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Romney Stands By Secret Video Comments [VIDEO]

Mitt Romney isn’t denying – or apologizing for – comments that he made to donors at a $50,000 per plate closed-door fundraiser in Boca Raton, Florida that were secretly recorded and leaked to the press.

FOX News Radio’s Jared Halpern has details from Washington:

Audio clip:

The Republican nominee is trying to explain an answer he gave supporters at a closed-door fundraiser back in May, describing Americans who don’t pay any Federal income tax as people who see themselves as “victims.”

(Romney – Tape) “So my job is not to worry about those people.  I’ll never convince them.”

The answer was secretly recorded, then obtained and released by Mother Jones.

(Romney) “By the way, whoever has released the snippets, I’d certainly appreciate it if they’d release the whole tape.”

Romney saying in a news conference last night his message has always been about two different approaches between his and the President’s.

In Washington, Jared Halpern, FOX News Radio.

LISTEN to more of the recording from the video, posted on Mother Jones:

Audio clip:

“There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the President no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that’s an entitlement, and the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this President no matter what.  I mean, the President starts of with 48…49…48…he starts off with a huge number.  These are people who pay no income tax, 47 percent of Americans pay no income tax.  So our message of low taxes doesn’t connect.  He’ll be out there talking about tax cuts for the rich, and that’s what they sell every four years.  And so my job is not to worry about those people, I’ll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.  What I have to do is convince the five-to-ten percent in the center, that are Independents, that are thoughtful, that look at voting one way or the other depending upon, in some cases, emotion, whether they like the guy or not.”

Tuesday morning, Mother Jones released more video from the fundraiser.  In the new release, Romney talks about foreign policy, specifically about the prospects, or lack thereof, for peace in the Middle East.

LISTEN to some of the second release posted by Mother Jones:

Audio clip:

“And I look at the Palestinians not wanting to see peace anyway, for political purposes, committed to the destruction and elimination of Israel, and these thorny issues, and I say, ‘There’s just no way.’ And so what you do is you say, you move things along the best way you can, you hope for some degree of stability, but you recognize that this is going to remain an unsolved problem. I mean, we live with that in China and Taiwan. Alright, we have a potentially volatile situation but we sort of live with it, and we kick the ball down the field and hope that ultimately, somehow, something will happen and resolve it. We don’t go to war to try and resolve it imminently.”

WATCH more of Romney’s response late Monday night:

READ a statement from the Obama campaign about the video release:

“It’s shocking that a candidate for President of the United States would go behind closed doors and declare to a group of wealthy donors that half the American people  view themselves as ‘victims,’ entitled to handouts, and are unwilling to take ‘personal responsibility’ for their lives.  It’s hard to serve as president for all Americans when you’ve disdainfully written off half the nation.” 

8 Comments

  1. John

    September 18, 2012 at 9:28 am

    I must apologize to the American people. You see, I am a member of Romney’s infamous 47%. Why? I am recently retired and a Vietnam Veteran. I feel ashamed that I now pay no income tax on my fixed income. Oops! I forgot about the deferred taxes I must pay on my personal retirement account withdrawals. The personal retirement money I struggled to save for while raising four children. The children I raised by working 40 to 60 hours a week for many years.
    I feel ashamed that during my four years of military service, fighting for a country I believe in, I paid no income tax either.
    So, I guess all of the Income and Medicare taxes I paid during my 40 year working career don’t count for anything. I guess I shouldn’t feel entitled tax breaks and to Medicare (even though I continue pay for private insurance for my Part B and C coverage).
    I wish to thank you Mr. Romney. I never realized that I am such a drain on America. That I am "dependent upon government". That I am one who "believes that they are victims."
    Mr. Romney. You will receive my full apology on November 6th. That’s the day I WILL vote for President Obama.
    Sincerely, former leech and loafer.

    • Merci Ovard

      September 18, 2012 at 6:26 pm

      The first valid argument/explanation I've seen, kudos!

  2. Dustin

    September 18, 2012 at 9:45 am

    what? um let me see what percent has the current presedent writin off? I support Romney now as a better canidate then I did bifore this tape was released

  3. Paul

    September 18, 2012 at 10:25 am

    Agree, the Obama administrator will stop at nothing to try to discredit Romney. Chicago Politics in full swing..

  4. Renee

    September 18, 2012 at 10:37 am

    Everything he said is the truth, no one wants to here it.

  5. Kim

    September 18, 2012 at 2:29 pm

    Dear John..perhaps people that intentional secretly tape people they do not support then edit it intentionally to hurt a specific party should just hop in with the whole tape. I applaud Mitt for what he said. None of us want to harm ANYONE that truly needs help. Nor would you. A lot of people are abusing the system and are well aware of it and get a thrill from it. THAT is what needs to be stopped. Not the true people in need.

  6. jacobjpost

    September 18, 2012 at 4:01 pm

    How the F is Mother Jones. I rely don't care PROBABLY ANTHER
    PIECE OF FESES LEVING OF ANTHER peoples HARD WORK
    NO MATTER WAT I HAVE TO SAY IS DETRACTED TO BIG ERIS
    THE esteemed MEMBER OF THE excavate BREACH OF THE US GOVERNMENT ( MR OBAMA) DO AS ALL A SLADE STOP HOPING YOU WILL BE elected JOIST GO WERE AVER YOU DES AIR SO LONG AS IT IS NOT THE WHIT HOWS YOU WERE GAVEN A CHINS BOT YOU AND YOU ALON F IT UP SOW JOIST GO WAY NOW thanks

    • Merci Ovard

      September 18, 2012 at 6:23 pm

      Your argument would be better phrased if I could actually understand what you are saying!