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Romney Aide Tells Reporters "Shove It," "Kiss My Ass" At Polish Holy Site
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 31, 2012
Modified Jul 31, 2012
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 31, 2012
Modified Jul 31, 2012
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Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's overseas trip to show off his foreign policy prowess has been rocky. First he insulted the British while in London. And then, while at a fundraiser in Israel, he suggested Israeli culture contributed to its economic success, compared with Palestine—without acknowledging the negative impact Israel's sanctions have on Palestine. And, now, in Poland, when reporters tried to ask questions, his traveling press secretary snapped, telling reporters, "Shove it!" and "Kiss my ass."
Reporters have been desperate to ask him questions because, as AP reporter Kasie Hunt Tweeted, "Romney trip by the numbers: Three foreign countries, and three questions from the traveling press." According to CNN, when Romney was about 100 yards from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw, reporters attempted to do their job and, you know, ask him questions. Here's a transcript:
CNN: "Governor Romney are you concerned about some of the mishaps of your trip?
NYT: "Governor Romney do you have a statement for the Palestinians?
Washington Post: "What about your gaffes?
NYT: "Governor Romney do you feel that your gaffes have overshadowed your foreign trip?"
CNN: "Governor Romney just a few questions sir, you haven't taken but three questions on this trip from the press!
Gorka: "Show some respect"
NYT: "We haven't had another chance to ask a question..."
Gorka: "Kiss my ass. This is a Holy site for the Polish people. Show some respect."
Gorka also told CNN's Jonathan Martin, "Shove it."
Here's video (CNN unfortunately bleeped out the "kiss my ass"):
Gorka later apologized to the reporters, saying it was "inappropriate." ABC News points out that besides the three questions reporters asked him in London, " Romney did not address the media that’s flying with him on any of the three charter flights — two that lasted more than four hours — either. Romney has conducted several television interviews during the trip."
A GOP source told the Washington Post, "He’s like the guy who is a competent-but-not-gifted athlete who learns to play golf. He works really hard at it, and most of the time he’s perfectly competent, if not stellar. But once each round he is going to shank one and break a window on a house lining the golf course." Oh, and China wasn't thrilled with Romney's remarks about Jerusalem.
Tagged
election 2012
gaffes
holy site
israel
kiss my ass
media
mitt romney
poland
reporter
shove it
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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