Mitt Romney reaches out to Hispanic voters

By Matt Viser, Globe Staff

HIALEAH, Fla. – Mitt Romney for days has pummeled Newt Gingrich with criticism, over his ties to Freddie Mac, over his long tenure in Washington, over his ethics violation as House speaker.

Now, the increasingly confident former Massachusetts governor has turned to a touch of teasing.

“I saw Speaker Gingrich -- he’s a nice man -- I saw him on TV this morning,” Romney told a crowd of several hundred here in a parking lot outside the Casa Marin Restaurant. “He was describing his excuses and why he wasn’t doing so well here in Florida.”

“He’s talking about me and he’s looking for some kind of excuse, but I’m afraid the real reason he hasn’t been successful connecting with the people of Florida is because of his message.”

He then explained to the crowd that the reason they couldn’t connect with Gingrich was because he was unlike them: the consummate political insider who consulted for companies like Freddie Mac, the mortgage giant blamed in part for the housing crisis that hit Florida hard.

“I don’t think you change Washington by having the same people just take different seats, all right?” Romney said. “You’ve got to change the people. I’ve not spent time in Washington, I spent my life in the private sector.”

“I know what it’s like to lead. I’ve been successful as a leader,” he added. “I didn’t get pushed out as leader.”

The line was a clear reference to Gingrich being reprimanded by the House in 1997 for ethics charges. He was also fined $300,000, and a year later resigned his position after Republicans did poorly in the mid-term elections.

Romney’s campaign this afternoon also responded to charges Gingrich made this morning on ABC’s “This Week.” The former House speaker accused Romney of running a “campaign of vilification” that was focused on “carpet-bombing with negative ads.” He also called Romney’s character “a very serious problem.”

“You cannot be president of the United States if you cannot be honest and candid with the American people,” he said.

Romney had several of his chief supporters respond. Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty called Gingrich’s comments “over the line.” Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell said he was “very disappointed” about the comments.

“Newt Gingrich is so desperate to prop up his sinking campaign that his message has devolved into a character assassination of Mitt Romney,” said US Representative Jason Chaffetz, a Utah Republican. “Mitt Romney embodies the definition of public servant.”

In one of his last events in South Florida before Tuesday’s election, Romney was greeted enthusiastically this afternoon by a crowd that was warmed up by several politicians who spoke in both English and Spanish.

“You’re going to see a lot of mud-slinging,” said US Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Florida Republican. “The one ad that particularly irks me is attacking the strong pro-life record of Governor Romney.”

“Governor Romney is a wonderful new believer, for a while now, for the pro-life cause,” she added, in a line that was off message and reminds voters that Romney’s position on the issue has evolved. “And he was a champion for prolife in a state where it took great courage to stand up for pro-life values! So don’t believe those ads!”

At one point, Romney’s son Craig – a fluent Spanish speaker -- joined his father on stage.

“I have the best one here today,” Romney said. “This is my youngest son, the baby of the family.”

“Craig, why not say a word or two?” Romney added. “Say it in Spanish, too, will ya? En Espanol!”

Craig took the microphone. “Mi papa no hable Espanol,” he said, before adding that his father does know the language of the economy and jobs.

After the event, Romney went into the restaurant and shook hands. Greeted by a band of guitarists playing the Cuban patriotic song “Guantanamera,” he proceeded to carve up lechon – a roasted suckling pig that was splayed out on the counter – and pass it out to patrons.

Afterward, he boarded his bus and headed to Pompano Beach, for his final event of the day.

Matt Viser can be reached at maviser@globe.com.