On the day Mitt Romney sought to press the restart button his campaign, a leaked video of him telling wealthy donors in Florida that 47 percent of Americans pay no federal income tax and will not vote for him stole the spotlight. FOX 9 News spoke with two strategists about the remarks.
"There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what," Romney says in one clip. "There are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent on government, who believe that, that they are victims, who believe that government has the responsibility to care for them. Who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing."
Democrats are pouncing on the statement, accusing Romney of deriding half of the American population and being out of touch. Meanwhile, Romney has stood by the comments; although, he did admit that they were not eloquently stated, calling the remarks "off the cuff."
FOX 9 News invited Democratic strategist Javier Morillo and Republican strategist Annette Meeks to discuss how the statement will affect Romney's efforts to win over undecided voters and whether Romney supporters are concerned about his chances.
Watch the video for more information.
In the same series of videos, Romney went on to joke that he'd have a better chance of winning this election if he were Latino.
"My dad, as you probably know, was the governor of Michigan and was the head of a car company. But he was born in Mexico -- and, uh, had he been born of, uh, Mexican parents, I'd have a better shot at winning this," Romney said. "But he was, unfortunately, born to Americans living in Mexico. I mean, I say that jokingly, but it would be helpful to be Latino."
In a statement, the campaign for President Barack Obama described the statements in the videos as "shocking."
"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."
