Romney, McCain Clash In Smaller GOP Debate

Romney Says McCain Is Out Of Conservative Mainstream As Super Tuesday Approaches

Comments 140

SIMI VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 30, 2008

(CBS/AP)  Mitt Romney said Wednesday that John McCain is out of the conservative mainstream, as the rivals for the Republican presidential nomination vied for votes in next week's multistate primary.

Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, said McCain twice voted against President Bush's tax cuts and pushed campaign finance reforms that restricted fundraising and spending. The Republican establishment embraced the tax cuts and opposed the new campaign law, which many saw as more helpful to Democrats.

"Those view are outside the view of mainstream Republican thought," Romney said in the opening moments of a debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. The forum came 24 hours after McCain won Florida presidential primary despite criticisms that he is too moderate on several issues dear to party loyalists.

McCain, an Arizona senator, disputed the claims, saying "I'm proud of my conservative record." He said Romney left Massachusetts with high taxes and a large debt. "His job creation was the third worst in the country," McCain said.

Romney said McCain opposed Bush's first-term tax cuts because they were tilted largely toward the wealthy. But such a cut, Romney said, "gets our rates down and stimulates the economy."

McCain said he opposes tax cuts not coupled with spending restraints. Republicans lost congressional seats in 2006 less because of the Iraq war than because of out-of-control spending that alienated conservatives, McCain said.

The 90-minute debate allowed McCain and Romney to focus on one another after Florida voters left no doubt they are the two viable contenders for their party's nomination. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani left the race earlier Wednesday and endorsed McCain.

"With some flashes of animosity, front-runners McCain and Romney played to type," said CBSNews.com Senior Political Editor Vaughn Ververs.

"McCain's national security credentials and Romney's business and economic know-how combined with a whole lot of talk about Ronald Reagan to produce very little new in this battle," Ververs added. "With several high-profile endorsements either made or coming, it leaves McCain in the same position he held coming in, that of front-runner."

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Rep. Ron Paul of Texas also participated in the forum, televised nationally on CNN, but largely watched as the two front-runners, seated next to each other, jabbed one another.

Huckabee protested, "This isn't a two-man race."

"If you want to talk conservative credentials, let me get in on that," said Huckabee, who has won no contest since the Jan. 3 Iowa caucus.

McCain tried to deflect questions on illegal immigration, a sore point with many Republicans who resented his push for a bill, ultimately unsuccessful, that would have granted a path to legal status for millions of undocumented immigrants now in the country.

Asked whether he would vote for his bill now, McCain replied, "it won't" come to a vote "because people want the borders secured first." He said he supports new efforts to prevent illegal crossings.

California, with its large immigrant population, is one of several states voting on Tuesday. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will reportedly endorse McCain on Thursday.

©MMVIII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Back To Top