Good Morning America's hosts and reporters on Tuesday eagerly pushed Democratic talking points about Mitt Romney's overseas trip, deriding it five times as either a "misstep" or a "gaffe." Guest host Josh Elliott blamed the Republican's campaign for an altercation between a journalist and a staffer: "And new this morning, Mitt Romney's aide gets nasty with the press, swearing at reporters asking questions about the candidate's recent missteps."
As Romney walked back to his motorcade in Poland, just after visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, reporters screamed questions. Elliott reminded, "Reporters were asking about the recent missteps made by Mitt Romney on his overseas trip." Journalist David Muir continued the media narrative, asserting that "the press pool began asking about his latest perceived misstep." [See a video montage below. MP3 audio here.]
After reporters yelled questions such as "What about your gaffe," Romney spokesman Rick Gorka unloaded, "Kiss my [bleep]. This is a holy site for the Polish people. Show some respect. Unbelievable."
The journalist continued to push the liberal narrative that Romney's trip has been a failure: "And it [the incident] really illustrates the growing tension over the course of this trip overseas over those perceived gaffes."
In an 8am news brief, Amy Robach used the typical media dodge about what "critics" say: "Romney is in Poland wrapping up a foreign trip that critics say has been full of gaffes."
A transcript of the July 31 segment, which aired at 7:09am EDT, follows:
7am
JOSH ELLIOTT: And new this morning, Mitt Romney's aide gets nasty with the press, swearing at reporters asking questions about the candidate's recent missteps. Using epithets at a Polish holy site. David Muir has a live report.
7:09ELLIOTT: Now, to a developing story this morning, a verbal altercation between Mitt Romney's spokesman and the press corps covering the candidate's visit to Warsaw, Poland at this hour. Reporters were asking about the recent missteps made by Mitt Romney on his overseas trip. And his press secretary responded with some very tough words. David Muir live with the campaign in Warsaw this morning. And David, good morning to you.
DAVID MUIR: Josh, good morning from Warsaw. The governor speaking here just a short time ago, telling the Polish people they have an extraordinary heritage, that it's an honor for him to be here in their country. But this morning, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Romney walking to his motorcade, when the press pool began asking about his latest perceived misstep, comparing the Israeli economy to the Palestinian economy, seeming to indicate that culture makes all the difference when it comes to economic success. The governor did not answer the questions. But his spokesperson got involved. And here's what ensued.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: Governor Romney, do you have a statement for the Palestinians?
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: What about your gaffe?
RICK GORKA: Show some respect here.
FEMALE REPORTER: We haven't had another chance to ask him questions.
GORKA: Kiss my [bleep]. This is a holy site for the Polish people. Show some respect. Unbelievable. Shove it.
ELLIOTT: David, quickly, what has been the response, if any, from the Romney camp?
MUIR: Well, the Romney camp did responded this morning. A reporter from Politico got a call from Rick Gorka, the spokesperson involved there, who said, "I lost my cool. It was inappropriate. I apologize." It's my understanding that another reporter or two got that same apology, Josh.
GMA
07/31/12
8:02
AMY ROBACH: And in other news, some tense moments this morning between Mitt Romney's spokesman and members of the press. Romney is in Poland wrapping up a foreign trip that critics say has been full of gaffes. When reporters shouted questions, his press secretary Rick Gorka lashed out.
RICK GORKA: Show some respect here.
REPORTER: We haven't had another chance to ask him questions.
GORKA: Kiss my [bleep]. This is a holy site for the Polish people. Unbelievable. Shove it.
ROBACH: Gorka has apologized. Today, a different adviser said Romney's foreign trip has been great because Romney has said what he believes.
