Nashua, New Hampshire (CNN) - Even presidential candidates may benefit from a little R & R.
Mitt Romney hit the campaign trail Monday after two weeks spent with family out of the public eye. But he may as well have been working on a stand-up routine.
The former Massachusetts governor, who has been dinged for making awkward jokes and failing to connect with voters, repeatedly cracked wise during a question-and-answer session with a receptive and friendly audience at a VFW post in Nashua Monday evening.
A question about Romney's thoughts on global warming?
"Well it's not too hot in here," he joked, then continued with a serious answer.
What would he do about NASA's space program?
"I can't tell you which planet we're gonna go to," he said to sustained laughter. "Some people say go to the moon. Well, we were already there. Maybe the other side."
Romney has made several cringe-worthy "Dad jokes" with voters, perhaps most memorably in June when he told a panel of unemployed Americans in Tampa, Florida that he, too was unemployed.
He was also widely panned for some physical humor in New Hampshire that same month. When posing with a group of waitresses, Romney leapt forward as though one of them had goosed his behind.
But at the VFW event Ed Anzalone, of Nashua, said the governor seemed much more comfortable than during his first run in 2008.
"When he ran last time I thought he was quite stodgy, a big stiff," Anzalone said. "But he's loosened up a lot this time."
The audience even got in on the jokes when Romney told them about the book he'd written.
"It was great," someone called out.
"Thank you, Dad," Romney said, to laughter. "No I'm just kidding, I'm your age, I can't get away with that."
From CNN Politics
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How many of Mitt Romney's 5 sons did any military service ?
NONE !
He has little to really talk about. He is just a pro politician, currently out of a job, and he's looking for work. Nothing more.
Poor little rich mitt. Just can't figure out that he's damaged goods and will never win.
How can people trust this guy? he got $ 1 million donation from a company he started back in 1984! talk about robbing Peter to pay Paul the Republican Robbers Ballons are good at it!!!
Oh my goodness. Mitt Romney and his jokes. He certainly did not joke around when he was governor. He left the state worse off than it was when he arrived on the scene and pushed Jane Swift right out of the governor's mansion.
He kept saying that he supported Jane Swift and in the next breath he added to her problems. Sorry to say he is not the best candidate.
The guy can't win. He has the personality of a fart in a windstorm, and they'll label him an opportunist, flip flopper, elitist. Born on 3rd base and some will not be able to get over the uniqueness of the Mormon religion. Obama is more likable, by a lot. He's cool and romney is edgey.
Where was this clown the past few weeks when decisions have been made and people had to make meaningful comments? If America wanted no brains and good hair they'd vote for Rick Perry – the George Bush "wannabee".
YAWN!!! And I mean that because it is late and I am going to bed!!!
Should we now vote for Romney because he is funny? The last time we let our guards down and voted for a guy we could drink beer with, we ended with George Bush and since then our world has not been the same. He was the catalyst that stirred this financial debacle and the media should be mindful not to make that mistake again, by looking for qualities devoid of the" proper stuff", as Shakespeare did put it. There are so many of us out here that can make jokes, but that does not mean we can balance household budgets.
mitt is not disclosing where the million dollar donation came from. which mean he opening door for more corruption. this guy is already breaking law before he even gotten in the white house. what the heck is going on with america ? why are people allowing these kind of people to say and lies without reprecussion ?
The teabaggers aren't amused and the GOBP have a plan for Romney to repeat 2008.
with obama in command, I suggest all Americans start stock piling Food and Ammo.
Oh yeah, he's a real "man of the people", NOT! He's a typical GOBPbagger who cares only about the greedy, not the needy. His cult of corrupt corporatism will be the death knell for our country if we don't keep him and his fellow cult members as far away from the levers of government as possible.
He is so funny NOT!!! What a waste of clean air he is. Gore has been called wooden but this guy is still a tree!
Gawd. If this was the President the teatards woukd accuse him of trying to make jokes while the economy was tanking thanks to those same teabaggers.
I wish Romney would check with his staff before talking to the unemployed. He might as well stuck his foot in his mouth. As for his answer to climate change, he doesn't know anything and is showing his allegence to big oil and other polluting interests by not acknowledging the danger we are in with this. His NASA comment shows that he isn't really in touch with the changes in NASA's goal offered currently by Obama (or Bush previously). Going to the Moon and Mars is vital to our continued existance as a species. Let America lead the way.
Mitt Romney is a vegetable. We can do better.
Whats he going to do about his lack of character? Will he ever take a stand on something and still stand for the same thing three weeks later???
What about learning to be sincere....is there a school for that?