Obama jokingly references Romney dog-on-roof story

(CBS News) During a speech on wind energy in Iowa on Tuesday, President Obama made a thinly-veiled joke mocking opponent Mitt Romney for once transporting his family dog on the roof of his car.

"Gov. Romney even explained his energy policy this way, I'm quoting here, you can't drive a car with a windmill on it," Mr. Obama said.

"I don't know if he's actually tried that. I know he's had other things on his car," he went on, to the Oskaloosa crowd's applause and laughter.

Mr. Obama's reference is to a family story Romney that has drawn criticism. In 1983, the Romneys traveled from Boston to Ontario, a 12-hour drive, with the family dog, an Irish setter named Seamus, in a kennel strapped to the roof.

The president's joke was not included in prepared remarks released to the press and did not go over well with Republican leaders.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus tweeted: "Obama campaign about small things- accusing Romney of being a felon & murderer. Next thing you know, they'll accuse Romney of eating a dog."

Oddly enough, Mr. Obama had previously been slammed by GOP opponents for eating dog meat as a child, an anecdote he included in his memoir "Dreams of My Father."

In the same speech on Tuesday, Mr. Obama also called on Congress to extend tax credits for wind energy manufacturers and blamed Republicans for the hold-up.

[mittlovesdogs]

Are you people attacking Romney on the dog on roof thing serious? Obama has given support to Michael Vick in helping him get back into the NFL. Michael Vick is the worst animal abuser of all time with electrocuting at least 60 dogs in his swimming pool becasue they weren't blood thirsty enough for his dog fighting business. Michale Vick should be in jail forever. Plus, Obama has a close and prsonal relationship with JayZ who has time and again promoted dogfighting in his music. Not even to mention Obamas admitted eating dogs in his life ( I can kind of forgive him of this because he was a child), but adult relationships count and his associations with the brutality of dogfighting can not be over looked. Don't even think of calling me a raist on this, but I'm sure someone will.

[KennethKrieger]

Obama,was the dog you promised the pound that you would adopt and then did not follow through, killed? Kenneth Krieger Cape Coral, Florida

[PubliusCitizen]

Anyone notice that CBS has subheadings under Politics, and the first subheading is "oBAMa" .... and nothing for "Romney" .... I guess that's CBS's idea of fair and balanced.....

[bbinfla]

So why can't you put a windmill on a car?

[GOP-R--Con-Men]

Who is Paul Ryan?

A catholic who rejects the teachings of Jesus Christ for the philosophy of atheist Ayn Rand. Nice pick Mitt

[nohater]

what? this article doesn't even mention ryan. that aside, you are obviously pro obama which is your right. others can be for romney or still even ron paul. live and let live.

[Maerzie]

Actually, MOST of the wisecracks and lies that Republicans make don't go over well with Democrats either. Obama has been under seige by that desperate party since he was elected, so a few here and there from Democrats about Republicans is MORE than deserved by their ilk. They even ran their entire Congress on the sole issue of getting rid of Obama. I actually don't believe that sets well with the oath of office they take. They're SUPPOSED to be working FOR our country and the constituents who needed JOBS, but they even voted AGAINST the JOBS bill that Obama presented to them last year, while continuing to badger him about "Where are the Jobs?" That's the question every voter should be asking the Republicans, since they trashed those from Obama. They're so insecure they couldn't stand the thought of Obama getting credit for ANOTHER one of his many accomplishments!

[venusvegasvada]

Nice

[vielmann]

Good one, Obama!

[Jaylah54200]

I still want to know what Mitt's so desperate to hide.

[Jaylah54200]

But you CAN drive an electric car, and derive that electricity from wind-power.

Seamus ran away. Trust Mitt's dog.