Romney v. McCain

Posted: Friday, December 28, 2007 11:23 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Ads

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro and Lauren Appelbaum

Romney and McCain went up with dueling advertisements in New Hampshire. And both have very different tones.

Romney, the only candidate to run contrast TV ads so far this campaign season, is up with another -- this time against McCain, who won the Granite State primary in 2000. At least one poll showed McCain and Romney in a statistical tie in the state. Romney has lead by double-digits there for most of the campaign season.

"John McCain, an honorable man. But is he the right Republican for the future?" says an announcer over ominous music. The announcer then says McCain is against a repeal of the estate tax, voted against Bush tax cuts and "pushed to let every illegal immigrant stay here permanently."

Above more hopeful music, the announcer says, "Mitt Romney cut taxes and spending as Governor. He opposes amnesty for illegals. Mitt Romney. John McCain. There is a difference."

McCain, ardently opposed to earmarks, will likely take issue with the implication that he is not strong on reducing spending.

Romney's first contrast ad went up in Iowa, laying out the differences between his governing record and that of Huckabee -- on immigration and crime.

McCain also has a new ad up, but unlike Romney's ad which attacks McCain, the Arizona Senator's new ad highlights his newspaper endorsements, including the New Hampshire Union Leader and the Portsmouth Herald. "Endorsed" will run on New Hampshire and Boston television.

The McCain campaign shot back with an e-mail trying to dismiss each of the charges in the Romney ad (and takes some shots at Romney's record.) Another e-mail from the campaign features a Chicago Tribune article from Wednesday, which highlights criticism of Romney and how he might respond to a tightening race. The article notes that Romney "has not yet decided whether to air any 'contrast' or negative ads.

"This morning’s events seem to call into question his candor, as if another example was needed," a McCain spokesman wrote in an e-mail to reporters.

In an e-mail release of its own on the ad, the Romney campaign writes, "On election day, Republicans will have a choice between two very different records and visions for our future."

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Comments

There is absolutely NO republican right for the future, except maybe Ron Paul. Anyone else is just more of the same.

Steve A Jonesboro IN (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 11:39 AM)

THE Barak campaign has to be worried that the independents in NH will decide to vote in the Republican Primary for McCain rather than the Demorcratic primary for BO.

Tuck,Realityville, KS (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 11:44 AM)

Both of these men are honorable, descent men and America would be well served to have either (or both) at the helm. McCain's add was right on - he is all of those things and more. However, the contrast add (and it wasn't a "negative" add as many people like to paint them, just wait till the general election and see what Shrillary cooks up if you want to see negative adds), was a correct assessment of particular positions both have stood. If you stand for what McCain has done, by all means vote for him. If you stand for what Romney has done, by all means vote for him. Plain and simple. Best of luck to all the candidates in the primaries.

Jarod, Durham, NC (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 11:56 AM)

This is not an attack against McCain. McCain has made his own bed and Romney is just pointing it out. McCain is a business lobbyist, open border amnesty guy. That's not an attack, its the truth.

Denver (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 11:58 AM)

"John McCain, an honorable man. But is he the right Republican for the future?"

Jeez. Better than your plastic, magic underwear-wearing, chicken hawk self. But when has that ever made a difference to the droolers your trolling for? A frinedly-looking, below average IQ monkey has sufficed in the past.

Any talk about "qualifications," "experience," or "suitability," is just ridiculous after George The Lesser.

Lee in CA (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 12:00 PM)

Wow, Romney's ad convinces me that McCain is better. After all, the estate tax is a tax on RICH PEOPLE. Not only that, THEY'RE FRIGGIN' DEAD! The Bush tax cuts are what put us into this giant debt hole we're in. And illegals are not going to just go away. Stupid Republicans, voting is for intelligent people!

Steve, Hartford, CT (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 12:01 PM)

Is Senator Fred Thompson still a viable candidate? I haven't read much about him either in the media or in posts on this site. What is the status of his campaiign?

Just wondering.

Dot, Illinois (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 12:05 PM)

as gov of Mass mitt was a carpet bagging disaster who only cared about resume building for 2008.....we're glad he's gone....hopefully people in NH and other primary states realize this and vote for some less concerned with which way the wind is blowing...McCain would certainly be a better choice

bill, chelmsford, ma (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 12:34 PM)

On one hand we have the cranky McCain who thinks the best solution to everything diplomatic is war, kill, stab. On the other hand we have a man who couldn't possibly tell you what he thinks regarding any matter without changing his mind a few handful of times.

Man, I love being a democrat; it's fantastic to have so many wonderful choices to chose from.

Travis, Louisville, Ky. (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 12:36 PM)

I see nothing wrong with Romneys add. It does not attack McCain but just contrast there stance on issues.

jason (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 12:45 PM)

This is totaly funny, Romney's argument against McCain actually improves my opinion of McCain. But of course, I'm not a Republican primary voter. Who in their right minds supports repealing the estate tax? Even the richest guys in America, Buffett and Gates are against that.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 12:50 PM)

Dot - he was never a viable candidate. You heard it here first.

Lee in CA (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 1:00 PM)

Travis, Louisville, Ky., you can't have it both ways. On one hand you've been complaining for the past seven years about a guy that never changes his mind on ANYTHING, and now you complain about someone who works through problems and comes up with practical solutions, even if he admits his first idea wasn't right. That's not flip-flopping people, that's taking responsibility and true leadership. A breath of fresh air if I ever heard of it and exactly what we need in Washington. Of course if want to keep the status quo in Washington then by all means, vote for the next guy. You only have yourself to blame.

Jarod, Durham, NC (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 1:22 PM)

Jarod, you have to be kidding. The smear machine is a true republican tool. Jarod, lets talk about swift boating. Did the democrats use it. The fear and smear all comes from the right wing uber party. Remember Jarod the republicasn party will do and say anything to get elected. The repubs have zero integrity and honesty. They are all about demonizing , belittling, and smearing their political opponets. We are amateurs compared to the fear and smear the right wing so desperately uses to retain power. Trust me Jarod, the real negative ads will all come from the republican candidates. They literally have nothing to run on. Republican politics suck, so all the republican candidates can do is smear their opponet or use fear. Do any of these candidates have any solutions other then parroting repuke talking points?

bobf (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 1:27 PM)

McCain is unfit to be president he cheated on his first wife.

Mitt is unfit to be president because he changes positions on issues just to get elected.

pat huntington ny (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 1:28 PM)

Romney is wise to point out McCain's record - who can argue with that? As for that "whiner" Huckabee - who cries to his fellow Baptists everytime someone calls him on his record - It didn't take me long to forget his chances after hearing about his Arkansas past. Besides, Huckabee's own kids are torturing animals...

Ted Cannon Des Moines, Iowa (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 1:33 PM)

the real question from the not so liberal media is why is no one talking about mccain and the keating 5?

since when has there been a statute of limitations on ethics? the keating 5 created A CRISIS IN THE SAVINGS AND LOAN establishment worth millions. cmon guys I realize most of you were not born yet so it seems like ancient news but still... no limitations on ethics and integrity.

mccain allowed bush to lead him by the nose in s.c. in 2000. I lost all respect for him then. no real man would have allowed himself to be denegrated that way. A real man would have challenged him to a duel like zell miller did to mathews. now that was great television!

once again, it is a shame that iraqis get more help than the American middle class.

republicans hate AMERICA AND THE MIDDLE CLASS.

leon houston (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:30 PM)

bobf...that's fantastic. yet another insightful diatribe from a blind lefty. Love seeing the childlike names for the republicans too. Adds credibility.

Both parties and their all too loyal followers, are well equipped to smear anyone who gets in their way. You are completely stupid or flat out lying to try to tell any one that the Dems do not or can not engage in that sort of thing to the same extent as the republican side. Both parties have plenty of people who will do anything to get elected and stay there. Unfortunately it works because we have too many voters on both sides willing to follow like sheep and accept that kind of behavior. Look at two we have leading most of the polls in both parties. Both are completely disingenuous people who have calculated their entire lives around running for president some day. One who has accomplished absolutely nothing along the way and wants us to believe that her willingness to put up with her husbands philandering is indicative of leadership. The other who seems to have had everything handed to him along the way. Both are untrustworthy in the political arena since both will say anything based on polls.

The sad part is that both parties have tremendous leaders who could be great presidents. Unfortunately due to the Carville/Clinton and Rove/Bush style of politics that we are willing to accept if it suits "our side" it will be a long time until we see any of them run for this office.

k. austin (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:46 PM)

bobf, you definitely have a point about the swift boating episode. I thought that was completely disrespectful of John Kerrey. There were way too many other better arguments to make against him and it just muddied the waters. Actually it sullied the waters.

However, don't play so innocent with the Democrats. Honestly count how many times Hillary and Obama have gone back and forth, and the nastiness that's come of it. And you don't think this is going to carry over into the general election? Sure, it's covered up with "that's not an official statement from me", but they sure benefit from it. American politics - love it or hate it, it's there.

Jarod, Durham, NC (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 3:28 PM)

ah the sweet smell of the taxpayer money that paid off the Keatington 5 loans and must not forget Marvin Bushs silverado loans---was it $80,000,000?So nice of us to pay those loans.Yes and all on Ronnies watch.

HMT-MI (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 8:20 PM)

MItt Romney cannot carry Senator John McCain's jock strap, whether magical or secular.

MIke RC, Rockwall, Texas (Sent Saturday, December 29, 2007 4:25 PM)

Mike RC, did you just post that McCain has a magical jock strap? please post some more golden - or magical, rather - insight. I'm just dying to see what other refuse you can spill out of your mouth. And bofb, I wonder if you have even seen the democratic elections so far. Or do you just wait to vote for the "winning" democrat?

Brayden, Provo UT (Sent Sunday, December 30, 2007 10:52 PM)

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