Romney keeps up his criticism of Rudy

Posted: Monday, November 26, 2007 1:57 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC’s Andy Merten
Even though he’s taking the day off from the campaign trail, Romney had another chance to repeat his criticisms of Giuliani -- during a radio interview today.

“I think it’s going to be very, very difficult for people to think of Mayor Giuliani representing the Republican Party,” Romney told conservative radio host Laura Ingraham. “He’s the same as Hillary Clinton on most of those social issues.”

Romney also defended his decision-making process in choosing judges -- something Giuliani brought into question this weekend, citing the ruling of a Massachusetts judge Kathe Tuttman, who was appointed by Romney and later released a convicted murderer who went on to kill again. “He came after me this weekend on that, which, I frankly thought he’d was the last person who would raise that kind of issue because of course with Bernie Kerik,” said Romney. “Now we know this person’s been indicted 16 times, has plead guilty to crimes in state court –- that shows such a remarkable lapse in judgment.”

*** Update *** The Giuliani campaign just countered with this statement: "Perhaps Campaign Trail Mitt Romney should take a step back and review what Governor Mitt Romney did on health care before talking about which Republican candidate is most like Hillary. Of course, we’re more than happy to let Hillary Clinton’s legislative director refresh Campaign Trail Mitt Romney’s memory" -- referring to a Clinton aide comparing the New York senator's health-care plan to what Romney enacted in Massachusetts.

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Comments

WHATS GOOD FOR WILLIE hORTON IS GOOD FOR RUDY,iM SURE NOBODY IN new york "THAT BASTION OF ELITE LIBRALISM" WAS EVER LET OUT AND COMMITTED ANOTHER CRIME NO NOT new york,rudy and his three wives FOR PRESIDENT ,BERNIE KERICK FOR VICE ,TED OLSON FOR AG,HAIL HAIL THE GANGS ALL HERE.

KENN (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 2:07 PM)

Boy I'm tired of these two.

Dave, Tn (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 2:31 PM)

Romney was alright till I went back over the weekend and studied his health insurance in Mass. And now that goony Hillary wants the same thing; holding people hostage; food or medical coverage.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 2:41 PM)

BREAKING NEWS....GO TO hillaryclinton.com ,see press release about Obama

J.C. (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 3:05 PM)

Romney is right about Rudy. He is way too liberal for the Republican base. No Republican-leaning or even independent party person I know would vote for him. Romney or Huckabee or even Mccain are the only viable options--even if Rudy is more popular right now.

Craig Loveland, Cumming, Georgia (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 3:15 PM)

They are both crazy. I heard Gulliani this morning defending why we should stay in Iraq with sounbite like "Ask the troops". How disrepectful to a person who honestly was asking for a this country to find a way out. Did we ask the troops if they wanted to go in? Did we ensure they had everything they needed to ensure "victory"?? Don't hide behind the people who are doing their jobs and keeping their committments to their nationa

JS Maryland (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 3:29 PM)

Yes, the Mass health plan required mandates, but most of them were shot in by the super majority Democrats. The only way to get that plan passed was to throw some bones to the Dems. As far as mandating coverage, I have no problem with that if the healthcare is affordable. Right now, going through my company's plan costs my family over $800 a month. If we mandate coverage and spread the risk then that number would go way down. Instead, we have high-risk people walking around with no coverage and costing the government a fortune when they show up in an emergency room. Why is this better? If there was some way to ensure that those who aren't paying for insurance would not get emergency room government coverage, then I'd say no to required coverage. As it stands, though, why should my taxes be used to pay for those who choose to have no coverage and my premiums be higher than they have to because risk is not spread out? Mitt's Mass plan may be closer to Hillary's than you like, but that was the plan of the Mass governor in a heavily Democratic area. The principles the plan is based on are very good.

Mike, Austin TX (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 3:43 PM)

From the start, Rudy adopted a strategy in which he could avoid a head-to-head matchup with Romney. He has banked on the fact that Romney couldn't possibly get (or afford) the exposure that Rudy has had post 9/11. The best a relative unknown like Romney can do is focus on a few key states. Now Rudy is implementing negative attack tactics to try and erode Romney's support in those few key states. Rudy is already doing so poorly there he doesn't really have anything to lose by going on the attack and alienating those voters. So it remains to be seen if he can pull it off. Hopefully Republican primary voters see that Rudy is relying on a strategy of unmatched name recognition and last minute negative attackes to get the nomination. Maybe it's good politics, but that's not particularly inspiring.

Taylor, Seattle, WA (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 4:04 PM)

GO ROMNEY!!!!!

Steven Rinehart (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 4:11 PM)

What was good for Mass. may not be good for the rest of the country. What Romney did while governor was work in a bipartisan way to try and reform a broken system. This solution for his state may not be what he has planned for Health Care in the rest of America. Rudy would be a terrible nominee, not because his positions on many social issues are at odds with many in the Republican Party, but because he is an authoritarian with little respect for the rights and civil liberties of Americans.

Demetri Andreadis, Providence, RI (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 4:23 PM)

I'm getting pretty tired the Romney foes. Every time Mitt Romney comes out with a legitamate argument to contrast him with his apponents they always shoot back with some unsubsantial misleading or out of context accusation, or they just resort to name calling. It used to be John McCain who took part the most in this with his "well atleast I don't change my position on even numbered years" crap. Now it is Guilliani. I've come to expect that everything that comes out of Rudys mouth concearning Romney is going to be untrue. Mitt Romneys health care plan is not "Hillarycare". Romneys plan is based on conservative principles. It basicaslly says if you can afford it you have to buy it. No freeloading. Giulliani simply does not represent the Republican Party. His values are not our values. The people of the early states are realizing this and that's why he is strugling there. No wonder he is resorting to more desparate less than honest tactics with Romney.

svb (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 4:59 PM)

I wonder....do Mitt "The Squirrel Hunter" Romney, and "Rappin' Rudy 'G' The Gigolo of The G.O.P." EVER do anything else besides CACKLE at each other like two schoolgirls in a playground?
There are a lot of questions that neither has bothered to answer regarding their stand on the issues.
Why is that?

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 5:17 PM)

let them carry on---at least they stay busy and are not bothering me---I would not vote for either of them---big time crooks

HMT-MI (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 5:42 PM)

let them carry on---at least they stay busy and are not bothering me---I would not vote for either of them---big time crooks

HMT-MI (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 5:43 PM)

It’s nice to have an article with a direct quote that says just everything about a candidate.Guiliani's “Our plan is success” seems so logical and well thought out. And he thinks Romney “has one of the weaker records of any governor on economics.” Well I guess when he has 200 million he can talk. Of course, then you have to ask yourself, what common interests do I have with a guy who has 200 million dollars? Does he even know what the inside of a store looks like? What a pound of bacon costs? We’d be better off with someone who who has a long published record of introducing legislation to benefit the average guy - someone who we know will do what is right regardless of how hard corporations fight it. I think we need Dr. Ron Paul for our next president! He will bring our military home and secure our borders. He will restore our civil liberties and work to restore sound money. Visit RonPaul2008.com to learn more. REGISTER TO VOTE!!!

Louis Nardozi, Chesapeake VA (Sent Monday, November 26, 2007 9:13 PM)

"our values" ???

gotta speak for yourself on that one.

check out http://www.massresistance.org
(a Massachusetts Conservative group)
documented reports on Romney and his 'values.'
they are NOT MY values! NOT 'our' values!

MICK (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 5:03 AM)

It is funny to watch these two try to put the mantle of that 'demon' Hillary on each others shoulders, wow they must really feel the fear from their base on how evil THE HILL is. Next we will hear how the 'seventh seal' has been broken open and the whore of babylon is now in power. Revelations does not reveal how fear has truly taken hold of the conservatives, perhaps it is not how she will lead, perhaps it is the idea that a dem. congress will look into everything done since Bush came into office and how he broke the laws of our country, not to protect us but to protect itself from the truth. Lots of investigations, lots of trials, lots of crooks. That truly is scary for these holier than thou people. I say "BRING IT ON" and clean out the chicken house. I saw George shake hands with Olmert, boy,he really has that handshake thing down now, I wonder if he is still seeing souls?

John Alexander, Edinboro, PA (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 9:26 AM)

Romney is the only candidate that implemented a health care plan that worked and that most democrats "and" republicans have signed off on. Romney uses private insurers and the government only enforces all to have insurance. When all have insurance, more can be insured and we don't end up paying for the non-insured. It's nothing like Hillary's plan and the "G" camp knows it (they just can't claim a plan of their own that ever worked). Wake up folks, you can't have it both ways!!!

Mike, Utah (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 2:38 PM)

I'm against the war. Mitt is for it. We differ on that point but the best hope for the U.S. is to elect him.

Ron Braden, Painted Post, NY (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 2:51 PM)

Mike from Austin commented that it costs the government tons of money when poor health risks with no insurance show up at emergency rooms. Not sure where that came from, I was out of work for a few months (in Texas also) and had a kidney stone attack. When to the emergency room with no insurance and guess what, the government paid NOTHING, NADA, ZIP. I still paid it all. Maybe the people that don't have health insurance just can't afford it so why should the rest of us have to kick in for them? Why not take all my money and just give me what you think I should have? - Wait, the communists tried that and failed. The Dems seem to have a better handle on how to get away with it.

CB, formerly from Texas (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 2:51 PM)

Mitt would do well to post the 13 articles of faith just as Joseph Smith did when, ask by a Chicago Newspaper about what he believed, more than 50 years ago.

James k. Adams Mexico,Missouri (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 3:00 PM)

Romney scared the ever-loving crap out of me with his first television ads. He sounded like a war-monger and reminded me quite a bit of the Bush/Cheney duo. I can't say I trust the man to run our country. In fact, I can't say I get good feelings from any of our current candidates. All I ask for is one honest politician to run for President. I doubt I'll get what I ask for.

L Marshall, Somewhere, Maine (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 3:07 PM)

Please, Then the whole Demoncratic party owes us what pagan rituals they perform everyday!!!!

Allen,Florence,SC (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 3:16 PM)

They all lie. Republican or Dem. I think it is time to get rid of both parties. Maybe a tax break to outsource our presidents job with someone OVER SEAS!! Atleast, there number one concern isn't what is going into there pocket.

Matthew Billingham (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 3:20 PM)

WHERE IS REPUBLICAN PRESSURE to OPEN US. . .to SOME oil drilling/REFINING. . AND/or NUCLEAR POWER-now???

Energy conservation fine-after production.

-this would not be SOLAR/WIND-either.

JJ (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 3:30 PM)

history shows, people are always afraid of something they don't know much about. If people want to know what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believes, they should ask the missionaries of the church specifically for what they want to know. Let Mitt Romney answer for polital views on what he would do.

Nata, Pocatello, Idaho (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 3:31 PM)

THANK GOD for libbies-so cons can just TURN SPIGOT-and BLAME-for it.

jj (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 3:32 PM)

I live in Mass and Romney did nothing for anyone here..... Also like to add that the health care is a joke. The state makes people see 2 and 3 Dr's to get RX. I hope all you Romney lovers go down in flames with him.

Sue Brigoli (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 3:34 PM)

Ron Paul for President

mike, iowa (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 3:35 PM)

MIT PEOPLE BEHIND P. ROBERTSON endorsement.

jj (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 3:39 PM)

These two "duffers" are so afraid of Hillary that they can't help but mention her so as to give themselves some semblane of relavance....what a couple of loosers !

J. Hurley, Hillsboro Beach, Florida (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 3:42 PM)

HELLO, Presidents have always been PROTESTANT athiests-what's wrong with MORMON BRAND???

jj (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 3:49 PM)

Let's leave the church out of all the politics, because everyone worships their own God.What matters is the who,whats and wheres as well as the hows. Who is this person, What can he accomplish and what has he accomplished, Where have his hands have been.How can this man deliver on his message and keep promises. What most of us forget is that he will always need to get Congress to agree with him. Think about your Senators and Congressman and put just as much flack on them as we do our President.
CH MN

CH Stacy, MN (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 3:51 PM)

yeah, but Romney is mormon and if he says he has looked into his faith with all of the references out there that have disproved the legitimacy of the mormon Doctrine than either 1.) he does not look at both sides of an argument 2.) he has agreed with the racism of the church before it changed its views in 1978 3.) he is timid of following truth and making an adult decision for change. I believe all candidates should have their intellect challenged whether it is religious or not. If a candidate voices he/she is religious they should be put with questions that challenge them with logic, reason, and any evidence that disclaims their religion. Voters will be able to see the intellect of any candidate if they wouldn't hide from these questions.

Nate, Quantico, VA (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 3:51 PM)

How can any Republican (or any voter as a matter of fact) believe what Romney is saying - he has changed his stance on so many topics from when he was Govenor - how can we trust him to be truthful now. We dont need another Bush to contend with! That would distroy this party - if it is not already destroyed.

Larry Shaw, Monmouth, Illinois (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 3:51 PM)

It's not enough to say someone relies on his faith. The question is in whom does one place his faith? Unfortunately, the God of Mormonism is not the God of the Bible. So for Romney to say his faith is important to him is his privilege, but it carries no weight with me.

Terry Noble St. Louis, Missouri (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 3:58 PM)

Sue Brigoli (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:01 PM)

The question of Mitt Romney's religion was a teaser question on the front page of MSN. These blogs are dealing with the much more important questions of the candidates past performances and their ideology. Yeah for Mitt!!!

Maxine Smith, Sandy Utah (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:02 PM)

John Kennedy just rolled over in his grave because even he would not do what you ask.

Mark Grieve (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:11 PM)

Guiliani is the most scary person running for president, he is so wishy washy, and would sell his soul to satan just to take over the USA. I cant even think of what he would do to us, and as a voter I would vote for a democrat before I would vote for Guiliani. Romney should not worry about him he should just take care of his business and gather votes for him self, and remember one thing he will not sell us down the river like some others would namely Guiliani and Clinton who is satan her self.

Joel, Oklahoma (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:14 PM)

I won't vote for Romney becaues he is mormon and I can't respect his intellect until he will answer questions about his faith (even though the Mormon doctrine has been disproven ie. Books: Kingdom of the Cults, Handbook of Today's Religions). I want a candidate who has truly put his faith to the test and can answer questions given to him/her with logic and reason.

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:25 PM)

GO MITT ROMNEY...I LOVE YOU!!!!!

A. White, California (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:35 PM)

Who cares if Rudy is most like Hilary. Do you want him to be most like Bush? I mean come on. And this whole he is too liberal on social issues. Coming from flip-flopper Romney that is joke. Romney found religion when it was popular and now he is trying ride it to a nomination. Politics should not even involve religion and what they believe. That is a personal choice and people are trying to make a broad political issue.

Sam Smith, Jacksonville, FL (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:42 PM)

I know this is a bit off topic but I would never vote for anyone who, (at any point) had ties to the mafia, (Giuliani).

Laura, Virginia (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:45 PM)

Brakack Obama should come clean about his Muslim father, Muslim stepfather, 2 Muslim brothers, his muslim upbringing, the muslim schools he attended, and why he was registered as a muslim at the catholic scholl he attended. Will he say that mohammed was not a prophet of GOD? does he EVER eat pork?

Matt Stone (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:46 PM)

Ron Paul scares me - he actually believes we are responsible for the 9-11 attacks --- Get Real Ron!!!
As for Romney I like most of what I see --- I think he is pretty down to earth for a rich guy, I understand that he does a lot of charity work through his Church, hands on work, not just money donations.
I'm still waiting to decide, but I sure don't like the backbiting!

MH Idaho (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:49 PM)

I think a man or woman has to have great courage and fortitude to even think of running the most powerful country in the world. My only concern is that, that person is honest,has intergrity,solid family values,a faith that will drive them to seek help from a higher law, is willing to give their all for the good of this free land of liberty and not let special interest rule the majority. I think All candidates are courageous, but I feel Mit Romney has the background to become a great president who will lead this country by tackling the many issues that beset the inhabitants of this land and will be a leader that other leaders of the world will look up to. We need good men in high places, we have too much corruption in high places and dishonesty prevails. Lets get back before its too late.

pam eberhard, nashua NH (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:53 PM)

I believe that Guiliani could run this country if elected, but Romney's business experience is just what this country needs at this time to avoid a recession. But what I'm mostly concerned about since the Clinton era, is that whomever is elected will not only help us avoid financial quagmire, but will serve as a beacon to our children - someone they can model their lives after. A MORAL president that won't have to resort to "but I didn't inhale," or that "I didn't have sex with that woman."

Carolyn Owen, Elko, NV (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:59 PM)

Lets not allow anyone to become president if the potential President has 200M or more. If we want a Leader lets elect a average person. How ludicrous!
Conclusion: Lets elect one who is successfull at best, on all fronts, namely; Leadership, Executive Roles, Family, Financial, Well Educated, Health, Understands and supports the Constitution, Love for all, and Love of God.

Lynn, Hacienda Heights, Ca. (Sent Tuesday, November 27, 2007 5:06 PM)

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