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

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.