McCain Continues Criticism of Romney

By: Andante Higgins
Topics: John McCain

(CBS)

From CBS News' Dante Higgins:

POLK CITY, FLA. -- One day after criticizing Mitt Romney on Iraq, John McCain took aim at Romney again, this time on the economy.

"My record on the economy is very strong. From being part of the Reagan Revolution to cut taxes and restrain spending to my latest efforts that I have been involved in as chairman of the Commerce Committee and many other economic issues. So I'll be glad to debate that side of the equation with Governor Romney. And his record of governor of the state of Massachusetts is not one that I would want to imitate."

Yesterday, McCain asserted that Romney supported a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq to which Romney all but called McCain a liar and said he should apologize.

Today, McCain was asked if he had unfairly characterized Romney's position.

"I think that it's very important because the Romney campaign has been trying to interpret his remarks in a way that can't be interpreted," McCain said.

"You can only read it as an endorsement of a timetable which is clearly, in my view, would have lost this conflict for us and we would have paid a very heavy price in American blood and treasure. So they can interpret it any way that they want to. I believe that any objective observer would read these remarks as a support for a timetable. That in my view would have sent the message to al Qaeda that we are leaving."

For the record, Romney never supported a public timetable for withdrawal from Iraq but did say once that there should be private discussions of timetables in order for President Bush and Iraqi leaders to figure out the progress in Iraq and adjust troop levels accordingly.

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by SabreHawk January 29, 2008 7:59 PM EST: Mitt Romney can not be trusted. He will say anything and pay anything to win. Just look at the debate, Romney cheated. Do you want someone dishonest and deceptive as our president? Don''t believe me? Look at these 3 videos. Romney has someone telling him what to say. And yes, the prompts are in the original video feed. Romney''s cheating tells us a lot about his character. I want a president that has integrity and Romney proves here he does not.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NlIMQ31EjY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wfWDOxZkEM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK408oqEyOU; Reply to this comment


by awkeup January 29, 2008 4:52 AM EST: Is there really any appreciable difference between McCain & Romney? Clinton or Obama?

Do your homework. Ron Paul has been blacked out from all the news media, note he''s not even on CBS''s list. He has consistently beat Giuliani. Why is he not on their list then? The media is owned by the same people who run the Federal Reserve. The ones that are stealing your money. They don''t want you to think. They just keep parading the puppets out on display. There is really very little different between any of them, Republican or Democrat.

You owe it to your kids & grand-kids to at least check out Ron Paul. Intelligent, honest & experienced. Make up your own minds, I think Ron stands heads & shoulders above them all, but in reality his record speaks for it''s self. He owes no big bankers or lobbyists anything. He knows how we got here & how to get us out of here, simply & safely.; Reply to this comment


by clearview892 January 28, 2008 5:57 PM EST: Next John McCain will be claiming that the Olympics were really not in trouble before Romney took over.

McCain has become so desperate, he is eroding his own credibility, and has become himself the ultimate "flipflopper". McCain now touts his economic expertise when only a short time ago he admitted that he didn''t know much about the subject. With regard to McCain''s expertise regarding the economy, check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhSQ
5L_Meqs

McCain relies heavily upon his military "leadership" as making him the best man for Commander In Chief. Yet, he recently criticized Mitt Romney for stating that the President of the United States should have a private plan, benchmarks and timetable for Iraq. McCain apparently wants the American people to elect him President and put him in charge of the war in Iraq without McCain having any
plan or time table for accomplishing that plan.

How can McCain claim to be qualified to be President because he is a military "leader" when he apparently has no plan or timetable winning in Iraq and bringing our troops home?

Whether you look at the economy or the war in Iraq, McCain''s own statements show he is not qualified to be President.; Reply to this comment


by wendy731 January 28, 2008 12:48 AM EST: 4 of 4
That''s from January 2007. How is it any different from what Governor Romney said?

Answer: It''s not. And if the attacks we are seeing in Florida are how Senator McCain treats those who agree with him, how in the world can we expect him to -- if elected president -- convince those who don''t?

This, suffice it to say, is not what one would call leadership. It''s petty, it''s not based on the facts, and -- as Bill Bennett said -- he should apologize. So, in fact, should his new partner in crime, aspiring vice-presidential nominee Governor Huckabee.

Posted by Charles Mitchell at 03:47 PM on January 27, 2008; Reply to this comment


by wendy731 January 28, 2008 12:47 AM EST: 3 0f 4
"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."; Reply to this comment


by wendy731 January 28, 2008 12:45 AM EST: 2 of 2
"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."; Reply to this comment


by wendy731 January 28, 2008 12:44 AM EST: 1 of 3

SENATOR MCCAIN AND HIS BENCHMARKS
Check out this Arizona Daily Star article, passed along by reader Nathan:
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.; Reply to this comment


by WakeWashington January 28, 2008 12:25 AM EST: This country is struggling to avoid what could become one of the most severe recessions it has ever seen and Florida is on the front lines, economically.

Florida Republicans want to know what McCain plans to do about it besides promote needless, ineffective environmental regulations that impose more compliance costs on business.

And McCain wants to change the subject.

He''s like an inept FEMA bureaucrat who refuses to respond appropriately to warnings about the severity of an approaching hurricane.; Reply to this comment


by deegeetau January 28, 2008 12:24 AM EST: Romney appeals to conservatives and will clean up in every Republican-only primary--here are the issues:

1. His clear 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; Reply to this comment


by marinepatriot January 27, 2008 10:25 PM EST: Those who support candidates get those top paying staff positions that the president sees fit to place. 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; Reply to this comment