by Jill Zuckman
Manchester, N.H. – As he battles on two fronts to maintain his frontrunner status, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has lobbed a new attack ad against Sen. John McCain using New Hampshire voters critical of his tenure in the Senate and subtly pointing the finger at his age.
It says McCain has "served his country long and well," and "he's had his chance in Washington to make things better."
The ad, which uses Romney supporters speaking into the camera, attempts to inoculate Romney against charges of mudslinging with voters calling McCain's war record "outstanding," and the senator "a true patriot."
Of course, there is a 'however' tucked in here.
"However, his record in the US Senate leaves a lot to be desired," said Bob Duffy.
Adds Gene Bois: "John McCain has been one of those Republicans that have
been wrong on tax cuts."
And Collett Hill complained that "he wrote the amnesty bill that America rejected."
McCain voted against President Bush's tax cut proposals, saying that the president needed to insist on spending cuts at the same time. And proponents of comprehensive immigration legislation did not propose amnesty as the ad says. Instead, it proposed a path toward citizenship that would have required illegal immigrants to pay fines and penalties and wait at the back of the line.
McCain spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker called the television ad, which is airing on Boston television, "another false, negative and angry attack" from Romney.
"Clearly the Romney campaign is nervous, because they know that a leadership and stature gap exists between Mitt Romney and John McCain – and hiding behind surrogates to do their dirty work won't do anything to change that fact. John McCain is the most authentic and the most experienced, which is why he has the momentum in this race," Hazelbaker said.
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Comments
Who knew war-mongering and incompetence could be so attractive?
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- President Bush hasn’t been getting a great deal of love on the campaign trail in recent months and years, even from Republicans, but former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) gave him some on the eve of Iowa’s first-in-the nation caucuses.
He even used the L-word – "love."
In a riff on former Sen. John Edwards’s (D-N.C.) "Two Americas" campaign speech Wednesday, Romney said the country is united where it counts and used the theme to praise Bush.
"We’re a nation united that stands behind our fighting men and women. We honor them and respect them," Romney said at a conference center here. "We love what they’ve done for us, and we also love a president who has kept us safe these last six years."
Yeah, Romney's right. We are a nation united in love for Bush. Why, there's a bucketload of love out there for Georgie Jr, there's a whole 26% of love out there for him, to be exact.
Mitty is following in W's footsteps alright, just like his hero The Decider Guy, he proves once again that he is nothing more than a plastic, flip-flopping serial liar.
Posted by: John E | January 3, 2008 3:34 PM
The latest Rasmussen Poll (so far unmentioned by the DNC Swamp) on the GOP race has Romney out in front.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll
The lead is narrow and within the margin of error.
Another Rasmussen Poll, again unreported by the DNC Swamp, shows Republican party affiliation at a 2-year high.
Posted by: Bruce | January 3, 2008 3:41 PM
Another Rasmussen Poll, again unreported by the DNC Swamp, shows Republican party affiliation at a 2-year high.
Posted by: Bruce | January 3, 2008 3:41 PM
Poor RNC Brucie, he must be hearing voices in his head again.
From the Wall Street Journal:
"With the starter's pistol about to fire in Iowa, the Republicans are facing an energy gap larger than the US need for oil".
"Democrats appear to be more fired up about their party nominating contest than are Republicans. Democrats in Iowa and New Hampshire have been turning out at rallies in greater numbers than Republicans and giving more money to candidates. In Iowa, polls indicate Democrats will be attending the Thursday night caucuses in record numbers".
"There seems to be a little more juice on the Democratic side," says Republican pollster Bill McInturff.
"The result of this Republican ennui is embarrassingly small crowds and weak fund raising. As Republicans start to realize that "None of the Above" is not actually on their ballot, and that appearing at the polls means they will have to vote one of the proffered weasels, the "I think I'll stay home" option is gaining steam".
Full story:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119906323214158703.html?mod=hpp_us_whats_news
Posted by: John E | January 3, 2008 4:39 PM
McCain is a certifiable nutcase! Plus every liberal paper has endorsed him which ought to tell you something.
He's a NWO shill, promoter of open borders and the ICC, tool of the world government.
This is NOT someone you would want to vote for if you are a REAL REPUBLICAN in NH.
Posted by: NH | January 3, 2008 5:14 PM
Bruce,
How do you know party affiliation is not at a two year hight because a) its an election year and gosh the last election was 2 YEARS AGO and/or b) more people are registering as Republics so they can vote for anti-establishment Ron Paul and completely throw a monkey wrench in your pathetic parties devious plan to sell out America to the highest bidder.
Posted by: john | January 3, 2008 5:31 PM
Hopefully Romney and his constant negative ads will hurt him more than they help. This guy will seriously do anything and everything to get to the White House. Just par for the course for him.
Posted by: Jason | January 3, 2008 6:24 PM
I just don't see Romney bowling over the Religious Right. I mean come on, most of them don't consider the LDS to be a legitimate Christian religion. Then there's his very moderate stands on gay rights from when he was governor. And then, there's the fact he was governor of Massachusetts.
I just don't see him getting very far with the evangelical base of the GOP.
Posted by: Cheryl | January 3, 2008 6:33 PM
You people and your dirty push-polling and lying sure do give real christians a bad name. It will take you until next election to beg forgiveness for all that you have done during this one in the name of christianity.
Posted by: Vicki Hampton | January 3, 2008 7:13 PM
I cannot believe the American people are actually considering giving the author of the Amnesty Bill that required our nation to literally shutdown the Capital's switchboard in order to defeat the Republican Party nomination. It's utterly absurd.
Go Romney, Go Thompson.
McCain and Huckabee can take their opposition to tax cuts and take it elsewhere. Time and time again it revitalizes the economy. At least in McCain's defense, he at least fights spending--something Huckabee never dreamed about.
Posted by: CMartel2 | January 4, 2008 3:48 PM
Not all evangelicals are one-issue, religion only voters. There are some of us who care about the country above our own selfish, personal biases. I'm an evangelical who is voting for Mitt. Some of us don't want to nominate Huckabee or McCain. They are the two weakest candidates on immigration.Did everyone forget about the amnesty bill McCain was pushing? They are also the weakest on keeping taxes low and spending down. They are not true conservatives. Romney is the best overall candidate. He is right on immigration and taxes and he has enough money to beat the opposition.
Plus, McCain is too old and Huckabee is a foreign policy lightweight. Danger Will Robinson!
Posted by: Patrice | January 4, 2008 9:43 PM
Mitt is not going negative. He is doing issue ads. The fact that his opponents' records appear as a negative is their problem, not his. It Huckabee and MCcain who have gone negative and personal calling Mitt dishonest, desperate, etc... They can't refute the factual ads, so they sink to personal attacks.
Mitt has been hit by the liberal media and his GOP opponents relentlessly. Sure seems everyone is most worried about him. And that's a good thing. Better than being ignored.
Posted by: Patrice | January 4, 2008 9:49 PM
I am only going undecided if Mitt does not win the nomination. I really don't care who he would side with if he doesn't win the nomination.
Posted by: David | January 4, 2008 11:29 PM
Let's not forget:
Valedictorian, BYU
Law Degree, Harvard
MBA, Harvard
Fluent in French
Business/Economic Acumen.
Olympics
Faithful to wife-40 years!
11 Grandchildren
The list goes on & on.
THIS GUY CAN TAKE APART THE GOVERNMENT AND PUT IT BACK TOGETHER AGAIN LIKE NO ONE WHO HAS BEEN IN WASHING FOR 20+ YEARS.
Posted by: jason r | January 5, 2008 9:54 AM