Mitt Romney Reacts To MSNBC’s Comments On His Black Grandson

Image via YouTube screen shot

MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry used a photo of Mitt Romney and his black grandchild in a segment last week and invited guests on the show to comment on the child.

She quickly apologized in a series of tweets, stating, “I am sorry. Without reservation or qualification. I apologize to the Romney family.”

Harris-Perry followed that up with an on-air apology. “Given my own family history, I’d identified with that picture, and I intended to say positive and celebratory things about it. But whatever the intent was, the reality is that the segment proceeded in a way that was offensive, and showing the photo in that context, in that segment, was poor judgement,” she said. “So without reservation or qualification, I apologize to the Romney family… My intention was not malicious but I broke the ground rule that families are off-limits, and for that, I am sorry.”

She extended her apology to anyone else she may have personally offended with the segment. She continued tearily, “Allow me to apologize to other families formed through transracial adoption, because I am deeply sorry that we suggested that interracial families are in any way funny or deserving of ridicule.”

Romney’s Dignified Response

Through all the commotion, Romney seemed to stay quiet on the matter. He broke his silence yesterday during an appearance on Fox News Sunday.

I recognize that people make mistakes,” Romney said. “And the folks at MSNBC made a big mistake. And they’ve apologized for it. And that’s all you can ask for.”

He added while speaking to Fox host Chris Wallace, “I think people recognize – and the folks at MSNBC who have apologized recognize – that people like me are fair targets. If you get in the political game, you can expect incoming. But children, you know, that’s beyond the line and I think they understand that and feel that as well. I think it’s a heartfelt apology. And I think for that reason, we hold no ill will whatsoever.”

In true Romney fashion, however, he accidentally admitted that he hadn’t watched the controversial segment in question.

Wallace tells Romney that Harris-Perry made a big joke about Romney’s grandson one day marrying the daughter of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. Again, Wallace then asks Romney for his reaction to her comments and apology.

Romney replied, “I think her apology was clearly heartfelt, and we accept that.” He added with a chuckle, “With regards to the rest of the comments, I hadn’t heard those and don’t really have a comment on those.”

Watch his full response below.