Let Them Eat Vouchers

Unguarded remarks are the bane
Of many a White House campaign;
It's hard to promote
The popular vote
From people you clearly disdain.

For example said Governor Romney,
The Republicans' President nom'nee:
"47%
Will never consent
To pull their weight in our econ'my."

While confiding in generous friends,
Mr. Romney ineptly offends,
Since half of the tax-free
Are elderly, actually,
On whom his election depends.

Several months ago, Mitt Romney held a candid Q&A session with well-heeled supporters at the Miami home of hedge fund manager Max Leder. In refreshingly (for him) blunt terms, Gov. Romney discussed the strategy and tactics of his campaign. In one point, however, Mr. Romney was a little too blunt, asserting that President Obama's core support derives from the 47% who pay no federal income taxes and purportedly expect a litany of free government services. "My job is is not to worry about those people," Romney said. "I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."

If you're not too stunned by a Presidential candidate dismissing half the country as freeloaders, consider the following:

• The original video of Governor Romney with his donors, published by Mother Jones; 
• An analysis by Slate's Dave Weigel of why "the 47%" are not who the Governor thinks they are; 
• The National Review's Ramesh Ponnuru on why conservatives need to let go of the "47%" meme.