Mitt Romney Endorses Immigration Hardliner Steve King

Mitt Romney addresses the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Los Angeles, Monday, Sept. 17, 2012. He endorsed immigration hardliner Steve King in early September. (Charles Dharapak/AP Photo)

 

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Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney endorsed Steve King (R-Iowa) for Congress during a campaign stop in northwestern Iowa on Friday. The move drew criticism from Democrats who cited King's far-right immigration policies as evidence that Romney is catering to extreme views. 

An Obama spokeswoman told the Hill that the endorsement means Romney won't "stand up to the most strident voices in his party." 

"I'm looking here at Steve King, and he needs to be your congressman again," Romney told the crowd. 

Charles Dharapak/AP Photo

Mitt Romney addresses the U.S. Hispanic... View Full Size

Charles Dharapak/AP Photo

Mitt Romney addresses the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Los Angeles, Monday, Sept. 17, 2012. He endorsed immigration hardliner Steve King in early September.

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King angered many immigration activists earlier this year when he seemingly compared immigrants and dogs. 

"You get the pick of the litter and you got yourself a pretty good bird dog," he said at a town hall meeting. 

"If his speech today praising Rep. Steve King — who has questioned whether women get pregnant from rape and incest and said hateful things about immigrants — is any indication, we know he wouldn’t stand up to the most strident voices in his party," Obama spokeswoman Lis Smith told the Hill. 

It's not the first time King has caused controversy. He has been an outspoken advocate of making English the official language of the United States and he opposes Obama's direction to allow some undocumented youth to apply to stay in the country temporarily.