Thompson Says Romney Misled Michigan Voters

By: John Bentley
Topics: Fred Thompson

(CBS)

From CBS News' John Bentley:

LAURENS, S.C. -- Fred Thompson accused Mitt Romney today of misleading the people of Michigan to win that state's primary.

"Everybody was flocking up there to Michigan and promising, in effect, the federal government was going to come in there and bail the entire state out," Thompson told a crowd of about 100 people. "Now they say that with a straight face, and apparently it worked for some of them."

Thompson said he was referring to all the Republican candidates in Michigan, but that "Governor Romney was the most successful in doing it." Romney campaigned in the primary on the platform that he "would bring jobs back to Michigan." Thompson argues that making sure the national economy is strong is the way to help any state economy. "That's no way to get elected president, on things that you cannot and should not deliver," he said. "What we need to do, of course, is have sound policies for the entire country."

Appealing to the entire country is also how you should campaign, according to Thompson, referring to Romney's focus on Michigan. "It's important not to tailor your message to your particular audience because you're going to have a lot of different audiences when you're president," Thompson said. "You can't be all things to all people."

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by beachroses January 17, 2008 3:07 PM EST: Oh yeah, I forgot about how Romney''s energy plan will help bring down the price and that will also help boost manufacturers. Apparently, all these fixes are not on Thompson''s radar screen, who is more interested in dragging his opponent through the mud to gain power than anything else. These guys have been in the Senate, they have had their chance.; Reply to this comment


by beachroses January 17, 2008 2:54 PM EST: The only business experience Fred Thompson has is as a lobbyist and that includes for foreign governments. McCain has zero and so does Huckabee. Anyone who knows anything at all knows there are ways to help keep manufacturing jobs in this country and bring more back - rewriting *fair* trade deals, bringing down health insurance costs, lowering taxes, making it a "friendly environment" rather than driving more of them overseas. This just goes to how how desperate Thompson is, after doing SO POORLY in all the other states that have held caucuses and primaries this far. Having the knowledge, personality and stamina for the top exec position in this country requires a little more than checking off the right issues boxes, which Romney has already been doing elegantly and eloquently, his own self. Thompson has nothing on him except his character assassination tactics and it''s getting old really fast, as he seems to be. Get real or get lost.; Reply to this comment


by JedMerrill January 17, 2008 7:56 AM EST: Fred is slipping quietly into his role as political commentator. While I am a Romney fan, I would love to see Fred stay in a while longer, as he is our next best pick, had he more energy.

Mitt just can''t stop going. He is the Energizer bunny of this campaign, which is also how he became a private sector mega-success.

I would love to see a Presidency characterized by Mitt''s industry, rather than another wartime President who is not creative or talented enough to leave another legacy. (This is more of a dig at McCain and Giuliani than at Mr. Bush, who has actually done a decent job.); Reply to this comment


by wendy731 January 16, 2008 11:41 PM EST: Romney wasn''t just talking to Michigan, he is too smart not to help the entire country. Romnney will help the national economy big time and without raising taxes. His plan has worked in the private sector and the Olympics and in State government. No one else has a successful record like Mitt Romney''s. Fred wasn''t even in Michigan trying to help those Michigan voters to have some true hope and understanding of what the future possiblities can be, because he couldn''t be. You shouldn''t critize something that you aren''t even a part of.; Reply to this comment


by Ruidu January 16, 2008 7:38 PM EST: It is very sad to see desperate Fred Thompson attempting to hide his weak accomplishments and old age by expressing himself forcefully against Huckabee!; Reply to this comment


by alekmassey January 16, 2008 6:30 PM EST: This the Fred we''ve been looking for.
Way to call ''em on their political pandering, FRED.

YES! YES! YES!; Reply to this comment


by opditch-2009 January 16, 2008 5:46 PM EST: FRED IS ON FIRE IN SC. He ain''t sleeping. TELLING THE TRUTH is not bashing. Go Fred Go.

Military & Veterans sign up at:

http://Vets4Fred.net; Reply to this comment


by winghunter January 16, 2008 5:42 PM EST: I don''t blame you for not identifying honesty when you hear it Criterman, after all, look who you''re supporting;

Candidate Research - Know Who You''re Voting For ( The Easy Way ) http://***********/2sowta; Reply to this comment


by criderman January 16, 2008 5:30 PM EST: SOUNDS LIKE FREDDY BOY NEED''S TO GO BACK TO SLEEP LIKE HE BEEN DOING FOR MONTHS. JUST BECAUSE FRED DOESN''T HAVE A DETAILED PLAN OF HOW TO RESONATE AND HELP THE PEOPLE HE TAKES ON BASHING THOSE WHO DO. I WOULD NEVER VOTE FOR SLEEPY FRED. MITT ROMNEY IS THE ONLY GOP THAT KNOWS HIS FACTS AND HOW TO DEAL WITH ECONOMY HERE IN THE US ALONG WITH ALL THE BROAD TOPICS THAT EFFECT EACH OF US. MY VOTE IS STRONGLY FOR MITT AND I WOULD BET HIGH DOLLARS THAT HE IS THE NEXT MAN FOR/IN THE WHITE HOUSE. GO PRESIDENT ROMNEY, GO!!!; Reply to this comment