While most zig to Iowa, Romney zags to New Hampshire
By Michael Kranish, Globe Staff
HENNIKER, N.H. -- While most of Mitt Romney's competitors campaigned across Iowa, the former Massachusetts governor journeyed today to the unlikely setting of this small town, greeting skiers and snowboarders in the shadow of Pat's Peak as he tried to rebuild what his campaign once hoped was an impregnable firewall in New Hampshire.
Romney, asked whether the appearance signaled a new concern by his campaign that he could lose the first-primary state, said he returned for a two-day swing because he is trying to win in both Iowa and New Hampshire. He contrasted himself with other Republicans whom he said are focusing only on one state. He also launched one of his toughest attacks yet on his fast-gaining competitor here, Senator John McCain of Arizona.
"I don't know, though, that there is any other candidate that is competing in both races to a significant extent," Romney said before a bank of cameras on the second-story deck of the ski lodge. "The other candidates have said ,'Well, I can only compete in one state, but if you want to win the presidency of '08, we've got to win in both states. You can't have a nominee who says, 'I'm writing off Iowa or New Hampshire.' You've got to have a nominee who cares about the election process in both states. I'm fighting to win in both states because I not only want to win the nomination but I want to win the general election."
In fact, many of Romney's opponents are competing in both states to varying degrees. Romney, however, has long been viewed as running an expensive campaign to win both Iowa and New Hampshire in order to do well in later states.
But he is now trailing former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee in polls in Iowa. And Romney's once-seemingly insurmountable lead in New Hampshire has narrowed dramatically at the same time the fortunes have risen for McCain. A Boston Globe poll released Sunday showed Romney leading McCain by only three percentage points, and the Concord Monitor published an editorial calling Romney a "phony" and urged voters here to choose someone else.
Romney, who previously has focused much of his attention on Rudy Giuliani and Huckabee, used the press conference to launch repeated broadsides against McCain. Attacking McCain's initial proposal on illegal immigration, which McCain has since modified, Romney said, "Under his bill that he fought for everybody who came here illegally could stay forever," Romney said of McCain. "Does he still believe that or not believe that?"
Romney also asked whether McCain "admits that he was wrong" about opposing President Bush's tax cuts. "I'm happy to talk about times I was wrong," Romney said. "But I don't recall Senator McCain saying he was wrong to say that all illegal aliens should be able to stay here permanently. Or to say he was wrong to vote against the Bush tax cuts. I think he was on both counts."
McCain's campaign responded with a statement highlighting a New Hampshire Union leader editorial that, like the one published in the Concord Monitor, told voters they couldn't trust Romney.
"I know something about tailspins, and it's pretty clear Mitt Romney is in one," the statement said. "It's disappointing that he would launch desperate, flailing and false attacks in an attempt to maintain relevance. As the Union Leader said today, New Hampshire voters just aren't buying his act, and these latest attacks won't help him."
Romney, who has aired ads in Iowa contrasting his positions with those of Huckabee, was asked why he has not run similar advertisements against McCain in New Hampshire. He responded that he had just filmed what he called a positive closing argument for his campaign. But he left open the possibility that additional ads would run.
Romney was peppered with questions about the "anti-endorsement" from the Concord Monitor, which on Sunday urged the state's residents to choose someone other than Romney. Romney responded to the questions by noting that he has received endorsements from many people and publications, including the conservative National Review magazine.
The decision to seek votes here at the ski area here, which seemed to surprise many Christmas week vacationers, produced one of the more unusual sights of the campaign: The sun-drenched desk at the ski lodge was crisscrossed with one group of people carrying skies over their shoulders, while another group -- members of the media -- toted camera tripods. Boris the Bear and Snow the Tiger, the ski's area costumed mascots, wandered amidst the scene.
As the former governor of neighboring Massachusetts, and the owner of a summer lake home in New Hampshire, Romney is viewed as a quasi-resident of the state. He has aired commercials on television for months and held many town hall meetings. His lead in the state seemed secure until recently, so anything less than a win here would probably be interpreted as a failure to meet expectations. All of the other recent presidential candidates from Massachusetts -- Michael Dukakis, Paul Tsongas, and John F. Kerry -- have won New Hampshire.
Romney, who ran the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, did not hit the slopes. But he said that he taught all five of his sons to ski at Pat's Peak, reminding voters of his long-standing ties to New Hampshire.
"It's fun, it brings back memories to be in this spot, especially on this lovely day," Romney said.
Maybe McCain could answer Romney's concerns. Romney has been attacked time and time again by these guys, and always responds with policy and facts.
I find it amazing that if one searches for "Romney" using Google news that what mostly comes up is negative press. The guy has the finest resume we could ask for in a president. We complain that someone like this never runs for office, and now he's getting hammered on all sides by the media.
The liberal media wants to split the republican vote to get rid of Romney, the only true threat to Hillary.
By contrast, if you search for "Huckabee," it's nothing but good news. The fact that he pardoned or commuted the sentences of 12 murderers gets overlooked. The rapist he pardoned that killed and raped again is overlooked. The fact that Huckabee raised taxes in AK more than Bill Clinton. What about the gifts Huckabee took in the tens of thousands of dollars from people he later gave prestegious appointments to? What about the furniature Huckabee took from the Governor's mansion? What about the fact that Huck wanted to subsidize education for illegals? What about the poor spending record in AK, where Huck turned a 6 billion dollar budget into a 16 billion dollar budget?
If Huckabee wins the republican nomination, Hillary wins the general. Huckabee is running on his religion -Shame on him. Iowa is voting based on religion - shame on them.
Romney v. Huckabee? We know who has the best brain - Romney. Vote accordingly.
See http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2007/11/13/huckabee/ if you don't believe what I'm saying about Huck. He's a sorry scummy piece of crap with quite a dark side.
I'm voting for Romney. I think he'd make an excellent leader and stewart for our nation.
Don't be fooled McCain has changed his mind plenty of times, only he never admits he's wrong!
Romney is full of baloney and I'm glad he's now losing steam in both Iowa and NH. Despite the fringes attempts at painting him as a well qualified candidate he has done nothing to deserve the highest office in the land. In Massachusetts he proved that a relatively strong business record (exploiting other peoples business plans) doesn't translate into success in the governor's office or any executive branch position. Romney ran for governor as a moderate Republican (like Arnold S. in CA) and now as president a mere four years later is running away from his record here. Not only did he raise taxes (fees=taxes), reverse his position on abortion and stem cells, but also neglect to tell everyone that his universal health care plan can only work in a state like MA which had free care pool money he could tap. Not to mention if he's such a great business leader where are the jobs? Oh yeah, I remember they went to his friends. Another change of opinion? I thought he was against cronyism. Mitt I thought you had such great promise when you ran for governor and I now realize it was nothing more than a stepping stone for you... all along. I'm so dissapointed.
Since when does the Boston Globe steal headlines (and variations thereof) from other papers? See http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/20/us/politics/20giuliani.html?ref=politics
How could anyone vote for McCain? Our country is becoming culturally and politically dominated by hispanics and he wants to give the illegal ones amnesty.
I'm sick of all this stupid slander that the media continualy focuses on whenever it comes out against Mitt Romney. I'm forced to conclude that a great deal of it is pure bias against Romney's faith, his "sqweeky clean" image and the fact that Romney is BY FAR the most capable and qualified to lead the nation and take on the Democrats. You want to talk about questionable conservative credentials or being a phony Conservative. How about Huckabees credentials. He's not a Conservative aside from abortion and Gay Marriage. Hackabee is a fiscal Liberal. He's a Liberal on crime. He's a Liberal on Foreign Policy. He's a Liberal on Illegal Immigration. Who's the real phony. If Huckabee wins the nomination then shame on all those who were either so easily duped into thinking that Huckubee was a conservative or those who voted for him based on humor or Religion. Romney's record speaks for it's self. It is conservative with the exception of abortion which he has been very forward and open with.
McCain vowed to follow Osama to the "gates of hell." Never make your commander-in-chief a guy who vows to take your sons to the "gates of hell."
McCain in 2008. No thank you.
The media is pulling out all the stops to try and keep Romney down -
Mitt Romney is by FAR the most qualified Republican nominee and if he wins these 2 caucuses, the national coverage will skyrocket his image.....something that Senator Clinton cannot have.
He isn't a mean-spirited goober, or an adulterer, or a wild-eyed over-done Senator with questionable friends (almost Kerry's running mate??) He is the ONE nominee that can easily handle Hillary Clinton and her machine. Don't let the press fool you - Mitt Romney is the one.
Didn't Romney impose a tax for NH residents who work in MA? What is up with that?
as Byron York pointed out today,
From the paper on February 21, 1980:
"Ronald Reagan – The former California governor is simply too old (69), too doctrinaire, too inexperienced in the intricacies of the federal government. We gravely question his capability to withstand the daily physical and emotional battering that the nation's chief executive must endure."
~~~~~~
So they think McCain can handle it? Remarkable that this man of greater years and questionable health earns the endorsement THIS time... :)
Its a shame that our country is continuously under Bush/Clinton political dynasty for the past 20 years with NO CHANGE. We need to pity on ourselves.
!!! NOW ITS TIME FOR CHANGE !!!
!!! VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA !!!
The liberal press wants Obama or Clinton. The best way to get that is to trash Romney. Remember how the press trashed Romney's father. We got Nixon instead. That turned out well didn't it?
Conversatives don't like to be told what to do, especially when it comes from "phony" liberal NH and Boston newspapers. Its reminds me of when Osama bin Laden tried to influence the 2004 election--it didn't work and won't work now. Romney will be getting my vote because has the best track record and talents of any of the candidates.
What concerns me about Huckabee is not only that he pardoned and commuted so many criminals, especially murderers, is how he came to his decisions whether or not to commute or pardon someone. Many of his decisions were formulated from other pastors and reverends in his own faith. If he makes these decisions based on the persuasion of a pastor or rev then I feel he will be persuaded on anything if the price is right. I thought Romney had to explain that his church leaders were not involved in any of his decision making or would be. Why doesn't Huckabee have to explain this same topic. Romney has his issues also but I think the playing field should be even on religion and how decisions are made.
Huckabee's own have have given him the title of "smake oil salesman. I read that way back during the Value Conference.
One of Mike Huckabee's supporters wrote: "He can sell ice to Eskimos" another writes " Mike Huckabee won me over." Yet another writes "Huck demonstrated the same smooth, articulate, can-sell-snake-oil-to-a-merchant demeanor."
An eyewitness to the convention wrote:
"I’ve attended plenty of speeches, conventions, and conferences, and I have never seen a speaker receive so many cheers standing ovations. From the moment Huckabee walked on stage, you could feel the excitement brewing. I may sound partial, but you’d almost have to be there to understand. With an ease in his manner and a genuine tone of voice, he started off his first few minutes by joking with the crowd.
Moving on to immigration, about which he has been challenged by conservatives for taking a liberal stance, Huckabee was careful with his words. He blamed our federal government for the current problem rather than those who have come here illegally; saying that it is the government’s responsibility to protect the borders. While he correctly targeted the federal administration and the corporations who have hired illegal immigrants, he was silent about why he chooses not to hold the aliens accountable (I would have liked to hear some of his insights, since this view is inexplicable to me). Instead, he cleverly switched the topic to express some words of patriotism as an American who was “thankful that this country is one that people are trying to break into, not one that they are trying to break out of."
The attendee continues her explanation of the grand speech and closes with these words.
"Preach it, Pastor."
Governor Huckabee knows how to stir emotion. Conversions to God and the vilest mobs have been formed by people who can stir emotion.
Mike Huckabee has charisma. He can "sell ice to Eskimos". I like the guy, but I don't trust him with America's problems.
Governor Huckabee's fiscal conservativeness does not show in his Governorship of Arkansas. I hope people will look into his record. I believe he is sincere in his social beliefs but I do not believe he is a strong fiscal conservative.
I just don't want us to be sold on someone who might be really good at selling snake oil to a merchant.
The funny thing is that Romney called giving amnesty to illegal aliens 'reasonable' only two years ago. Tim Russert played the clip and Mitt just brushed it off with double talk. Now the centerpiece of his attack on McCain is the Arizona Senator's support for a similar program. Romney is a man without any convictions.
"McCain vowed to follow Osama to the "gates of hell." Never make your commander-in-chief a guy who vows to take your sons to the "gates of hell.""
You have it all wrong...McCain's children are in the military to include one Marine in Iraq....I'm in the military too and would follow McCain wherever he chooses to lead!!!
18. “The funny thing is that Romney called giving amnesty to illegal aliens 'reasonable' only two years ago. Tim Russert played the clip and Mitt just brushed it off with double talk. Now the centerpiece of his attack on McCain is the Arizona Senator's support for a similar program. Romney is a man without any convictions.”
Evidently you didn’t listen to his answer closely. It was quite a long answer for a blow off. Here is his answer you be the judge.
GOV. ROMNEY: Now let's, now let's look at those very carefully, OK, and you're, you're a careful reader. In the interview with The Boston Globe, I described all three programs that were out there, described what they were, acknowledged that they were not technically an amnesty program, but I indicated in that same interview that I had not formulated my own proposal and that I was endorsing none of those three programs. I did not support any of them. I called them reasonable. They are reasonable efforts to, to look at the problem. But I said I did not support--and I said specifically in that interview I have not formulated my own policy and have not determined which I would support. And, of course, the Cornyn proposal required all of the immigrants to go home. The McCain proposal required most of them to go home, but let some stay. And the Bush proposal I, frankly, don't recall in that much detail. But they had very different proposals. My own view is consistent with what you saw in the Lowell Sun, that those people who had come here illegally and are in this country--the 12 million or so that are here illegally--should be able to stay sign up for permanent residency or citizenship, but they should not be given a special pathway, a special guarantee that all of them get to say here for the rest of their lives merely by virtue of having come here illegally. And that, I think, is the great flaw in the final bill that came forward from the Senate.
Romney has to go negative in New Hampshire
he has hold NH
if he wants to stay in it
so John McCain
must know already
he's in for a politikal dogfight
if Romney falls in NH
it's ain't gonna get any easier for him
I believe Mitt Romney cares more about the welfare of our country than the power that comes with the office of President. He is straightforward in his views and seems honest and sincere. If you want to hear a lot of "politically correct" rhetoric, the other candidates are dishing it out in abundance. Romney has courage and says what he thinks. Maybe America isn't ready for that yet.
McCain's vow to go to the "gates of hell" is scary. It is a sign of radicalism. Translated it means he will chase down Osama at all costs even if that includes his own children or ours.
That kind of talk is not presidential. Sorry.
Wow the Romney politcal machine is in full swing here isn't it? It's interesing how unpopular he is in MA and yet there are so many Mitt supporters writing in to support him and trashing his opponents. People don't believe the hype Romney is an empty suit. He is married to the ideology he believes is necessary to win the Rupublican nomination and hopefully for him (not our nation) the presidency. He is firmly in the I love Bush, hate gays, pretend to like blacks, hire illegal immigrants and rail against them, don't raise taxes, but wil raise fees, pro-choice turned anti-abortion, insert his religion into our secular government camp. An empty suit by any other name.....that NH newspaper was right. At least you know what you're getting with other pols... Romney will say anything to get elected.
Also if Huckabee is so soft on crime and you're not, why didn't you spend more time interviewing your judges you certainly weren't doing anything else. You should take responsibility and not throw her under the bus when she did her job and everyone in the know knows it.
Hey Steve,
Did you really just say "anti-abortion"? Your creative use of liberal terminology clearly shows you have no place in this forum. The correct term here (translated from the hippie-turned-liberal lingo to contemporary English) is "pro-life" or if you insist on using the whole anti- prefix, "anti-murder". You choose. Oh, and notice that everyone else has been over the whole bigotry thing for a while.
Your post looks an awful lot like a recent paper's anti-endorsement. Face it - you're as scared as they are of a true Republican who will take your liberal friends to school in the general election.
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