Gregory knew full well that the parts of Obamacare that receive the highest approval are the preexisting condition and keeping children till age 26 on their parent's insurance provisions. That was the point of the question, i.e., to get Romney on the record one way or another for use by the Dems.
Romney could have turned that around and said why it was necessary to repeal Obamacare citing some details and then say that his replacement health care plan would address these issues and others in a bipartisan way. Of course, the press would then say that Romney will eliminate preexisting coverage, children up to age 26, etc. It was a no win solution by design.
But at no point did Romney ever say he was keeping parts of Obamacare. He never mentioned it. The MSM lies and distorts. And unfortunately, many conservatives then run with it like they did against Akin. We will never please the MSM. We should view and treat them like the enemy.
It is a bit disconcerting that Romney who has been running for president for a long while, does not understand the tactics of the MSM.
He could have easily turned the tables on Gregory like Newt would have done, but intead gave a honest reply which was deliberately misinterpretated.
If Romney cannot tackle the MSM at their own game! He is not going to be President period. Republicans who win elections are not prone to such mistakes.