minimum wage increases destroy jobs and freedom.
ROFLOL!!!
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