Changes

President Obama did not reference Romney's remark during their first debate and waited until the closing statement of their second debate to raise the issue (at a point where Romney could not respond):

President Obama did not reference Romney's remark during their first debate and waited until the closing statement of their second debate to raise the issue (at a point where Romney could not respond):

<blockquote> I believe Governor Romney is a good man. Loves his family, cares about his faith. But I also believe that when he said behind closed doors that 47 percent of the country considered themselves victims who refuse personal responsibility, think about who he was talking about: folks on Social Security who've worked all their lives. Veterans who've sacrificed for this country. Students who are out there trying to hopefully advance their own dreams, but also this country's dreams. Soldiers who are overseas fighting for us right now. People who are working hard every day, paying payroll tax, gas taxes, but don't make enough income.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/2012-presidential-debate-full-transcript-oct-16/story?id=17493848&page=11#.UH_HyBg5V4s|title=Second Presidential Debate Full Transcript|date=October 17, 2012|accesdate=October 18, 2012}}</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote> I believe Governor Romney is a good man. Loves his family, cares about his faith. But I also believe that when he said behind closed doors that 47 percent of the country considered themselves victims who refuse personal responsibility, think about who he was talking about: folks on Social Security who've worked all their lives. Veterans who've sacrificed for this country. Students who are out there trying to hopefully advance their own dreams, but also this country's dreams. Soldiers who are overseas fighting for us right now. People who are working hard every day, paying payroll tax, gas taxes, but don't make enough income.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/2012-presidential-debate-full-transcript-oct-16/story?id=17493848&page=11#.UH_HyBg5V4s|title=Second Presidential Debate Full Transcript|date=October 17, 2012|accesdate=October 18, 2012}}</ref></blockquote>

At an October 23, 2012, rally at [[Dayton]] Ohio, Vice President Biden said:

At an October 23, 2012, rally at [[Dayton]] Ohio, Vice President Biden said:

<blockquote> The American people know only one way forward -- only one way -- and that is forward.  And together -- together, ladies and gentlemen, all of us -- even the 47 percent of us that Romney doesn't think matter -- (applause) -- we’re moving forward.  (Applause.)  Regardless.<ref>http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/10/23/remarks-president-and-vice-president-dayton-oh Retrieved November 5, 2012</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote> The American people know only one way forward -- only one way -- and that is forward.  And together -- together, ladies and gentlemen, all of us -- even the 47 percent of us that Romney doesn't think matter -- (applause) -- we’re moving forward.  (Applause.)  Regardless.<ref>https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/10/23/remarks-president-and-vice-president-dayton-oh Retrieved November 5, 2012</ref></blockquote>

Singer [[Stevie Wonder]] made the comment an issue when he addressed an Ohio Obama rally during the last weekend of the campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/protesters-removed-obama-rally-shouting-during-speech-021402287--election.html|title=Protesters removed from Obama rally after shouting during speech|first=Chris|last=Moody|date=November 4, 2012|accessdate=November 5, 2012|work=Yahoo News}}</ref>

Singer [[Stevie Wonder]] made the comment an issue when he addressed an Ohio Obama rally during the last weekend of the campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/protesters-removed-obama-rally-shouting-during-speech-021402287--election.html|title=Protesters removed from Obama rally after shouting during speech|first=Chris|last=Moody|date=November 4, 2012|accessdate=November 5, 2012|work=Yahoo News}}</ref>

==Republican Response==

==Republican Response==

ABC News asked Romney what he meant by "I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility..." and Romney replied, "What I am talking about is a political process. I will never get 100% of the vote."<ref name=abc>{{cite news|url=http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/mitt-romney-responds-47-percent-comment-17333552|title=Mitt Romney Responds to '47 Percent' Comment |work=ABC News|date=September 26, 2012|accessdate=October 1, 2012}}</ref> Romney then aired a new ad saying "President Obama and I both care about poor and middle class families."<ref name=abc/>

ABC News asked Romney what he meant by "I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility..." and Romney replied, "What I am talking about is a political process. I will never get 100% of the vote."<ref name=abc>{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/mitt-romney-responds-47-percent-comment-17333552|title=Mitt Romney Responds to '47 Percent' Comment |work=ABC News|date=September 26, 2012|accessdate=October 1, 2012}}</ref> Romney then aired a new ad saying "President Obama and I both care about poor and middle class families."<ref name=abc/>

Vice-presidential candidate [[Paul Ryan]] acknowledged that the "inarticulate" remark was a "misstep" on Fox News Sunday.<ref name=wsj/>

Vice-presidential candidate [[Paul Ryan]] acknowledged that the "inarticulate" remark was a "misstep" on Fox News Sunday.<ref name=wsj/>