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.

- 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.


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

    That's right he beta had apologized to the president because he was down right disrespectful. No other president has received this type of disrespect from people in generals.

    October 24, 2012 06:44 am at 6:44 am |
  2. Del

    Privileged to apologized to the president. Watching their gathering after he debate, i noticed Obama reaching out to Mitts grand children and playing with them. Wondering what the kids will tell grand pa when they get home... "Grand Pa! I greeted the president of the United States".... hahahaha

    October 24, 2012 06:45 am at 6:45 am |
  3. Dingus McGee

    What is all this apologizing baloney? This political crapola is out of hand!!!

    October 24, 2012 06:45 am at 6:45 am |
  4. John

    That's one of the most contrived and choreographed displays of deceit I've ever heard. "Man, I wanted to take a swing at him because he called my dad a liar!. Everyone knows my dad is the most honest man on earth and has never lied about anything."

    Sonny boy, nearly every statement that pours out of your daddy's mouth is twisted and you should even consider getting a blood test to determine if he's even your daddy. The GOP will stoop to anything to get back in the White House and they will stage whatever act it takes to trick voters.

    Contrary to what the Romney family believes, voters aren't as ignorant as you think and you'll find that out come November.

    October 24, 2012 06:50 am at 6:50 am |
  5. Blah blah the wheel's off your trailer

    No, boy, we don't need you to go on an apology tour. Save your breath and go back to the aristocratic confines of your wealthy folkes.

    October 24, 2012 06:57 am at 6:57 am |
  6. Mike

    Punch a candidate! That's something I've wanted to do. Tag just said what many on both sides think/feel.

    October 24, 2012 06:57 am at 6:57 am |
  7. Jeremy

    If he wants to take a swing at Obama he'll have to stand in line.

    October 24, 2012 06:57 am at 6:57 am |
  8. Move along

    Nothing to see here.

    October 24, 2012 06:59 am at 6:59 am |
  9. Chris Willett (Buffalo NY)

    Instead of taking a swing at the president, perhaps Tagg Romney could simply convince is father to stop lying. When you read the post-debate fact checks, you realize why a Romney pollster said that "We're not going to let our campaign be dictated by fact-checkers." If they did, they might have to put down the etch-a-sketch.

    October 24, 2012 07:01 am at 7:01 am |
  10. Danile6

    That's ok Tag-Mr Obama apparently doesn't know what an Apology is-

    October 24, 2012 07:04 am at 7:04 am |
  11. amanda

    Grow up son. Daddys gonna lose. Then maybe he can find y a jbo out of all these jobs he said he can create

    October 24, 2012 07:09 am at 7:09 am |
  12. Yulanda

    Is CNN a Republican network or is the Hart Intercivic voting machines story not newsworthy? Ohio is a concern, and we would like this story investigated and broadcast BEFORE the election, especially since other counties have had serious miscounts and with Romney's machines.

    October 24, 2012 07:11 am at 7:11 am |
  13. MACT

    This is getting to be depressingly predictable. A Republican makes an outrageous statement and then pretends it was all a joke. Meanwhile, the original comment is out there, having its intended effect.
    Maybe he is lucky he is Romney's son. Most people who make a direct threat to the safety of the President find themselves in real trouble with the Secret service.

    October 24, 2012 07:13 am at 7:13 am |
  14. Namejohn

    Threatening a President is a felony..why Isn t skin Tagg being arrested?? Seems like all the aggression the Romneys used towards Obama failed...so let's use the play nice tactic. If voters don t see thru this phoney ...invest in a seeing eye dog.

    October 24, 2012 07:13 am at 7:13 am |
  15. kwdragon

    I'm not a Romney supporter, but this whole thing was a tempest in a teapot. Tagg was just voicing his frustration and to make a big deal of it is straight up bologna. I'm sure, if my dad were running for public office, I would feel the same way.

    October 24, 2012 07:16 am at 7:16 am |
  16. Rick

    Jebus Christ, what's he apologizing for? Politics is war and all that.

    There must be some quota of white apologies to blacks that has to be met each month.

    October 24, 2012 07:18 am at 7:18 am |
  17. Anonymous

    Ihope and pray 2 god we can get through these hard times no matter whos elected god bless america

    October 24, 2012 07:18 am at 7:18 am |
  18. nbgb

    What kind of a delusional world does this kid live in? Is this the first time he realized his father was a liar? Wow.

    October 24, 2012 07:20 am at 7:20 am |
  19. emdcommonpac

    the romneys are in a apology tour

    October 24, 2012 07:20 am at 7:20 am |
  20. DeeDee

    Don't let the grey hair fool you, little boy. Obama's no punk.

    October 24, 2012 07:21 am at 7:21 am |
  21. J

    It's so crazy... say what you mean and stand by it... always talking against the president then when things get hot.. then you want to make excuses about it... i don't buy it at all... he ment what he said.....

    October 24, 2012 07:22 am at 7:22 am |
  22. DenyseP

    He should have apologized. Obama is still POTUS. Show some respect. If it had been the other way around with Robme being the President and Obama's child has made such a comment, people would be screamng bloody murder. Show some respect for the office of President.

    October 24, 2012 07:24 am at 7:24 am |
  23. NewsRaider

    Shoulda smacked him while he had the chance. If Obama's lies incite this kind thought in a young kid, what do you think his lies do to the rest of America? This country thinks more and more every day that it is OK to lie because of this president.

    October 24, 2012 07:24 am at 7:24 am |
  24. Katie

    Do they all have weird names for their kids?

    October 24, 2012 07:27 am at 7:27 am |
  25. ghost

    Tagg is just talking trash. He will not make a move without his sheet and the cover of night and his friends around to help him. If your dad is a liar, and he is, he is what he is. Tagg knows his dad is lying and has been lying for many years. OBAMA/BIDEN 2012

    October 24, 2012 07:28 am at 7:28 am |
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41