Romney And The 'Dependent' 47 Percent

Mitt Romney’s tough judgment on 47 percent of America.  We’ll look at the facts and the fallout.

Mitt Romney’s been looking for a campaign reset.  Lots of  Republicans upset this week at signs that he’s slipping in the polls.  Then - boom! - comes a bootleg video from Mother Jones, of Romney at a $50,000 a plate fundraiser in Florida, laying into nearly half of America as “dependent”, entitled “victims”.

“My job is not to worry about those people,” he says.  And now that video’s everywhere.  The White House says it’s disqualifying.  Romney stands by the substance.

This hour, On Point:  The freeloader charge.  Mitt Romney’s tough judgement on 47 percent of America.
-Tom Ashbrook

Philip Rucker, national political reporter at the Washington Post.

Donald Marron, director of the Tax Policy Center, which is a joint venture of the Urban Institute and the Brookings Center.

Marcy Kaptur, Congressional representative from Ohio's 9th district.

Stephen Moore, editorial board member and senior economics writer for the Wall Street Journal.

David Corn, Washington, D.C. bureau chief for Mother Jones.

Mother Jones "When Mother Jones first disclosed secret video of Romney's remarks, we were obliged to not reveal details regarding the time and place of the event. That restriction has been lifted, as the story has garnered attention throughout the media."

New York Times "In a brief and hastily called news conference Monday just after 10 p.m., Mr. Romney acknowledged having made the blunt political and cultural assessment, saying it was “not elegantly stated,” but he stood by the substance of the remarks, insisting that he had made similar observations in public without generating controversy."

Here is the video that captured Mitt Romney's controversial comments.