Romney refuses to answer questions about his earlier opposition to FEMA

During a Republican debate earlier this year he said that disaster management should revert to the states, a truly idiotic idea that the Republicans have been peddling for years. From a NYT editorial:

"Absolutely," he said. "Every time you have an occasion to take something from the federal government and send it back to the states, that's the right direction. And if you can go even further and send it back to the private sector, that's even better." Mr. Romney not only believes that states acting independently can handle the response to a vast East Coast storm better than Washington, but that profit-making companies can do an even better job. He said it was "immoral" for the federal government to do all these things if it means increasing the debt. What's remarkable is that the guy has at least a chance of being elected. It's an absurd notion, but it's fully in line with decades of Republican resistance to federal emergency planning.

Needless to say, the topic came up today during a campaign appearance. He refused to answer. From pool report (via the Huffington Post):

"Gov are you going to eliminate FEMA?" a print pooler shouted, receiving no response.

Wires reporters asked more questions about FEMA that were ignored.

Romney kept coming over near pool to pick up more water. He ignored these questions:

"Gov are you going to see some storm damage?"

"Gov has [New Jersey Gov.] Chris Christie invited you to come survey storm damage?"

"Gov you've been asked 14 times, why are you refusing to answer the question?"

What's truly remarkable is that this guy still has a chance to be elected,