Obama Attacks Mitt Romney's '47 Percent' Comments In Presidential Debate

Obama Saves 47 Percent For Last
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President Barack Obama waited until his final exchange to attack Mitt Romney's much-maligned comments at a fundraiser that 47 percent of Americans are "dependent on government" and see themselves as "victims."

"I care about 100 percent of the American people. I want 100 percent of the American people to have a bright and prosperous future," said Romney.

Obama replied that Romney is a good man who loves his family and cares about his faith. He then pivoted to Romney's 47 percent comment, which referred to the percentage of Americans not paying income tax. He had not mentioned the comment in the first debate.

"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," Obama said.

"Folks on Social Security who have worked all their lives. Veterans who have 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 tax, but don't make enough income."

He went on, "And I want to fight for them and that's what I've been doing for the last four years. Because if they succeed, I believe the country succeeds. When my grandfather fought in World War II and he came back and got a GI Bill that allowed him to go to college, that wasn't a handout --that was something that advanced the entire country and I want to make sure that the next generation has those same opportunities. That's why I'm asking for your vote and that's why I'm asking for another four years."

The debate ended.

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US President Barack Obama (L) Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R) participate in the second presidential debate at the David Mack Center at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012, moderated by CNN's Candy Crowley. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama (L) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R) participate in the second presidential debate, the only held in a townhall format, at the David Mack Center at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012, moderated by CNN's Candy Crowley. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama (R) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) participate in the second presidential debate, the only held in a townhall format, at the David Mack Center at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012, moderated by CNN's Candy Crowley. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama (R) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) participate in the second presidential debate, the only held in a townhall format, at the David Mack Center at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012, moderated by CNN's Candy Crowley. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speak during the second presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (credit:AP)
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US President Barack Obama (R) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) participate in the second presidential debate, the only held in a townhall format, at the David Mack Center at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012, moderated by CNN's Candy Crowley. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama (L) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R) participate in the second presidential debate, the only held in a townhall format, at the David Mack Center at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012, moderated by CNN's Candy Crowley. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama (R) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) participate in the second presidential debate, the only held in a townhall format, at the David Mack Center at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012, moderated by CNN's Candy Crowley. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney (rear) and US President Barack Obama debate on October 16, 2012 during the second of three presidential debates at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. AFP PHOTO / Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama (R) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) participate in the second presidential debate, the only held in a townhall format, at the David Mack Center at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012, moderated by CNN's Candy Crowley. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama (R) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) participate in the second presidential debate, the only held in a townhall format, at the David Mack Center at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012, moderated by CNN's Candy Crowley. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama (R) and Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney argue during the second presidential debate, the only held in a townhall format, at the David Mack Center at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012, moderated by CNN's Candy Crowley. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney participate in the second presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (credit:AP)
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Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, left, listens as President Barack Obama addresses members of the audience during the second presidential debate at Hofstra University, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, in Hempstead, N.Y. (AP Photo/Pool-Michael Reynolds) (credit:AP)
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US President Barack Obama (R) and Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney argue during the second presidential debate, the only held in a townhall format, at the David Mack Center at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012, moderated by CNN's Candy Crowley. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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US President Barack Obama (R) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) participate in the second presidential debate, the only held in a townhall format, at the David Mack Center at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012, moderated by CNN's Candy Crowley. AFP PHOTO / Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney (L) and US President Barack Obama debate on October 16, 2012 during the second of three presidential debates at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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President Barack Obama answers a question as Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney listens during the second presidential debate at Hofstra University, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, in Hempstead, N.Y. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (credit:AP)
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HEMPSTEAD, NY - OCTOBER 16: U.S. President Barack Obama listens during a town hall style debate at Hofstra University October 16, 2012 in Hempstead, New York. During the second of three presidential debates, the candidates fielded questions from audience members on a wide variety of issues. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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HEMPSTEAD, NY - OCTOBER 16: U.S. President Barack Obama (L) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R) walk on stage during a town hall style debate at Hofstra University October 16, 2012 in Hempstead, New York. During the second of three presidential debates, the candidates fielded questions from audience members on a wide variety of issues. (credit:Getty Images)
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HEMPSTEAD, NY - OCTOBER 16: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R) and U.S. President Barack Obama (L) shake hands prior to the start of a town hall style debate at Hofstra University October 16, 2012 in Hempstead, New York. During the second of three presidential debates, the candidates will field questions from audience members on a wide variety of issues. (Photo by Michael Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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HEMPSTEAD, NY - OCTOBER 16: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) speaks as U.S. President Barack Obama listens during a town hall style debate at Hofstra University October 16, 2012 in Hempstead, New York. During the second of three presidential debates, the candidates fielded questions from audience members on a wide variety of issues. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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HEMPSTEAD, NY - OCTOBER 16: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R) speaks as U.S. President Barack Obama listens during a town hall style debate at Hofstra University October 16, 2012 in Hempstead, New York. During the second of three presidential debates, the candidates fielded questions from audience members on a wide variety of issues. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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HEMPSTEAD, NY - OCTOBER 16: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) and U.S. President Barack Obama (R) shake hands prior to the start of a town hall style debate at Hofstra University October 16, 2012 in Hempstead, New York. During the second of three presidential debates, the candidates will field questions from audience members on a wide variety of issues. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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HEMPSTEAD, NY - OCTOBER 16: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) and U.S. President Barack Obama (R) shake hands prior to the start of a town hall style debate at Hofstra University October 16, 2012 in Hempstead, New York. During the second of three presidential debates, the candidates will field questions from audience members on a wide variety of issues. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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HEMPSTEAD, NY - OCTOBER 16: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) and U.S. President Barack Obama (R) shake hands prior to the start of a town hall style debate at Hofstra University October 16, 2012 in Hempstead, New York. During the second of three presidential debates, the candidates will field questions from audience members on a wide variety of issues. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, speaks with members of the audience before the start of the second presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, on October 16, 2012. Undecided voters from the New York area will ask the two candidates questions in the townhall style debate format. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney sits with wife Ann and son Matt and daughter-in-law Laurie in a holding room before he participates in the second presidential debate with President Barack Obama at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak) (credit:AP)
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HEMPSTEAD, NY - OCTOBER 16: Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, arrives prior to the start of the town hall style debate at Hofstra University October 16, 2012 in Hempstead, New York. During the second of three presidential debates, the candidates will field questions from audience members on a wide variety of issues. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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HEMPSTEAD, NY - OCTOBER 16: The stage is set for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and U.S. President Barack Obama to answer questions during a town hall style debate at Hofstra University October 16, 2012 in Hempstead, New York. During the second of three presidential debates, the candidates will field questions from audience members on a wide variety of issues. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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(R-L) Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, his wife Ann, his son Matt and Matt's wife Laurie await in a holding room, the start of the second presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, on October 16, 2012. US President Barack Obama and Romney will face off in a town-hall style debate with undecided voters asking questions of the two candidates. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his wife Ann await in a holding room, the start of the second presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, on October 16, 2012. US President Barack Obama and Romney will face off in a town-hall style debate with undecided voters asking questions of the two candidates. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, waits for the start of the second presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, on October 16, 2012. Undecided voters from the New York area will ask the two candidates questions in the townhall style debate format. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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US First Lady Michelle Obama awaits the start of the second presidential debate with US President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney on October 16, 2012 in Mack Arena at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, applauds before the start of the second presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, on October 16, 2012. Undecided voters from the New York area will ask the two candidates questions in the townhall style debate format. AFP PHOTO / STAN HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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The stage is set prior to the second presidential debate to be held at the David Mack Center at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012. US President Barack Obama and Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney will face off later Tuesday in a town-hall style debate with undecided voters asking questions of the two candidates. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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The stage is ready prior to the second presidential debate to be held at the David Mack Center at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012. US President Barack Obama and Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney will face off later Tuesday in a town-hall style debate with undecided voters asking questions of the two candidates. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Barack Obama And Mitt Romney Participate In Second Presidential Debate(78 of85)
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HEMPSTEAD, NY - OCTOBER 16: Members of the production crew ready final preparations on stage at Hofstra University for the second presidential debate between U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney October 16, 2012 in Hempstead, New York. The second presidential debate, a town hall format with questions from the audience, will be held this evening at Hofstra University. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Barack Obama And Mitt Romney Participate In Second Presidential Debate(79 of85)
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HEMPSTEAD, NY - OCTOBER 16: Members of the production crew ready final preparations on stage at Hofstra University for the second presidential debate between U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney October 16, 2012 in Hempstead, New York. The second presidential debate, a town hall format, will be held this evening at Hofstra University. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Barack Obama And Mitt Romney Participate In Second Presidential Debate(80 of85)
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HEMPSTEAD, NY - OCTOBER 16: Members of the production crew ready final preparations on stage at Hofstra University for the second presidential debate between U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney October 16, 2012 in Hempstead, New York. The second presidential debate, a town hall format, will be held this evening at Hofstra University. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
US-VOTE-2012-DEBATE(81 of85)
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The stage is set prior to the second presidential debate to be held at the David Mack Center at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012. US President Barack Obama and Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney will face off later Tuesday in a town-hall style debate with undecided voters asking questions of the two candidates. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Barack Obama And Mitt Romney Participate In Second Presidential Debate(82 of85)
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HEMPSTEAD, NY - OCTOBER 16: Members of the production crew ready final preparations on stage at Hofstra University for the second presidential debate between U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney October 16, 2012 in Hempstead, New York. The second presidential debate, a town hall format, will be held this evening at Hofstra University. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Barack Obama And Mitt Romney Participate In Second Presidential Debate(83 of85)
Open Image Modal
HEMPSTEAD, NY - OCTOBER 16: Members of the production crew ready final preparations on stage at Hofstra University for the second presidential debate between U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney October 16, 2012 in Hempstead, New York. The second presidential debate, a town hall format, will be held this evening at Hofstra University. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Marc Weiner(84 of85)
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The shadow of Marc Weiner, 21, a junior at Hofstra University, is cast against a banner as he gestures with four fingers signaling four more years for President Barack Obama while showing his support ahead of the presidential debate with Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Obama, Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. (AP Photo/David Goldman) (credit:AP)
Gary DePass(85 of85)
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New York state trooper Gary DePass stands outside the David Mack Arena at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, before the presidential debate between President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) (credit:AP)