Mitt Romney’s infamous 47 percent comment has created controversy in the mass media. Under the username MotherJonesVideo, an excerpt of Romney’s strategy session with his campaign staff was released on YouTube Sept. 17.

The video shows Romney labeling 47 percent of Americans as freeloaders, completely dependent on the government.

“There are 47 percent who are with [Obama], 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 health care, to food, to housing, to you name it,” Romney said. “That that’s an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what.”

Although Romney’s statements might slightly offend the 47 percent, is it fair to judge him on what was supposedly a private conversation?

Secretly taping Romney’s meeting was a sneaky, underhanded tactic. There is no dignity in discrediting someone by using trickery.

Romney was strictly strategizing for his campaign. He did not put his thoughts in a delicate manner because there was no need to do so in that situation. Romney was merely pointing out the difficulties of obtaining the votes of the 47 percent, so his campaign does not need to worry about trying to convince them.

Additionally, Romney’s comments do not necessarily reflect his personal views on the 47 percent. He was forthright about his strategy which may have led to an unintentionally harsh statement.

“I’ll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives,” Romney said.

After Barack Obama won the presidential election in 2008, he said in his acceptance speech, “Even though you didn’t vote for me, I hear your voices. And I’m going to work as hard as I can to be your president.”

There is a huge contrast between the candidates’ statements.

However, Obama’s speech was planned well in advance. He could easily agree with Romney’s stance on the 47 percent, but the public would not know because no one was there to tape it. Romney’s statement was off the record and without prior planning, making the two situations incomparable.

No one can ever know for sure what the truth is behind Romney’s words. There is profound uncertainty surrounding this situation, and Romney’s remarks should not stand as a sole reason for voters to go one way or the other.