Stephanopoulos to RNC Chair: Is Romney 'In Denial' Over the State of His Campaign?

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus appeared on ABC with George Stephanopoulos Sunday to discuss the state of the U.S. presidential race-- and the "secret" video of Mitt Romney discussing the "47%" of Americans unlikely to vote for him.

The video, which also includes a discussion of the Federal Reserve, has been interpreted by many as an admission that Mitt Romney does not care about the poor.

Discussing those who do not pay income taxes, the Republican nominee said: “There are 47% of the people who will vote for the president no matter what...There are 47% who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them...[M]y job [is] not to worry about those people.  I’ll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.”

Speaking with RNC Chair Reince Priebus, Stephanopoulos said voters will be hearing about the video "every single day" until the election, and that the Romney campaign may be in "denial" over the state of the race.

Watch the interview, via Mediaite, below:

Priebus said the past week has been "defining" for both Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, as the two crystallize around their central issues.

Without mentioning the crisis sweeping the Middle East and parts of Europe, Priebus said: "What kind of future do we want for our kids and grand kids? ... Do we want the cradle-to-grave, 'life of Julia,' ObamaCare, we'll take care of you from preschool to death America?  Or do we want [a] return [to] opportunity, liberty, freedom...?"

Soon after, Stephanopoulos read a number of comments from Peggy Noonan at the Wall Street Journal in which she ripped Mitt Romney as "incompetent," "too small for the moment," and a "rolling calamity."

"I know that Gov. Romney says his campaign doesn't need a turnaround, but is he in denial?" Stephanopoulos asked.

While Priebus said he respects and admires those who are concerned about the Romney campaign, he was clear that the Republican is running "a different kind of campaign."

Priebus explained: "I promise you on my life, I'm not sitting here talking to you because I'm worried about the future of the Republican Party...we're worried about the future of this country."

(H/T: Mediaite)