The Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol, along with a chorus of other conservatives, blasted Governor Mitt Romney for his comments at a private fundraiser that was secretly videotaped in May. Referring to the group of Americans who don't pay federal income tax, and who Romney called "dependent on government," Kristol wrote, "a good chunk of the 47 percent who don't pay income taxes are Romney supporters—especially of course seniors...as well as many lower-income Americans (including men and women serving in the military) who think conservative policies are better for the country even if they're not getting a tax cut under the Romney plan."
In these clips, Governor Romney is drawing a line between those he believes are "dependent on government" and those who are not. But it's not surprising conservatives are frustrated by the divisive rhetoric, because it's been a talking point the Romney campaign has used to attack the President for weeks. Check out the video below where we compiled a few of the times Governor Romney and his running mate Congressman Paul Ryan have accused President Obama of dividing Americans:
For more on the conservative backlash to Governor Romney's comments and the direction of the Republican Party, take a look at what Alex, our panel and former Republican Charlie Crist had to say on the show today: