ATLANTA -
GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney was in Atlanta for a big fundraising event at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on Wednesday. His visit comes after controversial remarks he made about nearly half of Americans.
During a May fundraiser in Florida, Romney was secretly recorded, calling nearly half of the voters victims who think government has a responsibility to care for them. The liberal Mother Jones magazine got a copy of the video and put it out to the public.
In the video, Romney says, "There are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe that government has a responsibility to care for them…"
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FULL VIDEO!
Romney tried to clarify the remarks in an interview with FOX News on Tuesday.
"Those that are dependent upon government, and those that think government's job is to redistribute, I'm not going to get them. The problem right now, you see in this country so many people have fallen into poverty that they're not paying taxes. They have to rely on government. And the right course to help them is not just to have government handing out, but instead government helping people to get back to good jobs," said Romney during his appearance on Your World with Neil Cavuto.
During the $1,000 a plate fundraising luncheon in Atlanta on Wednesday, Romney hammered President Obama on the economy in a 20-minute speech.
"I'm concerned that if we stay on the path President Obama has put us on, America's going to change in ways we can't imagine. I'm concerned we won't remain the strong nation that protects liberty for ourselves, and the nation that provides prosperity for ourselves and for the coming generation," said Romney.
Romney told donors that the most important question this election isn't which candidate cares about the poor and middle class Americans.
"The question is going to be, who is better equipped and has the better direction in mind to help the people of America that so badly need help," said Romney.
Romney told supporters that President Obama's policies are hurting the nation's most vulnerable.
"A tape came out just a couple of days ago with the President saying yes, he believes in redistribution. I don't. I believe the way to lift people and to help people have higher incomes is not to take from some and give to others, but to create wealth for all of us -- to create an economy so strong, it lifts everybody," said Romney.
Protestors, who started gathering outside the event hotel about a half hour before Romney's scheduled arrival, said they oppose his position on taxes and the economy.
"All of the problems that were dumped on Obama's lap when he took office, he can't fix them in four years. It's impossible. You can't wave a magic wand and expect things to get better," said protester Paulette Sellers.
Following Romney's fundraising event in Atlanta, he will fly to Miami for a fundraising event there.
GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
