CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
Mitt Romney and his advisors continue to conduct damage control as more controversial remarks about supporters of President Obama and other Americans surface.
Romney said he didn't use the right words, but he won't apologize for the comments he made in a video that was recorded at a private fundraiser.
A series of leaked videos posted on the left leaning website Mother Jones shows him at a fundraiser where he made controversial remarks about Obama supporters.
Romney was taped saying about 47 percent of Americans will vote for President Obama no matter what describing them as dependent on the government.
"There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what," Romney said at the fundraiser.
"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," Romney continued. "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 off with 48, 49… he starts off with a huge number," Romney said. "These are people who pay no income tax. Forty-seven percent of Americans pay no income tax. So our message of low taxes doesn't connect. So he'll be out there talking about tax cuts for the rich."
"My job is not to worry about those people," Romney said. "I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."
"I mean, that's what they sell every four years," Romney concluded. "…What I have to do is to 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."
Romney was also heard making remarks about tensions between Israel and Palestine. He said Palestinians have no interest seeking peace with Israel.
The GOP presidential candidate went on to talk about terrorism, saying a pro-Iranian terrorist could hold America ransom by threatening Chicago.
The comments were made back in may at a private fund-raiser, but were recently uncovered by the grandson of former president Jimmy Carter. James Carter IV combs through YouTube posts to help the Democratic Party, and stumbled across the clip.
Romney called a press conference Monday night to address the controversy. He said he stands by the idea that President Obama's approach is attractive to people who are not paying taxes.
Romney defended himself after the footage surfaced saying it was taken out of context and may not have been "elegantly stated."
Jim Messina, campaign manager for Obama for America, responded to Romney's stance.
"It's hard to serve as president for all Americans, when you've disdainfully written off half the nation," Messina said.
Romney appeared on FOX News for the first time since the video was released, and clarified his statement.
"The right course for America is one where government steps in to help those in need," Romney said. "We're a compassionate people, but then we let people build their own lives, create enterprises, we believe in free people and free enterprise, not redistribution. The right course for America is to create growth, create wealth, not to redistribute wealth."
President Obama's campaign took full advantage of the leak. The president made mention of it during an appearance on the late show with David Letterman.
"I don't know what he was referring to, but I can tell you this. When I won in 2008, forty-eight percent of people voted for John McCain, they didn't vote for me," Obama said. "What I said on election night was, even though you didn't vote for me, I heard your voices and I'm going to work as hard as I can to be your president."
President Obama said anyone who wants to be president has to "work for everyone, not just for some."
