I minor flap occurred today when Governor Mitt Romney walked to Pilsudski Square in Warsaw, Poland to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He laid a wreath and greeted Polish military veterans, then walked to a monument to Polish war dead on the other side of the Square.
American reporters began shouting questions to Romney about his supposed "gaffes" on this foreign trip: like saying he was "disconcerted" to hear that perhaps London wasn't quite ready to handle the complicated logistics of the Olympics (he was, of course, proven right by the ticketing fiasco and thousands of empty seats) and raising political culture as a reason for Palestinian poverty (he is, of course, correct about that too.)
But the reporters' questions were accusatory and hostile (what else is new?) and shouted in a sacred place for Poles.
That set off Romney press secretary Rick Gorka, who barked, "Kiss my ass. This is a holy site for the Polish people. Show some respect!" He then told a reporter to "shove it."
He later called the reporters to apologize, saying "it was inappropriate."
While I understand the candidate's desire to want to run a classy, respectful campaign, the other side is running a low-down, dirty campaign of lying, cheating, and stealing. I'm not suggesting Romney do that. But I'd like to see a tougher stance from him and his team: tougher with the leftwing reporters covering him, with Team Obama, with government unions...with ALL of his opponents who will NEVER give him a fair shake, regardless of how polite he and his team are.
Given the crap Obama Economy and the fact fewer and fewer Americans trust the president on the economy (and much else), Romney can win in November. But he and his team cannot be afraid to be tough, aggressive, and yes, sometimes brusque to those who are either vicious or acting like jerks, like the reporters in Poland.
A little more badass, Governor. A little more basass, please.