Mitt Romney: I Don't Know If My Own Ad Is True Or Not (VIDEO)

Mitt Romney told CNN's Wolf Blitzer he had not seen an ad -- it is a radio ad -- charging that Newt Gingrich called Spanish "the language of ghetto" during a heated exchange in the Republican debate in Florida Thursday night.

So Blitzer's staff at CNN went and checked to make sure, and pointed out that Romney's campaign paid for the ad, and also that Romney says at the end of the ad that he approves the message.

Romney then turned to Gingrich and admitted that the ad that went out in his name, with his endorsement, made a charge against Gingrich that he didn't know was true or not.

"Let me ask the Speaker a question. Did you say what the ad says or not? I don't know," Romney said.

Former House Speaker Gingrich said: "It's taken totally out of context."

"Oh, OK, you said it," Romney responded.

"No," Gingrich said. "I said in general, about all languages, it was better for children to learn English, in general, period."

Former Massachusetts Gov. Romney finished the exchange: "Let's take a look at what he said."

What Gingrich said was this:

“The American people believe English should be the official language of the government. … We should replace bilingual education with immersion in English so people learn the common language of the country and they learn the language of prosperity, not the language of living in a ghetto."

Afterward, the Romney campaign sent out a Politifact article that rated the Romney ad "mostly true."

 

 

Comments

[l78lancer]

09:56 PM on 01/27/2012

The question is with all of the race-related spume from Gingrich and nefarious and deceitful immigration gargabe from Romney there is no reason for hispanics nor anyone else to vote for these two clowns.

[l78lancer]

09:26 PM on 01/27/2012

It's too bad that Mitt is too arrogant, dumb and aloof to get his message right, especially when he is actually right about something.

[dennismcmh]

01:12 PM on 01/27/2012

“The American people believe English should be the official language of the government. … We should replace bilingual education with immersion in English so people learn the common language of the country and they learn the language of prosperity, not the language of living in a ghetto."

I hate to have to agree with Newt; but I can't disagree on this one ! I have felt this way forever. The common language of the U.S. is English. If you go to France, it's French, Spain/Mexico-Spanish and so on and so on. Why do WE have to be bi-lingual in this country? If people want to live in this country and be understood by other citizens of this country, then learn the language, not make everyone else learn your language.

[kimcrdr]

01:11 PM on 01/27/2012

he doesnt know if his ad is true and O still has no clue how to run a government...yes we have alot of winners here dont we!!!

[rkeeeballs]

01:10 PM on 01/27/2012

These two just keep getting more bent every day !....good for Obama !..keep it up !

[fap1947]

11:53 AM on 01/27/2012

The first part of Newts comment is true. The last part totally offensive and biggotted.

[dennismcmh]

01:16 PM on 01/27/2012

While I agree with the FIRST part of YOUR comment; I don't agree with the LAST part. It is true. The ghettos of America have their own language. I didn't read anything in his statement that fingered any one language or race...ie black, hispanic, or white. But you HAVE TO ADMIT, there is a distinct difference in the english language and that of what is spoken in most ghetto areas in this country. If you don't agree with that; then you haven't spent much time in a ghetto area.

[fap1947]

01:31 PM on 01/27/2012

He was not talking about ghetto language. He was calling forgien language (spanish) the language of the ghetto. Big diferance.

[johnsmith1960]

11:53 AM on 01/27/2012

he doesnt know that,and he is running for president? damn

[NONYABUSINESSpa44]

11:28 AM on 01/27/2012

THIS TOOL WOULD NOT KNOW THE TRUTH OF IT BIT HIM IN HIS @SS!!!!!!!!

[dda501958]

11:25 AM on 01/27/2012

Mitt's wife looks like Stifler's mom, ,lol

[Rick Carufel]

11:24 AM on 01/27/2012

I agree, we don't need a man who don't know what's in his campaign ads or where his money is as a president. What does he know?

[Greatlakesgram]

12:18 PM on 01/27/2012

We know some things he DOESN'T know~that his portfolio included Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac even outside his blind trusts ( so he COULD have known, if he'd wanted to), that he sat on the board of Damon when they invested in companies committing massive fraud, that even ads that say have his approval are beyond his awareness~

[Rick Carufel]

01:13 PM on 01/27/2012

This is all just part of the old ploy, "Plausible Deniability". If he shields himself from the unpleasant facts he can claim innocence. Just like last night he repeatedly used the blind trust excuse. He made most of his money as a corporate raider with his Bains corporation. They destroyed thousands of jobs for profit. What he claims as innocence because he has front men supposedly managing his assets, I call conspiracy to evade taxes.

[dda501958]

11:23 AM on 01/27/2012

To all you right wing hypocrites, who do not bat an eye, tell me that you would not bat an eye if this were a Democratic candidate who said he/she did not know if it was their ad?

[scotty5720]

11:19 AM on 01/27/2012

We speak English in this country and In God We Trust remains on our money. Aneesh Chopra, the White House chief technology officer, is leaving his position. That's 4 Democrat's in 2 days that are running from the President.

[fap1947]

11:57 AM on 01/27/2012

English is and should remain our primary languege. But Puerto Rico is part of our country. Also, how many people leave any administration for many reasons. Betcha Bush had more.

[rdriley1522]

11:14 AM on 01/27/2012

He is not really sure if anything he says is true.

[Razorsharp1234]

10:54 AM on 01/27/2012

Sorry, but our government should only be in english. This is the USA and not Asia, Europe, Latin etc. I am glad Martian is not on the list, voting would take longer.
Please wake up, it's annoying to be greeted in latin everyday and everywhere when youd onot speak a word of it, youc an be a visitor from adifferent country, don't assume everybody in SOuth Miami speaks latin. OK, be professional, that's why I believe it;s called ghetto.

[klile]

11:30 AM on 01/27/2012

Your post does reinforce that we need to improve the quality of our teaching of the English language.

[fap1947]

12:02 PM on 01/27/2012

I agree English should be our primary languege but it is a sad story that most of our children only speak English while the children of other counties speak multipule. To the point that when we travel to other countries, we expect them to speak English. Talk about a double standard.

[dennismcmh]

01:23 PM on 01/27/2012

It is sad that our children only speak English; so let us campaign to change the system. It is mandatory in some countries that children take English for at least two years in gradeschool. After our children learn English (properly), then it should be mandatory to take another language in our schools. It wouldn't hurt our children to be bi-lingual. It may even help them in their future, while applying for employment.
B U T ........
ENGLISH should be the primary language taught in our schools and if you are going to live here.....LEARN IT or struggle to comprehend what is going on around you.

[Catherine Girod]

10:54 AM on 01/27/2012

Maybe Romney should say his ad is "inspired by a true story."