INDEPENDENCE, Iowa — Supporters of Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee have hovered on the edge of rival Mitt Romney’s campaign for several days, pulling reporters aside to rebut what they say are inaccurate characterizations of Huckabee’s tenure as Arkansas governor.
 
On Monday, one of the supporters challenged Romney face-to-face.
 
At a quick stop to pick up pizza, Romney told reporters he found it “confusing” that Huckabee had earlier in the day unveiled an attack ad at a press conference but said he would not air it on TV.
 
“On the one hand he says he wants to run a positive campaign, on the other hand he shows a negative campaign ad and hopes to promote and provide it to the public through the earned media. And I think that’s a very confusing message,” Romney said, clutching two pizza boxes.
 
As Romney finished his statement, a man standing on the edge of the scrum of reporters asked him about “$50 abortions in Massachusetts.”
 
Romney, who highlights an expanded health-care plan as one of his signature accomplishments as governor of Massachusetts, ignored the question and instead tried to distract reporters with a slice of pizza. When that ploy didn’t work, he retreated to his bus and ceded the stage to the Huckabee supporter.
 
“He says he says he’s pro-life, but he offers abortions for $50 in Massachusetts under his program, and I’m wondering if this is what he’s going to do nationwide if he’s elected president,” said the man, who identified himself as Jim Duggar, a former Arkansas state representative and father to 17 children.
 
A Romney campaign spokesman tried another tack.
 
“Would you like some pizza?” Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom offered to the Huckabee backer.  “No thanks,” Duggar said.
 
After the campaign hit the road again, Fehrnstrom offered this e-mail explanation:
 
“Governor Romney is pro-life. The health care legislation that Governor Romney signed was silent on the issue of abortion. Prior court rulings in Massachusetts have established that state-subsidized health care plans for poor women must include access to abortion.”