A preview of things to come in FL?

Posted: Saturday, January 19, 2008 9:38 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Matthew E. Berger
THE VILLAGES, FL -- For weeks, Giuliani said he was living by Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment to not go after his Republican rivals. Today, he came close.

“I supported the Bush tax cuts,” Giuliani said at a rally here as results were being announced in Nevada and South Carolina. “John McCain voted with the Democrats against the Bush tax cuts -- twice. And Mitt Romney did not, clearly, support the Bush tax cuts.”

Giuliani has long stressed his friendship with McCain, so the attack on him was more surprising. He has been loathed to speak ill of McCain -- even when provoked -- and his only criticism before has been said that McCain has never run anything. Giuliani and Romney have been butting heads for months over issues like the line-item veto.

But Giuliani had all but vetoed going after his Republican rivals, frequently evoking Reagan’s commandment, “thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican.” He has said the only exception is when he is attacked first.

Giuliani and his aides said they were not breaking the commandment Saturday, but emphasizing contrast.

“You mean contrast?” he said at a media availability after the speech. “No, I just pointed out where there were differences. The differences are, in the case of the Bush tax cuts, which are now getting a lot of attention because of the new stimulus program, I supported the Bush tax cut. John McCain voted with the Democrats against the Bush tax cuts and Mitt Romney was equivocal in his support.

“Now, why was I so strong in my support of the Bush tax cuts?” he said. “Because I did the same thing. I have a history of cutting taxes and having it work for me.”

Giuliani was joined at the event by his wife, Judith, actor Jon Voight, and Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, who expanded on the contrasts with McCain and Romney at The Villages Lincoln Day Dinner after the rally.

“I admire him,” McCollum said of McCain. “He’s a war hero. He’s a friend. But he’s no Rudy Giuliani.”

McCollum said he also admired Romney, but he argued that Romney did not accomplish as much with a Democratic legislature in Massachusetts as Giuliani did in New York City.

Giuliani continued to stress the importance of the Florida primary.

“Whoever wins in Florida will be the next nominee,” he said.

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Comments

The Villages Florida is an all old fart residence. The Republican Party of old farts and has beens. The Republican Party is over.

Nick Polaris, Clearwater, Fl. (Sent Saturday, January 19, 2008 9:47 PM)

McCain has a nasty temper - and it may show in an ugly way when he loses Florida. McCain dropping "F" bombs all over the place doesn't sound like a very "Evangel" thing to do...

Romney's huge win in Nevada means more than the MSNBC pundits (Todd especially) claim.

John McCarthy, Miami Beach, Florida (Sent Saturday, January 19, 2008 9:54 PM)

Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity AND Glenn Beck have EACH spent the past week or two telling Conservatives that MITT ROMNEY is clearly the best Republican candidate...

Liberal minded MSNBC (knowing that John McCain would get trounced against Hillary) are pushing McCain like crazy...

Are Republicans going to let MSNBC tell us how to vote, or some of the most trusted names from the conservative world?

Gina Santori, Sarasota, Florida (Sent Saturday, January 19, 2008 9:56 PM)

Bye Bye Huckabee!

McCain may be a world-class ADULTERER, but he just smoked you!

Well, Mike... I guess you can always make a living ripping off old ladies in the perverted world of "Televangelism"!

Grady O'Sullivann, South Bend, Indiana (Sent Saturday, January 19, 2008 10:00 PM)

John McCain is an angry old man - who fell out of the polls a couple of months ago because of his HIDEOUSLY out-of-touch views...

With the nation's number one issue now economics, Mitt Romney will have the answers while McCain will have the doubts.

Candace Holding, Tampa Bay (Sent Saturday, January 19, 2008 10:02 PM)

Despite furious and unrelenting establishment efforts to sideline him, Ron Paul is in fourth overall... http://truthalert.net/Republican%20Presidential%20Candidate%20Rankings.htm

Mike, Hermosa Beach, CA (Sent Saturday, January 19, 2008 10:02 PM)

I don't care for McCain... I think he is sneaky and evil-spirited - and what he did to his FIRST wife tells me all I need to know about his "integrity".

Guiliani must be kidding if he thinks we still remember him.

Richard Stone, Orlando, Florida (Sent Saturday, January 19, 2008 10:03 PM)

With the eyes of the world on us, I urge ALL FLORIDIANS to vote for Mitt Romney...

McCain will keeps us in wars - Romney will get us out of the impending economic recession.

Tyler Ramirez, Miami, Florida (Sent Saturday, January 19, 2008 10:05 PM)

I agree with "John McCarthy" - MSNBC'S Todd seems to unfairly rip Romney any chance he gets. I think there IS something to the liberal media being afriad of Romney's success.

The nation's big need right now is a healthy economy - and Romney's 2 MASTERS DEGREES in Business from HARVARD look pretty good right now.

Especially when all McCain can do is admit he doesn't have any answers.

Kelly Carpenter, Miami, Florida (Sent Saturday, January 19, 2008 10:07 PM)

Romney DOMINATED Nevada... and yet all MSNBC can do is tell us how important THEY THOUGHT South Carolina was...

Hey liberals - Nevada had more delegates!

Jake Concannon, Las Vegas, Nevada (Sent Saturday, January 19, 2008 10:11 PM)

McCain doesn't have any answers... just a lot of war medals.

While I respect the efforts of the thousands of American POW's - I don't think they will help us much if our economy goes under.

Frank Gonzales, Tampa, Florida (Sent Saturday, January 19, 2008 10:13 PM)

Even though he is working hard on the campaign trail, Obama still has time to think about the everyday issues of the American public...

LAS VEGAS - Amid growing worries about a worsening of the U.S. economy, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama proposed a $75 billion economic stimulus plan on Sunday that includes worker tax credits, a one-time pension supplement and help to homeowners facing foreclosure.

The plan would include an immediate $250 tax credit for workers, which could double if the economy worsens, a one-time $250 supplement to Social Security payments, a $10 billion fund to help homeowners facing foreclosure and a $10 billion fund to assist states facing budget shortfalls amid lower tax revenues.

"We need that middle-class tax cut now more than ever — not five months from now or five weeks from now, but now," Obama said in a statement. "I'm announcing a plan to jump-start the economy by putting money in the pockets of those who need it most and will spend it quickly."

Mr. Sensible, NH (Sent Saturday, January 19, 2008 10:33 PM)

The key is that none of the Senators has yet endorsed a candidate in the Presidential race.

"Over the past several weeks, many in the Jewish community have received hateful emails that use falsehood and innuendo about Senator Barack Obama's religion and attack him personally," reads the letter. "Jews, who have historically been the target of such attacks, should be the first to reject these tactics."

The signers are Senators Carl Levin, Barbara Boxer, Ben Cardin, Russ Feingold, Frank Lautenberg, Bernie Sanders, and Ron Wyden. Full letter after the jump.

Separately, we'll be blogging the returns from the Nevada Dem caucuses and the South Carolina GOP primary throughout the day today right here at Election Central. So check back for frequent updates.

An Open Letter to the Jewish Community:
Over the past several weeks, many in the Jewish community have received hateful emails that use falsehood and innuendo about Senator Barack Obama's religion and attack him personally. As Jewish United States Senators who have not endorsed a candidate for the Democratic nomination, we condemn these scurrilous attacks.

We find it particularly abhorrent that these attacks arc apparently being sent specifically to the Jewish Community. Jews, who have historically been the target of such attacks, should be the first to reject these tactics.

We won't dignify these falsehoods by repeating them in order to refute them. Instead, we will express our outrage at these tactics, which are being used to demonize a good and
decent man and our friend and colleague. Attempting to manipulate voters into supporting or opposing one candidate or another based on despicable and fictitious attacks is disgraceful. These false and malicious attacks should not be part of our political discourse.

All voters should support whichever candidate they believe would make the best president. We sincerely hope that Americans will make that decision based on the factual records of these candidates, not false charges circulated by anonymous mass emails.

Sincerely,

Carl Levin

Barbara Boxer

Ben Cardin

Russ Feingold

Frank Lautenberg

Bernie Sanders

Ron Wyden

Interesting (Sent Saturday, January 19, 2008 10:40 PM)

You all just don't get it, do you? John McCain is the leader we need now to keep us safe, give us back out place in government and the ONLY one that can beat Hillary. I am older than John and I trust him to be honest with me. I distrust Washington, and need someone like him to guide us back to where the USA should be. Secure on all fronts. If any Reb gets the nod except John I will vote Dem and I haven't done that since Kennedy.

Marty CR Iowa (Sent Saturday, January 19, 2008 10:40 PM)

McCain is a good man, but he is getting old. He is 71 and he used to smoke. I just want to know who his vice president is going to be because the next in command could quite possibly be running the nation.

Nate (Sent Saturday, January 19, 2008 11:06 PM)

Marty's right. What's the matter with you people?

Mitt Romney is the Eddie Haskil of Politics.

"Good afternoon Mrs. Cleaver, that's a lovely dress you're wearing. Did I mention that I'm a pro-life conservative now?"

On her worst day an adult would never fall for that kind of crap. Why do you?

kerner (Sent Saturday, January 19, 2008 11:23 PM)

Would you people get off the age thing. I am 77, older than John, still manage my own home, travel all over the states, lecture at the college on medical subjects, and feel great. A hugh majority of people born in the 30ts will live to be 100. Don't count us out just yet please. Experience is still the best teacher.

Marty CR Iowa (Sent Saturday, January 19, 2008 11:25 PM)

I believe Rudy is our man. While I like McCains tough guy approah to terrorism abroad, I think Rudy will keep us out of the clouds at home. What do you think of the McCain/Giuliani ticket?

Ratchell Richter, Jacksonville, Ark. (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 12:22 AM)

Romney is our hope!

Big T, Great America, Anywhere (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 1:00 AM)

I can't believe that people think McCain is going to keep us more safe than any other president. McCain is more likely to piss off the rest of the world than anyone! The guy was singing bomb bomb Iran to the beach boys tune for crying out loud.

Creating war does not keep us safe. Closing the borders will keep us safer than anything! Does McCain want to close the borders? NO! He wants to let every non-felon stay here illegally until we give them citizenship. He himself agrees with this statement.

He still supports his amnesty bill, but somehow says he wants to secure the borders? I get it, we will try to catch you at the border, but if you make it in, we will let you stay. We DARE you to try to get past us, and the reward is huge!

McCain as accomplished NOTHING in the senate. Name an accomplishment - someone.

I can't believe you freaking people who want to vote for him just because of his military service. You are just as bad as the people voting for Gomer because he is the "Christian candidate.

I have an idea - let's pick someone who is actually qualified! Your choices have been narrowed down to Romney and Rudy now.

A. Burns (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 1:03 AM)

I really hope Rudy doesn't get on McCain's bad side. I think he would be a fine addition to the Senator's administration... If he were made the Secretary of Homeland Security he would actually give the department some clout. Plus, old man John may not run in '12; perhaps Giuliani could step in to fill the void.

Derek, Buffalo, NY (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 1:08 AM)

McCain is light on solutions, and for someone who talks about straight talk, doesn't even have the courage to say he is not a Republican, but an Indepdendent.

I could not vote for him under any circumstance, even in the general election against a Dem. I would be betraying what my party stands for.

I recommend Mitt for President. I have met Mitt and he has integrity and is modest. He has experience and solutions that will make this country great.

Should Thompson drop out, I hope he endorses Mitt, as I can't see him endorsing either Huckabee or McCain. Romney and Thompson have been the closest to attracting the establishment, conservative, true Republican candidate. (I think he would be doing better if he had Mitt's energy and passion.)

Jed (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 1:11 AM)

Flippity, floppity, flippity, floppity, here comes Mitty Romney-tail. Hippity, hoppiting, hippity, hoppiting, hopping down the campaign trail. Do you like tax-cuts? I'm for tax-cuts. Do you want universal health care? I'm for universal health care? Do you want change? I'm for change. Anything you want, I'm for it. Just let me know.

Vote for me.

I'm Mitt Romney and I approved and disapproved this message.

Scott, Milwaukee, WI (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 1:36 AM)

Sorry, but I don't trust McCain at all on national security. He is a war-mongering illegal alien hugger and the worst choice of the republican candidates.
Good luck to Romney and Guliani in Florida

Rhj, Ga (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 2:08 AM)

We know Florida can't even punch out a stupid card, how would they actually research who these RINO's are??

Candidate Research - Know Who You're Voting For ( The Easy Way ) http://tinyurl.com/2sowta

Chris C/S, CO (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 6:10 AM)

if you would actually look at Romney objectively (and yes research what he has to say, what he has said, what his positions are, etc.) instead of going along with what the media and every one else says about him, you'll see that what people and the media say is not true.

All I ask is that you look into his positions. You will be surprised. They have been feeding you a load of crap for months now. Every time they mention Romney on t.v. they use the words "flip-flop" "change positions" etc., and everyone just eats it up without realizing that they've given you no concrete evidence or support. Do you even know if he ever really changed his mind? On what? And if abortion is the only thing you can think of, then is it right to call someone who changed their mind on one issue a "flip-flopper"? (And don't forget Reagan changed his mind on the same issue, after he'd been a politician. Romney has always been consistent on the Pro-Life platform during his entire time in office. His change came the first time his decisions would affect law, and they stayed the same throughout his entire term).

You don't have to believe anything I say, I just ask that for something as important as the next president, that you take a little extra time to read what he has to say. In his own words. If you don't like it, then fine. But please don't base your feelings on what the media tells you. Come to your own conclusions.

It's only the future of America.

JonP, Roseville, CA (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 7:02 AM)

All of the candidates think they are the best leaders to keep us safe. It is just that safety is a relative issue in terms of the economy, war, families, etc. There is not a single political candidate who can keep us safe from everything no matter how big government gets. Right now, millions of Americans are running on fear and candidates are playing to those fears. We all think that the government is the answer. It is like a college student returning home because life is just to hard without Mom and Dad to take care of them.

No wonder the Democrats are already announcing their victory. The GOP is so scrambled in who they believe in that the entire party is likely to be threatened. What will a dismantled Republican party give us in future elections? Right now, conservatives are asking all of us to root for Mitt Romney who currently leads in deligate votes. McCain is ahead in most of the other polls. Huckabee is the pride of the evangelical voters. Yet, Clinton and Obama are doing their own destruction to the Democrat Party in terms of pitting the liberal female vote against the black vote. It just appears to me that room is being prepared for another party somewhere in the middle with the true loosers being the GOP and the Democrats.

David (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 7:43 AM)

David Aust, Utah (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 7:44 AM)

FOX NEWS DEFEATED HUCKABEE USING FRED THOMPSON AND HIS DISGUSTING TROPHY WIFE---------THEY WANT RUDY---LOOK OUT MC CAIN THEY HAVE TURNED TO NO MORE FAIR AND BALANCED

DAVID ANDERS (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 8:19 AM)

"Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity AND Glenn Beck have EACH spent the past week or two telling Conservatives that MITT ROMNEY is clearly the best Republican candidate..."
"some of the most trusted names from the conservative world?"

Conservatisim is dead if these hucksters are the most trusted names. These folks are populists nothing more.

Jerry McGentiy (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 8:23 AM)

"I saw my father march with Martin Luther King."

"I will always defend a woman's right to abortion."

"I am a lifelong hunter and was endorsed by the NRA."

"I will be a stronger advocate for Gay Rights than Teddy Kennedy."

"There are no lobbiests in the leadership of my campaign."

Mitt Romney: Do not buy a used car from this man. He is a serial liar. He will tell you anything to get elected. He is the crassest panderer in the field. The Eddie Haskell candidate--slimy and phony.

Elmer, Warner, NH (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 8:34 AM)

"Giuliani and his aides said they were not breaking the commandment Saturday, but emphasizing contrast."
--When I was like 8, during a Coors brewery tour, we entered one of the sections and I asked, "What's that smell." To which the tour guide replied, "It's an aroma."

--NSMsnbc (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 9:45 AM)

Not that I'm voting for McCain (I'm for Rudy). But do you think age is really a factor in Florida of all places?

McCain would be a young whippersnapper in Florida. Besides here's something to think about, his mother is still alive and viable.

foncool (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 10:03 AM)

I am also a McCain supporter. We need someone in the white house who understands that to cut taxes we almost must cut spending. And he is right to be embarrased by his party which let spending get out of control. Low taxes, small government, that is what we need. Also, I think someone above wrote that McCain would get trounced by Hilary in a national election. The truth is, as it stands right now, your man Mitt would get trounced while McCain would win. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/national.html

NR (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 10:38 AM)

Bloomburg/Obama '08! They would be the perfect ticket to take enough votes from both major parties and finally bring some moderation into American politics.

Brian, Las Vegas (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 11:56 AM)

John it's time to take you musilax.

Old Crap (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 12:03 PM)

The Mayor of New York will be history after
Fla. What can he do for America Just more BS Maybe GB will come down and help him then it will be a sure thing he goes back to NY...Outside of 911 not much that would show me leadership...He listening the hurts of the American People and now taking there issue which just didn't happen over night but never paid any attention to there needs until election..Again it those that have made a career out of politcs and created a good portion of the mess were in...I need the assurance that whoever get elected doesn't continue politcs as usual and im afraid that those long time politicans will...Oh well if the independent would only organize we could be a striking force in this election..we all have to be on the same page...Maybe if i keep on stressing the importance something will come about

Russ Well, Maine (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 12:38 PM)

Rudy's the man! He'll have one eye on tax cuts, the other on spending. When his finger isn't on the pulse of the nation it'll be on the trigger in foreign policy.

Vote Rudy!

Dan, Ft. Walton, FL (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 12:41 PM)

Like it or not, every politicians have to say things people like to hear just to get elected. Every candidate has to pander and everyone has to attack in order to win. Main stream media are controlled by a small group of people with their own agenda. So I am really tired of listening to those half-truth like who said what. I am much more interested in looking at candidates' records that can't be faked.

Romney has a verifiable history of starting a company, turning another company around, rescuing the Olympics, and turning government deficit into surplus. His commitment to his family shows his high moral value. He succeeded as a republican governor in a deep blue state. He has consistently showed with his RECORDS that he is a social and fiscal conservative.

Talk is cheap! Look at their records!!!

EZLoafer, Atlanta, GA (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 2:12 PM)

McCain might take tourists (and thus potential revenue with which people can cut taxes) away from Florida, and cause traffic havoc elsewhere, by not spending on Amtrak.

If McCain vetoes spending bills because they include Amtrak spending (which he has a record of considering to be "pork barrel spending"), effectively zeroing out Amtrak's budget, then the trains might stop running, leading to heavy traffic jams in urban parts of this country. Opposing Amtrak as an Arizona senator (Arizona has lousy Amtrak service, so it doesn't amount to much influence on traffic over there) is one thing, but if he goes to the White House and does it, he's bound to draw a lot more criticism from the nation as a whole. Amtrak is NOT a Pork Barrel project; it is essential to many states and draws customers to tourist destinations in most of the Lower 48.

Ricky Rab, New Brunswick, NJ (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 4:43 PM)

I can't wait for Florida! Ron Paul can teach Giuliani a thing or two about economics and then Giuliani can spread the word!

Ron (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 6:24 PM)

Mcamnesty is the real flip flopper. Notice that now he is acting like he never supported the comprehensive immigration bill

Brent Idaho Falls (Sent Sunday, January 20, 2008 11:32 PM)

"I believe my party has gone astray. I think the Democratic Party is a fine party, and I have no problems with it, in their views and their philosophy."

-- John McCain

nuf said - next!

Conservative4Life, USA (Sent Monday, January 21, 2008 12:19 AM)

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