By Rick Pearson
GLEN ELLYN, Ill.—Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign has apparently decided its not enough to challenge John McCain for the nomination on Super Tuesday. He’s now lumping McCain as “indistinguishable” from Democratic contenders Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in trying to position himself as an outsider running against three senators.
Appearing at a rally of several hundred people in an atrium of the arts center at the College of DuPage today, Romney also used Super Sunday to pledge his loyalty to the New England Patriots and their efforts to go undefeated in the Super Bowl against the New York Giants. He said he and Pats’ Quarterback Tom Brady also have exchanged e-mails, though he didn’t describe what Brady told him.
Officials at the college said the Romney campaign had sought an “intimate” setting for the event, though it can host larger audiences. Romney, joined by his major Illinois supporter, former House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Plano, told the crowd that he would win on Tuesday as he criticized McCain, an Arizona senator, for taking positions more in line with Democrats than Republicans.
Afterwards, speaking to reporters, the former Massachusetts governor cknowledged there are some issues on which he agrees with McCain. But hoping to take advantage of the opposition to McCain raised by some prominent conservative media commentators, Romney lumped his GOP opponent with the Democratic contenders.
“He’s virtually indistinguishable from Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama on a number of major issues our country faces,” Romney said, citing McCain’s work with Democrats on campaign finance, immigration reform, opposition to the Bush tax cuts and what he called a “unilateral America pays” system of combating global warming.
“If you look at the people who are conservative leaders…they’re pointing out that Sen. McCain would represent a pretty dramatic departure from conservative principles on a whole host of issues,” Romney said. “I think it does make sense to have a candidate representing our party whose positions are distinctly different from the Democratic potential nominees.”
Romney credited the work of conservative talk radio hosts criticizing McCain as a key to winning the non-binding Maine GOP caucus on Saturday night. Romney said the conservative talkers are telling listeners, “We cannot let our party take that left turn. If we become so much like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama that on key issues we’re indistinguishable, we’re not going to win the White House.”
With a new Tribune poll showing McCain ahead of Romney, 43 percent to 20 percent ahead of Illinois’ Super Tuesday balloting, the former Massachusetts governor said he made the visit to the state because “I think I’m going to get delegates here.”
“You’ve probably been able to tell that the polls are extraordinary fluid. And it’s not just the polls. The minds of voters are really being made up in these last few hours,” he said. The Tribune poll found 17 percent of Illinois GOP voters undecided and, among those who expressed a choice for president, more than one third said they could still change their minds.
Though trying to portray himself as an outsider trying to fix Washington, Romney has the backing of Hastert, who has long feuded with McCain amid the contention that the Arizona senator has been an unreliable Republican.
Asked by reporters if he was trying to send the public one message while enjoying the backing of the longest-serving Republican speaker in history, Romney said “there are a lot of folks who’ve been there a long time who recognize that fundamental change is going to come by bringing somebody in from the outside and I believe he’s one.”
Likening his goals to that of Ronald Reagan, Romney said, “I believe the people of America want to see that kind of change and they recognize that sending back anyone of three senators is not the way to get that done.”
With McCain campaigning in Romney’s Massachusetts, the former Massachusetts governor said he believed he would win the state handily. Romney said his campaign travel strategy was not “about trying to tweak somebody or get in their head. This is about winning delegates and becoming the nominee.”
Romney also disclosed that on Saturday he “exchanged emails” with Patriots Super Bowl QB Brady.
“He’s a friend and I wish him the very best and the team the very best,” Romney said. Asked if he corresponded about Brady’s health, Romney replied: “No business at all was conducted. I just wished him the very best and I feel the Patriots are going to be real successful today.”
Indeed, the campaign said Romney has predicted a 28-14 Patriots victory.
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Comments
Mitt Romney is not to be trusted. His health care legislation provides taxpayer-funded abortions for a co-pay of just $50. He has line-item veto, and he vetoed eight provisions in his health care bill, but he did not veto a mandate in this legislation that someone from Planned Parenthood must be guaranteed position on the Advisory Board. His family also has a history of supporting Planned Parenthood--the largest abortion provider in the nation, if not the world--the true "evil empire." Its founder, M. Sanger, believed in eugenics to stop minorities. Check out the facts. This is truly an evil organization!
Mr. Romney is also no friend of traditional family values. In Dec. 2006, the New York Times reported Romney had been hurt by revelation of a letter he had sent to the Log Cabin Club of Massachusetts claiming he would be a stronger advocate for homosexual rights than would his then-opponent, Sen. Edward Kennedy. "We must make equality for 'gays' and lesbians a mainstream concern," Mr. Romney wrote in his plea for the support of the club, a homosexual Republican organization. The Romney campaign did not dispute the letter's authenticity. (See http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57786.) Governor Romney often reminds voters that he tried to fight "gay marriage" while he was governor in Mass. But, the fact is, he was unable to stop it. Mass. is the only state in the nation where so-called "gay marriage" is legal, and it happened on Mr. Romney's watch.
I'm not voting for McCain either. I'm voting for the only leading candidate who is a true conservative in the race--Mike Huckabee.
Posted by: ThomasJC | February 3, 2008 6:27 PM
If you believe we can make a change...
http://www.dipdive.com/
Obama 08
Posted by: andre walker | February 3, 2008 6:40 PM
Conservatives unite!!! I'm voting for Romney on Tuesday, he has the smarts, the experience and family values that I'm looking for. He can be tough with being a demeaning like some others running. A real gentleman.
Posted by: katrina | February 3, 2008 6:55 PM
ThomasJC, Baptist right? Your clueless dude, if you had a brain you'd be dangerous.
Posted by: Dale Casperson | February 3, 2008 8:08 PM
I would love for Mitt to have the chance to see what he can do with Washington. He has been successful in almost every endeavor he has taken on. Please give Romney the opportunity to get our country back on a positve more stable track. Vote Mitt Romney for President! I did!
Posted by: MK in Arizona | February 3, 2008 8:16 PM
ROMNEY is this COUNTRYS BEST HOPE.
Read this and become educated!
ROMNEY has been successful in EVERY business venture Do you spend more money that you have at home? Then why should our government do so? Shouldn’t we run the country like a business? He is a leader, and he weeded out corrupt politicians in the Olympics and turned it around under budget!
The Security model he had to implement in the 2002 Olympics because of 9/11 is being used in the Super bowl today, did you know that?
He spends his own money therefore he will owe NO ONE in political power or special interest groups. I can go on and on but below is some info on Juan McCain.
McCain is an absolute abysmal imbosol!! He’s a RHINO republican and tried to shove amnesty down our throat 2 times with "HIS OWN BILL". HE IS FOR TAXING USA companies only to solve a so called GLOBAL warming problem. Well what about the rest of the WORLD? You people drink the kol-aid of the press and are completely UNINFORMED.
You want to know something else, STUPIDY BREADS ITSELF. You will believe anything someone tells you if you are uninformed and that is what the liberal media is counting on.
DO YOUR OWN HOMEWORK!
John McCain should be renamed as JUAN McCain. Have you noticed who his heading up his HISPANIC outreach group for this race. If not, Google "McCain and Dr. Juan Hernandez.
I WILL NOT, SHALL NOT AND CAN NOT VOTE FOR JUAN McCain, I would rather the Republican Party dissolve, period!
TOP TEN REASONS JOHN MCCAIN IS NOT A CONSERVATIVE:
1. John McCain teamed with Ted Kennedy and attempted to give amnesty to every illegal alien in America, and even wished to grant them access retroactively to Social Security benefits accrued under illegally used numbers while here against the current law.
2. John McCain (along with the regular cohort of lefties) removed your right to speak out against political candidates (including him) through advocacy ads in the 30-60 days before a primary or general election. The infamous McCain-Feingold legislation proves he couldn't find an originalist judge if the man was sharing a pair of pants with him.
3. John McCain considered leaving the GOP to become an independent caucusing with the Dems, and only balked when Jeffords beat him to it. Daschle and others swear its true.
4. John McCain proved himself to be a populist anti-capitalist when he called the pharmaceutical companies "the enemy" during the most recent South Carolina debate. George Will is even wondering why John is a Republican and hasn't switched yet.
5. John McCain has swallowed the "Man Made Global Warming" pill whole. He has teamed with Lieberman to offer legislation to create a carbon cap and trade system that the Congressional Budget Office believes will add energy costs to each family of between $560-1800 per year, with the money raked in dispersed out in R&D grants, or government pork barrel goody contracts as I interpret it.
6. John McCain voted against the "Bush" tax cuts more than once, voted for amendments to keep the death tax alive, and along with our faithful Governor Pawlenty calls huge tobacco tax increases "fees".
7. John McCain believes waterboarding for US Servicemen is normal during training for capture situations, but calls it unconscienable torture when applied to important organizational terrorist figures caught plotting to kill Americans. This American serviceman disagrees.
8. John McCain supported gun control measures with rules that would have effectively shut down gun shows and gun sales between private parties. He teamed with Andrew McKelvey's Handgun Control spinoff called Americans For Gun Safety. A real champion of the little guy our McCain. Gun Owner's Of America rating - F
9. John McCain has stated he would vote for the international anti-sovereignty Treaty of The Seas if it was "tweaked" a little. This compact would give an international body the jurisdiction to dictate naval forces movement, oceanic weapons and technology testing, and set and collect fees and divy up rights and royalties to all energy resources found and recovered at sea in current international waters. One country, one vote. How do you think Iran would vote for our rights to traverse the Straits of Hormuz?
10. Midwest Jay really can't stand the guy, and he reminds me too much of a pissed off Huck-a-jerk without the Chuck Norris sidekick. Leading a fighter squadron gives you leadership experience to lead a fighter squadron of 24 guys. Reagan made war bond films. Who cares. American hero or socialist? Probably both.
Now you are educated on the facts, vote ROMNEY!
Posted by: Richard | February 3, 2008 8:27 PM
A vote for Huckabee is a vote for McCain who told Chris Matthews he would support gay marriage. On top of that you get someone who does not understand the economy at all. If the economy suffers the war in Iraq suffers, our businesses suffer, our jobs suffer..shall I go on?
Posted by: Karen | February 3, 2008 9:04 PM
If you have any questions on who to vote for in the republican primaries, please watch this video. Thanks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnU3G-HCf9w
Posted by: Dan | February 3, 2008 9:28 PM
McCain may fool a lot of Americans with his sleek senator smile, but all you have to do is listen to his mommy and her biggoted opinions and you will see what her son stands for. He may hide his feelings because of years of politicking, but educated Americans can see through the sharade. VOTE MITT ROMNEY AND THE U.S. WILL DO WELL ON ALL FRONTS THE NEXT 4 YEARS.
Posted by: Peter | February 3, 2008 9:59 PM
I'm voting for Romney because no other Republican candidate has such a record of success. And since he is a Morman I can count on him acting with morals I agree with. Moral character, kindness, and intelligence is just what we need for a President.
Posted by: MikeFM | February 3, 2008 10:40 PM
Governor Mitt Romney is RIGHT! McCain is a liberal in disguise as a republican. McCain does not just reach across the aisle, He Marches across and sits down with his liberal cohorts.
Governor Mitt Romney will bring fresh energy, proven judgment, exceptional business expertise, strong family values, and dynamic leadership to our nation. We NEED to vote for Governor Romney to SAVE the Republican party and protect our individual liberties. Our nation is sliding into socialism. Governor Romney will fight for constitutional government and the American values that have made us a great nation.
An intelligent vote is a vote for Government Mitt Romney!
Posted by: Elmer | February 3, 2008 11:37 PM
Governor Mitt Romney is RIGHT! McCain is a liberal in disguise as a republican. McCain does not just reach across the aisle, He Marches across and sits down with his liberal cohorts.
Governor Mitt Romney will bring fresh energy, proven judgment, exceptional business expertise, strong family values, and dynamic leadership to our nation. We NEED to vote for Governor Romney to SAVE the Republican party and protect our individual liberties. Our nation is sliding into socialism. Governor Romney will fight for constitutional government and the American values that have made us a great nation.
An intelligent vote is a vote for Government Mitt Romney!
Posted by: Elmer | February 3, 2008 11:38 PM
He's lumping these three together, why? Because they will be the only ones left running come Weary Wednesday.
Posted by: Radagast | February 4, 2008 12:38 AM
HILLARY HANDS REPUBLICANS A POTENTIALLY DEVASTATING SOUNDBITE FOR NOVEMBER ELECTION ...
IN THE 1990s, HILLARY'S POLITICAL TIN EAR AND HER SECRETIVE HEALTH CARE PLAN HELPED HAND CONTROL OF THE CONGRESS TO THE GOP.
IS THE PAST PROLOGUE?
Feb 3, 11:40 AM EST
Clinton health plan may mean tapping pay
By CHARLES BABINGTON
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday she might be willing to garnish the wages of workers who refuse to buy health insurance to achieve coverage for all Americans.
The New York senator has criticized presidential rival Barack Obama for pushing a health plan that would not require universal coverage. Clinton has not always specified the enforcement measures she would embrace, but when pressed on ABC's "This Week," she said: "I think there are a number of mechanisms" that are possible, including "going after people's wages ..."
"GOING AFTER PEOPLE'S WAGES" ...
IS THAT THE WAY REAL DEMOCRATS TALK? ...
THE REPUBLICANS WILL KILL THE DEMOCRATS' CANDIDATES WITH THE KIND OF ARROGANT, CONFISCATORY PROGRAM PROPOSED BY HILLARY CLINTON ...
Posted by: Martin Edwin "Mick" Andersen | February 4, 2008 12:50 AM
If we run the government like running a business it will be successful. Romney has all the qualities and qualifications to do just that. Our country also needs a leader with high morale and real love of God like Romney. We need to save our country, this is our opportunity to do so, vote for Romney. God bless America.
Posted by: CM | February 4, 2008 2:10 AM
Please, all of you social conservatives...you are destroying the republican party. You will not overturn the right to choose. You will not be successful in stopping gay marriage, and in the meantime...you are ruining the republican party. Go find your own party. Then you can all talk about non evolution and your other ridiculous ideas. Leave the republican party to to common sense courageous leaders like John McCain to do what is right for america...keep our defenses strong; keep government off our backs; and assure opportunity for all Americans.
Posted by: Abigail Rosen | February 4, 2008 3:04 AM
What a Joke posted by Dan, Feb. 3, in which he shows one of the latest Republican Debates on You Tube. I watched that debate on TV and even the announcers afterward all agreed Romney came out on top. If you watch Dan's You Tube, count the number of times he cut and backed up and left out and massaged Romney to create that negative Romney video. If he had to go to that length, Romney obviously has more going for him than Huckaberry. I'm voting for Romney!!!
Posted by: Barbara Ellsworth | February 4, 2008 3:30 AM
Mitt Romney is right John McCain is a liberal Democrat running as a Reagan conservative.
Mitt Romney is beating him decisively in California and in many other states he's pulling ahead of McCain.
Huckleberry is a front for McCain as a spoiler for Romney but, he doesn't have any money or organization.
As Feb 5th looms in a few hours before balloting. The GOP conservative voters are tired of putting up with a mean old man who is for amnesty for illegals,against free election speech, for Algore's global waring religion with Lieberman/McCain that would tax us all for $1,000,he is in bed with Teddy Kennedy and is not backed by true conservatives led by Rush, Sean, Mark Levin, Ann Coulter, George Will and Michelle Malkin. GOP vote for Mitt take McCain off the table let him go back to the Senate and be against things like an old curmudgeon is wont to do. Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | February 4, 2008 9:38 AM
As a resident of MA, I have observed Gov. Romney on a number of fronts. He is a class act, an eloquent speaker, witty and charming in person. My street is lined with "Romney for President" signs. He was able to accomplish so much with a Democratic legislature. This state is extremely liberal but his accomplishments are numerous and impressive. He turned a 3 billion dollar defecit into a 1 billion dollar surplus. He approached the healthcare issue the way a successful businessman would. He conducted an analysis and determined there were many folks who could afford health insurance. Those individuals who previously had none can no longer show up at a hospital and expect hard working folks to pay their way. Mitt said "no free rides." Of course, the newspapers are not endorsing him, the liberal media is not endorsing him. He is a true conservative with family values that can make us all proud. He is very diplomatic and classy. The media has been tough on him. Thank God we have conservative talk radio and venues such as this to get the truth out. The real flip-flopper is McCain. Just read what Reagan's son, Michael Reagan said about McCain's performance during the CA GOP debate at the Ronald Reagan library. It's true. I bet Reagan himself would endorse Romney. McCain is smug, lacks energy and could pick an extremely liberal V.P.- I don't know if it's possible to pick someone more liberal that himself. Romney, I trust and respect. McCain.....I think he'll say anything to get elected and he strikes me as insecure. You go MITT ROMNEY!!!!!
Posted by: Debbie Gaunya | February 4, 2008 9:49 AM
Richard, you and your fellow Romney supporters keep making arses of yourselves every time you use racial/ethnic slurs ("John McCain should be renamed as JUAN McCain") to describe Senator McCain's stance on immigration issues. You're showing that the immigration issue to you is nothing more than keeping Hispanics out of the U.S.---rather than the complex issue that it is, involving immigrants, legal and illegal, from all parts of the globe. If you want Governor Romney to be known as the GOP candidate with solid racist support, keep up the good work!
Posted by: Tim1979 | February 4, 2008 10:22 AM
Hey Jerry White, thanks for playing the age card against Senator McCain. I trust that you opposed old Governor Reagan in 1980 for the same reason.
Posted by: Tim1979 | February 4, 2008 10:25 AM
The post by "Abigail Rosen" has to be the most insidious tactic I've seen yet by a Romney backer. A new low from the sub-basement of the Romney war room. Try to link Senator McCain to waving the white flag on abortion and gay marriage, and then pander to anti-Semitism as well by slapping on a Jewish-sounding name. You Romney backers are really desperate at this point, aren't you?
Posted by: Tim1979 | February 4, 2008 10:30 AM
Mitt Romney is a true conservative with the brains and ability to turn this country around for the better. He's shown in his past record that he is a problem solver. He will roll up his sleeves and get to work while others are still talking. We need a man with his work ethic and intelligence in the White House! Romney '08
Posted by: Michael | February 4, 2008 10:43 AM
"Officials at the college said the Romney campaign had sought an “intimate” setting for the event, though it can host larger audiences."
Translation: we couldn't fill the bigger place if our lives depended on it.
Compare these "crowds" that Romney draws on a college campus to what Obama draws. I think Barack drew more people to his appearance in Denver than Romney has drawn in all of his appearances put together.
So go ahead and nominate Mitt - and then watch Barack trounce him in November. And Debbie - the reason why he won in Massachusetts is because he ran as a liberal - until he flip-flopped to being a conservative to fit his aspirations.
Posted by: BobinATL | February 4, 2008 10:49 AM
Listen up, ONLY a vote for MITT ROMNEY in Republican primaries is a vote AGAINST MCCAIN, a loser that is being aggressively imposed on us by the establishment and the “mainstream” media. By casting your vote on ANY OTHER candidate you will be helping MCCAIN to win the Republican nomination.
Posted by: jonS | February 4, 2008 10:57 AM
Please watch this video for me before you vote. The media is influenced by money, we all know that.
As a U.S. Marine supporting my Country, I ask you to do one thing for us. Watch one youtube video. The video is a contrast between Mitt Romney, John Mccain, and Mike Huckabee. (not a Ron Paul video)
I love the USA. Will you watch it for the sake of our Country?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnU3G-HCf9w
SEMPER FI
Dan Campbell
Sgt., USMC
Posted by: MARINE CORPS SERGEANT | February 4, 2008 1:37 PM
Will McCain make a POW out of the USA?
How many more men and women is McCain willing to sacrifice to preserve Bush’s war legacy? Will McCain surrender the borders to Mexico through Amnesty and his Open Border agenda? Will McCain surrender your wallet to special interest groups and entitlements to illegal aliens? Will McCain surrender Roe vs. Wade to liberals and partial birth advocates?
Will you surrender your vote to McCain on Super Tuesday?
Posted by: Peter30 | February 4, 2008 1:49 PM
The Base is Beginning to Rally
In addition to many high profile talk show conservatives, many evangelical leaders are also rallying for Mitt and realizing that he is the best face to represent the party. Here are a few great examples of their thinking:
Reverend Rob Shenck: "After careful and prayerful consideration, I have concluded that an evangelical vote for Mike Huckabee is a vote for John McCain, and a vote for John McCain will be a disaster for this country. Let me explain. It's clear to me and many others that Mike Huckabee is not broadening his appeal enough to win the primary."
John Schroeder of Article 6 Blog: "The conservative voice in the Republican party is at stake - everybody agrees on that, and Evangelicals are the energy, motivator, and banner carrier for that voice. Conservatives lose and Evangelicals are on the bench, if they are in the stadium at all. In other words, we stand on the precipice I feared from the beginning. The current electoral calculus is such that a vote for Mitt Romney is the only way to preserve that voice."
Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson: "Love of God, family and country are the most important values in my life. All are under attack in America as never before. I believe that Governor Romney, though not without flaws in his record, is a decent, highly capable man who believes in these same values."
Posted by: marcie | February 4, 2008 10:16 PM
MIke Huckabee: nice guy, a lot of fun-not the sharpest pencil in the drawer. Some of his answers on foreign policy and the economy are scary. He could propel us into a depression. Is that the legacy you want to leave your children and grandchildren? (Romney was valedictorian, and has a joint MBA/JD from Harvard. He launched Staples and Dominos. He eats economics for breakfast).
McCain: thank-you for your service in the war, and we have compassion for your horrendous experiences in it. But the Presidency? This would be another very scary choice because:
1. McCain has a violent temper. He has screamed the “F” word frequently at his fellow congressmen. By his own admission, he loses it…a lot. Some feel that there is residual psychological damage from his years spent as a POW. One congressman put it this way “You don’t want that guy anywhere near a trigger” (that includes nuclear triggers of the Presidential kind)
2. McCain admits he know almost nothing about the economy. With our country teetering, we need a savvy, sharp, economocally brilliant President. Asia is at the door. A depression is not out of the question. We don’t have time to mess around with bigotry. We need someone who can turn this economy around-fast.
3. McCain and Hilary are very good friends. They went to Estonia together as Senators and held a drinking contest. This level of maturity is reserved for the immature, not people who want to run the (currently) most powerful country on the earth.
We no longer have time for high school popularity contests. We desperately need a real leader with serious intelligence.
We have friends who know the Romney family well. They really are wholesome. They will not bring scandal to the White House. They will keep it “white”. Mitt is not in this for the fame or power. He didn’t take a salary in Masachusetts, he won’t as President. He simply wants to help, and he knows how.
The smartest thing we could do for our posterity is to vote for Mitt and encourage others to do the same.
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Posted by: midge | February 4, 2008 10:18 PM