In a stop in Fairfax, Virginia on Friday, President Obama rolled out a new attack line as he accused Republican Mitt Romney of conveniently changing his position on a number of issues in order to look more moderate to voters in Novmeber; the President called it "Romnesia."
"I mean, he’s changing up so much and backtracking and sidestepping, we’ve got to name this condition that he’s going through," the President said with a knowing smile. "I think it’s called 'Romnesia.'”
Here is the transcript of the President's remarks at George Mason University in Virginia where he unveils the "Romnesia" riff.
THE PRESIDENT: The choice between going backward and moving forward has never been so clear. But now that we're 18 days out from the election, Mr. "Severely Conservative" -- (laughter) -- wants you to think he was severely kidding about everything he said over the last year. (Laughter.) He told folks he was "the ideal candidate" for the Tea Party. Now suddenly he's saying, "what, who, me?" (Laughter.) He's forgetting what his own positions are, and he's betting that you will, too.
I mean, he's changing up so much and backtracking and sidestepping -- (laughter) -- we've got to name this condition that he's going through. I think it's called "Romnesia." (Laughter and applause.) That's what it's called. I think that's what he's going through.
Now, I'm not a medical doctor, but I do want to go over some of the symptoms with you -- because I want to make sure nobody else catches it. (Laughter and applause.) If you say you're for equal pay for equal work, but you keep refusing to say whether or not you'd sign a bill that protects equal pay for equal work -- you might have Romnesia. (Laughter and applause.)
If you say women should have access to contraceptive care, but you support legislation that would let your employer deny you contraceptive care –- you might have a case of Romnesia. (Applause.)
If you say you'll protect a woman's right to choose, but you stand up at a primary debate and said that you'd be delighted to sign a law outlying -- outlawing that right to choose in all cases -– man, you've definitely got Romnesia. (Applause.)
Now, this extends to other issues. If you say earlier in the year, I'm going to give a tax cut to the top 1 percent and then in a debate you say, I don't know anything about giving tax cuts to rich folks -- you need to get a thermometer, take your temperature, because you've probably got Romnesia. (Applause.)
If you say that you're a champion of the coal industry when, while you were governor you stood in front of a coal plant and said, this plant will kill you -- (laughter) --
AUDIENCE: Romnesia!
THE PRESIDENT: -- that's some Romnesia. (Applause.)
So I think you're being able -- you're beginning to be able to identify these symptoms. And if you come down with a case of Romnesia, and you can't seem to remember the policies that are still on your website -- (laughter) -- or the promises you've made over the six years you've been running for President, here's the good news: Obamacare covers preexisting conditions. (Laughter and applause.) We can fix you up. We've got a cure. We can make you well, Virginia. (Applause.) This is a curable disease. (Laughter.)
Obama supporters also tried to press the new line on social media, using the #Romnesia hashtag on Twitter. Would the President use it in next Monday night's debate if he had the chance?
