(CNN) - Mitt Romney's sons defended their father Tuesday against an earlier charge from rival Newt Gingrich that the former Massachusetts governor lied about his ties to negative campaign ads.
Speaking to CNN Senior Congressional Correspondent Dana Bash, four of Romney's five sons weighed in on the state of the campaign on the day of the critical Iowa caucuses.
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"You get thick skin throughout this whole process, and we know what our dad's all about," Matt Romney said when asked about Gingrich's "lying" comments. "We love him. We know he's a man of integrity. He's a great example as a father for us, so it really doesn't - we don't take it personally."
On Tuesday, Gingrich was asked on CBS if he thought Romney was a "liar" for saying he didn't have anything to do with a super PAC running anti-Gingrich ads in Iowa. Gingrich answered unequivocally "yes."
Josh Romney said each of the 2012 candidates was running in their own particular fashion.
"We're running in to a lot of great candidates running for president in their own way, but we're here to talk about my dad and why we think he's the best candidate for the president of the United States," Josh Romney said.
As for any negative campaigning against their father, Romney's sons were in agreement that the attacks came with the political territory.
"We know there are going to be a lot of tough ads. Anything that we hear said, we know who he is, he's a great man of integrity and great father and leader. We know we have to have thick skin," Matt Romney said.
Tagg Romney said the ads running in Iowa would only be the beginning.
"Politics is a tough sport. You have to be willing to take the heat. We know there's going to be a lot of negative ads coming from the Democrats in the general election and you have to be able to withstand those things," he said.
Asked if there was anything voters might not know about their father, Romney's sons listed off anecdotes from their childhoods, including Mitt Romney's penchant for playing pranks, and his love for spending time with his grandchildren.
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Interesting that no one calling Romney a liar produced any evidence of their claims. I guess they are just slanderers.
Hey, Patrick Ritter, I'm with you, dude! When you say, "I won't vote for anyone who hasn't spent time in the US military for President. If you're going to walk the walk, you better be able to demonstrate more than talk ... and that's all Obama's done ... talk. No military experience ... no presidency." So, here goes, if you haven't had a baby (or are capable of having one), like about half of the American voting public has, then you're OUTTA THERE! And oh yeah, how about this one... if you believe in things that you don't understand (to quote Stevie W), then while YOU might suffer, why should WE?!
Basically, I guess this means that we're left with an atheist woman, right Pat? Now, I'm not sure if we're gonna find too many of those that are also veterans, so you might be left without a candidate! Ooh, poor Patrick, can't vote for anyone.
So nice to see these straping young lads fight for their country! Lol!
Mormons are not exempt and in fact send many, many young men and women into the military. BYU runs a large ROTC program.
In either case, to state that you have to serve in the military to be patriotic is one of the most un-American statements I have read in a while.
Having said all that, I still am looking forward to 4 more years of Obama.
What else do we expect?
Corporate Management wish Romney could be their boss, too bad he doesnt care about the 99% of who are not management sell outs.
anybody know by the election regulations, does any candidate have to reveal all the resources of the donation funds? Wonder, by whom do those big corporations support? That should affect a lot on the final scores. Wonder those who supported Obamacare, which one did they support on GOP side? Anybody know?
Who is it that Newt supports wars on foreign lands but NONE of HIS sons are in the military...Mitt can be a Hawk when his sons of privileged are on the battle field!
Mittens shipped thousands of jobs overseas, and you expect him to ship his sons over too? He ain't stupid; American wars and imperial adventures are always fought primarily by those without any other opportunities to advance themselves. That is why it is so perverse that so many of those same people vote for Republicans just because they stand in front of 15 American flags and say the Democrats are soft on (insert whatever the fear flavor of the era is . . . communism . . . terrorism . . .) Vote Republican and hand the keys to the treasury (such as it is) to the robber-barons and the captains of the military industrial complex.
Fascists one and all
Wow... now we have little GOParrots... GOParakeets
I would have preferred that they stand up for their country by serving in the military, but I guess that since they have are so affluent, they are too valuable to be allowed to do anything but make money.
I love it! Gingrich calls Romney a "liar" but says that he'll back him if her's nominated. He's acting like a 5 year old. Where, oh where is the GOP chairman? Somebody needs a time out not the nomination for President. Especially if they're going to act-up like this.
Peace.
Ron Paul 2012
they should be serving their country in the Armed Forces of the United States of America just like a patriotic AMERICAN would do.....I DID!!!
i think all the candidates have lied, but some more than others. Newt is the biggest liar of them all with a HUGE ego.
We're rich we don't have to serve in the military. Somebody has to pay the taxes. Jeez!
The more Mitt's sons push their father to run for President, the less of his 200+ million dollars wealth will be going to them when Mitt kicks the bucket. I'm sure Mitt is using some of his own money to buy the white house.
It's nice to stand up for daddy.
C'mon gang, calling a politician a liar is like calling him an air-breathing mammal. Yeah, he's a bald-faced liar; show me one that isn't. And don't wave the Ron Paul flag; he's done his share. Obama's been accused of thousands of lies by the right, and probably a few of those accusations are true.
I don't want a paragon of virtue for a president, I want somebody who has the brains and guts to try to improve the country and most of its people. Obama's far from perfect, but he's closer to what we need than anything in the republican race.
Well the lying Gingrich said he wouldn't run a negative campaign but calling someone a liar says it all about this fat cat. Why are people voting for Paul and Santorum its so stupid as they won't win any other states.
The guy who wants to be a president has 5 sons? Are you kidding me? Isn't aware of population growth and its impact....
Romney isn't a "turnaround guy" he's a private equity vulture that over leverages companies only to strip them down and break them apart – all in the name of higher returns so Bain could collect higher fees.
All 15 sons of Romney came out in full strength against him, typical Mormons. His wife is just a baby making machine, stay at home and do my laundry!!! WHERE IS MY DINNER WOMAN?!?!!?!?
Romney's sons will defend their father, but they won't defend their country. That's for the little people.