Mitt Romney worked a comeback from an issue which dominated political headlines this week, speaking in his Saturday weekly podcast on welfare and dependency.

"Instead of creating a web of dependency, I will pursue policies that grow our economy and lift Americans out of poverty," Romney said. "My five-point plan will deliver the economic recovery we've all been waiting for and the jobs that millions of Americans still need."

On Monday, a left-leaning magazine released secretly recorded clips of Romney speaking at a private fundraiser in May. In them, Romney is heard saying there is a certain bloc of people "who will vote for the president no matter what."

"There are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe that 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 is seen and heard saying. "That's an entitlement.... These are people who pay no income tax. Forty-seven percent of Americans pay no income tax. So our message of low taxes doesn't connect. And he'll be out there talking about tax cuts for the rich."

"My job is not to worry about those people," he continued. "I'll never convince them that they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives. What I have to do is convince the 5 to 10 percent in the center that are independents that are thoughtful."

The release came as conservatives criticized Romney's campaign strategy as off-track.

But in his podcast on Saturday, Romney spoke about creating "a growing economy that fosters upward mobility," and hit Obama for leading "a stagnant economy that fosters government dependency."

He also criticized Obama's stance on welfare, a criticism he has leveled against the president on the campaign trail and in campaign advertisements.

"President Obama opposed the 1996 welfare reforms, and it is no surprise that his administration is trying to dilute them now," Romney said. "When it comes to strengthening the middle class and enabling upward mobility, President Obama's policies have failed."

His language in the radio address is toned down from an ad released last month which said welfare beneficiaries "wouldn't have to work and you wouldn't have to train for a job. They just send you your welfare check."

A CNN fact check of the spot found the claim to be exaggerated.

In his address, Romney's emphasis was on his philosophy.

"As president, I will keep the work requirements in welfare and get our economy growing again, creating good jobs, higher take-home pay, and more opportunity for all Americans," he said.

Romney held meetings and fundraisers on Saturday but attended no public events. His running mate - Rep. Paul Ryan - campaigned in Florida.