NM governor responds to Romney video

Associated Press

RUSSELL CONTRERAS, Associated Press

Updated: Sep 18, 2012 4:03 PM

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Republican Gov. Susana Martinez says the "47 percent" mentioned by GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney in a video made public this week represents an important voting group.

Martinez, the nation's only Latina governor and once mentioned as a vice presidential candidate, was asked Tuesday about the video during a stop in Albuquerque.

The video shows Romney telling wealthy donors that almost half of all Americans "believe they are victims" entitled to extensive government support. Romney has said the comments weren't "elegantly stated" and they were spoken "off the cuff."

Asked if she was offended by the comments, Martinez said New Mexico has many people who are living at the poverty level and their voters count just as much as anyone else.

She says it's "a good thing" her state provides a safety net for those in poverty.

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