Killer's Release Puts Romney On Defense

Romney Calls On Judge He Appointed To Resign; Giuliani Knocks Rival's Record On Crime

(CBS)  This story was written by CBSNews.com political reporter Brian Montopoli.

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In June, Daniel Tavares Jr., who was nearing the end of a 16-year prison sentence for killing his mother, was set to go free.

But Massachusetts prosecutors charged that Tavares had assaulted a pair of corrections officers more than a year before, and they asked a judge to hold him on $50,000 bail - effectively keeping Tavares behind bars. A district court judge agreed, but Superior Court Judge Kathe M. Tuttman overturned that decision and released Tavares on his own recognizance in July.

Now Tavares has been arrested for killing a young couple in Washington State. And Tuttman, the judge who released Tavares, finds herself at the center of a growing battle between leading Republican presidential candidates, among them the man who appointed her: Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

"The governor is going to have to explain his appointment, and the judge is going to have to explain her decision, but it's not an isolated situation," former New York City mayor and presidential contender Rudy Giuliani told the Associated Press over the weekend. "Governor Romney did not have a good record in dealing with violent crime."

On Saturday, Romney called on Tuttman to resign. He told reporters that the decision to release Tavares "showed an inexplicable lack of good judgment in a hearing that decided to put someone on the street who had not only in the past been convicted of manslaughter, but had threatened the lives of other individuals and was a flight risk."

One of the "other individuals" Tavares threatened was Romney himself, in a Feb. 2006 letter intercepted by prison officials.

Former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger, a Democrat, says Romney is "scapegoating" Tuttman.

"If you look at the evidence, you'd be hard pressed to disagree with the judge about what the appropriate disposition was," Harshbarger told CBSNews.com. "That's the basis on which people are saying, 'look, on the facts, and the law, she had no choice.' Now I suppose technically she had a choice. But by any standard of judicial review she acted appropriately."

"He's making a political calculation, and she's an easy target," adds Harshbarger. "She did what 99 percent of judges should and ought to do here as an independent member of the judiciary, and she followed the law."

The judge has not commented publicly.

Edward J. McCormick III, a longtime Boston-area criminal defense lawyer and former Republican congressional candidate, echoes that assessment, arguing that Romney is engaged in "political grandstanding."

"My understanding about Judge Tuttman - she was a prosecutor her whole life," he says. "This isn't some career defense lawyer sitting there with a ponytail testing the marijuana laws every other day. This is a woman who in most cases is at least going to appreciate the prosecutor's viewpoint."

Romney did not make crime a central part of his agenda as governor, according to Boston-area Republican political analyst Todd Domke.

"That's not really what he was known for," says Domke. "Romney had more of a businessman's traditional focus, on fiscal issues."

In the wake of Giuliani's criticism, however, the Romney campaign has gone on the offensive. The campaign yesterday released to reporters a document trumpeting Romney's "solid record fighting crime in Massachusetts," which includes statistics supporting the notion that both violent crime and overall crime rates declined when Romney was governor. Giuliani charges that there was "an increase in murder and violent crime" during that time.

In the 1988 presidential campaign, another Massachusetts politician with presidential hopes, former Gov. Michael Dukakis, found out just how damaging this type of story can be. Dukakis took heavy criticism from Republican nominee George H.W. Bush over a furlough program that allowed convicted murderer "Willie" Horton to temporarily join the general population. Horton failed to return to prison from his weekend furlough and raped a woman before being recaptured. Dukakis, who went on to lose the presidential race, was lambasted for being "soft on crime."

Democratic political consultant Michael Goldman, of the Government Insight Group, says the Romney campaign is not handling the Tavares issue well. He argues that Romney should have pointed out that Tuttman was a prosecutor with a "great record" instead of throwing someone whom he had appointed "under the bus."

"The greatest skill of smart politicians is limiting the story so it doesn't have legs," he says. "Not only did they give the story legs, they basically gave it an engine and propelled it."

[claussanta]

Up and running at:
www.ourtownreport.com

[adian1-2009]

Giuliani, if you are going to evaluate a person from an objective ethical perspective, is just not the right candidate for anything but to benefit himself, either in terms of power or in terms of money. Romney is nothing to be proud of and is not far from Giuliani in terms of human stature. Both are birds of the same flock, so to speak. That said, it must be seen that this issue that Giuliani is trying to use against Romney, is pure demagoguery, and in that field nobody beats Giuliani. How in the world was Romney going to anticipate that a judge appointed by him, a number of years after having been in her position, would release a man, all of it in the excercise of her discretion as allowed by law, and that such a guy would kill two other people? In fact, how do we know that that lady judge acted irresponsibly or awkwardly or wrong? Probably she took into consideration a set of facts, using her abilities to the best, and released the man under his own cognizance. Anyways, if the guy had had friends, he coud have posted the $50K bond and gotten released. Maybe the judge concluded that such a bail would be impossible for a convicted inmate to be able to find. So, she used her discretion. So, stop the damagoguery, please! And for Romney to ask for her resignation is simply ridiculous and not so manly!

[b-easy63]

CBS (CORRUPT BROADCASTING STATION) You and your staff of corrupt liberal journalists are a disgrace to this great nation. What a sad day for America.

Posted by perception5 at 11:14 AM : Nov 27, 2007

Okay, CBS reports on what a Republican says about another Republican and you blame liberals. Face it, the GOP is eating their own. Own up to your own bs and stop blaming the liberals--everything laid at the Republican doorstep when it comes to failures and corruption, lies and bad wars--is just birds coming home to roost. Blaming somebody else for stating what occurs is pathetic. Get your head out of your arse and grow a pair. Pull up those big girl or big boy pants and take responsibility. The GOP sucks right now--the world knows it--heck! even the GOP knows it, that is why so many are retiring rather than get a guaranteed referendum in the form of the public kicking them in their political arrrrses. Putz.

[b-easy63]

"Governor Romney did not have a good record in dealing with violent crime."


Actually, Rudy didn''t either. When you dig beneath the facade of less crime, you find manipulated stats and a Mayor possibly neck deep in bed with the mob, as well as holding hands with corrupt mafia tied henchmen (like the commish). No halos there, and no great crime fighters either. What Rudy is good at is positioning himself. Taking credit for a fall in crime that was partially due to a national trend and partially due to the removal of crime from one area to another...then there was that great opportunity of standing on a pile of 9/11 rubble, speaking through a bullhorn while ignoring the first responders. CLASSIC

[dlounsbury1]

"KEVIN BACON RESPONSIBLE FOR COUPLE''S MURDER"

Boston,MA, Courtesty of the Boston Hairold

BPI-For immediate Release

Sources inside the police investigation of Daniel Tavares reveals that Kevin Bacon played a major role in the murder of a young Washington couple.

Kevin Bacon has a cousin named Florence Williams whom he encouraged to go to gradudate school.

Florence Williams got a job working for a Massachussets state senator

Florence was instrumental in scheduling meetings between her boss and Governor Mitt Romney

Florence''s boss suggested a Kathleen Tuttle as a judicial nominee in one of their meetings

Romney appoints Tuttle

Tuttle released Tavares without bail.

It is all Kevin Bacon''s fault.

Florence Williams dropped Kevin Bacon''s name in an interview for a job to be secretary to a driver

[dlounsbury1]

The press excoriated Romney for three days likening this event to Dukakis'' Willie Horton.

It didn''t die down with the Boston Herald (who openly hates Romney for getting elected in their blue state) so Romney pushed back.

Then the press excoriates Romney for calling on the judge to resign. "Throwing her under the bus." Classic mainstream media.

I am voting for the candidate who the press attacks the most and who the Democratic National Committee attacks the most--that man is Mitt Romney. They have him scared. He has no skeletons in the closet. The fact that they are linking the decision of a murderer enabled by the decision of an INDEPENDENT (remember that whole pesky separation of powers thing you learned about in 7th grade?) Judge he appointed shows their desperation. We might as well use their six degrees of separation to blame Kevin Bacon for the murder.

[dkaw1]

The only story here is that this murderer needs a lethal injection.

[denn034]

Romney called upon that judge to resign so, that''s the end of it as far as I''m concerned. It somehow seems unfair to blame Romney for every wrong decision an appointee makes.

[vestprophet]

HOPE FOR AMERICA: NO PRESIDENT RON PAUL

-- No more meddling in CBS Boards
-- No more aggressive SPAMMING
-- No more torture cut and pastes
-- No more pseudo-handles like WestProphet and RealProphet
-- No more Ron Paul
-- No more Ron Paul
-- No more Ron Paul Supporters
-- No more Ron Paul
-- No more Ron Paul Morons Spamming boards
-- No more Ron Paul
-- No more Ron Paul
-- No more illegal Ron Paul Supporters
-- More national ID cards for Ron Paul Morons
-- No more Ron Paul
-- No more injections of Ron Paul%u2019s isolationism
-- No more Ron Paul%u2019s supporter%u2019s morning constitutions
-- No more erosion of CBS Boards
-- No more unlimited Ron Paul Spamming

They don''''t call him "Dr. Not that hole" for no reason. The Doctor is in, girls!

"Those who expect the blessing of Ron Paul disappearing must undergo the flatulence of those supporting him."
- Thumbass Pain

"Ron Paul doesn''''t represent your Daddy%u2019s school of sexual thought. He represents your Founding Fathers Attitude about Beastiality."
- Me, WestProphet

[valendug]

I''ll vote for Jewliani if he''s got his pink panties and high heels on.

[nameregister]

Hey, Prophet can you tell us again who you are voting for?

LOL

[geezer62]

Some of you posters will get this. It looks like Romney is being Willie Hortoned by his own party. And also, if you appoint a judge who doesn''t toe the line just fire his azz.

[houser123]

What irony we have here. Rudy telling Mitt he should do a better job of vetting his appoinments. Now this is the best expmaple of the pot calling the kettle black. If this was not so serious, it would be hilarious.

[chucktruck2]

It was Dukakis''s idea to let Horton out and he did not back off of it . That is what hurt Dukakis . O K let''s look at the similarities : 4 men , 2 of them are gov. , gov. of Mass. ,and ect. If the whole story is not told it is a half truth and a half lie .

[southprophet]

ONLY RON PAUL CAN BEAT CLINTON
Zogby''s Director of Communications Fritz Wenzel said on November 20 that Paul is the strongest of the GOP candidates to run against Clinton. "Among the larger universe of voters," which includes all parties, "yes, Paul would be a much stronger candidate than any of the other three [Romney, Giuliani, Thompson]," Wenzel said. Zogby recently announced that Paul was their winner in a nationwide blind-bio poll which included voters from all parties. "He is anti-war and the majority of Democrats are anti-war, he has some other ideas and policies and stances on issues more attractive to Democrats, particularly conservative Democrats," said Wenzel. "Even among Independents, he is far and away a more attractive candidate," he added. Paul is the only GOP candidate who is not threatening war with Iran, whereas Clinton vowed to keep that option "on the table." Paul also voted against the war in Iraq, which Clinton has supported. Because Democrats outnumber Republicans, none of the other GOP candidates can win against Clinton, because they simply won''t be able to reach across party lines and attract enough Democratic and Independent voters to beat Clinton. Only Paul can do that. "He''s right on schedule," Wenzel said. "He''s making all the right moves, going in the right direction...at a time when other candidates are not moving." Wenzel based his analysis on recent polls that show Paul could win in New Hampshire and that his support nationwide is intensifying.

[westprophet]

RON PAUL WINS BIG IN NATIONAL POLL
The results of a nationwide telephone poll, announced by Zogby on November 19th, reveals that Americans want to vote for a candidate who protects liberty; who wants to shrink government; and who wants to immediately withdraw our troops from Iraq - positions of Congressman Ron Paul. As part of a blind-bio, spread poll, likely voters (from all parties) were provided with descriptions of four different Republican candidates and asked to choose who they would vote for based on each one''s resume and political platform. 33% of pollees chose Ron Paul, 19% chose Rudy Giuliani, 15% chose Mitt Romney and 13% chose Fred Thompson. The results clearly illustrate that the country is crying out for Ron Paul, which is why mainstream media has launched a public relations offensive to marginalize his accomplishments and suppress the Congressman''s name recognition. In a seperate question, over 49% of pollees said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who would begin an immediate withdrawal from Iraq. In fact, Ron Paul won in every demographic of this poll including, but not limited to, religious voters, NASCAR fans, military families, African-Americans, etc..

[eastprophet]

GIULIANI PROFITS FROM KING''S U.S. LAND GRAB
Cintra-Zachry, a company owned by the King of Spain, is currently building the NAFTA superhighway through the middle of our country and they are seizing land from private landowners under newly-relaxed eminent domain Laws in order to do it. Giuliani''s Law firm, Bracewell & Giuliani represents that company. Another Giuliani business, Giuliani Capitol Advisors was recently a partner of Cintra-Zachry, and owned the rights to collect the tolls from sections of the highway before they sold that interest to an Australian company called Macquarie. Bracewell & Giuliani represents some of the biggest multi-national corporations in the world. With that have come the connections that Giuliani has been able to tap into in order to fund his campaign. Not only is Giuliani the consummate globalist who actively sells-off our country to foreigners, he''s also the only GOP candidate who supports abortion. Also unnerving, given Giuliani''s personal experience on 9/11, is his defense of open borders, and the fact that he publicly welcomed illegals to come to New York where he would provide them with sanctuary. We should have seen it coming when Mayor Giuliani enacted Special Order 40 in 1994, ordering NYC cops to stop checking the immigration status of suspects caught violating the Law. Giuliani also supports creation of the North American Union, which will forever end our nation''s sovereignty and limited constitutional form of government.

[northprophet]

RON PAUL KNOWS HOW TO STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
The talk must stop. We must secure our borders now. A nation without secure borders is no nation at all. It makes no sense to fight terrorists abroad when our own front door is left unlocked. Ron Paul has a plan: (1.) Physically secure our borders and coastlines. We must do whatever it takes to control entry into our country before we undertake complicated immigration reform proposals. (2.) Enforce Visa rules. Immigration officials must track Visa holders and deport anyone who overstays their Visa or otherwise violates U.S. Law. This is especially important when we recall that a number of 9/11 terrorists had expired Visas. (3.) No amnesty. Estimates suggest that 10 to 20 million people are in our country illegally. That''s a lot of people to reward for breaking our Laws. (4.) No welfare for illegal aliens. Americans have welcomed immigrants who seek opportunity, work hard, and play by the rules, but taxpayers should not pay for illegal immigrants who use hospitals, clinics, schools, roads, and social services. (5.) End birthright citizenship. As long as illegal immigrants know their children born here will be citizens, the incentive to enter the U.S. illegally will remain strong. (6.) Pass true immigration reform. The current system, and those proposed by ALL other candidates, is incoherent and unfair, and would allow up to 60 million more immigrants into our country.

[southprophet]

RON PAUL WILL RESTORE U.S. SOVEREIGNTY
All of the trade deals and world government organizations, which all of the presidential candidates support (except Ron Paul), such as the ICC, NAFTA, GATT, WTO, and CAFTA, are all a major threat to our nation''s sovereignty. They transfer power from our government to unelected foreign elites. The ICC wants to try our soldiers as war criminals. Both the WTO and CAFTA could force Americans to get a prescription to take herbs and vitamins. The WTO has forced Congress to change our laws to meet their needs, and not our own. If anything, the WTO makes trade relations worse by giving foreign competitors a new way to attack U.S. jobs. The NAFTA superhighway, being built by a Spanish company, is just one part of a plan to erase our borders and create the North American Union, a single nation State like the EU, out of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, with a new, unelected bureaucracy and money system. Forget about controlling immigration under the NAU scheme. There won''t be any borders anymore, or a free America. Our limited, constitutional government will be gone forever. Let''s not forget the UN either. It wants to impose a direct Carbon Tax on us. Ron Paul successfully fought this move in Congress last year, but if we are going to stop ongoing attempts of this world government body to rule over us, we need someone in the White House who knows how to say "No." We must withdraw from any organizations or treaty that infringes upon our nation''s sovereignty.

[westprophet]

MORMONS ARE GOOD PEOPLE
There are lots of Mormons where I live. For the most part, they are good people, but they mostly keep to themselves. However, they do have some strange beliefs: that people of color are descendants of Lucifer (Lamanites); that they need to wear special undergarments they obtain from their church; celestial marriage; that mankind was created on a different planet and planted here by the Mormon Jesus and his Brother, Lucifer. There''s more, but I''ll spare you. Research it yourself. I personally think Joseph Smith ate some really good mushrooms before Moroni appeared to him in the woods of New York and inspired him to write the Book of Mormon. I don''t hold anything against Romney for being Mormon, though. I don''t like him because Romney, like Giuliani, is soft on illegal immigration and national sovereignty (as most globalist CFR members are), and he''s a war-monger who approves the use of torture. I love my country, and with a guy like him in office, Old Glory will be coming down soon, and the North American Union flag goes up. They are already minting the "Amero" (the replacement for the Dollar) at the U.S. Mint in Denver, and most people are clueless. Why do you think The Fed is tanking our Dollar. It''s the age old "Problem Reaction Solution" dialectic--after they cause our economy to collapse, we''ll be begging them to save us with their new, silver-based NAU currency. Ron Paul is the only candidate who has done anything to protect U.S. sovereignty.