Romney: Beachfront home is being doubled in size, not quadrupled

Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney pushed back against reports that he was quadrupling the size of his San Diego-area beachfront mansion, telling the New Hampshire Union Leader that he was only doubling the living space.

According to Romney, he plans to add a second floor to the house. The reported "quadrupling" figure accounts for building additional "nonliving" space, including a basement and garage.

A Romney spokesman told The Washington Post that the governor wanted to enlarge the two-bedroom home "because with five married sons and 16 grandchildren it is inadequate for their needs. Construction will not begin until the permits have been obtained and the campaign is finished.”

When pressed by the New Hampshire newspaper as to why the campaign didn't do more to clarify the issue, Romney reportedly shrugged his shoulders.

The issue has dogged Romney on the trail, as he fights an insurgent Perry campaign that has excited the Republican base. During the 2008 presidential campaign, Arizona Sen. John McCain (R) ran into trouble when he couldn't remember how many homes he owned. Public records searches revealed that the McCains owned eight houses.

At one point the Romneys owned five homes, but they recently sold a 6,500-square-foot home in Belmont, Mass., and a 9,500-square-foot lodge near Park City, Utah. The homes sold for a combined $8.75 million, according to The Associated Press.

In addition to their California home, the Romneys still own a townhouse outside of Boston and a vacation house in New Hampshire.

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