Mitt Romney 'Hang' Obama Gaffe Prompts Attempt To Clarify Remarks (VIDEO)

Mitt Romney's camp is attempting to do damage control after the presidential aspirant made controversial remarks in criticizing President Barack Obama during a stop in New Hampshire on Friday night.

Speaking at a dinner hosted by Americans for Prosperity, the former Massachusetts governor said, "Reagan came up with this great thing about the ‘misery index’ and he hung that around Jimmy Carter’s neck and that had a lot to do with Jimmy Carter losing." He added, "Well, we’re going to have to hang the ‘Obama Misery Index’ around his neck."

Romney went on to say, "I'll tell you, the fact that you've got people in this country really squeezed, with gasoline getting so expensive, with commodities getting so expensive, families are having a hard time making ends meet. So, we're going to have to talk about that, and housing foreclosures and bankruptcies and higher taxation. We're going to hang him with that, so to speak, metaphorically."

The Boston Globe reports:

Romney almost immediately caught himself, with the English major declaring "metaphorically" speaking, but the mix of nervous laughter with applause indicated at least some in the audience realized its potency.

On the heels of the potential presidential candidate raising eyebrows with the remarks, Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul addressed the questionable choice of words. She told ABC News, "It is not what the governor meant and that was very clear in what he actually said." According to CNN, Romney's camp called initial reports on his remarks "a ridiculous exaggeration of his actual comments."

WATCH:

Comments

[gggeorgewashington]

02:58 PM on 05/18/2011

If I may please;
Ron Paul is the only presidential candidate who would cut enough spending to avert a debt crisis. Only he will restore constitutionally sound money. And, only he will strengthen our national defense by bringing our troops home and putting an end to the nation-building that is draining our country.
Watch Dr Paul question Ben Bernanke if you doubt Paul understands even subtle aspects of the economy.
Other candidates speak flowery words and tell nothing of how anything will get done. Mr. Paul is very different.
Constitutionally, legislatively, and morally, Ron Paul has no equal. His 22 year voting record speaks for itself.
The World is watching.
Ron Paul for President in 2012.
Thank You

[genek1953]

06:37 PM on 05/10/2011

Obviously, he didn't mean to say it. That's how Freudian slips work.

[Luis Resendiz]

11:42 PM on 05/05/2011

He meant it.

[LaFemmeSASE]

10:27 AM on 05/05/2011

Placed into context, I understood what he meant, However, when you put hang with a black person, no matter the context it will end up bad for you. Too many images of black men being lynched is imprinted in our memory to get past the context. Had it been anyone else he was talking about the metaphor would have been more clearly understood, but to people whose memories are still fresh with rope images (the 1960s arent that far away)....it is a horrible thing to say. I get what you were trying to say Mr. Romney, the build up with Reagan and Carter sure does clue me in to what you mean. I know you probably didnt mean anything racist, but you are talking about a man from a race of people who get threatened with nooses to this day, and as such, your writers should have looked for a more appropriate metaphor. Not sink though (remember Amistad), not stone (that sounds too barbaric) ....as a matter of fact refrain from that type of speech because it will only kill your campaign (metaphorically speaking).

[Rich Bronson]

10:11 AM on 05/03/2011

Yes, because Gas prices were just peachy under the Republicans.

[lbolle]

08:18 AM on 05/03/2011

Racist or not, he gets an F for supporting Americans for Prosperity in the first place.

[apiazza]

07:33 AM on 05/03/2011

Here's what we need to say over and over....

"Why does Mitt Romney have a problem with blacks?"

People who aren't paying attention will think he does just because we asked the question.

[apiazza]

07:32 AM on 05/03/2011

There goes the 100 votes you would've gotten from all the black Republicans in this country.

[Frank Brenner]

03:49 AM on 05/03/2011

Mitt Romney looks like the dad who smells like Canoe cologne and Thai massage parlors.

[Steve Schlichtenmyer]

05:09 PM on 05/06/2011

I LOVE Canoe cologne, it's the poor man's Old Spice, lol.

[catcrazee]

01:00 AM on 05/03/2011

...speaking to the basest in the base, I suppose. So, is it ok for us to ask him to explain the purpose of his magic underpants?

[EBDave]

10:53 PM on 05/02/2011

He didn't make a gaffe

[outkast30]

09:22 PM on 05/02/2011

wow

[LeftySansPancho]

08:59 PM on 05/02/2011

Racist dog whistle. Period. I don't care how many clarifications he issues.

[lvdragonlady]

07:48 PM on 05/02/2011

Nothing like a major dose of 'foot in mouth', keep up the good work Mitt, show America what you are really about.....

[goodmarina]

07:41 PM on 05/02/2011

so .. he was talking with a crowd sponsored by Americans for Prosperity about the struggles of the working man ...

that's just ROTLMAO funny -- because Americans for Prosperity is funded by HUGE money with a clear goal towards making the rich wealthier than they already are through more favorable policies.   

Americans for Prosperity should really be called:  Super Wealthy Americans for Prosperity!!

[southingtonian]

03:47 AM on 05/03/2011

SWA for their own Prosperity! 8-D)))