Romney: "Of course" Augusta National should allow women

AP Photo/Steven Senne

(CBS News) TUNKHANNOCK, Pa. -- Mitt Romney on Thursday joined President Obama in agreeing that women should be admitted to the all-male Augusta National golf club.

"Well, of course," Romney said while campaigning in Tunkhannock, Pa. "I'm not a member of Augusta. I don't know if I would qualify -- my golf game is not that good, but certainly if I were a member and if I could run Augusta, which isn't likely to happen, but of course I'd have women in Augusta. Sure."

The controversy surrounding the club's membership came full force after longtime Masters sponsor IBM announced its new CEO would be Ginni Rometty. She, however, has said that IBM will continue its sponsorship.

Mr. Obama spokesman Jay Carney said earlier Thursday that the president's "personal opinion is that women should be admitted" as members to the golf club. Although Carney said it was "up to the club to decide," he said Obama thinks women should be allowed membership.

[thadius5]

All political candidates are not to be trusted. Mitt is a very rich man who cares very little for anyone outside of his own family.

[poyman-2009]

Romney handled the question well... All you Romney haters need to get a life.

[RobAla]

Why is the press focusing in on golf, instead of the serious issues facing the nation? and why didn't Romney tell the press to ask him a serious question, rather than play this silly game?

I understand why President Obama hammed up the golf question, because he certainly doesn't want to answer a hard serious question about his own failed record. Romney should have redirected the press.