Mitt Romney gaffes: 11 times the button-down candidate should have buttoned up

In politics, a gaffe is often described as a "truth told by accident." Mitt Romney has had relatively few of them during his time in politics, but when the former governor of Massachusetts commits one, it can be a doozy – and a distraction. Here’s a list of the most memorable.

6. ‘Corporations are people, my friend!’

Steve Pope/AP
Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, accompanied by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., speaks to a group of workers at Nationwide Insurance Company in November.

At an appearance at the Iowa State Fair Aug. 11, Romney got into a spirited argument with some fairgoers over whether the wealthy should pay higher taxes to fund Social Security and Medicare. Romney opposes raising taxes.

“Corporations!” a protester shouted, an apparent suggestion of where to raise taxes.

“Corporations are people, my friend!” Romney replied.

Some in the audience objected. Romney pushed back: “Of course they are. Everything corporations earn ultimately goes to people. Where do you think it goes?”

Score another one for the argument that Romney is a friend to big business but not the little guy. Thus was born more fodder for Democratic ads.

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