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Robert Gibbs Says Mitt Romney's London Gaffes 'Embarrassing' (VIDEO)

Gibbs: Romney Embarrassed Our Country
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Senior Reporter, HuffPost

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WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's former spokesman Robert Gibbs mocked Mitt Romney's recent barrage of gaffes in London, saying the former Massachusetts governor's performance raises questions about whether he is ready to be president.

"I thought it was embarrassing for our country," Gibbs said during an appearance on on ABC's "This Week."

Gibbs appeared on the show with Romney spokesman Kevin Madden, who defended Romney's overseas trip and emphasized his Sunday meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"I think you're going to see some images that are coming out of Israel, with [Romney] standing strong with our allies there, some strong statements coming out of Israel, I think that's going to be much more important as a judgment on this particular trip than anything that happened," Madden said.

Gibbs pushed back by saying Romney's performance in London was a disaster.

"I would probably give that answer, too, if I hadn't flown to London and embarrassed myself in front of our strongest ally in the world," Gibbs said. "Look, Mitt Romney wondered aloud whether London was ready for the Olympics, and I think it's clear that voters in this country wonder aloud whether Mitt Romney is ready for the world, and I think the world is not yet ready for Mitt Romney. Literally to go overseas, stand in the country of our strongest ally ... and question whether or not they're ready does make you wonder whether or not he's ready to be commander-in-chief."

Romney's comments prompted an outpouring of derision from the British media and politicians, including U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron, a conservative.

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Before You Go

Mitt Romney's Shambles Reactions
Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-La.)(01 of09)
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"We're not worried about overseas headlines. We're worried aboutvoters back here at home in America," Jindal said on a conference call with reporters Thursday. (credit:AP)
Channel 4 News in London (02 of09)
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Felicity Spector of Channel 4 News in London writes that Romney has undertaken "a charm offensive, that has proved rather more offensive, than charming." (credit:AP)
UK Prime Minister David Cameron(03 of09)
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In response to Romney questioning whether London could handle the security issues ahead of the summer games, Cameron retorted that he had no doubt "Britain can deliver." "We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world," Cameron said. "Of course it's easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere." (credit:AP)
The Sun(04 of09)
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The tabloid said Romney's visit was "not a great day at the office." (credit:AP)
The Times of London(05 of09)
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The daily paper called Cameron's comment an "Olympic putdown" in an above-the-scroll headline online. (credit:AP)
The Telegraph(06 of09)
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"If Mitt Romney doesn't like us, we shouldn't care," writes the paper. (credit:AP)
The Daily Mail(07 of09)
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The newspaper called the start of Romney's trip "humiliating." (credit:AP)
The London Evening Standard(08 of09)
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The newspaper wrote "David Cameron slaps down US presidential hopeful Mitt Romney over Games gaffe." (credit:AP)
BBC(09 of09)
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"Mr Romney is credited with rescuing the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, now he's appeared to question London's readiness to host a successful olympics," host George Alagiah said, adding "If (Romney's) here to make friends, he's got a funny way of showing it."
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