Thompson Accuses Romney Of Trying To "Buy South Carolina"

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Fred Thompson

The following is a campaign dispatch from CBS News' John Bentley:

(AP)

Fred Thompson stepped up his attacks against Mitt Romney today in South Carolina on two fronts: his immigration stance and his campaign financing.

"Governor Romney supported the immigration bill that I opposed back before it became a controversial issue," Thompson said, referring to the failed immigration bill put forth earlier this year. "The governor once again has changed his position."

Thompson told a packed lunchtime crowd at the Beef O'Brady's restaurant in Ft. Mill that Romney was trying to buy his way to the nomination. "Governor, you can't buy South Carolina. You can't even rent it."

Some polls show Thompson leading the Republican pack in South Carolina, despite not yet airing any ads there.

"The governor of Massachusetts has now apparently put in $20 million of his personal fortune, and spent a good chunk of it in South Carolina. I haven't bought one TV ad yet, one radio ad yet, and yet I seem to be in the lead," he said. "So from a management standpoint, I think I'm getting a little bit more for my money right now."

UPDATE: Romney campaign spokesman Kevin Madden responds:

"Support from voters is earned though hard work and new ideas. Unfortunately for Fred Thompson, he has never shown any passion for either."

Added Madden: "Governor Romney is working hard across South Carolina to build a great team of supporters that continues to grow. His support is the result of reaching out to voters and showing them that he has the vision the experience and the values to lead America. The governor is going to keep holding the town halls, continue his travels all over the state and he's going to keep talking about his plan to bring conservative change to Washington."

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by scottfromaz November 7, 2007 1:54 PM EST: Would you be willing to give up 15% to 20% of your income to help the american people ? I doubt it highly. Romney, like his Father is doing this to help the country.

If Fred Thompson is the Republican candidate we are in alot of trouble, he is the most boring person I have ever seen. To me, it''s either Rudy or Romney and I go with Romney and so will the primary states in 2 months.

What has Fred Thompson achieved in his life ?; Reply to this comment


by lauracapo November 7, 2007 12:10 PM EST: Fred Thompson is right. Romney is trying to buy his way into office. While the media tries to make it a Mormon thing, Romney is just not likeable so the only thing he can do is buy votes. Candidate will say anything to get elected and have moments of clarity (AKA flip flopping) when they decide to run. I say, judge them by their record, not by their slick ads and rehearsed rhetoric.; Reply to this comment


by chucktruck2 November 7, 2007 9:25 AM EST: Oh Fred telling lies is bad too.It might get you a vote from the uninformed ,however you will lose a lot more.; Reply to this comment


by chucktruck2 November 7, 2007 9:20 AM EST: You can run ,I mean seat Fred.Negative already used remarks will backfire . The MSM built you up as the bloomlet of the month.Now they will eat you up like yesterdays news .; Reply to this comment


by tbweb November 7, 2007 7:15 AM EST: Thompson Accuses Romney Of Trying To "Buy South Carolina"

Why stop at just South Carolina? Romney is trying to buy everything and everyone, trying to buy the election! Romney even has "paid volunteers", there is no such thing as a paid volunteer! Either you are paid or you are volunteering! Romney is trying to redefine volunteering like Clinton tried to redefine s.e.x.!; Reply to this comment


by scottfromaz November 6, 2007 9:52 PM EST: Let''s remember what Romney did for 25 years, he turned around companies that were failing and got them in the black. Like Staples, Dominos, Brookstone ETC

Talk to people in Utah about Mitt Romney... He spearheaded the turnaround of the Winter games, he was the catalyst for positive change. We could use some positive change in DC. The 1st day Romney took over the as head Olympic games, he bought a 100 pizza''s. Them he annouced that if they wanted lunch, it was 2.00 a slice and told them to stewards of the money intrusted to them !

It worked and the Salt Lake Games were a huge success. Romney has already said he will not take a salary as President, that may not be a big part of the federal budget, but it sets an example for Congress.

Examine Romney and you''ll find the guy we all need as the next President.

Chandler, Arizona; Reply to this comment


by tbholsinger November 6, 2007 9:44 PM EST: It''s hard to miss the obvious disdain Thompson, McCain and Giuliani aim at Mitt. Given their own personal (multiple failed marriages) and political (now McCain is against amnesty?) hypocrisy it can only reflect the threat Mitt poses to their campaigns. Thompson (and much of the Republican establishment) resent Mitt for his success outside of their control. Thompson''s pandering comment seems to suggest that Southerners don''t care about message as much as they do about whether it''s delivered with a slow Southern drawl. I think it''s demeaning. Mitt clearly is not an insider and without any skeletons to exploit, he will be that much more difficult for the establishment to manipulate. Mitt is not beholden to any lobbyists, and he is (ick) a family-centric Mormon. How dare he think he can just waltz in get away with it! What could this mean to those precious earmarks and pork-barrel projects? Thompson is a bit late to the game, but he''s just the latest to try his hand at undermining Mitt him having contributed nothing to the political dialogue on immigration -- let''s hope Republicans vote for the guy with the best mind for the job, the best leadership experience, and who can actually set an example for our politicians.; Reply to this comment


by lanefiller1 November 6, 2007 9:43 PM EST: Anyone interested in some telling Thompson video from his first week on the trail, with an accompanying column, should try: http://goupstate.us/index.php/lanefiller/2007/11/05/fred_thompson_for_president_of_what_the_; Reply to this comment


by scottfromaz November 6, 2007 9:40 PM EST: Thompson knows he is done, when all the Social Conservatives are now backing Romney. Another thing that concerns me about Thompson is every week a member of his senior campaign team resigns... What does that tell us ?

The best candidate from either party is Mitt Romney. He is a problem solver, the guy we need in the White House; Reply to this comment