WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney Thursday called Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Peter Pace's controversial comments about homosexuals "inappropriate," while defending the military's policy of "Don't ask, Don't tell," in an interview with CNN's Larry King.

"I think the choice of -- of words of the chief of staff were -- were inappropriate for -- for the public discourse," said Romney, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination. "In a governmental setting, the right way to go is to show more of an outpouring of tolerance."

While declaring his support for "Don't ask, Don't tell," Pace told the Chicago Tribune Monday,

"I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral, and that we should not condone immoral acts."

Romney said that while he originally did not support the policy, he thinks it has worked sufficiently.

"I originally didn't think the 'Don't ask, Don't tell' policy made a lot of sense -- it seemed kind of silly to me," he said. "But you know what? It's worked. It's been in place now for over a decade. The military seems to be getting along pretty well with that rule. I wouldn't change it right now." (Watch Video: Larry King interviews Mitt Romney)

Pace's comments reignited an ongoing debate about the policy and the question of whether homosexuality is immoral, forcing several of the leading 2008 presidential candidates to weigh in including Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, who wrote a letter to President Bush supporting Pace's comments.

Related Video: Hugh Hewitt gives a conservative perspective on the GOP primary field.