Lawrence O'Donnell just reported that Mitt Romney announced a late evening press avail tonight, a sign of incipient panic over the released video.
Just that quickly, the avail is over. Romney took only 3 questions and uttered an attempt at an apology by saying his words at the event "were not elegantly stated and off the cuff."
Romney says in response to one question, "I would hope the person who has the video will put out the full material." He should be careful what he wishes for.
Video should be coming soon down below.
7:27 PM PT: From the video:
Romney: I'm talking about the political process of drawing people into my campaign. Of course people are going to take responsibility for their lives....
Then veers into canned stump material "do you believe in a government centered society or a free enterprise society?"
My campaign is about how to bring people out of poverty into the middle class.
My plan will create 12 million job.
Q: Do you stand by your statement?
"It's not elegantly stated. I did it off the cuff."
Romney argues that we only saw a snippet and didn't even get to see the question [not true, the question was included in the video I saw] "I would hope the person who has the video will put out the full material."
Q: This is the 2nd time you been recorded saying different things to the American public than your fundraisers.
Romney denies it. Walks quickly away with a sick smile/grimace on his face.
Lawrence O'Donnell sums up the avail: "That was a desperate man in a desperate situation."
7:32 PM PT: O'Donnell says he thinks all journalists will remember where they were at 10:24p tonight when Romney stepped before the press. He says he can only liken it to Nixon's "I am not a crook" moment.
8:03 PM PT: And... here's the video:
(thanks to Think Progress and marigold for finding)