Romney slams Obama's 'web of dependency'

MIAMI (AFP) - Mitt Romney has accused President Barack Obama of fostering a "web of dependency" amid an increasingly bitter electoral battle over their competing visions of the government's role in society.

Under attack over videotaped comments dismissing 47 per cent of Americans as freeloaders relying on government handouts, the Republican presidential nominee regrouped and insisted his policies would help the entire country to prosper.

"My course for the American economy will encourage private investment and personal freedom," Romney wrote in an opinion piece on Wednesday in USA Today.

"Instead of creating a web of dependency, I will pursue policies that grow our economy and lift Americans out of poverty." He doubled down on the concept at a high-end Atlanta fundraiser - the third such event in two days - as he accused Obama of favoring big government policies that blunt individual initiative.