That reporter works for AP. Does that mean he runs it?
No, it does not. But what Romney was intimating was that by not having a lobbyist running his campaign, he is a better candidate.
Since Romney brought the L word up, it seems more than reasonable for him to be questioned on the subject. AND, he never answered the reporter's question about what candidate was he talking about.
This clip is actually from 2008, but it is a classic in how Romney operates. He looked like the current president when being questioned here.