Giuliani: Romney + McCain = "Me"

(CBS)

From CBS News' Ryan Corsaro:

SARASOTA, FLA. -- Rudy Giuliani told attendees of a Republican Party dinner in Sarasota that there's no need to decide between John McCain or Mitt Romney for a future president.

"You don't have to choose one or the other -- you can choose me and have both," said Giuliani.

Warmly received by the well-dressed crowd of 500, he circumvented the negative attacks that McCain and Romney have recently traded and searched for higher ground. Pointing to the pair's criticisms, Giuliani suggested he could fill their shortcomings.

"Governor Romney is attacking Senator McCain as being a 'Washington Insider', with not enough expertise and understanding in economic matters. And Senator McCain is attacking Mitt Romney for being a manager, not a leader, and lacking experience in foreign policy and national security," explained Giuliani.

"The choice is clear -- Floridians deserve someone who has been tested and proven in both areas. And that's me."

But Giuliani also broadly chided both men for their records on taxes, casting both as tax increase supporters, but without the use of any specifics.

"When Mitt and John were facing the choice of lower taxes, each chose higher taxes. There is a fundamental difference in how we look at a growth economy. I have also had the safety and security of millions of people on my shoulders. I know what it means to carry that responsibility and to face acts of terrorism."

"So I say to the Republicans in Florida, you should vote for me because I am the candidate, when it comes to tackling the biggest challenges, that has had experience, been tested, and has had results in both areas, you don't have to choose one or the other. If you choose me you can have them both."

Giuliani, who admitted he has been an "unconventional candidate," justified his highly-questioned Florida primary strategy for winning the nomination, saying basically, he's just that type of guy.

"Unconventional approaches to things are the only way to change something," said Giuliani. "This is an unconventional election. I am unconventional candidate. You know that for sure. If I was a conventional candidate, New York City would look the way it did back in 1990."

Since he arrived in this state almost three weeks ago, the delivery of his record and proposals for the future has become acutely tailored to the needs of Florida, which he says inspired his tax cut plan and his support for a National Catastrophic Relief Fund.

"I see this as both a humane solution and a fiscally conservative solution," Giuliani says. "Some of the other candidates, I think maybe not being here as often I have, I don't think understand the issue as much as I do. If they did, I think they'd come around to my position."

Giuliani later told reporters why he had not named McCain and Romney as distinctly in the past as he did tonight.

"Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don't," said Giuliani.

"In this particular case, it would have been very hard to not use their names where I was trying to point out that one was pointing out a deficiency in the other -- I would have had to say 'Mr. X said about Mr. Y, and Mr. Y said about Mr. X,' and I would have gotten confused, so it seemed easier to use their names."

[marinepatriot]

I have no problem saying tha Mitt Romney continues to lie and change position on the issues.

We as a Nation, deserve a President that is honest and for the people. Like Abe Lincoln was.

It is up to us to choose the person we want for president. We all kow that media bias is controlling who people vote for. And some of the mainstream media is getting paid very well for what hey report.

www.catholic.org put a great article that supports Mike Huckabee and talks about the un fairness that is happening in this race. The article is called "Let Huckabee speak" It is front page! Please go and read it. Not only are Protestants and Evangelicals supporting Mike, so are Catholics. As well as people who live with morals an values, common Americans are choosing Mike Huckabee. Please look carefuly at the candidates.

Dan Campbell
Sgt. USMC

[marinepatriot]

Please see the front page article on catholic.org

Mike Huckabee is uniting all denominations of Christians, because Mike''s views are in line with theirs. Its front page, and called "let Huckabee speak" you will love it!

We Like Mike!

[denisl1]

I would think that ALL the top tier folks should apologize, not just McCain & Romney. The war issue IS the economic issue. They can NOT be separated. We need to cut somewhere & empire building is the 1st choice, especially since we are not even going after Osama bin Laden, & he killed 3000 Americans! Ironically, Osama explicitly claims to have bankrupted the old Soviet Union and wants the same for us. He may get his wish if we do not get focused on what%u2019s important in our foreign policy. And cut the unneeded military bases over seas.
With all the problems facing America, it would be really nice if the REST of the mainstream media actually cared about reporting on the positions of EACH Presidential candidate on ALL the issues rather than reporting on the horse race. Unfortunately the MSM thinks that only the polls and the candidate%u2019s %u201Cpresidential charisma%u201D are important. We will get more in depth reporting on the Super Bowl players than we will on the remaining candidates. Most seem to be talking crazy talk about our military adventures in the Middle East. Also, only Ron Paul seems to understand the connection between Iraq and the problems with the economy, inflation, & out of control deficit spending. Inflation is going to eat us alive, as it has already started to do so. Do you really believe that the REAL inflation rate used for Social Security check increases this month was 2.3%? Please vote Ron Paul & save the country from bankruptcy abroad & at home!

[deegeetau]

Romney appeals to conservatives and will clean up in Republican primaries that only allow Republicans to vote in--here are the issues:

1. His stance on illegal immigration. McCain attempted to grant amnesty.

2. His stance on the economy. Mitt outclasses every candidate on both sides and will provide the middle class with tax cuts, and slash the ridiculous corporate taxes stifling business growth. McCain is a joke on this issue and admitted he does not understand the economy.

3. His stance on energy independence. Mitt understands the substantial investment required to develop clean, efficient energy resources but he is not going to punish the US by not drilling oil and refining gas--oil production in Alaska will not only be key to reduce gas prices for every American citizen, but will further boost the economy by providing an abundance of well-paying jobs. Remember the 80''s? Again, McCain is an ignorant liberal on this issue.

Romney will handily defeat the Clintons in 08''

"The success [in Iraq] is due to the blood and the courage of our servicemen and women... not to General Hillary Clinton"

- Mitt Romney

[andersenme]

Mitt Romney publicly professes that he is concerned about Bill Clinton being back in the White House with a lot of free time.

He shouldn''t be, and it shows a worrisome lack of imagination on the part of Mr. Romney.

There are lots of public/private initiatives that come to mind, just off the top of one''s head, some of which the ex-president could conduct from the comfort of the Lincoln bedroom.

Consider these:

1) Special envoy to Fidel''s Gulag to end U.S. embargo on Cuban cigars.

2) Commissioner of the Women''s Softball League.

3) National spokesperson for adolescent campaign for sexual abstinence.

4) Head of the Motion Picture Association (with lots of unpublicized trips to Hollywood, and foreign film colonies; nothing like private diplomacy, I always say).

5) Head of the U.S. Office of Public Integrity.

6)Chief, White House intern program.

7)Special advisor, Congressional intern program.

8) Co-Chair, with Clarence Thomas and Larry Craig, of blue-ribbon National Commission for the Rights of High-Minded but Misunderstood Public Servants.

9) Washington-based Rove-ing correspondent, Hustler magazine.

The list goes on ...

If the Republicans choose Mr. Romney, claiming that his vast experience in the private sector makes him tailor made to right the economy, we Democrats have a better argument with a Clinton co-presidency. ...

Bill Clinton has been getting down to business for years!

[mpthomas32]

Second Whisper to Romney - Listen

Is this a second instance of Mitt Romney being prodded by a whispering voice of what he needs to say?

Listen and notice how he rephrased his "new legislation" comment from "believe" to "support" after you hear the word "support" whispered.

This would be evidence Romney indeed heard the word "support" whispered and after hearing it noticeably USED it in his response.

This seem to bolster the argument that the first "he raised taxes" whisper was more than that of a random audience member.

This would be the second time Mitt noticeably responds to a whisper.

What is going on?

Listen for yourself -

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zK408oqEyOU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4J__lq3db0&NR=1

[ih2005]

Mr. Mayor, you showed what you were made of when you took a pass earlier in the campaign, while your opponents took on the challenges and hardship of working those contests.

What kind of fools do you take us for? Thanks for your help on 9/11, I''m sure you''ll do well in the private sector.

As for me, my man is the most heroic, Gov. Huckabee. It is certainly NOT "Offshore Romney" ( http://*****.com/romneyoffshore ) who has said "No" to the FairTax, and thus the working American seeking the next rung up on the wealth ladder ( http://*****.com/nextrung ). Yeah, and even that McCain - truly magnanimous asking the FairTax question of Gov. Huckabee at the Florida debate ( http://*****.com/flftanswer ).

[lnardozi]

It is well known by now that Dr. Paul (who has written 6 books on economics) and stands head and shoulders over the other candidates as an economist. Why do you think the ''cool'' candidates denigrate him (except for Huckabee who copies his homework)? Every other candidate speaks in vague generalities.
Dr. Paul WILL put thousands of REAL dollars in YOUR pocket. Wanna see how?
Dr. Paul''s 4 point economic stimulus plan even includes legislation and is viewable online. RonPaul2008.com