'Struggling' man in Mitt Romney video is a graduate, Republican activist ... with a job
In sombre tones, Ryan King portrays himself as an ordinary guy struggling to make ends meet in Mitt Romney latest political video.
Titled Obama's Misery Index: Ryan's Story, Mr King, of Midland in Michigan, says he has $3 to his name and is forced to eat bologna sandwiches because they're cheap.
But it turns out Mr King may not be really struggling after all.
'Regular guy': Ryan King spoke earnestly of his hardships in the video Obama's Misery Index: Ryan's Story, but it turns out he's a GOP activist
In 2009 Mr King was identified in the local press, the Midland Daily News, as the vice treasurer for the Midland County Young Republicans.
It appears he has been a local activist since then.
His Facebook page features pictures of him partying away at the 2011 state GOP convention in Grand Rapids.
In the video, Mr King tells of his frustration at not being able to get a job.
But on his Facebook page in May he boasted on his Facebook page of getting a job at Quality Marketing Enterprise in Midland, as a marketing accounts rep.
Party time: Facebook photos of Ryan King enjoying himself at the 2011 state GOP convention
The good life: King with a female friend at the convention
'Got the job, booya!!!' he posted.
Mr King no longer works at Quality Marketing but has another job.
In the video he clearly says 'Right now I have about $3 to my name before I cash my paycheck tomorrow.'
Only moments before that in the video, he tells how prospective employers want experience, even for jobs he's qualified for.
'My hands are tied...how am I gonna get experience if no one will hire me in?' he asks.
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'Is it my fault that I can't get a job?'
'To a certain point, you just start losing faith in yourself.'
The video was released on Friday and has already had nearly 11,400 views on YouTube.
Mr King's authenticity as a man who has fallen on hard times was immediately questioned on Friday in the Washington Post Opinions section.
The website freakoutnation.com criticises GOP presidential Mitt Romney fofr the video but also for his recent assertion that 'I'm also unemployed' when he's actually worth millions.
'Didn't Romney's camp scrutinize this ad over before releasing it, or at the very least, glance at it?' the website asks.
'Surely there are struggling Americans who can step up.'
Among the angry YouTube comments, one says: 'The guy graduated from college and has a job. Awful, Mitt Romney, awful. Hope you pull this ad before it's too late.'
Another said: 'Ryan King is a college graduate, employed, and a GOP activist. Mitt Romney, you lie!
On his own website, which also features the video, Mr Romney has not addressed the issue.
'Struggling' man in Mitt Romney video is Republican activist with a job