Romney Keeps Relearning History’s Gaffe Lessons

WASHINGTON (AP) - Mitt Romney's remarks disparaging 47 percent of Americans are the latest in a string of poorly chosen words that play into Democrats' portrayal of him as out of touch. But he's not the only one plagued by a campaign gaffe deemed elitist by critics.

President Barack Obama is still trying to live down his remark in 2008 that bitter Midwesterners cling to their guns and religion.

University of Pennsylvania Professor Kathleen Hall Jamieson says in both cases the remarks were made more damaging because they were intended for a select audience of wealthy campaign donors. She says voters are especially upset when candidates say one thing in public and another privately.

Romney's secretly taped remarks criticized people who don't pay any federal income tax and feel entitled to government aid.

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