Ann Romney's Marie Antoinette-ish "You People" comment is the instant meme of the day.
However, the moment I read those two words, another Presidential bid by an absurdly rich white guy came to mind: H. Ross Perot's 1992 campaign:
NAACP Offers Chilly Response to Perot Speech
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The leadership of the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People gave independent presidential candidate Ross Perot a decidedly chilly reception Saturday.
Perot, in his first foray before a black audience, appeared to offend a large number of delegates to the NAACP national convention here by seeming to equate the nation's crime and drug problems with the black community.
The Texan delivered his standard stump speech emphasizing the need to rebuild the nation's economy and job base and urging all Americans to work together toward that goal. But in attempting to tailor the address to a black audience, Perot took what many in the audience considered a number of insensitive missteps.
In discussing inner-city crime and drug use, Perot on several occasions used the expression "you people" or "your people" to describe the offenders and the victims.
He also told stories about his father's treatment of black employees and his mother's charity toward black hobos that some considered patronizing.
"Financially at least, it's going to be a long, hot summer," Perot said. "Now I don't have to tell you who gets hurt first when this sort of thing happens, do I? You people do, your people do. I know that, you know that."
Now, it's been 20 years, and I happened to be in England at the time so I don't know what sort of impact Perot's incident had on the race here at home, but I do recall it causing quite a kerfuffle overseas.
The difference with Romney's patronizing quip is that to her, EVERY voter who isn't already filthy rich is a member of the filthy rabble, not just the black ones.