David Axelrod: Romney ‘Tepid’ In Condemning Rev. Wright Attacks, Should ‘Refute’ Super PAC

Obama campaign strategist David Axelrod appeared on CNN’s State of the Union today to discuss a discarded Super PAC ad proposal that was trying to bring President Obama‘s old pastor Reverend Wright back into the race. Some liberal pundits have been saying that because conservatives think Wright is fair game, Mitt Romney‘s Mormon faith should be on the table as well. Axelrod was quick to repudiate any attacks on Romney’s religion, and contrasted the Obama team’s handling of that issue with how Romney’s team has handled the Wright situation.

RELATED: Romney Strongly Criticizes Friendly Super PAC For Planning To Link Obama To Rev. Wright

Crowley asked Axelrod if Obama’s reelection team believes that Romney’s Mormonism is “off the table.” Axelrod immediately said they were, and then did a complete pivot to call on Romney to condemn the Wright attacks.

“We’ve said [Romney’s faith is] not fair game, and we wish that Governor Romney would stand up as strongly and as resolutely, consistently,

to refute these kinds of things on his side. Instead, he’s amplified them in the past and he’s put logs on that fire and that’s not leadership.”

Crowley reminded Axelrod that Romney did, in fact, condemn the Super PAC for trying to drudge up Wright, which Axelrod dismissed as a “tepid” response. Crowley brought up a fundraising letter made by the campaign to capitalize on outrage over the Wright attacks, and asked if it was right for them to take that tactic. Axelrod argued that reaching out to supporters through fundraising letters is crucial in order to push back against the billions of dollars in Super PAC money being used to help boost Romney’s campaign.

Watch the video below, courtesy of CNN: