Obama campaign mocks Romney '47 percent' comment on Twitter

President Obama's reelection campaign was eager to highlight comments made by Mitt Romney in a secret video of a closed-door Florida fundraiser on Twitter Monday night, needling him over his initial remarks and a hastily arranged press conference intended to explain the comments.

In the video, obtained by Mother Jones magazine, Romney is shown saying that many Americans are "dependent upon government" and "believe they are victims."

"There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what," Romney is shown saying. "All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to healthcare, to food, to housing, to you name it."

Obama senior adviser David Axelrod led the charge, mocking Romney for his contention Monday that his comments were "not elegantly stated."

Q for Mitt: So how DO you "elegantly state" that half of America sees themselves as "victims," who refuse to take personal responsibility?

— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) September 18, 2012

Axelrod went on to link to columnist reaction to the story throughout the night.

Must read:Brooks on Romney's 47% slur.nyti.ms/Qy7WSH

— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) September 18, 2012

No apologies.Mitt stands by slam of 47% of U.S. he brands as shiftless, entitled "victims." Ezra Klein explains why:wapo.st/RlGWES

— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) September 18, 2012

Others on the Obama campaign team jabbed Romney over the news, including deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter, who re-tweeted a tongue-in-cheek post from Nevada journalist Jon Ralston.

The only thing missing from that Romney video is him revealing how much he REALLY paid in taxes. #princeharry

— Jon Ralston (@RalstonFlash) September 17, 2012

And the Obama campaign's rapid-response team made hay of the comments, further evidence the Obama campaign will push the clip in coming days.

Tonight it was revealed @mittromney thinks 1/2 the ppl in the country he seeks to lead won't take responsibility for their own lives #bold

— Danny Kanner (@DannyKanner) September 18, 2012

"@mittromney's campaign did not dispute the authenticity of the video" hosted.ap.org/dynamic/storie…

— Lis Smith (@Lis_Smith) September 17, 2012

The Romney campaign Twitter feeds, by contrast, showed little interest in engaging with Democrats over the comments, with no top campaign officials tweeting late Monday night.