Romney gives Roberta McCain a 'pass' for Mormon comments

Romney campaigned in New Hampshire over the weekend.

LACONIA, New Hampshire (CNN) - At a campaign stop near former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's Granite State vacation home, Romney dismissed comments made by Arizona Sen. John McCain's mother on his faith.

"Mrs. McCain's comments? Oh I give a pass to anybody that's over 90. They can say whatever they want," Romney told reporters with a smile.

On the show "Hardball," McCain's 95-year-old mother, Roberta, criticized Romney's religion and experience.

McCain's mother told host Chris Matthews "as far as the Salt Lake City thing, he's a Mormon and the Mormons of Salt Lake City had caused that scandal. And to clean that up, it's not a subject."

Romney was selected to head up the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games following allegations of bribery and scandal within the organization.

While McCain's mother received a pass from Romney, his campaign has worked hard to court the evangelical Christian constituency by alleviating concerns over his Mormon faith.

When asked if he would start to discuss his faith more openly on the campaign trail, Romney said he didn't feel it was the right time, but was "open to the idea."

Related video: Watch a short clip of Mitt Romney reacting to Mrs. McCain's comments.

Related: Romney advisers oppose speech on religion

–CNN New Hampshire Producer Sareena Dalla