Nutter, PA Dems Blast Romney Before Friday Visit

One day before GOP presidential candidate Gov. Mitt Romney visits the Union League and Valley Forge Military Academy, Pennsylvania Democrats spoke out about his visit.

In a press call Thursday, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and PA Democratic Party Chairman Jim Burn criticized the former Massachusetts governor's tax plan and said Romney's out of touch with the common Pennsylvanian.

"I think what we're all wondering is, will he double down on the 47 percent comment?" Burn said, referring to Romney's remarks at a Florida fundraiserwhere the candidate discussed citizens who may not vote for him. "It's unacceptable for a candidate for president to dismiss folks as not worth pursuing."

The Democrats hammered the "47 percent comment," and said the "victims" Romney referred to as non-taxpayers include senior citizens, military personnel and college students.

"To say our nation's college students are victims of accepting handouts can't be further from the truth," Nutter said. "Either Gov. Romney is insulting or out of touch."

Burn said Romney's tax plan "confirms what we all expected—the tax plan is for millionaires and billionaires like himself... sounds like Mr. Romney's tax plan is looking out for one person, Mr. Romney."

While Democrats, like those on the call, have criticized Romney's tax plan, conservative groups like the Heritage Foundation say that certain analysis made inaccurate assumptions that would favor an argument in which Romney only favors the rich. 

Romney's appearance in Wayne and Philadelphia Friday comes on the heels of different polling results. An internal Republican poll has Romney closing the gapin Pennsylvania behind President Obama. While, separate Qunnipiac and Franklin & Marshall polls show the incumbent widening his lead.

When asked if Romney's Friday speech meant the candidate felt Pennsylvania was back in play, Nutter refused to speculate as to the GOP's strategy.

"Pennsylvania is great state, and if you're running for president, then you should go everywhere," he said.

Although the VFMA visit is a public rally, KYW Philadelphia said the Union League event is for donors and the campaign expects to raise $3 to $4 million.

Nutter said that round-table event is indicative of Romney's attitude toward the commonwealth and credited Obama for reaching more common voters.

"We are fortunate that we have a president who does get it... President Obama is looking out for all Americans, not just the few," he said.

Read more about Romney's appearance on Radnor Patch here.