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SALT LAKE CITY — Herman Cain defended on Tuesday a shocking ad that shows a "rabbit" being launched into the air and shot with a firearm. The scene was meant to represent "small business under the current Tax Code," according to the young girl featured in the video, but it has drawn criticism due to its graphic nature.
"The liberals are trying to paint it like I'm killing animals," Cain told Politico. "The rabbit that we shot was a toy, stuffed rabbit. It was not a real rabbit."
Cain said the point of the ad was to draw attention to the current tax code, which he has said is killing small business in America.
'Uncle Joe' thanks 'Dr Pepper'
Vice President Joe Biden proved Wednesday that presidential contenders are not the only ones making mistakes on the campaign trail.
Gaffe-prone Biden was speaking on manufacturing at a campaign stop in Davenport, Iowa.
"So let me say it again: Thank you, Terry, and thank you, Dr Pepper, and thank you, Chancellor — Dr. Paper — and thank you, Chancellor, for this partnership of yours," he said, attempting to refer to Scott Community College President Dr. Theresa Paper. "You are one of the reasons why — you're literally one of the reasons why American companies are now insourcing instead of outsourcing."
Romney fails to connect
Biden was not the only person this week to slip up on the campaign trail. Days after a hot mic captured a private conversation between Pres. Obama and Russian Pres. Dmitry Medvedev, and just a week after a Romney aide provided ammo to the opposition by comparing Romney to an Etch A Sketch, Romney again got himself into trouble with the middle class.
During a conference call Wednesday with Wisconsin voters, Romney told what he felt was a humorous anecdote that demonstrated his connection to the state.
Voters did not seem impressed, though. Romney related how his father, George, shut down an American Motors factory in Michigan to open one in Wisconsin.
"Now later he decided to run for governor of Michigan," Romney said. "And so you can imagine that having closed the factory and moved all the production to Wisconsin was a very sensitive issue to him, for his campaign."
The story highlighted the problem Romney has struggled with throughout his entire campaign: seeming out of touch with the average American. Some of the candidate's more memorable gaffes have drawn attention to the problem, as in December when he jokingly offered to make Rick Perry a $10,000 bet during a GOP debate.
The GOP establishment took further steps this week to coalesce behind Romney, though. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., endorsed Romney Wednesday evening, warning Republicans that a continued battle would harm the party. Former President George H.W. Bush will endorse Romney at an event Thursday.
