US President Barack Obama has rebuked Republican rival Mitt Romney, saying that anyone seeking to be president needs to work for all Americans.
Mr Obama told chat show host David Letterman Mr Romney was wrong to describe 47% of Americans as “victims”.
Earlier, Mr Romney defended his remarks after secretly filmed video of a speech to donors became public.
He told Fox News he knew those “dependent on government” would not vote for him in November’s election.
Mr Romney also decried the notion of government “redistribution”, calling it an “entirely foreign concept”.
More leaked video emerged on Tuesday, showing Mr Romney saying Palestinians do not want peace in the Middle East.
The full video of the Florida fundraiser was also published by liberal investigative magazine Mother Jones.
In Tuesday’s Fox interview, Mr Romney stood by his comments about the 47% of Americans who do not pay income tax. He said they support President Barack Obama and would never vote for him. He said his statement was “about the campaign”.
“I’m talking about a perspective of individuals who are not likely to support me,” he said. “Those that are dependent on government and those that think government’s job is to redistribute, I’m not going to get them,” Mr Romney said.
BBC
