NEW YORK — What would Mitt Romney like to say to the American people? How about this: "Newt Gingrich? Really?"
That's one of the playful messages Romney announced to laughter Monday night on the "Late Show With David Letterman." The Republican presidential candidate unveiled the nightly "Top Ten" list in khakis, shirt, and a blue blazer without a tie.
Letterman asked the casually dressed candidate, "How'd you do on the back nine?"
The former Massachusetts governor's list was a chronicle of the top 10 things he'd like to get off of his chest.
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While Romney took a gentle dig at Gingrich, his main rival for the GOP nomination, he poked fun at himself too. "Isn't it time," he asked, "for a president who looks like a 1970s game show host?"
And: "I can do a lot, but even I can't fix the Indianapolis Colts."
Romney's No. 1 thing to tell Americans? "It's a hairpiece."
Letterman's "Top Ten Things Mitt Romney Would Like to Say to the American People":
No. 10 — "Isn't it time for a president who looks like a 1970s game show host?"
No. 9 — "What's up, gangstas? It's the M-I-Double Tizzle."
No. 8 — "I have no proof, but I have a feeling Canada is planning something."
No. 7 — "Actually, I'm only here to meet Tom Cruise."
No. 6 — "Live from New York, it's Saturday night!"
No. 5 — "My new cologne is now available at Macy's. It's Mittstified."
No. 4 — "I just used all my campaign money to buy a zoo with Matt Damon."
No. 3 — "I can do a lot, but even I can't fix the Indianapolis Colts."
No. 2 — "Newt Gingrich? Really?"
No. 1 — "It's a hairpiece."
The appearance was Romney's second Top Ten reading this year. It transpired amid a media blitz of New York City that included an interview with Bill O’Reilly for "The O'Reilly Factor" on Fox News tonight and another sitdown with Charlie Rose.
In February, Romney appeared on Letterman’s show to name the “Top Ten Things You Don’t Know About Mitt Romney.”