Ann Romney to Her Husband’s Critics: ‘Get in the Ring’

Ann Romney challenged her husband’s critics to “get in the ring” on Thursday as she responded to stepped-up criticism of the Republican presidential candidate.

“Stop it. This is hard. You want to try it? Get in the ring,” she told Radio Iowa.

“This is hard and, you know, it’s an important thing that we’re doing right now and it’s an important election and it is time for all Americans to realize how significant this election is and how lucky we are to have someone with Mitt’s qualifications and experience and know-how to be able to have the opportunity to run this country,” she added.

During her remarks to the crowd earlier in the day, she said it is “really hard for me as a wife” to watch the campaign unfold.

Mitt Romney has had a brutal past few weeks, with conservatives and liberals criticizing him from everything from his reaction to the Libya situation to his “47 percent” remarks.

“It’s nonsense, and the chattering class . . . you hear it and then you just let it go right by,” she told Radio Iowa. “Honestly, at this point, I’m not surprised by anything.”