And Romney goes after McCain...

Posted: Monday, January 28, 2008 2:25 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: 2008, McCain, Romney

From NBC/NJ's Erin McPike
SANFORD, FL -- The hits just keep on coming.

In a continuation of their back-and-forths, Romney blasted McCain on the economy -- and wanted the Arizona senator to know that he has no interest in becoming McCain's running mate.

“There’s another guy running on our side, Sen. McCain -- he’s a good man, he’s a hero -- but his views on the economy, well, I think are sort of summed up by his own statement that it’s not really something he understands that well. He’s said that a couple of times,” Romney said. He added that McCain “indicated that when he chose his vice president, it would have to be somebody who really understood the economy. Well, I do understand the economy, and I’m not going to be being any vice president to John McCain, either. That’s not going to happen.”

Romney’s been blasting McCain's economic knowledge on the stump and with reporters in the Sunshine State in recent days. But he’s so far steered clear of attacking him in paid advertising (with Web ads as the exception). That’s a change in course from how the campaign was operating in several of the other early states –- Iowa, New Hampshire, and Michigan.

Even before 7:00 am ET, Romney came out swinging against McCain today: At a gas station session with reporters that the campaign added late Sunday to today's schedule, Romney addressed what he considers to be shortcomings in McCain's record. Those boiled down to three bills Romney considers flawed. They are McCain-Feingold, which he said has made the impact of money on politics worse; McCain-Kennedy, which he tagged as an "amnesty bill"; and McCain-Lieberman.

Romney said he scheduled the session at a gas station to "underscore the fact that Sen. McCain's McCain-Lieberman would be a very expensive bill for the people of Florida." He explained, "By our calculation, a family of four would have to spend about an extra 1000 dollars a year when McCain-Lieberman became law, and again that's because gas would rise in price approximately 50 cents a gallon and natural gas would rise about 20 percent."

Though McCain had sought to change the dynamic of the race on Saturday by turning the dialogue to the war in Iraq, Romney called it “yesterday’s news” on Sunday, after having said Saturday that he knows McCain “desperately” wants the focus to move away from the economy. Romney has also made the retort that “every news organization” that has looked at McCain’s comments has found them to be wrong.

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Comments

McCain must be held responsible for all the lies he's told in the last few days. I'd never be his running mate either if I'd been slandered that bad.

Dan, Detroit, MI (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 2:53 PM)

Ron Paul has experience and expertise in medicine, economics, and the military. Why settle for the media darlings?

Mike, Hermosa Beach, CA (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:01 PM)

Romney is this years Kerry. I think the Republicans would do better with McCain, especially if Hillary is the nominee. I know plenty of Dems. that would vote with the Repubs. if John or Mike H. ends up being the nominee - against Hillary. But, I don't know of ANYONE that would vote for Romney. In fact, if it were for his position on Immigration (which is shaky and flops) and the Economy (which ISN'T very specific) Mitt would have been out of this weeks ago. He should be on the cover of GQ not the political stage. Imagine for a second someone who takes over corporations being a president, now that is a HUGE laugh.....can't see it, won't happen.

Tammy, Tx (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:01 PM)

This guy has made 10's of millions out sourcing jobs. He knows the economy a little too well. Big boon to wealthy people - a total throat-cutting for the the rest of you deluded fools.

wake up, Sleepy (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:01 PM)

Romney sure looks like a wiener.

nuanced (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:02 PM)

Since the McCain-Lieberman bill has not been expanded upon, it is hard to comment on that. I would like to say that if there is a raise in the gasoline tax, no one will like it, but it should be done. It would make my commute to work more expensive. If it encourages people to either take mass transit or drive smaller vehicles, I think it is worth it. The money from a higher gasoline tax should be directed into better mass transit systems around the country and maintainance on the roads, highways, and bridges in the country.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:04 PM)

McCain...same old liberal rhetoric, take the money from the people and government will come up with a plan to take care of the environment...see it is not that we republicans dont care about the environment,we just know that if you give the task to the private sector... we will come up with an idea...just dont tax us to death and kill our incentive. Romney is a motivator...is he going to do it all for us??? NO! he is going to make sure the govt stays out of our lives so we can use our good old american engenuity!!!...Its not going to be easy??...we gotta work if we want govt out of our lives!!!
McCain is sounding more and more like a liberal everyday...you need me friends, jobs are never coming back, blah blah....do we want this pesimistic attitude and this "YOU NEED US" attitude???... NO!! No more washington insiders and professional polititians and more of the same crap!! No McCAINT!!! Are we going to take this!! No I say!!!We want something else...we want something else!!!!

Hawkeye, crabapple cove, maine (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:06 PM)

If you're still having trouble deciding between the Republicans, maybe Paula, Randy and Simon can help you out: click the link to see how they do on "American President Idol".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NGXqLCBZn4

JK (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:12 PM)

Mitt must be taken pointers from Rush Linbaugh and Shawn Hannity. Mitt is now using the same talking points that Russ and Shawn have been using for weeks. We now know where Mitt will get his marching orders. He will march to be beat of Russ and Shawn.

TEC-Spring-Tx (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:21 PM)

I think the McCain-Huckabee anything would be the worst political move. Anyone else noticed how much Huckabee has only been in this to be McCain's VP. Now that Crist is in the running for McCain's VP, Huckabee has upped his tail-kissing and practically endorsed McCain on television yesterday! It's pathetic, and to think that I fell for it in the beginning. McCain has flip-flopped more than any candidate and the straight talk express has derailed and recently gone negative and dishonest! I think it's time to vote Romney! He is the only one left with enough gumption to stay Republican!

Cory, Talahassee, Florida (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:21 PM)

Romney's right about this. McCain does not understand economics. He doesn't get how one thing affects another and all the ramifications thereof, including prices and jobs.

Carol, Seattle, Washington (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:22 PM)

McCain was a war hero, but so what...? My husband is a war hero too. I don't see him becoming president anytime soon, although I am quite certain he has a better grasp on foreign relations and economics than John McCain.

Leah, San Diego, California (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:25 PM)

More importantly, today Rush Limbaugh BLASTED John McCain for LYING through his teeth about Romney's position on setting a timetable for leaving Iraq.

Limbaugh said Romney is completely innocent of every false thing McCain said about him over the weekend - and that McCain's so-called "integrity" is now in serious doubt.

As a true conservative, I'm very upset at McCain and there is no chance of me voting for someone who is selfishly willing to tear the party apart for his own gain.

Reeci Richards, Sarasota, Florida (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:25 PM)

Hopefully, there will be a "McCain Mutiny" in Florida tomorrow.

After listening and relistening to the video clips of Romney regarding timetable withdrawals of our troops from Iraq, I cannot see how any intelligent person can interpret Romney's remarks in the spring of 2007 as saying he favored a timetable for withdrawal. Romney clearly favored non-public disclosure timetables for benchmarks or goal-setting and said NOTHING about timetables for troop withdrawals. McCain is being dishonest and it reflects on him, not on Romney.

McCain is a little like Captain Queeg, only the marbles are rolling around in his head instead of between his fingers. We need a McCain Mutiny. Romeny is leading the charge.

Keith, California (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:29 PM)

Good. Among my friends, I know of exactly one Republican who likes John McCain. Everyone else likes either Romney or Rudy or Fred above McCain. I think it has to do with three things: (1)McCain's history of liberal legislative bills and votes; (2)McCain's sense of entitlement that he's simply owed the Presidency, which explains number (3), that McCain's personality is pretty much as hypocritical, petty and ghoulish as they come. The way with which he goes about whining about Romney's "negative" ads that contained only the facts and figures of McCain's record all the while it's perfectly fine and dandy for McCain to attack Romney personally and then to heinously try to distort Romney's position against timetables for troop removals from Iraq by blatantly saying a quote stating such means just the opposite.

And of course, Republican voters I speak with about all this are offended by the media's suprahypocrisy in covering McCain and Huckabee's cries of Romney negative and "dishonest" campaign tactics in an agreeable way while ignoring attacks of those nature made on much more unfounded grounds by liberal-leaning McCain and Huckabee.

Brock (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:29 PM)

I just finished listening to Rush and Hannity... they BOTH are hammering that McCain for "LYING THRU HIS TEETH" regarding his nasty and incorrect attacks on Romney over the weekend.

I'm not interested in a scheming, nasty, angry old man in the White House - particularly since he is nothing more than a Democrat in the first place!

Richard Bankowski, Jacksonville, Florida (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:32 PM)

Limbaugh is right today... What's left of John McCain's "integrity" went out the window after his blatant lies about Romney this weekend.

Hey John, you can lie to your wives and get new, younger models - but you can't lie to the country. You're out!

Brady Panelli, Dallas, Texas (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:34 PM)

McCain just threw away my vote!

I was undecided but leaning McCain's way for tomorrow's vote but a 3 question phone poll a few minutes ago trashing Romney has made me reconsider.

I guess it really is politics as usual with McCain, heavy sigh.

John Beech, Sanford, FL (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:34 PM)

Sorry McCain... The ECONOMY IS THE ISSUE...

Lying about the war isn't going to change anything so take what's left of your so-called character and go home.

Perry Shuerholder, Jacksonville, Florida (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:35 PM)

One expects them to go after each other. Personally, I think Romney is the better choice.

Jamie, Salt Lake, Utah (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:36 PM)

That last statement is entirely correct - every news agency, including quite a few that used to have some respect for McCain, have found his comments concerning Mitt Romney to be wrong and dishonest. Not sure who is advising McCain on this latest strategy but he needs to slap whoever it is. Romney and McCain have almost identical views concerning the was on terror and McCain knows that, regardless of what he has said to the contrary. It is disappointing to see McCain debasing himself like this; the end does NOT justify the means. In order to hold our trust, he must first maintain his integrity and that is something he has decided not to do. Mitt Romney has my vote.

Phil Edwards, Aberdeen, NC (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:36 PM)

Of course McCain wants to move away from the economy...we all have heard McCain and read transcripts from his speeches where he admits over and over...he has no idea about the economy. If he were a honest man, he would admit his lie and move on. He won't.
He attacked Romeny about the Iraq time-table issue, which Romney didnot say. There are articles where McCain has stated his time table...seems McCain forgets what he says or doesn't say. Check this out:

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/byauthor/166271

Susan, MA (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:41 PM)

Love to see a McCain-Lieberman ticket. That would completely screw both parties.

SL, NJ (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:45 PM)

Are all the Rush listeners so uneducated that they need Rush’s endorsement of a candidate before they can show support? Mitt Romney is good at running a business. Possibly, I would hope that we do not run the U.S Government as a business. That would leave out 99% of the population. Anyone running to be President of the United States just to be President should not be nominated. That is who Mitt Romney is. I like how he refers to Michigan as his second home. I do not think he has been back here since he left 30 years ago besides this campaign. I think he referred to New Hampshire as his second home also. He’ll need some time to figure it out. Maybe Rush can tell him where his second home really is.

MikeH, Grand Haven, MI. (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:52 PM)

McCain is too old to be my grandfather, he will never make for four years. Romney seems to be a real leader.

McCain should have run as a Democrat or at the least Independent.

Darcy, AL (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:54 PM)

Flush Dimballs- the loud, obnoxious moron who thinks drug addicts should get capital punishment - that's why he sends his house keeper to cop for him.

Anyody who pays attention to that cowardly, bloated bag of ignorant gas might as well listen to a sea shell.

waz up? (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:58 PM)

McCain has no chance to win if he gets the nomination in my opinion, even against Clinton, and definately not against Obama. The vast majority of America wants this war to end and does not share his opinion on the war, and he's stated he's clueless on the economy. The two major issues most Americans have right now and he's on the wrong side.

While I'll be voting for Obama in the primary, hoping that Clinton is defeated, I'm hoping Romney gets the Republican nomination. Even as a Democrat I believe that Romney vs Obama would be a good contest, and at this point in time, while I'd be disappointed if Obama lost, I wouldn't be upset to see Romney win. I think both are good choices, I just favor Obama.

I think Clinton and McCain are the two bad choices.

BL, Cincinnati OH (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 3:58 PM)

"Lying about the war isn't going to change anything so take what's left of your so-called character and go home. "

It helped Bush.

Lee in CA (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:01 PM)

We don't want democrats if we have to adopt democrat policies and liberalism in order to attract them. Wake up, folks! We can win this thing with a conservative! Go Romney!!

Gentry Myler, Eagle, ID (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:02 PM)

Look what I just came across,

How is this any different than what Romney said?
Check out this Arizona Daily Star article:

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., one of the most stalwart supporters of the war in Iraq, said Thursday that he might propose that the Iraqi government meet certain benchmarks for the United States to continue its engagement.
Fellow senators and independent political scientists said McCain's thinking reflected growing concerns within the Republican Party about the course of the war, and also might mark a turning point for the likely 2008 presidential contender, whose previous unconditional backing of the war may have hurt his prospects.

McCain said Thursday that he hadn't yet decided on precise benchmarks. "They'd have to be specific, and they (Iraqi government officials) would have to meet them," he said.

Asked what penalty would be imposed if Iraq failed to meet his benchmarks, he said: "I think everybody knows the consequences. Haven't met the benchmarks? Obviously, then, we're not able to complete the mission. Then you have to examine your options."

Make up your mind McCain, he's the one that if flip-flopping like a goldfish on the counter.

Cory, Logan, Utah (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:08 PM)

McCain just lost any chance of receiving my vote. Doesn't he realize that this is a major turnoff to voters? This is the beginning of the end for McCain. His anger is getting the better of him and he is about to self-destruct.

David, Orlando, Florida (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:09 PM)

Economy my butt....

Willard AKA Mitt made his millions by raping companies. Bain bought them cheap, fires the workers, then sells them when the books are cooked. Vote Romney and bend over to be next. Kiss your job goodbye; it will be outsourced to Bangalore before you can say flipper. See about it below;

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/27/as_bain_slashed_jobs_romney_stayed_to_side/

Peter from Dover NH (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:10 PM)

Setting a timetable and benchmarks is NOT the same as setting a withdrawl date. Why? Because a withdrawl date is clearly a "if we haven't obviously won by X date, then we're out of here" context/discussion. Setting timetables and benchmarks is simply goal setting; something ANY intelligent being does when they need to accomplish a task....doesn't matter if you're a CEO or a single mom with kids. You can't get where you want to go unless you come up with a plan and measure your success against the plan. That is all Romney advocated for. What kills me is that McCain, as a former U.S. Navy officer and former P.O.W., knows full well that 1) Pres. Bush and the U.S. military had decide upon clear objectives/goals for the Iraqi war BEFORE (yes, before) we even invaded and 2) if McCain is elected President you can bet your bottom dollar that within days of taking office he (McCain) would meet with the military Chiefs of Staff, the Secretary of Defense and the highest ranking U.S. officers in Iraq and review those established benchmarks and amend them as needed. I admire Sen. McCain's military service tremendously but his " Iraqi timetable" stab at Romney is a foul.

Dan, Enid, OK (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:15 PM)

These are nothing more than spurious attacks on a well qualified man by Romney and his Rush led team as they writhe in the throes of disaster. Don't let them get Hillary in the White House! Go John McCain!

Mike McDonnell, Naples, Floirda (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:15 PM)

When is Romney and his loyalist wake up an realize that the government is not a business and can not be run like a normal business. The government makes no products nor markets any products. The government does not have a profit and loss balance sheet. McCain is right when he says the government spends to much money and any tax cuts should be off set by spending cuts. He is also right that they is to many pork barrel projects. McCain is able to work across party lines and that is a something a president has to do. We can not continue with political polarization. We can not continue to have one party control both the white house and congress.

Robert, Sacramento, CA (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:15 PM)

McCain's holier than thou attitude doesn't go to well with his latest smear tactics. The guy is a fake from A to Z

Walter O. Delray Beach , Fl (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:15 PM)

McCain For President!!
Do you want to see how clear his message is?
Do you want to learn how much of a straight talk is he?
Do you want to learn how much Honesty his man has to share with everyone?
Then watch this video and learn..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioy90nF2anI

McCain For PRESIDENT!!!

Roger, Charlotte, NC (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:16 PM)

I can't possibly be the only conservative person in this country who is tired of being told that fighting islamic terrorists is the most important thing to do with our time. And just because you have foreign policy experience doesn't mean your any good at it. Look at the past 7 years.

Brandon, Seattle, WA (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:17 PM)

Romney will win Florida, because the voters and smell a rat from miles away. McCain is not a conservative and incase anyone has forgotten he is the only one in the race on the Republican side recieving endrosments from liberals. Florida is too smart to let McCain get away with flat out lies. Romney has vision and will strength this economy, and this nation! McCain..well, you get what you see and I see blue all over him. MCCAIN IS NO CONSERVATIVE! MITT ROMNEY WILL BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AMERICA! And it is driving the liberals crazy! GO ROMNEY!!!

Joseph, Grand Rapids, MI (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:18 PM)

Both McCain and Romney are liberals and neither are Ready to accept it. The only real conservative left in the field is Mike Huckabee and media is trying to brand him as theocrat.

Romney with so called Expertise in economy did a worse job in MA. He left MA in the 46th position for jobs created. HUCK on the other hand improved AR by leaps and Bounds.

GsonJagnath (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:18 PM)

Did McCain really cheat on his wife? Is there any documented source for this info?

Ryan, Houston, TX (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:21 PM)

the only economic experience romney has is how to take from poor and give to the rich, 'trickle-up' economics wizard he is

MK,MO (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:27 PM)

Atta Boy Mitt!! A good 1-2-3-punch to remind conservative voters why they hated McCain in the first place. These should be the big 3 on any conservatives mind that tip the scale for Mitt.

Mitt has the leadership, vision, and

Bryce M, Orem, UT (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:27 PM)

These pro-Romney comments sound unreal to me. Could they be coming from his campaign?

Richard, Hartford, CT (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:27 PM)

People still listen to Limbaugh and Hannity? How...ummm....1990's of you. Join the current century.

reallytiredofignorance MN (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:32 PM)

I'd also like to add an aspect of all this that I haven't heard really anyone else address so far. That is, the real reason the other Republican candidates/elected officials don't like Romney. McCain just bagged endorsements from Florida Senator Mel Martinez, who is probably himself a one-termer and Charlie Crist who is disliked by conservatives and has yet to deliver on any of his promises. McCain also enjoys the favor of long-time establishment elected republicans. He has the tenured republican elected official/bureaucrat support.

Most of these types, Republican or Democrat, probably don't like the idea of a Romney Administration because Romney is pretty much an upstart. He was Governor of Mass. for one term, accomplished a lot, did a masterful job in a number of areas that for a long time plagued that state. So while McCain is personally bitter and angry and full of contempt for anyone in his way to the White House and surely he feels that Romney hasn't paid his dues as he has, I can guarantee there are a lot of entrenched bureaucrats from both political parties who don't want a Romney Presidency because Mitt will reorganize (eliminate, streamline) much of the American bureaucracy by wringing out redundancy and inefficiency (bloated bureaucratic jobs (title-holders) and ludicrous programs, wasteful departments, etc.). How can we be sure? Well, as with everything else, look to the record. In Massachusetts he consolidated redundant departments, slashed half of executive branch press positions among others, and eliminated hundreds of millions of dollars in earmarks. That's one tiny state. The vast size and excessive fat of Washington DC will truly be reformed into a leaner, more sensible, and more efficient entity under Romney. While this is great for Americans, it's bad for entrenched elected officials, their entourages, their opulent lifestyles, and their pomp. This is why McCain is getting support from tenured Republicans, and this is why starting tomorrow in Florida, actual Republican voters need to send them all a clear message by rejecting John McCain and voting for Mitt Romney to give him the acceleration to tie-up this nomination the follow week during Super Tuesday.

Dan (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:34 PM)

Anyone that gets endorsed by the New York Times will never get my vote. Mr. Straight shooter has definately lost points by LYING about the record and then goes to explain it away by telling him he needs to apologize to the men and women whose blood has been spilt. You got to be friggin kidding. I am a Service man and McCain is no long a hero in my eyes. He's yesterday's homerun ... and there are many more men and women who are honest and hero's in my eyes then he could ever be. He's trying to run the country from a jail cell. If he had any integrity he would NEVER have to bring it up!

John McCain is not a Republican ... he's a democrat running as a Republican. Anyone that gets endorsed by the NEY YORK Time ... come on people get real.

Brian J (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:42 PM)

Romney is a weasel. If the republicans want to have a chance at winning, they might want to think a little harder about McCain. He’s about the only republican candidate that might make me consider voting for that party.

Alex Ryce, Seattle wa (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:43 PM)

I used to respect McCain, but It became sooo obvious that McCain will say anything for a vote back in the Iowa debate when he promised to have us off of foriegn oil in 5 years. What a crock. Now he's gone beyond stretching the truth, and is resorting to outright lies about his opponent's positions. Add to that his tendency to react with anger to tense situations instead of keeping a cool head, and you realize we can't have this man in the white house. If he get's the nomination, I'll be forced to vote Dem.

Whala, Chandler, AZ (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:52 PM)

If we voting for the Republicans, are we voting for the war? The war that is costing billions of dollars and wasting money that can go to benefit our country? How do we say the troops need to come home, but vote for the people who will send them there and keep them there?
Are we flip flopping?
Way right or way left...who ever put that in politics is a joke. What the hell is that, what does it mean? How about staying on the course of common sense for all people. That's why nothing is getting done, because either you pick right or left and remain lukewarm in getting anything accomplished.

Sue (Sent Monday, January 28, 2008 4:54 PM)

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