Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is not apologizing for a video of him in a private meeting with donors criticizing supporters of President Barack Obama.

The liberal-leaning Mother Jones magazine recently released the video, and it's led to some criticism.

In it, Romney told donors he's not likely to win the votes of Americans who believe they are victims and "believe the government has a responsibility to care for them."

"There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what," he told donors.

"There are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government," he continued. "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. That, that's an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what."

The Republican presidential candidate goes on to say many of these voters don't pay income taxes.

"So my job is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives," Romney explained. "What I have to do is convince 5 to 10 percent in the center."

Romney offered no apologies for his remarks at a news conference Monday.

"It's not elegantly stated," he said.

"I'm talking about the political process of drawing people into my own campaign," Romney continued. "Of course, individuals are going to take responsibility for their life. And my campaign is about helping people to take more responsibility and becoming employed again."

The Obama campaign called Romney's comments shocking.

"It's shocking that a candidate for president of the United States would go behind closed doors and declare to a group of wealthy donors that half the American people view themselves as victim, entitled to handouts, and are unwilling to take personal responsibility for their lives," Obama Campaign Manager Jim Messina said in a statement.

But Romney said his comments are being taken out of context.

"This is ultimately a question about direction for the country," he said.

"Do you believe in a government-centered society that provides more and more benefits, or do you believe instead in a free enterprise society where people are able to pursue their dreams?" Romney continued. "I believe the latter will help people get jobs."