Finding a graceful exit isn't always graceful

Two of the basic rules of being a presidential campaign staffer are: never leave it to the candidate to end a public forum, and make sure you're ready to start the applause when the candidate is done speaking.

Remember that painfully awkward moment some weeks back when Sen. Fred Thompson finished his remarks to a small crowd, which was uncertain if he was done -- so there was dead silence and Thompson, a former actor, had to ask for a round of applause?  Please!

Well, the other night in Rochester, N.H., Mitt Romney had been speaking to about 70 attentive listeners for perhaps 30 minutes. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, according to a Times staffer. It was time to cut off questions and move on to the next event. But the former governor got no help. So, awkwardly, Romney, who's not a former actor, sought a way out. All he could think of to say was:

"I'm told your time is up and you want to go home and watch TV or something."

--Andrew Malcolm