In the closing moments of the first presidential debate in Denver, supporters of President Obama stared at the clock waiting in vain for mention of Mitt Romney’s infamous “47 percent” line on stage. At the second of three debates Tuesday night, the secretly recorded quote — more specifically the Democratic take on it — got the last word.
The final question from the audience at the town hall debate was about what “the biggest misperception” each candidate felt the public had about him.
Romney suggested the Obama campaign has twisted the 47 percent quote to its own ends, without expressly mentioning “47 percent.”
“The president’s campaign has tried to characterize me as someone who’s very different than who I am,” he said. “I care about 100 percent of the American people. I want 100 percent of the American people to have a bright and prosperous future.”
That “I care about the 100 percent” line has been Romney’s main response to questions about the 47 percent video.
Obama, who answered the question last, pivoted off of Romney to hit the Republican hard on 47 percent.
“When he said behind closed doors that 47 percent of the country consider themselves victims who refused personal responsibility, think about who he was talking about,” Obama said. “Folks on Social Security who’ve worked all their lives, veterans who’ve sacrificed for this country, students who are out let it trying to hopefully advance their own dreams but also this country’s dreams, soldiers overseas fighting for us right now, people working hard every day paying payroll taxes, gas taxes, but don’t make enough income.”
“I want to fight for them,” Obama said.
The debate ended before Romney got a chance to respond.
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