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Romney, McCain lob new ads at each other

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor December 29, 2007 01:27 PM


The Mitt Romney ad war with John McCain continues apace in New Hampshire's Republican primary.

Romney today began running a new ad attacking McCain on illegal immigration, declaring that there's "a big difference" on the issue.

McCain retaliated with another ad, titled "Endorsed," (watch it here) that details endorsements for him from 20 New Hampshire newspapers.

Romney has been going hard at McCain over his high-profile support for a sweeping reform bill that included a path to citizenship for many of the 12 million illegal immigrants already in the country, provided that they returned to their home country, went to the back of the line, paid fines and back taxes, and met other requirements. The bill, despite President Bush's backing, failed to get through Congress earlier this year after vehement opposition from conservative Republicans and others. McCain now says that the borders have to be secured before any broader reforms can be attempted.

Besides criticizing McCain for that bill, Romney's ad also boasts that as Massachusetts governor, he opposed driver's licenses and in-state college tuition for illegal immigrants and authorized State Police to enforce federal immigration law. The ad leaves out, however, that that proposal never went into effect because it was repealed by Romney's successor, Democrat Deval Patrick.

On Friday, Romney aired his first negative TV ad against McCain, slapping him on his record on taxes as well as illegal immigration. McCain responded with one of his own that quoted "anti-endorsements" of Romney this week from the Concord Monitor and New Hampshire Union Leader.

And both Romney and McCain, who are neck-and-neck in most polls for the Jan. 8 primary, criticized each other for going negative.

13 comments so far...
  1. these ads are not really negative in tone. John McCain would be a good president but his support of amnesty for 12 million illegal immigrants before the border is even secured is misguided and would hurt the american middle class in the long run.

    Posted by John December 29, 07 02:07 PM
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  1. It's laughable to hear Mitt Romney whine about McCain's part in McCain-Kennedy considering this:

    Illegal Immigration. In a November 30, 2005, interview with The Boston Globe, Romney called the elements of the McCain-Kennedy immigration bill “reasonable proposals.” By March 2007, finger to the wind, Romney was roundly denouncing the same bill.

    I've posted about Mitt's flip-flops here:

    http://www.letfreedomringblog.com/?p=2304

    Posted by Gary Gross December 29, 07 02:20 PM
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  1. I agree that the appearance of negativity is being overblown by the media. Especially obvious in this article is the demonizing of Romney. Note the sentence: "The ad leaves out, however, that that proposal never went into effect because it was repealed by Romney's successor, Democrat Deval Patrick." Romney was right all along in what he did, yet it's made to look as if he failed. He didn't fail, the Democrat failed--because he failed to do the right thing and keep Romney's bill in force. But the way it's worded, Romney somehow gets blame. McCain, on the other hand, doesn't share the same mindset as the majority of US citizens, but that's somehow not a problem according to this journalist. Romney is right to point out these distinctions and help the people to see that some of those contending for the presidency do not have the country's best interests at heart.

    Posted by Jennifer December 29, 07 02:32 PM
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  1. I agree that the appearance of negativity is being overblown by the media. Especially obvious in this article is the demonizing of Romney. Note the sentence: "The ad leaves out, however, that that proposal never went into effect because it was repealed by Romney's successor, Democrat Deval Patrick." Romney was right all along in what he did, yet it's made to look as if he failed. He didn't fail, the Democrat failed--because he failed to do the right thing and keep Romney's bill in force. But the way it's worded, Romney somehow gets blame. McCain, on the other hand, doesn't share the same mindset as the majority of US citizens, but that's somehow not a problem according to this journalist. Romney is right to point out these distinctions and help the people to see that some of those contending for the presidency do not have the country's best interests at heart.

    Posted by Jennifer December 29, 07 02:33 PM
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  1. Media, Media go away, come again some other day...how many anti-mitt articles today...Using McCain/Huckabee philosophy Romney must be ahead. McCain the little media darling, will never get anywhere in the party, he has pissed them off, offended anyone who calls themselves Christians...and is now running his own negative campaign ad, something he said he would not do. McCain has lost the freakin right to continue the pretense that he is a straight talker.

    Posted by jaaron December 29, 07 02:56 PM
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  1. This is all a joke, alas, John "War Hero" McCain should be a Democrat. He "likes the Democratic Party, Its values, and principles", and has thought about changing several times over the past 8 years, especially after losing to Georgie Boy in 2000 race. I don't respect him for not changing. Maybe he should just be Independent and play with Mr. Lieberman. McCain doesn't play well with others ?arrogance ?personality disorder.

    And why do his cheeks/jowles look so swollen? Does he have chronic mumps and lost his testosterone producing organs??

    Posted by Dr. Dave Johnson December 29, 07 05:25 PM
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  1. Romney, McCain, Rudolph nor the Huckster have a leg to stand on in throwing out information on anyone else...their records are all pathetic. Find out for yourself why and know what's going on here;

    Candidate Research made easy

    http://sayanythingblog.com/readers/entry/candidate_research_know_who_youre_voting_for/

    Posted by Chris December 29, 07 06:12 PM
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  1. Is there a candidate who hasn't changed their views? EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM HAVE.

    Posted by Clark December 29, 07 07:30 PM
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  1. The funny thing is that John McCain gave a very flattering endoresment of Mitt Romney when he was running for governor of Massachussetts, and that was when he was still essentially pro choice. McCain described Romney as a man of decency, a man of integrity and a man of honesty. My question is was McCain lying then or is he lying now?

    Posted by SVB December 29, 07 09:23 PM
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  1. McCain and Huckabee have both run interesting television adds. Neither of them talk about the issues they play 3rd grade games of name calling. Both of them have called Romney dishonest, and some rich guy that doesn’t understand America.(although I know their pocket book isn’t hurting in their home life.) McCain has agreed with personal attacks that Romney is a phony, and today has called him a pig. Neither of them will say where Romney is lying about their record. Maybe because everything Romney is saying about the records is accurate.

    Posted by bhs December 30, 07 01:07 PM
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  1. I have another comment. This article seems biased. First they have Romney’s add in the open for easy access, and they say harsh words like attacking McCain. Then in contrast they say that McCain retaliated with another ad. Its funny they don’t say McCain attacked anyone. All they have for McCain’s add of name calling is in a little link where a lot of people would just skip over because it is inconvenient. Lets tell the news and not control the news.

    Posted by bhs December 30, 07 01:17 PM
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  1. Got Mitt?
    Get Real.
    Get Mitt.
    Get lost bigots.
    Go Romney, the real deal.

    Posted by wkf December 30, 07 08:55 PM
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  1. I am from Arizona and I am a Republican.

    I never supported or voted for McCain in previous elections.

    I will still not support and voted for McCain in this election.

    McCain is a liar and a phony person. He will deceive constituents for votes. He will do anything or say anything to steal your vote.

    McCain’s public records show that he supports and approves first class citizenship status to illegal immigrants and give second class citizenship status to American citizens. The record speaks for themselves.

    If Iowa or New Hampshire constituents want second class citizenship status, then they can go right ahead and support and vote for McCain.

    But, if Iowa or New Hampshire constituents want first class American citizenship status, as they should, then they should support and vote for Romney.

    Posted by Arizona Republican January 1, 08 02:20 AM
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About political intelligence Field reports from Boston Globe reporters and editors covering the 2008 presidential campaign and the national maneuvering of Bay State politicians.

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