Sheldon Danziger comments on safety net for very poor following Romney's remarks

Sheldon Danziger, director of the National Poverty Center and professor of public policy, commented on the strength of programs for the very poor following controversial remarks by Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Danziger told USA Today that many programs for the poor have benefited from funding via the 2009 economic stimulus package, but that such programs were still being cut at the state level. He added that a number of programs cannot immediately accommodate all those who qualify.

"The safety net is strong, mainly because of the stimulus bill, but it's not as strong as it should be," Danziger said.

Making a point he was most concerned with securing America's struggling middle class, Romney said he was not concerned about the "very poor" because there was already a safety net in place. "If it needs repair, I'll fix it," he said.