Romney's son apologizes to Obama for 'swing' remark
(CNN) – Tagg Romney, Mitt Romney's oldest son, apologized to President Barack Obama Monday for saying he wanted to "take a swing" at him during contentious presidential debates.
Obama and Tagg Romney were seen speaking on the stage after Monday's final presidential debate, held at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. Two Obama aides said the conversation included an apology for the remark, made last week during a radio interview.
- Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
- Check out the CNN Electoral Map and Calculator and game out your own strategy for November.
Asked in that interview what it's like "to hear the President of the United States call your dad a liar," Tagg Romney joked about his fantasy response.
"Jump out of your seat and you want to rush down to the debate stage and take a swing at him," he said. "But you know you can't do that because, well, first because there's a lot of Secret Service between you and him, but also because that's the nature of the process. You know they're going to try to do anything they can do to make my dad into something he's not."
"We signed up for it, we've got to kind of sit there and take our punches, and send them the other way," he continued.
One of Tagg Romney's brothers, Josh, downplayed the comments in an interview on ABC's "The View."
"That brother has slugged me a couple of times," Josh Romney said. "I'm sure President Obama has nothing to worry about."
Asked about the original comments on Thursday, Romney campaign spokeswoman Amanda Henneberg said Tagg Romney was "joking about how frustrating this process can be for family."
CNN's Rachel Streitfeld contributed to this report.
From CNN Politics
- Harris faces painful Black history in emotional slave outpost visit
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Kentucky law aimed at increasing parental oversight in education takes effect
- New York grand jury won't hear Trump case again this week
- Defense secretary defends abortion policies at center of Senate nomination hold-up
- Justice Department moves to end consent decree with Seattle Police Department
I guess truth hurts.
$5 his dad told him to apologize or the campaign manager.
Good on Tagg for straightening that out. I bet his parents had something to do with it.
First the 47%, now this......the Romney Apology Tour is in full swing.
This is the man who just bought the company that has Ohio's voting machines. Sure, the fix isn't in.
I listened to the radio interview and it was extremely lighthearted. His son was joking about being heroic and taking up for his dad. I thought is was endearing to hear a son talk about wanting to protect his dad. CNN put a slight spin on this one. But please don't take my word on it, listen to it yourself. Radio show was Bill LuMay. Every time we check these things out for ourselves we become a little wiser and less likely to be fooled by the media in the future.
"But you know you can't do that because, well, first because there's a lot of Secret Service between you and him, but also because that's the nature of the process."
Yeah, never mind the fact that it's considered assault of the POTUS.
Good of him to say sorry. I think everybody gets so swept up and carried away with all of this madness...I'll be glad when it's all over.
We love you, Mr. President!
I found it really offensive for him to say that. No apology counts, we are all stressed. He is a public figure and should know how to comport himself.
Well listen Tag Romney, I want to stick a plunger up your behind but there is a lot of space between you and me. "Take a jab?" What!!!
Well, if Mitt's elected he's going to appoint Tagg as his Secretary of Defense so he can take a swing at Iran. That'll be fun to watch!
It is going to be nice to have an American family back in the White House.
Tagg was way out of line . He meant what he said.
Two Obama aides said ....
I think he was rude disrecptful as a educated person to act like that in that manner
A little late now, you already said what you really felt.....Like father like son.....How about your Romney stick to something...If you wanted to take a swing at Obama that is how you felt..... Man up...I see the apple does not fall far from the tree....Can you imagine the stuff these Romney's really say about the middle class and poor when they are alone with no one around!!!!!
I'm no Romney fan, but that was decent of him.
One man plans to drive our debt to 20 Trillion.
The other plans to balance the budget, and has a track record of doing just that.
I will take the guy who knows how to spell budget.
Romney
That's good. I actually thought "threatening" a sitting US President was against Federal Law....Two different sets of rules I guess...
you would think that he would know how to make a comment that would be fitting for the political arena dah
LOL... that would be funny watchin' a mormon trying to throw knucles.
1. Stop whining.
2. Run country.
So Tagg, your answer to handling disagreement is viloence?
Romney got served by Obama
obama4eva