Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's aide swears at journalists at ... - Detroit Free Press

WARSAW, Poland -- Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney said Tuesday that Poland's economy is a model of small government and free enterprise that other nations should emulate, an unspoken criticism of President Barack Obama's policies in the wake of the worst recession in decades.

Wrapping up an overseas trip, the ex-Massachusetts governor said "rather than heeding the false promise" of a government-dominated economy, Poland sought to stimulate innovation, attract investment, expand trade and live within its means" after the communist era.

Romney also laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw before flying home, and paid tribute to the hundreds of thousands of Poles who died in a World War II ghetto uprising against the Nazis.

Shortly before ending his stumble-marred trip, Romney sought to minimize any damage from comments in Israel that sparked criticism from Palestinian leaders, saying his words had been mischaracterized.

In an interview with Fox News, he said he "did not speak about the Palestinian culture or the decisions made in their economy" when he told Jewish campaign donors that their culture is part of the reason the Jewish nation is more economically successful than areas where Palestinians live.

In Poland, as on other stops, Romney ignored reporters' shouted questions about his comments on Israel and the Palestinians. Traveling press secretary Rick Gorka told a reporter to "shove it" and told another to "kiss my ass," when questions were shouted. The aide later called to apologize.

There were other uneven moments on what Romney and his aides had planned as an illustration of his ability to handle the world stage.

In London, he drew a tart response from Prime Minister David Cameron after wondering aloud whether Britain had adequately prepared for the Olympic Games.

And in a speech in Jerusalem, he declared that the city is the capital of Israel, even though the U.S. has its embassy in Tel Aviv and maintains a policy that the city's designation is a matter for negotiations between the Jewish nation and Palestinians.

Romney got nothing but criticism from Obama's surrogates.

Robert Gibbs, a senior campaign adviser, called the trip "an embarrassing disaster."

"He both offended our closest ally and triggered a troubling reaction in the most sensitive region of the world. He certainly didn't prove to anyone that he passed the commander in chief test," Gibbs said.

More Details: Free app to announce Romney's VP pick

Mitt Romneys campaign announced Tuesday an iPhone and Android application to alert supporters when Romney makes his vice presidential pick. The campaign promises they can find out who Romney chooses before the press and just about everyone else (except maybe Ann).

Users who download the free app are directed to enter their name, e-mail, address, ZIP code and smartphone number. The app also allows Romneys team to see users locations, which could be used to target voters in battleground states.

Four years ago, Barack Obama collected thousands of cell phone numbers with the promise that he would share his vice presidential pick by text message. But word leaked before Obamas team sent the text.