Romney's son apologizes to Obama for 'swing' remark
October 23rd, 2012
08:34 PM ET
10 years ago

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.

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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.


Filed under: 2012 • Mitt Romney • President Obama • Presidential Debate
soundoff (1,021 Responses)
  1. Max

    This calls for a beer

    October 24, 2012 03:26 am at 3:26 am |
  2. Thomas

    Tagg is learning humility !

    It is a great thing to admit you were wrong and make amends .

    October 24, 2012 03:28 am at 3:28 am |
  3. tnwoman

    Our President is such a class act. Tagg Romney not so much.

    October 24, 2012 03:31 am at 3:31 am |
  4. Private

    Lack of home training .. simple!

    October 24, 2012 03:36 am at 3:36 am |
  5. tnwoman

    President Obama is such a classy gentleman. Tagg Romney for all his money and upper class upbringing shows he is definetely NOT classy!

    October 24, 2012 03:36 am at 3:36 am |
  6. Ike

    Too much diet coke in their Diet

    October 24, 2012 03:41 am at 3:41 am |
  7. TJ

    Why would he apologize? Perfectly understandable that any upstanding American would want to take a swing as Obama. In fact I wish Obama would knock on my door. so I could pick him up by his pants and toss him out the door. He's not welcome here, or in most peoples' homes.

    October 24, 2012 03:42 am at 3:42 am |
  8. Debbie

    Wow CNN so wants Romney to be president. The first debate Romney was a bully and CNN said he was outstanding debator and the President did not even show up when the President was presidential. The last debate the called the President so aggressive and Romney presidential. I have tried to look for a balance on CNN and I am so disappointed. It is hard to tell the difference between CNN and Fox/ And Pierce Morgan how in the world can a Brit have anything objective to say about the American politics? All these American women and men born in this country and the best host CNN can come up with is Pierce Morgan? At least Fox does not hide who they are. Wow CNN This use to be my news source now i am reduced to get accurate news from the National Inquirer! i am so done with CNN!

    October 24, 2012 03:42 am at 3:42 am |
  9. AmericanWaxwing

    Wow, CNN. Glad you reported on this. You guys are really digging.

    October 24, 2012 03:45 am at 3:45 am |
  10. pete fredericks

    i wonder why a guy like this tagg could threten our president and say it was a joke but say a guy like me or the guy down the street said sum thing like that and wed have secret service searching every orifice of our bodys but sine hes the kid of a presidental canditate it was a joke i say they should call him a terrorist jking but it is wrong!!!!!

    October 24, 2012 03:47 am at 3:47 am |
  11. Nelson

    Very proper thing for you to do, Tagg. Your parents taught you well. We need to remember to practice more civility in this country if we hope to work together to solve problems. Maybe you are the start of something big that all of us behaving like we deserve the great country.

    October 24, 2012 03:53 am at 3:53 am |
  12. Britt

    As much as I don't support Romney's politics, his son wasnt out if line at all. Just defending his dad with a pho aggressive statement. Big deal. People need to chill. And vote, definitely vote.

    October 24, 2012 03:56 am at 3:56 am |
  13. DSO

    It is ironic that as I read this article, I also see this headline on the very same page: "Analysis: No KO, but Obama landed more punches' Should more apologies be expected?

    October 24, 2012 04:00 am at 4:00 am |
  14. Mark Brooks

    Why must the family's get involved and be part of the spot light. Who should care what they say or do. What a waste of news space.

    If someone lies then tell the world. But insure that you are right.

    October 24, 2012 04:01 am at 4:01 am |
  15. linsey

    that grown up boy just give away his father..that was an awful comment..apology is accepted by pres obama but damage is done..it just shows that romney household is uncontrollable, his children has no values..if he cant be a good parent then how can he be a good president..it shows clearly , his kids are without manners...after careful reviews, me and my entire household shifting to pres obama this time..i am a republican, but i cant tolerate agressiveness.we need a president that can carry our country out of war...obama now..

    October 24, 2012 04:03 am at 4:03 am |
  16. k

    Good stuff!

    Whatever else, the Romney's are a well brought up family

    October 24, 2012 04:08 am at 4:08 am |
  17. jayman419

    It's always the Republicans who are saying they want to hit someone, target someone, shoot someone... They never want to discuss the issues. It's always a fight.

    We are supposed to be a privileged and peaceful people. This is supposed to be the greatest country in the world, envy to everyone everywhere. And look how we spend our time. The state of our political system today makes me sick to my stomach.

    October 24, 2012 04:09 am at 4:09 am |
  18. godswill lopman

    I guess that what obama want to play here is what I call political propaganda,cos

    October 24, 2012 04:10 am at 4:10 am |
  19. USA

    Mittens you have my vote : )

    October 24, 2012 04:18 am at 4:18 am |
  20. TheBob

    If the colors had been reversed, the whole taking a swing at the president of the United States thing would have been a very different story. Very likely involving the Secret Service and possibly the FBI, perhaps some jail time and maybe even some police brutality for good measure. But rich tubby white boy gets to skate.

    October 24, 2012 04:23 am at 4:23 am |
  21. Anonymous

    I have never seen a president so disrespected.

    October 24, 2012 04:28 am at 4:28 am |
  22. Olahitan

    Barrack obama actions on the presidential debate, arise as a result of truth lie been voice by romney, a false words is used by mitt to win point, that caused obama to swing at romney because his a liar.romney worth the president of usa but he must not contradict truth point.i support decentralize of mosques in usa because they are enemies like friends.let be aware they are bad.

    October 24, 2012 04:29 am at 4:29 am |
  23. Name Steve Eppy

    Apology or not, I'm sure Republicans appreciated his remark.

    October 24, 2012 04:36 am at 4:36 am |
  24. 200 TON HAMMER

    wow tagg you ment it that came from the real person on the inside or heart of tagg what the mouth speaks the heart of that person tells

    October 24, 2012 04:40 am at 4:40 am |
  25. 200 TON HAMMER

    wow that sucks

    October 24, 2012 04:41 am at 4:41 am |
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