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.