Romney Makes Case For His Campaign's Strength

By: Scott Conroy
Topics: Mitt Romney

(CBS)

From CBS News' Scott Conroy:

HENNIKER, N.H. -- After shaking hands with skiers at Pat's Peak Ski Resort, Mitt Romney made the case that his campaign is the only one on the GOP side that views itself as viable in both Iowa and New Hampshire.

"I don't know though that there's any other candidate that's planning on competing in both races to a significant extent," Romney said at an outdoor press conference.

"The other candidates, I think, have said, 'Well, I can only compete in one state.' But you know to win the presidency in November '08, we've got to win in both states. You can't have a nominee who says, 'Oh, I'm writing off Iowa' or "I'm writing off New Hampshire.'"

Romney said that this morning he shot what he called his "closing argument" in advertisements that will air in Iowa and New Hampshire.

"They were all positive—forward looking," he said.

Romney criticized his chief GOP rival in New Hampshire, John McCain, over McCain's record on illegal immigration and taxation, asking aloud whether McCain stands by his previous positions.

"Under his bill that he fought for, everybody who came here illegally could stay forever, and does he still believe that, or does he not believe that?" Romney said. "And likewise on taxation — he says well know he's for making the Bush tax cuts permanent. Well, does he admit that he was wrong in voting against them before?"

Romney has been on the defensive over the past few days in New Hampshire as McCain has pulled to within a statistical tie for first place in a recent Boston Globe poll.

Two local newspapers — The Concord Monitor and New Hampshire Union-Leader — published scathing anti-Romney editorials. Both newspapers criticized Romney for lacking authenticity.

CBS News asked Governor Romney to name one position he holds that does not align with the majority of conservatives in the Republican Party.

"Well, my position on health care, for instance, has been aggressively opposed by people like the Cato Institute and The Wall Street Journal," Romney said. "I happen to think it's the ultimate conservative position related to health care, but I know there are a lot of Republicans that disagree."

Romney also listed his support of No Child Left Behind as another example of his views not necessarily aligning with Republican orthodoxy.

"I'm unapologetic," Romney said. "I'm in favor of No Child Left Behind."

Scott Conroy
Scott Conroy is a National Political Reporter for RealClearPolitics and a contributor for CBS News.
Follow on Twitter »

4 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment


by scottfromaz December 27, 2007 2:57 AM EST: I have read much diatribe about Mitt Romneys seemingly unquenchable double speak, and that somehow this habit of his makes it impossible for us trust him. Of course, most of what political types say has never been trustworthy, regardless of what side of the aisle one sits upon.

It is behavior, far more than word, that tells me what is really in the heart of person.Show me the money. Talk is cheap! With a search for behaviors in mind, this is what I found when I went looking for Mitt Romneys actions, more than words

I found a man who has pledged to forego his salary as President of the United States and who refused the same as Mass. Governor. Imagine, the president as a true public servant..I find it supremely refreshing.

I found a man who recently spent a free Saturday morning in October helping San Diego fire victims, without so much as a word to the press? Chopping down trees and cleaning up the neighbor property. That sure makes him hard to trust.

Finally, I find a candidate who routinely turns organizations fiscal mismanagement into economic victory for the company and its employees and interests. And far more importantly, there is no one suggesting that he ever broke any laws or violated ethics in doing so! No Blackwater, no Whitewater, no Halliburton.

Mitt Romney is the best candidate.; Reply to this comment


by mww7786 December 26, 2007 9:40 PM EST: John McCain - Cheats on his wife. How would be on the National News.

Some people are so powerhungry they can''t can never see the big picture.; Reply to this comment


by gumbystretch December 26, 2007 8:53 PM EST: Considering NCLB has been an unmitigated disaster in American schools, Mitt should be careful what he says he supports. But then again, knowing him, he could very flip-flop on that issue within the hour.; Reply to this comment


by eric_nb December 26, 2007 7:29 PM EST: Romney is clearly a skilled and proven leader. Romney''s success in his private career, as Governor of liberal Mass. In raising his 5 boys. It seems clear to me that Romney is the smart choice. In 8 out of the 10 past elections, the party who nominated their candidate first was the party to win the general election. Romney is the candidate who could win in Iowa and New Hampshire. If Romney won in Iowa and New Hampshire, Republicans might be able to get behind Romney while democrats fight it out between Clinton and Obama. The worst thing that could happen for Republicans would be to have to go to convention while the democrats have selected their candidate. The Democrats will be so far ahead of us in their campaign by the time we pick our nominee that the contest will already be over before it has started. We should nominate Mitt Romney and put everything we have behind the smart choice.; Reply to this comment