Romney Campaign Alleges Dirty Tricks In Miami

By: Scott Conroy
Topics: Mitt Romney

(CBS)

From CBS News' Scott Conroy:

PANAMA CITY, FLA. -- Mitt Romney's Florida state chairman Al Cardenas told reporters that Romney supporters have been receiving robo-calls this afternoon, which erroneously claim that the former Massachusetts governor wants to open up U.S. relations with Fidel Castro's Cuba.

Cardenas said the calls were "obviously a dirty tactic and strategy to rebut the efforts that we make to let the community know our position on the subject."

Cardenas said that the campaign began receiving reports of the robo-calls this afternoon, soon after Roger Noriega, the head of Romney's Cuba policy team, appeared on paid programming on several Miami-area radio stations to outline Romney's position on Cuban relations.

Asked if he believed the calls were coming from the McCain campaign, Cardenas said, "I don't know of other campaigns that have robo-calls going in the Miami area other than John McCain's campaign, but we're looking into it before I specifically make that statement."

McCain campaign adviser Mark Salter said about the calls, "We're not making them... We are only aware of them from press inquiries... We don't know if they're being made or who is making them."

Scott Conroy
Scott Conroy is a National Political Reporter for RealClearPolitics and a contributor for CBS News.
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by allenfuller-2009 January 31, 2008 1:57 PM EST: Romney. Pot. Kettle. Black.; Reply to this comment


by winnersedge4 January 29, 2008 8:47 PM EST: GsonJagnath:)

You negativism will not contribute anything to this country. Have a little "reflection" on yourself and think --what positive thing you have accomplish in life either for yourself, your family, and your community. The point is Romney by far has accomplished a lot that proves him to be most qualified leader for this country. We need new leadership in Washington to get the "job" done. We need change. A system that would benefit the military, the economy, and the American family.; Reply to this comment


by gsonjagnath January 29, 2008 4:52 PM EST: RoMoney is as honest as Bush''s WMD claims. This guy is a blatant deceiver. look at some of his notorious statements.

I am pro-Life.
I am a life-long hunter.
I saw my Dad marching with MLK.
I donot have lobbyists running my campaign.
..

The List never ends. Romney you are a Phoney.; Reply to this comment


by marinepatriot January 29, 2008 3:16 PM EST: Governor Huckabee is the best candidate. The media bias that was given to candidates in lower positions than Huckabee has hurt him. Huckabee just finished SC getting 2nd by just 3% to Mccain. 33% to 30%. Romney got 12%. When you are #2 Nationwide, #2 in delegates, and #1 in most upcoming states you deserve appropriate media attention.

The dirty candidate is still funding groups to make negative charges against him and inventing mud.

The media as a whole said Huckabee was out of money, that he was pulling out of Florida, that he was not one of the front-runners, and all of that is just sad.

Governor Huckabee isn''t paying millions to the news stations, so they lie and say he is not doing good?

We know the truth. Today, the race is more about money than it is about the candidate. Our system is set up to elect the rich and their friends. Thats why our economy is hurting so bad right now.

While most of us are eating every single bite of our chicken, Romney is pealing the skin off and carfefuly eating the best cuts!; Reply to this comment


by Savea January 29, 2008 7:23 AM EST: How can you trust McCain when he was so sure that Mitt talked about a timetable withdrawal? The entire script proved McCain a liar. He needs to take care of his health first. He and his kissin'' cousin, Huckabee should hold hands and say, "I do." What a bunch of hypocrites who were against negativity and now what happened? Yep, true colors of a former Baptist pastor who never graduated from seminary and one of his flukes too many to list here was when he backed the Confederate Flag and said ...''you know what to do with the pole." From the mouth of a Christian? Then McCain who graduated at the bottom 5 out of some 800 military graduates with a hot temper and a foul mouth. I swear these two are alike. They should marry each other already.; Reply to this comment


by awkeup January 29, 2008 4:06 AM EST: Romney is just another in a long line of political puppets for the CFR & Federal Reserve. It makes little difference. Romney, McCain, Giuliani, Obama, Clinton, Edwards... more of the same. If you dare to be different & want someone who''s honest with integrity, check out Dr. Ron Paul. Don''t trust me, do your homework.; Reply to this comment


by kansas1946 January 29, 2008 3:38 AM EST: He is true-blue, through and through. He is obviously the most competent person in the race, but the media and liberals would rather have McCain, because he is closer to their ideals.

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Posted by kdkrogue
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No, we would rather have Obama. You can keep Romney, and McCain.; Reply to this comment


by kansas1946 January 29, 2008 3:36 AM EST: NO!! Surely the Republican party wouldn''t be pulling any "dirty tricks" in Florida. LOL. The Republican party in Florida is about as dirty as it gets. Enjoy the party of your choice, Mitt. Maybe you should have dropped out when you saw what sleezes the Republicans really are.; Reply to this comment


by michaellitz2 January 28, 2008 11:48 PM EST: John McCain STILL favors AMNESTY for Illegals. Eighty percent of the country OPPOSES that - rather FURIOUSLY - Remember? This is reason enough why McCain should NEVER be nominated for President!!!; Reply to this comment


by kdkrogue January 28, 2008 11:37 PM EST: Do your homework, NBC has already publicly stated that the microphones picked up a person from the audience speaking. Mitt didn''t cheat in the debate, and he''s one of the few that hasn''t cheated on his wife.

He is true-blue, through and through. He is obviously the most competent person in the race, but the media and liberals would rather have McCain, because he is closer to their ideals.; Reply to this comment