Romney breaks silence in bitter broadside at Obama

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Mitt Romney, in his first remarks since an unexpectedly lopsided election loss to Barack Obama, blamed his defeat Wednesday on "gifts" showered by the president on his female, African-American and Hispanic supporters.

A little more than a week after the election, Mr Romney in a phone call with his national finance committee accused Mr Obama of following the "old playbook" by bestowing favors on key Democratic constituencies in exchange for their support at the ballot box.

"In each case they were very generous in what they gave to those groups," said the defeated Republican presidential nominee, adding that young voters were also among the beneficiaries of Mr Obama's largesse.

"With regards to the young people, for instance, a forgiveness of college loan interest, was a big gift," Mr Romney said.