'we’ve got some big challenges that need to be resolved,' Ayotte said. Ayotte splits from Mitt on 'gifts'

Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), who had been a regular surrogate for Mitt Romney’s failed presidential campaign, said Thursday she disagreed with the former candidate’s claim that “gifts” to young voters and minorities won reelection for President Barack Obama.

“I don’t know what the context fully was,” Ayotte said Thursday on MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports.” “I don’t agree with the comments. I think the campaign is over, and what the voters are looking for us to do is to accept their votes and then go forward, and we’ve got some big challenges that need to be resolved.”


( Also on POLITICO: Rubio gently rebuts Romney)

In a conference call with donors to his campaign on Wednesday, Romney said Obama won reelection by offering “gifts” to key voting blocs, including contraceptive coverage for young women and health care reform and an end to deportations of some young illegal immigrations for Hispanic voters.

Ayotte joins other Republicans in dismissing Romney’s explanation for his loss. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has offered the harshest critique, calling Romney’s remarks “absolutely wrong.”