Yesterday a video leaked by the news outlet Mother Jones revealed presidential candidate Mitt Romney addressing donors at a closed-door fundraiser earlier this year. And his comments were more frank than his public speeches. Romney remarked that the 47 percent of Americans who do not pay federal income taxes will vote for President Obama no matter what because they are dependent on the government and feel entitled to health care, food and housing. He said he cannot and will not try to convince those voters to take personal responsibility and care for their lives. But what rocked the internet is Romney’s additional declaration that these voters are none of his concern.

While it may be true that the voters who have already chosen President Obama may not factor significantly into Romney’s campaign, no candidate for President of the United States — or for any public office — should declare a certain group of constituents is not his concern.

The media and pundits, along with the Obama campaign manager, have pounced on the newly released video, revelling in another Romney blunder. However, this video is far from surprising — in fact, it falls directly in line with the platform Romney has run on for his entire campaign.

It is reasonable for Romney not to concern himself with Obama devotees as potential voters, but we must expect that as President he would enact what he believes are the best policies for all Americans. Yet Romney has clearly expressed his belief that half of the population will not take responsibility for their own lives. It does not bode well for the interests of the 47 percent of the voting population when a presidential candidate has so little respect for them.

If Obama is decidedly “of the people,” then Romney’s comment has further polarized his campaign in support of the fortunate. The fact that he voiced plans to relinquish responsibility for nearly half of the American people in a private donor setting is unbecoming to a potential President, but not shocking. Despite his frank and ruthless candor, his economy-obsessed campaign and top-one-percent perspective is really nothing new.

A version of this article appeared in the Tuesday, Sept. 18 print edition. Email the WSN Editorial Board at [email protected].