War of Words Continues Between McCain and Romney

By: Andante Higgins
Topics: John McCain

(CBS)

From CBS News' Dante Higgins:

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. -- The war of words between John McCain and Mitt Romney continue today in Florida. After a roundtable discussion on national security issues McCain had harsh words about Romney, in response to Romney's earlier harsh comments about McCain.

McCain went after Romney on his economic record as Governor of Massachusetts and questioned his commitment to keep workers employed. He called Romney a "flip-flopper" and attacked Romney's statewide healthcare plan in Massachusetts, claiming it was not a conservative effort.

"One thing I think we should really give Governor Romney credit for; he is consistent. He has consistently taken both sides of any major issue. He has consistently flip-flopped on every issue... He's consistent in that he's flip flopped on every single major issue," said McCain, using issues such as campaign finance reform and immigration as examples.

The "L" word has been thrown around a lot today - Romney used it to describe McCain earlier today, but then McCain tossed it back at Romney this afternoon.

"As the liberal governor of the state of Massachusetts he raised taxes by $730 million... The state of Massachusetts is now saddled with a quarter billion dollar debt over his government mandated healthcare system," he said.

McCain didn't stop there. He attacked further, challenging Romney's economic record in Massachusetts. "When he was governor they had the third or fourth worst economy of any state in America. Manufacturing jobs left this country at 7%, they left Massachusetts at 14%," he said.

And McCain added by criticizing Romney's private sector experience, which Romney has used as his platform for being able to bring America's economy back.

"As the head of his investment, quote, company. He presided over the acquisition of companies that immediately laid off thousands of workers. So, I appreciate the fact that Governor Romney has been entirely consistent. He has consistently taken at least two sides of every issue, sometimes more than two. Congratulations."

McCain finished his press conference insisting, "Everything I said today is backed up by the facts as a matter of record."

23 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

See all 23 Comments


by awkeup January 29, 2008 4:39 AM EST: Romney, McCain, different sides of the same coin. Did you all realize that the bill on "torture" McCain so gloriously got through Congress after Bush vetoed it, was quietly nullified by Bush with an Executive "Signing Statement" the day after he signed it? It''s true, look it up. He''s signed approx. 700 of them in the last 7 years. More than any other President, ever. He & his cohorts are now free to continue torturing as they please.

Bush has so much Executive power, the Congress is almost powerless over him. You should read some of the recent blistering letters Joseph Biden has written him about selling Pakistan F-18s & promising the head of Iraq we''d stay there indefinitely to protect their borders. What about ours?

Dare to think outside the box, check out Ron Paul. Honest with integrity, intelligent with experience. He knows how we got here & he knows how to get us out of here. You owe it to yourself to do your homework. He''s by far the best man for the job. The owners of the major media are so scared of him, they have created a media blackout. I thought this was the USA, free press. Not so, he''s hit a real nerve with the big bankers & big business. They don''t want you to know anything about Ron Paul. So they parade their puppets out for show & tell. Do your homework.; Reply to this comment


by srileygls January 28, 2008 11:43 PM EST: Come to think of it, McCain exposed McCain in the last debate, denying his own quote that he knows very little about the economy. This is fun.; Reply to this comment


by srileygls January 28, 2008 11:41 PM EST: Has anyone seen the video that is online, of McCain endorsing Mitt Romney when he was running for governor? There it is for all the world to see. John McCain stating on video that Mitt Romney is the most honest man he knows, with more integrity than anyone he knows, who is so successful at anything he gas ever done and anything that he does that it is an honor to have him run for governor of the state of Massachusetts. Someone really should get this video circulating for all the world to see. It is McCain, exposing McCain.; Reply to this comment


by marinepatriot January 28, 2008 10:50 PM EST: Mike Huckabee is as American as you can get. Governor Huckabee has always stood up for what is right.

Mike Huckabee is an Ambassador of the American spirit. You are doing great Mike! Number 2 Nationwide in polls and 2nd most amount of delegates so far. The media may try to avoid stating those facts, but your people know them. We are growing in numbers daily. keep up the momentum!

Aaron Tippin song:

"He''d say you''ve got to stand for something or you''ll fall for anything
You''ve got to be your own man not a puppet on a string
Never compromise what''s right and uphold your family name
You''ve got to stand for something or you''ll fall for anything"

Mike Huckabee stands up for whats right.
Please vote 4 Governor Huckabee; Reply to this comment


by smonsen1 January 28, 2008 6:23 PM EST: Just by looking at the polls, it appears the people in Massachusetts like Romney better than the people in Arizona like McCain. Wonder why? They say if Romney would have run for Governor for a second term, he would have won by a landslide. Wonder why?; Reply to this comment


by d123m1 January 28, 2008 6:10 PM EST: Very interesting . . . Most political pundits state that Romney is far more conservative than McCain. In fact, McCain would have a better argument to make by stating that Romney is too conservative. Truth be told, Romney is a much better candidate than McCain (for a number of reasons).; Reply to this comment


by clearview892 January 28, 2008 5:37 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 clearview892 January 28, 2008 5:35 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 ClubbieTim January 28, 2008 5:34 PM EST: When the comparison of who can be trusted is taken into account, let%u2019s measure them by their personal actions.
McCain: Divorced 1st wife are she suffered from a car accident
Romney: Wife has Multiple Scorsese, still married
McCain: Dated Strippers
Romney: Dated wife
McCain: Finished last in his class (Naval academy)
Romney: Finished top of his class (Harvard %u2013 MBA/JD)

McCain: Finished naval career as Captain
Romney: Finished career as CEO of one of the richest companies in the world
McCain: Married into money, via second wife
Romney: Made it (and lots of it)

Lastly, if a man can''t run a campaign without it nearly going bankrupt, how can he run a country?; Reply to this comment


by clearview892 January 28, 2008 5:33 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