Romney aide loses cool, curses at press in Poland
Warsaw, Poland (CNN) - The traveling press secretary for Mitt Romney lost his cool and cursed at reporters who attempted to ask questions of the Republican presidential candidate in a public plaza near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw Tuesday.
After Romney paid his respects to Poland's war dead and shook hands with a small gathering of the nation's military veterans, the GOP contender walked approximately 100 yards away from the memorial as he chatted with Warsaw's mayor.
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As Romney made his way to his vehicle, reporters attempted to shout questions to the candidate. The former Massachusetts governor, who has answered only three questions from his traveling press corps during a week-long overseas trip, ignored the queries. Romney did sit down for multiple interviews during his foreign swing, including with CNN's Piers Morgan and Wolf Blitzer. Romney also spoke with NBC News, CBS News, ABC News and Fox News during his trip.
When members of the press tried to ask Romney about some of the mishaps on his trip, his traveling press secretary Rick Gorka verbally dressed down reporters.
Here's a transcript of the questions and Gorka's response:
CNN: "Governor Romney are you concerned about some of the mishaps of your trip?
NYT: "Governor Romney do you have a statement for the Palestinians?
Washington Post: "What about your gaffes?
NYT: "Governor Romney do you feel that your gaffes have overshadowed your foreign trip?"
CNN: "Governor Romney just a few questions sir, you haven't taken but three questions on this trip from the press!
Gorka: "Show some respect"
NYT: "We haven't had another chance to ask a question..."
Gorka: "Kiss my ass. This is a Holy site for the Polish people. Show some respect."
Moments later, Gorka told Jonathan Martin, a reporter for Politico, to "shove it." About a half-hour later, the aide called reporters to apologize.
Gorka's comments to the media came just hours before Romney's foreign policy speech in Warsaw.
Aides to the GOP candidate say Romney visited Poland to highlight the nation's growing economy and honor its contributions to the war in Afghanistan.
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These jokers are pathetic. No foreign policy cred to begin with and now no diplomacy or basic respect for anyone. We can not let "these people" (yes, I said it...) become the spokespersons for the United States, abroad nor at home. Obama/Biden 2012...
Conservative or Liberal if you can't tell Romney would be a HORRIBLE president you have some serious judgement problems.
I'm no fan of Romney but I like his aide. Journalists should show some respect at places like this. They were acting like paparazzi.
While being frustrated with the press is understandable that does not excuse his aide's behavior. His aide is supposed to be a professional. Is this the kind of leadership we can expect from Romney? He is already extremely evasive, can't define his positions on issues clearly, has made some questionable comments and now this. He needs to get his act together if he plans on winning the election.
Of course hes not going to answer any questions unless they come from faux..kiss my ass and shove it.Romney sure has surrounded himself with some real evangelicals hasnt he
Get used to it – this is how he plans to handle the press as president.
Perfect! Just what they deserve.
Ffs, please bring this guy back to the states and lock him in his house for a few years. He's embarassing our country as much as Bush did and he's not even the President. This can only get worse...
Seriously, Mitt? This is your press secretary? Who's going to be your Secretary of State? Ted Nugent?
just what does romney say.he never says how he's going to solve anything,the guy is a wimp
And the Sarah Plain II tour continues.
And the hits just keep coming. He's Palin 2012, don't ask me questions just elect me!
What's going on here? Romney refuses to disclose his taxes, his donor list, his contracts he gave out during his Time overseeing the Olympics, shreds his emails before leaving Mass as Governor and now refuses to even take questions? Is he running for President or secretive Dictator? I mean really! Geez, Mitt even told the Isrealis he loved Government run healthcare....This man is all over the map and he needs to answer questions by the press. I have a question. Why are you raising money from a forign country? And what other countries are you getting money from and what are you promising them?
Well gee, when did reporters show any respect? Not good that a press secretary does not have total control over his temper, but in some cases, this appearing to be one, he was correct in his disgust if not his verbage. Probably would be good to see Romney talk to reports once in a while, but then again maybe the RNC learned a bit from the last election.
Mitt is really on a roll.
Three countries, three international blunders.
Mit Romney is NOT qualified to be President.
Reporter shouting at the top of her lungs at the Polish Tomb of the Unknown. It's too bad someone in the campaign doesn't have the nerve to call her out by name and demand that she make a public apology to the Polish people. There are millions of Americans of Polish descent who will get the REAL story: Boorish, disrespectful media insult Polish war dead.
He shouldn't have apologized.
Even his team can't help but screw up this trip. Romney's attempt to bolster his foreign policy resume has turned into an unmitigated disaster. Of course he's not answering questions from his press corps, when he knows it will only go to further highlight his incompetence and inability to lead on an international stage. Go back to making yourself filthy rich at the expense of America jobs Mr. Romney.
So unprofessional
Shove it and no comment will be standard retorts to questions should Mittens become Potus.
The Repukeans don't want to be challenged by anyone who can actually think independently or who deviate from their beliefs.
WAKE UP AMERICA
I have little respect for Romney the man or Romney the candidate – and I usually find his blundering hysterical – but this isn't one of those. The press of today seems not to know when it's time to be dogged and determined and when it's time to show restraint.
Another non story. I thought he was really cussing them out according to the headline of this article.
Is the strain of multiple mistakes in multiple countries, beginning to show? Not ready for prime time.
I realize that press can get hasty...but thats their job.For Mitt press secrety to lose it on this trip doesnt reflect good on Mitt.Mitt might think about getting someone else as his press secrety.
Bully leader, bully staff.