Mitt Romney uses Secret Service, campaign aides to stop reporters from asking questions
Mitt Romney used his Secret Service detail and campaign aides to physically restrain reporters from asking questions after an appearance in St. Petersburg, Fla. Wednesday, according to multiple journalists covering the event.
The journalists tweeted that a press coordinator on the Romney campaign bus told reporters before a speech at the Mirror Lake Lyceum that “there will be no questions for the candidate today.” Reporters often ask questions by mingling with audience members who gather along a ropeline to shake a candidate’s hand after an appearance.
Reporters in St. Petersburg said they ignored the request for no questions and were blocked by members of the Secret Service and the Romney campaign.
Press lead on the #Romney bus announces there will be no questions for the candidate today. "Isn't that our decision?" a reporter asks.
— Sara Murray (@SaraMurray) May 16, 2012
Romney campaign and Secret Service attempted to keep press off ropeline so no q's to candidate on Bain
— Jim Acosta (@jimacostacnn) May 16, 2012
Campaign staff and volunteers trying to physically prevent reporters from approaching the rope line to ask questions of Romney.
— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) May 16, 2012
Romney campaign aide trying to block reporters from rope line now. Reporters refuse to leave.
— Michael Barbaro (@mikiebarb) May 16, 2012
Callum Borchers can be reached at callum.borchers@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @callumborchers.Romney leaves without responding to shouts from press. Crowd was cheering over.
— Ginger Gibson (@GingerGibson) May 16, 2012
