GOP Rivals Knock Romney's Privileged Roots

Mike Huckabee, Fred Thompson Note Stress The More Humble Nature Of Their Childhood Circumstances

(AP)  Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson have begun casting Republican rival Mitt Romney as a scion of the upper class, contrasting him with their more humble roots in hopes of undermining the richest candidate in a well-off group.

"Our founding fathers had a brilliant, really revolutionary idea that the people elected would not represent the elite, but would represent the ordinary," Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, said at a debate in Iowa this week, a subtle poke at the former Massachusetts governor.

Thompson, a lawyer, actor and former senator from Tennessee, was more direct, saying: "My goal is to get into Mitt Romney's situation, where I don't have to worry about taxes anymore."

Romney, worth between $190 million and $250 million, took issue with that comment. But both presidential opponents already had planted the idea with Midwestern voters that Romney lives a life of wealth and privilege.

The populist pitches mark a shift for Huckabee and Thompson, two Southerners who, while starting their lives in families of modest means, now live comfortably, if not lavishly.

Both are playing the class card against Romney - essentially telling Iowans that unlike him, "I am one of you, and I will speak for you" - as polls show a competitive race just three weeks before the Jan. 3 caucuses that lead off the state-by-state GOP nominating fight.

Huckabee, a Southern Baptist preacher, has come from far behind the pack of candidates to seize the GOP lead in Iowa. Romney, the front-runner for months, is fiercely challenging him to gain ground back. Thompson trails both and is hoping to benefit from daily skirmishing between the two.

In Muscatine on Thursday, Romney dismissed the jabs from Huckabee and Thompson, saying he didn't believe voters choose their president based on "the pocket book" of a candidate.

"We've had great presidents of different economic status from the Bush family and the Reagan family and others. So I don't think an appeal to the differences in income is a successful political strategy," he told reporters.

Indeed, the class arguments may not hold much weight.

For starters, the country hasn't shied away from electing men born into wealth, such as Republican George W. Bush and Democrat John F. Kennedy. And neither Huckabee nor Thompson is struggling to make ends meet like many Americans.

Some polls suggest most people don't really resent the rich; they just want to join them.

However, two-thirds of people in a Gallup Poll in April said the distribution of money and wealth in the country is not fair, and only a third of people in a Gallup Poll in November 2006 said they'd be happier if they were rich.

[hwy71so]

I wonder if Romney sends any of his money to Eldorado, Texas...

[lisann326]

Well, I guess he and JFK have more in common than most people thought. Both from the Elite, oh yes, and George W. and lets see who else . . . fits into that category.

[swilsondo]

error! from previous post!! he''s at in his life b/c (HE) (not we) worked very very hard my bad

[swilsondo]

I''m so sick of watching huckabee(wannabee)!!! He always plays the VICTIM CARD!! "We are trying to positive" and " where is the honor of being negative, we should focus on being united and coming together" GO HOME TO YOUR MOMMY!! HE WAS SLY VERY SLY, he''s says what he wants people to hear not what he beleives!! Now hes coming out bashing Mitt Romney!! Sorry WANNABEE(HUCKABEE), Mitt Romney is at in his life because we worked very very very hard. He knows out to do business like no other!! He didnt get there b/c he miss used funds and broke ethical rules WANNABEE!! WANNABEE IS TRYING TO BE SO POSITIVE B/C HE HAS A HUGE DIRTY LAUNDRY LIST!!!

QUESTION FOR BLOGGERS??????

WHAT DO YOU PEOPLE THINK? DOES WANNABEE PLAY THE VICTIM CARD? SHOULD HE QUIT PLAYING THE RELIGION CARD?

[kansas1946]

LOL. I thought Republicans loved rich people. I thought that their spokesperson, Rush, was always bashing Democrats for trying to start class warfare. I love to watch the Republicans eat their own. What a bunch of losers.

[prinzowhales]

Thompson trying to pitch himself as a populist is like Madonna trying to pitch herself as a virgin...at least one could enjoy an evening with Madonna...Thompson, you''d just have to stand in the corner and wait for his ''people'' to rewind him in the morning...He''d be the first DOA president were he elected.

[sgtrds]

LOL!!! I love it! The elite rich upper "class" republicans all attacking each each other because some of them are more obnoxiously rich then the others! It''s hilarious!!! What''s next? Is one of them going to build a phony movie set "ranch" in Texas to try to fool voters into thinking they''re just like them? Considering the chimp in the White House is going to move back into a city mansion (back to his roots) complete with a full staff of servants when his time is up maybe one of these as*sholes should just buy his!

[merlgrey]

''There''''s nothing wrong with being rich. There is soemthing wrong with greasing and shellacking your hair.''

awesome. no extra comments needed here.

(ps- dec 16th, ron paul, help him out if you care about your freedoms, he does)

[mcharlton]

Attacking a candidates upbringing is just a cheap diversion from a campaign with a lack of direction. Romney''s gaining in the polls because he can relate to Americans. I hope more people attack him. It''ll bring more attention to his campaign

[realpatriot1]

There''s nothing wrong with being rich. There is soemthing wrong with greasing and shellacking your hair.

[denn034]

Most of his rivals are wealthy or well-to-do so, that just seems disingenuous to me.