Romney on McCain, the Clintons
Posted: Saturday, January 26, 2008 3:19 PM by Mark Murray
From NBC/NJ's Erin McPike
LAND O'LAKES, FL -- NBC's Bethany Thomas reported earlier today that McCain accused Romney of wanting "to set a date for withdrawal, similar to what the Democrats are seeking -- which would have led to a victory by al Qaeda, in my view."
Informed by a reporter that McCain had made those remarks, Romney responded tersely: "You know, I don’t know why he’s being dishonest. But that’s dishonest. To say that I have a specific date is simply wrong and is dishonest and he should apologize. That is not the case. I’ve never said that."
And he lashed out: "I know he’s trying desperately to change the topic from the economy and trying to get back to Iraq. But to say something that’s not accurate is simply wrong and he knows better."
McCain's campaign just hit back with a statement from communications director Jill Hazelbaker: "Mitt Romney's position on the war in Iraq has been a study in flexibility. Like every other issue of importance in this race, Mitt Romney has changed his position. On April 3, 2007 he advocated secret timetables for withdrawal from Iraq. His exact words were 'of course you have to work together to create timetables and milestones.' In October 2007, Romney said that Hillary Clinton, who supports Iraq withdrawal, is 'not going to be demanding a dramatically different course in Iraq than the Republican nominee will.' These statements, along with Romney's inability to stick with a consistent position, provide further evidence that he lacks the critical experience and judgment necessary to lead as commander-in-chief."
Romney also addressed McCain's claims that he is the only one who can beat Clinton and Obama. Romney said, "Let’s let the people decide that. Not the candidates."
As for Clinton, Romney said in MSNBC's GOP debate in Boca Raton on Thursday that he can't imagine Bill Clinton left with nothing to do in the White House, prompting some to call it a personal attack. Romney has denounced personal attacks and said that's part of the reason he was successful in Massachusetts.
Asked today how he would determine what a personal attack is if he and Clinton are the nominees, Romney was vague in saying that it's "in the eye of the beholder." He went on to clarify his comments with: "I think my comment about Bill Clinton was only that I'd just as soon have one president of the United States, not two."
"And President Clinton in the White House with nothing to do is going to try and be a co-president and try and help manage the economy and help manage the world affairs," he went on, adding, "I think that's a mistake. I think you want to have one president, not two."