Democrats are also carefully choosing their rhetoric. Some have invoked the popular Pope Francis, who recently warned that income inequality will lead to “an economy of exclusion.” Some are citing economist Mark Zandi, former adviser to Sen. John McCain (R) of Arizona, who defends benefits for the long-term unemployed as a boost to economic growth.2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s comment about the 47 percent of Americans who are “dependent on government” and “unwilling to take personal responsibility and care for their lives.” It reinforced his plutocrat image in the 2012 campaign, which Obama went on to win handily even in a bad economy. CS