Romney Photo Draws Jokes, Apology from MSNBC

An MSNBC host is apologizing to Mitt Romney's family after she and guests on her show joked about a Christmas picture that showed the 2012 Republican presidential candidate's adopted, African-American grandson.

Melissa Harris-Perry, referring to a Sunday panel of comedians on politics and diversity, acknowledged the discussion had taken an unexpected and offensive turn. The photo shows infant Kieran Romney with his grandparents and their 21 other grandchildren, all of them white.

Asked to suggest captions, one panelist, actress Pia Glenn, sang "one of these things just isn't the same."

Comedian Dean Obeidallah, said it "sums up the diversity of the Republican party."

Harris-Perry, who is African-American, joked she'd like to see Kieran marry Kanye West's daughter so West and Romney would be in-laws.

She apologized Tuesday, tweeting: "I apologize to all families built on loving transracial adoptions who feel I degraded their lives or choices. As black child born into large white Mormon family I feel familiarity w/ Romney family pic & never meant to suggest otherwise. Therefore, while I meant no offense, I want to immediately apologize to the Romney family for hurting them."

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

More Coverage:

MSNBC host apologizes after panel makes fun of Romney photo with black grandchild / CNN

MSNBC's Harris-Perry apologizes for mocking Romney over black grandchild / Fox News

MSNBC host apologizes for mocking Mitt Romney's family photo / Deseret News