Aide Grabs Reporters Arm and Blocks Others from Romney

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) _ Mitt Romney is on a charm offensive with the national reporters covering his campaign for president.

Romney seldom engages with the reporters who travel with him.

On Wednesday, relations had soured to the point of a Romney aide grabbing a reporter’s arm while others blocked reporters from Romney.

The campaign declared the incident a mistake.

On Thursday, Romney tried to ease the friction.

He welcomed reporters aboard his plane early in the day, coming to the rear of the cabin to chat.

He took questions after a campaign rally instead of keeping reporters at bay.

He brought them warm chocolate chip cookies for the flight from Jacksonville to Palm Beach, Fla.

After getting off the plane, he walked over to show reporters a picture of his 5-year-old grandson.