Caption Willard and his press secretary after the "Staples" incident.

[AlCzervik]

for those who don't know--
A reporter took issue with Romney's assertion that no lobbyists were running his campaign, leading to a heated exchange with the former Massachusetts governor at a campaign stop in an office supply store in South Carolina.

"I don't have lobbyists running my campaign," said Romney, who is seeking to win the state's primary on Saturday after taking this week's Michigan primary, keeping alive his bid to become the Republican presidential nominee for the November election.

"I don't have lobbyists that are tied to my ..."

Associated Press journalist Glen Johnson interrupted at this point to say that Ron Kaufman, one of Romney's top advisors, is a lobbyist.

"Did you hear what I said, Glen?" a clearly irritated Romney said. "I said, 'I don't have lobbyists running my campaign,' and he's not running my campaign. He's an adviser. And the person who runs my campaign is Beth Myers, and I have a whole staff of deputy campaign managers."

Kaufman is a registered lobbyist for Dutko Worldwide. His clients have included Fedex, Sprint Nextel, Union Pacific and United Health Care.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080118/pl_nm/usa_politics_romney_dc_2

[Virginia Dare]

1. Put "a clue" on your shopping list, Mittsy...n/t