Romney: N-word at Perry hunting camp "offensive"

Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney, left, and Rick Perry during a Republican presidential candidate debate at the Reagan Library, Sept. 7, 2011, in Simi Valley, California.

/ AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

Updated: 7:08 p.m. ET

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Monday said the informal name of a hunting camp long leased by rival Rick Perry's family -- reportedly known as "Niggerhead" -- was "offensive."

Romney told Sean Hannity during a radio interview that he has followed the controversy over the name "from afar," Politico reports, telling Hannity: "I think it's offensive. I think most people think it's offensive."

Romney then said he did not want to discuss the issue further. His comments, however, will likely help keep the controversy in the headlines, particularly since most of the other Republican candidates have elected to stay quiet over the story even as it has exploded online and on cable news.

The exception had been the sole African-American in the race, Herman Cain, who on Sunday said Perry was insensitive for not acting sooner to remove the offensive name from the camp. On Monday, however, Cain said he is "done with that issue," making the following comment in response to reporters' questions: "Was I satisfied with Governor Perry's explanation about the name of the ranch where he went hunting? And I said, 'Yes I am. Next question."

"All I said was the mere fact that that word was there was insensitive," Cain said outside the Trump Tower before a meeting with Donald Trump. "That's not playing the race card. I'm not attacking Governor Perry. Some people in the media want to attack him - I'm done with that issue!"

The Perry campaign has claimed that the initial Washington Post story about the hunting camp was inaccurate, saying Perry acted early to remove the offensive name. Multiple sources quoted in the story contradict that claim.

[mountainstates1]

You know what else is offensive, Mitt?? Your people booing gay troops serving in Iraq!

[lawkwfl]

Your people??? LOL - tsk tsk where's the civility that was supposed to happen after AZ? Offensive is Maxine Waters telling MERICANS they can go to hell because she doesn't agree with their views....did you forget about that or leave it out intentionally because it didn't support your statement?

[jjhlh1]

By the way, Mitt Romney once tied his dog Seamus onto the roof of his car for a 12 hour trip. Think of what that dog went through with the wind, the weather, the speed, the vulnerability, the isolation on the roof. The poor dog was understandably under stress and lost control of his bowels. What did Romney do? He stopped at a gas station, hosed him off, then put him back on the roof and continued on his trip.

I could never vote for Romney after hearing that story. Being cruel to animals reveals the true character of a man.


http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1638065,00.html

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Politics/story?id=3329017&page=2

[jjhlh1]

Shame on Herman Cain and Mitt Romney for falling for the Washington Post race baiting story.

According to the story, the rock was seen by many people, none of whom did anything about it until Rick Perry and his dad got rid of the offensive word. And remember, this rock was on land they didn't even own. It wasn't their responsibility, yet they were the only ones who showed good judgement and took action to correct a wrong. And what do they get for their troubles? They get slandered by Cain, Romney, and the media. I think Cain and Romney owe Rick Perry an apology.

[stn_sage]

Well...we can expect Romney to jump on this to criticize Perry,
but Romney better remember, that, sooner or later, something is
going to come up about him, then 'the shoe will be on the other
foot', and Perry will use it to criticize him!
SO...maybe they ought to stick to CAMPAIGN ISSUES instead of
personal attacks?!!!

[Progress4USA]

by alasadiraq October 4, 2011 9:32 AM EDT
progress4usa. I'm sure that you is well suck up in the living style at goldengay ca. In living in Texas, we have all of the problems that we need, besides putting up with your who's, who's!
---
No sport, I'm in goldengay va...they let us go every where these days!

[realist51]

Why did Herman Cain bring this up in the first place? a thirty year old issue! I don't care for Perry however to hammer the man on an issue that he really had no control over is wrong. Then for Cain to say the next day that it's not an issue with him shouldn't bode well for him either. Personally never heard of the word until last week when an "older" friend said it referring to a certain style of rocks used to build old barn foundations. not saying it was right. but just like other "generational" sayings this one too will pass into the past. there are as Herman pointed out after the fact "bigger issues concerning our nation", such as getting the jobs bill passed.

[Bisk1]

Dumb repug blaming Cain for reacting to a report he was given and in answer to a question he was asked .... At least, he never went shooting at or to **********. Dumb Dumb Repugs !!

[tsigili]

That's just the usual baseless, political attack.

The circumstances surrounding the controversy, are totally unwarranted, as a cause of attack.

[werntrouble]

Hopefully, no one will vote for the likes of Perry. Having been born in Texas, I ashamed to hear they elected him Governor, but that's why I haven't lived there in 40 years. Presumably the Repubs will dump him soon; definitely not Prez material.

[Progress4USA]

I was born in Texas and moved away 9 years ago. Never plan to return.

[myIife2live]

Who cares what is written on a rock out in the middle of nowhere? Who cares when it was painted over. Who cares who saw it and who didn't. Who cares whether Perry knew it was there. There are bigger issues to discuss.

They call themselves that name daily. Who cares? Give it up, CBS.

[sweetcakesmaria]

There are more than forty million blacks in this country and i'm sure that the majority of them cares.

[quillerm]

This story on Perry is a complete falsehood. The 42,000 acre ranch is owned by the Hendricks Home for Children, a West Texas Charity, not Perry.
Perry's father painted over the offensive language on the rock soon after it was found. Perry has leased a 1,000 acre parcel for hunting but hasn't been on the property since 2006.

These facts were omitted by CBS and the Washington Post to create a false impression that Perry owned the property or allowed the rock to be seen with the offensive language.