Chait defends Romney:
There is a controversy over whether corporations are people from the standpoint of law, with implications for free speech and other policy areas. That is not the point Romney was making. Romney was saying that taxes on corporations are in fact borne by people. Romney probably wouldn't admit that these are people who partially or completely own corporations, and thus far richer in the aggregate than the general public. But the fact is that they are people. Raising taxes on corporations is simply raising taxes on a certain category of people.
I don't disagree. It's just a gaffe/gift for the Obamaites. A reader pushes back against my take on Mitt's performance on the soap box:
I agree that Romney held his own against a crowd that clearly would have torn lesser candidates apart. This should probably be expected from someone who has apparently had no occupation other than running for president, over these last four years. In fact, the performance – and even the alleged "gaffe" may even strengthen his standings in the primaries. However, you can bet that the Obama campaign has added that video to their favorites list. It is giftwrapped reinforcement of the general election narrative they are already preparing to roll out. "Apart from that gaffe," Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?
Another notes:
Why are people calling Romney's comment a gaffe or a flub? It's a statement of fact, or at least his interpretation. His campaign even confirms that he meant what he said.
The Dish 