Eagan, Minnesota (CNN) – Mitt Romney sparkled as he took the stage in Eagan, Minnesota, the day after a blowout victory in Florida's primary.
But the glint in Romney's hair and on his blazer wasn't a post-victory glow. Instead, the GOP candidate was dusted in glitter thrown by a young male protester before Romney took the stage.
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Eagan police escorted the young man out of the building after the incident.
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Calling the glitter "confetti" to celebrate his Florida victory, Romney brushed off the glitter-bombing – literally and rhetorically.
"Ah, I've got glitter in my hair," he said, and joked about his famously coiffed hair. "That's not all that's in my hair, I tell you that. I glue it on everyday whether I need to or not."
But as the candidate was shaking hands with supporters after his speech, a second person again attempted to blanket Romney with glitter, which he brought to the event in a Pringles can. Escorts quickly moved the glitter-bomber away from Romney.
An individual from the glitter-growing group, Nick Espinosa, said he was affiliated with two operations: Glitterati and Occupy Minneapolis. The intent in throwing the glitter was to underscore Romney's donations to the Mormon church, which Espinosa said was campaigning against gay marriage.
"Minnesota is a state that prides itself on tolerance," Espinosa said.
Romney was not the first GOP candidate to face such an attack. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was glitter-bombed earlier in the campaign as were former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann.
During his Eagan rally, Romney was pushed by an audience of several hundred to sing "God Bless America." The candidate frequently quotes from the song on the stump, but received positive reviews for breaking into song at an earlier appearance in Florida.
"If you keep that up I'm going to have to get singing lessons because I'm not so good," he told the audience, which joined him in song.
On Tuesday, a federal law enforcement source said Romney would begin receiving Secret Service protection within days. It's unclear though whether additional security would have stopped such a protest.
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Ill-Advised Glittering can get You Arrested
I hope that those who are "glittering " realize that this act constitutes a battery (or assault/battery as a crime). Mr. Romney and his wife are attorneys and I believe there was a reason for him fingering the person that caused it. Just to let you know. Not sure who is soliciting these things but it is both a crime and a tort. Might come across that candidate who might press charges.
Let's face it. Romney is waaaaay to big of a tool to be president. The guy looks like a screwdriver.
Love some of the comments about OWS.
Arrest these law breakers huh ?
The constitution of the United States Of America
guarantees the right to assemble and protest.
Guess some of you dont like the constitution.
All men are created equal, except the ones you dont like.
Very interesting that NUt Case Jan Brewer can stick her dirty finger in our President's face without the Secret Service even entering the picture but let a gay man toss some confetti on Willard and three Rambos jump to the rescue.
These glitter bombers are immature whiney babies. Let's see what would of happened if someone would of glitter bombed Obama. As for you fools supporting it, please just stay working at your starbucks jobs.
Such a bold, confident, rich, very rich man, who said yesterday, "I really don't care about the very poor." What a much of ignorant Americans who've decided to endorse and vote for this totally wrong-for-America idiot.
How can you complain about glitter after throwning $15.3 million dollars in lies at Gingrich.
The glitter bomber should have been treated like any other terrorist and been shot by security.
Everyone laughs until someone loses an eye.
Romney blows. I'm not vorting for one more president that doesn't care about the middle class. We went through 8 years of that terror with George Bush. Never again!
I would ask people not to throw dust to Romney. Instead just throw to him questions and let him think himself and answer them. So far to my opinion, the man is an empty suit. Thats why all time he has been not allowed to say anything. Once they allowed him to be himself and talk what is in his mind, he went to say: "I am not concerned about the poor". Keep on asking questions whether media or individual, you will put this man on the limelight so that everyone will understand he doesn't deserve to lead anyone.
Romney is the only logical choice. He is educated and articulate. He has both government and private sector experience. He has a record of making situations much better. Unlike Gingrich, Romney has not been endorsed by the wackos like Cain, Pallin, Perry, Limbaugh, Levin, etc. He polls much better against Obama than Gringrich too. Finally, he has money to take on Obama (and none of the soiled history like Newt).
This was setup by the Romney campaign in an attempt to cover up the fact that he was in a strip club the night (and morning of) before the event. Smart move mister Romney. Smart move.
Terry wrote:
Any Republican who speaks of correcting the "safety net" is actually a Closet Democrat, or clearly speaking like a Liberal Conservative. So, we need Democratic Control of the House and Senate, and Mitt Romney in the White House.
------------–
Yeah, right. Mitt Romney has given full throat endorsement to the Ryan Plan, which systematically dismantles the safety nets. Mitt Romney has a "tax reform" proposal that lowers his own taxes and raises them on the bottom 20%. Mitt Romney is a salesman, pure and simple. To properly judge Mitt Romney you need to look at his actions and motives. He has been all over the board on every issue, but one thing has remained consistent. He will give his voters what they want. His voters in the extreme right wing want what is best for themselves, and every man for himself.
Specific to JBuman,
Actually we know what those who are accused of terrorism by Republicans face – illegal warrentless wiretapping, rendition, indefinite jailing without charges being filed, secret military tribunals, waterboarding, and Guantanamo Bay!
Look out glitter boys....If Mittens gets into office...you may find yourselves in Cuba!
Just once I would love to be standing next to one of you glitter bomb morons – just once...
I'm gay and pro-Obama, but I hate that homosexuals are showing their disdain of candidates through this silly childish prank. When I want to win someone to my way of thinking, I don't harrass him/her.
The most telling thing abouit Mitt is the uncool way he handled this situation. He was clearly shaken, and demonstrated that when taken by surprise, his coping skills go out the window. The glitter bomb was harmless–it was not a handful of rocks, but it's message was weak and the perpetrator failed to make his point. Not a good decision on his part, but more frightening would be Romney's decision in a crisis.
The seven fateful minutes of George W. Bush on 911 would be 30 or 40 minutes on Mitt's watch because he would not know what to do or how to handle the situation, so he would take the coward's way out while checking his appearance in the mirror to see if he is "camera ready".
What a circus. I just feel like writing something about how politics is the national game. Campaigns should be limited to 6 months like in most other countries.
Too much time and energy is spent on polotics and not enough spent on governing.
BTW, Romney is an Elitist, out of touch with the general population. Saw it when he was governor here.
Good luck, USA!
Typical liberal behavior -gutless
Romney certainly is a terrible person who cares nothing for the poor or the middle class. All of his rhetoric is false.
"Minnesota is a state that prides itself on tolerance," Espinosa said
...apparently not tolerant enough to avoid assaulting anyone with whom we don't agree
Since the government recognizes only one woman as the legal wife of a man, the rest of a mormon's wives are considered single mothers and are eligible to receive government assistance. The more wives and children one has, the more welfare checks and food stamps one can receive. By 2003, for example, more than $6 million dollars in public funds were being channeled into the community of Colorado City, AZ. They think they can defraud the government 'bleed the beast' and regard it as a virtuous act. The attitude of some polygamists is 'the government is untrustworthy and corrupt, and I'm above it, but give me those food stamps and free medical care.'"
The term "bomb" is a joke. it's just glitter, people.
OKcthunder:Snookie is successful too, should mittens make her the vp. They are both pretty successful at making money, if that's how you pick who you want to be POTUS.