Supporters of Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney listen ... more >WASHINGTON — Mitt Romney has declined to call on his supporters to stop heckling President BarackObama’s campaign.
He told Fox News Radio on Tuesday that he doesn’t believe in “unilateral disarmament,” but said it would “be a nice thing” if both sides would stop yelling at each other during campaign events.
Over the weekend, Obama adviser David Axelrod condemned anti-Romney heckling during the Republican candidate’s bus tour, which ends Tuesday in Michigan.
Romney was asked if he would also condemn heckling during Obama events. He declined.
Responding to Romney later Tuesday, the Obama campaign said it had sent a strong message to its supporters that the campaign should be about an open exchange of ideas, not drowning out the other side by heckling and crashing events.
“Campaigns are a reflection of their candidate,” said Ben LaBolt, the Obama campaign’s spokesman. “Mitt Romney has a different view, endorsing heckling.”
Axelrod was heckled aggressively by Romney supporters during a news conference last month in Boston. Romney supporters also regularly drive a campaign bus around to Obama events and honk the horn repeatedly.
Romney said Tuesday that American politics has a “long history of heckling and free speech.”
By Elaine Donnelly
Extending sexual misconduct to combat units
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
One man’s perspective. Exploration and commentary designed to challenge the conventional thinking of day on the political issues affecting our nation.
Consummate traveler Todd DeFeo explores the unique stories that make destinations worth going to.
It's a big world to play in, and learn from. Join us as we travel the boundaries and beyond.
Benghazi: The anatomy of a scandal
13 Photos
Vietnam Memorial adds four names
18 Photos
Cinco de Mayo on the Mall
11 Photos
NRA kicks off annual convention
8 Photos
