GOP primary hinges on two issues
By Michael Kranish, Globe Staff
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Illegal immigration or foreign policy? With one day left in the countdown to the New Hampshire primary, one of those two issues could determine the outcome of the Republican primary. The question is, which is more important to GOP voters?
Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, has placed a big bet on the theory that voters care deeply about illegal immigration. He has spent large amounts of money on ads casting chief rival John McCain as a proponent of amnesty and Iowa caucus victor Mike Huckabee as a proponent of providing taxpayer-funded scholarships to children of illegal immigrants. If the attacks work, the Romney campaign could benefit at the polls.
But McCain, the Arizona senator and former Vietnam prisoner of war, is betting just as heavily that foreign policy and national security will be the decisive issue.
McCain has battled Romney on the issue of illegal immigration but has stuck by his basic position that illegal immigrants who have not otherwise committed crimes should be allowed to pay fines and, after getting in line behind legal immigrants, be allowed to seek citizenship. The 71-year-old McCain has staked his campaign on his experience in national security -- and, seeking to rebut arguments that he is too old and set in his ways to be an agent of change, has said his support for the surge strategy in Iraq is an example of effecting change.
On the campaign stump, McCain has mocked Romney for suggesting that a president does not have to be an expert in foreign policy. Romney has said it is more important to be a leader who consults with experts.
McCain has said he doesn't want to run attack ads. Instead, he has aired an ad that quotes The Concord Monitor saying Romney is a "phony." McCain's has produced an Internet-only ad that shows terrorists setting off bombs and ends with a focus on McCain's experience. The ad doesn't mention Romney. If McCain doesn't draw the big vote he needs tomorrow, he might look back and wonder if he should have focused on Romney's acknowledgement that he is not a foreign policy expert.
But McCain's experience argument may be working. A CNN poll released Sunday found that 40 percent of Republican primary voters believe McCain has the right experience, compared to 25 percent for Romney. The poll found no difference on the "change" argument: McCain and Romney were tied among Republican voters as being most likely to bring change.
Huckabee, meanwhile, is closing his campaign on the defensive. After his stunning victory in the Iowa caucuses, which was based heavily on his support from evangelicals, Huckabee has tried to make a more populist pitch in this more secular state. But after being hammered unsuccessfully by Romney in Iowa over his support for scholarships for children of illegal immigrants, Huckabee now is being attacked by Romney on his tax record.
In last night's debate, Romney repeatedly asked Huckabee whether he had raised taxes by a net of $500 million over 10 years. When Huckabee tried to explain that Arkansans approved raising taxes for road construction and a court ordered improvements in education, Romney pounced on him for declining to respond directly. At the same time, Huckabee has been criticized for his statement in Foreign Affairs magazine that the Bush administration has had an "arrogant bunker mentality." Huckabee's background as a minister and governor is not in foreign affairs, so he has followed Romney's lead in saying he will use his gubernatorial experience to be a leader.
Huckabee has sought to focus attention on what many analysts have noted is one of the most far-reaching proposal of the campaign, replacing the income tax with a national sales tax. But while any kind of anti-tax measure is viewed with interest in the Live Free or Die state, it has little chance for passage, and it has not become a central campaign issue.
To nobodies surprise slick Mitt has flipped and flopped on about every important issue. The man is a pathological liar, and will do and say anything to get elected. If you are looking for the new and improved John Kerry with side order of Bill Clinton Mr. Romney is your man. All I would ask of the fine citizens of this country is that you check out this website, to take an in-depth look at Mr. Romney. www.trueromney.com
See Mitt run from his record of losing jobs in MA and making people run from the state at a record pace. He joined them his last year in office, spending 212 days away from the state.
Nice how he conveniently came to the conclusion about illegal immigration. That didn't seem to be part of his gubernatorial run.
Wonder where that fervor came from and why it didn't extend to his painters and landscapers.
We should strap his candidacy to the roof, like his poor dog and drive it far, far away. All your money can't hide the shallow man you are.
The only way Republicans are going to win the White House in 08 is to win the change argument that is sweeping this country and beat Barrack Obama. Mitt Romney has the only chance to do this against the Demoncrats. John McCain will not win this argument with Obama. Obama will do to him what he is doing to Hillary Clinton - trounce him with independents. Mitt Romney is the Republicans only choice for victory in November.
Here's some poignant info on McCain....
http://www.nolanchart.com/article993.html
Here's some poignant info on McCain....
http://www.nolanchart.com/article993.html
Immigration should be everyone's first priority, we need to get a grip on our own country, stop giving the store away, turn back the border jumpers and ship the rest back to wherever they came from.
Enter legally, learn the language, and Oh by the way, no social security or welfare, we call it WORKING for a living and you MUST LEARN THE LANGUAGE to become a citizen. Enough is Enough, Mitt is the only candidate to address these issues.
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I have been listening to the Upper Class media today and for weeks talking about another gentleman from Hope. Most of the commentators agree the "bunker mentality" is a general election discussion Huckabee is moving toward. In truth Bush must be listening of late for he is beginning to move toward such a policy of talking to world leaders even our enemies the Foreign policy position Huckabee advocates in the article. Huckabee is a rare Republican that thinks using both sides of his brain and sees "green" cares about broken humanity and is endorsed by the NEA. He is a Republican cut of a different clothe that social conservatives, moderates and actually even some liberals can and will support! The elite and establishment Republicans despise Huckabee’s broken humanity policy and are praying the great fish (not a trout) of the bible will swallow him in the Republican primary sea! They mostly care about their money or selfishly the borders within their own habitation! The more they pray their Pharisaical prayers and preach their negative messages and God knows they are coming out of the woodwork the higher Mike goes in the Polls. I must say I am amused! There are even some right wing Arkansas Legislative Republicans that supported a policy which would allow migrant children to suffer or even possible die rather than provide for them medicine. They add to their position of closing the border (which Huckabee supports) an additional policy of not providing medication, or feeding the poor. They preach this policy as if it is from Jesus’s teachings. I am not sure what bible they have been reading. I have not found that policy in mine. The one I own and the one Mother Teresa read states “suffer the little children to come unto me”. I guess the Pharisaical Republicans have added to their bible we must ask what country the children come from and we must look at the color of their skin and if they are not “white American” they are illegal or different and we must not help them. You are right Governor Mike we are a better Country than that. Even Michael Moore is more right on this position than the right wing Pharisaical Republican Legislators fighting Mike Huckabee’s broken humanity policy that gives a human touch to Government.
I recall in a debate some years back when a Democrat said to a Republican candidate called Dan something to the effect “you are no John F. Kennedy”. Hmm, I think the press is finally getting it that Mike Huckabee is no Pat Robinson. Elect ability? Huckabee beat the Clinton machine in Arkansas four times so I’ll let you answer that. Ed Rollins Reagan’s Architect and now Mike’s still likes donuts and booze and may be getting older and balder but his memory is still good and I think he’s got one more winning campaign in him. Ed remembered Democrats prayed for the Republican nomination of B rated movie star and eventual Governor Ronnie Reagan in 1980 and their prayers were answered. I guess they forgot to pray about the general election for Reagan won with a landslide. I read a few days ago a headline on Drudge and elsewhere the Democrats were again in a “silent” prayer mode for another “B rated star” guy in this case the “Mike” guy called Huckabee who they want to be the Republican nominee. They better be careful what they pray for because he is clothed in the same clothe as Reagan a “Great Communicator and Chief”! I wonder if their prayers will be answered again. Yes we agree with Mike “Jesus is to smart to run for office” and let us add to take sides but I do look forward to watching those old rerun movies with a B star actor replaced by a “Mike” guy.
Polling has shown that the Democratic candidates have the issue advantage this year. There is one possible exception: illegal immigration. The nomination of John McCain would remove that. And it removes a choice for voters in the election between the Democratic and elite-media's amnesty and pro-illegal immigration agenda and the views of the majority of the electorate who oppose it.
Rahm Emanuel, who is considered to be the mastermind of Democratic congressional takeover, said that illegal immigration "has emerged as the third rail of American politics, and anyone who doesn't realize that isn't with the American people." "This issue captures all the American people's anger and frustration not only with immigration, but with the economy. This is a big problem."
The race and ethnicity obsessed Democrats can't deal with this and if the Republicans don't cede the issue by nominating one of the amnesty candidates, they have an issue with legs that not only speaks to the base of the their party but to many independents and rank and file Democrats.
While it's not irrelevant to consider what the candidates have done and said in the past on issues, that should take a back seat to first considering their current stated positions. We should examine, parse and seek clarification of candidate's position in the context of this campaign before we deciding if there is a need to go back. If what they currently advocate is unacceptable why investigate any further? On the other hand, we might like what they say now but feel a need to go back to assess whether we can believe them. But if we don't like what they currently offer in policy that should be enough.
McCain is a bad choice for 6 reasons.
1. He is against tax cuts.
2. He is for illegal alien amnesty.
3. The McCain/Feingold bill.
4. The gang of 14
5. For all of the reasons above he is not supported by Conservatives in the Republican party.
6. For all of the reasons above this, he is unelectable in the general election.
Romney gets blamed for Massachusetts' woes, but the reality is it is the Democrats who have acused it with constaxt taxing and no breaks for business. The evidence is how much worse it has gotten with deval Patrick as Governor.
On that subject, it certainly appears to me that Obama is Patrick on a national level. he has a great "bring us together" message, but he has no substanitive plan behind him. I have not heard him give any plan for anything he is proposing. He just keeps saying "change" and "togetherness" but he has no plan to accomplish anything. I am afraid he may just end up like Patrick has in MA -- a giant mess.
I am amazed that McCain is getting so much support in NH. I am an conservative Arizonan that supported McCain in 2000, but I would never support him now. There are so many conservative issues that JM has voted against in congress--i.e. marriage ammendment. I can't tell you a single friend in JM's home state that currently supports him. I will be surprised if McCain wins his own state. I think Mitt is the one that will actually get the job done in Washington. If you look at what he has done in his home state, how can you not support him. Mitt has a lot more support in his own democratic state than John McCain has in Arizona.
I am surprised to read all these things about illegal immigration, blaming people who work hard for their money. The U.S. lost jobs when NAFTA was implemented, and good paying jobs were taking accross the border, these jobs went from paying people $15/ hour to $3 a day. It is plain greed and the American people are not looking at that. The feeling that immigrants are taking jobs from an Americans is just a big lie. It is corporate america who took your jobs not the hard working immigrants who are looking for the american dream working and doing the jobs americans do not want to do. I am for amenesty because we can no longer keep destroying families by deporting their parents, needless to say sending our kids to a war which is another big lie. Lets face it corporate america lied to us and president Bush invented the war in Irak. Lets bring our kids home and open up the border with free trade. not lies anymore. ....
I applaud John McCain for being practical about our illegal immigrant situation. It's physically impossible to roundup the 12M people Mitt Romney claims he would roundup let alone return them to their home countries. Waiting for departure at American Airports might be considered cruel and inhuman punishment if this was a Saturday Night Live skit - which is the net of this discussion.
This is not the John McCain of 2000, and I am voting for Obama. America needs a flexible, thinking President who won't be reluctant to make decisions that may not result in re-election. It's ironic that many candidates adopted "change" as soon as Obama did well in Iowa. If Obama sweeps New Hampshire and is shown drinking a Pepsi, we'll probably see most of the other candidates unloading Pepsi delivery trucks in South Carolina.
We don't have too many "Four More Years" left in us - the world is wise to us. We talk tough and then plod our way militarily on as many fronts as needed. Who cares if we can erect a missle defense system in Europe when we can't afford to both drive our card and heat our homes?
Enforce border laws and enforce the laws that fine employers who hire illegals will stop them from crossing our borders illegally and the rest will go home on their own.
McCains solution does nothing but entice others to break the law. The $5000 fine he talks obout will never be paid but the illegals will be able to get social security benifits.
America isn't that stupid and thats why they stopped the amnesty bill
I believe we should fine companies that take jobs in the US to other countries.
Why fine the employers who are keeping the jobs in America. Let's be rational and don't be blind by the propaganda of greed.....
I believe we should fine companies that take jobs in the US to other countries.
Why fine the employers who are keeping the jobs in America. Let's be rational and don't be blind by the propaganda of greed.....
Mitt Romney is the Republicans only choice for victory in November.
Posted by Steve January 7, 08 10:01 AM
Then the Greedy Old People party is in dire trouble.
If you keep inviting all the Jesus Freaks, Gun Nuts, Gay/Brown skin haters
to the party sooner or later the crazies are going to outnumber the true conservatives.
You guys have finally did it.
Congratulations, Couldn't happen to a worse bunch of people.
You haven't won a Presidential election without stealing it since 1988.
This year it won't be close enough to steal.
Mitt Romney is the Republicans only choice for victory in November.
Posted by Steve January 7, 08 10:01 AM
Then the Greedy Old People party is in dire trouble.
If you keep inviting all the Jesus Freaks, Gun Nuts, Gay/Brown skin haters
to the party sooner or later the crazies are going to outnumber the true conservatives.
You guys have finally did it.
Congratulations, Couldn't happen to a worse bunch of people.
You haven't won a Presidential election without stealing it since 1988.
This year it won't be close enough to steal.
Mitt Romney is the Republicans only choice for victory in November.
Posted by Steve January 7, 08 10:01 AM
Then the Greedy Old People party is in dire trouble.
If you keep inviting all the Jesus Freaks, Gun Nuts, Gay/Brown skin haters
to the party sooner or later the crazies are going to outnumber the true conservatives.
You guys have finally did it.
Congratulations, Couldn't happen to a worse bunch of people.
You haven't won a Presidential election without stealing it since 1988.
This year it won't be close enough to steal.
When will you Goopers wake up and stop being used by the Cons and your corporate masters. .
They only use these issues to get your votes then they don't care.
Bush has been in office for 8 years. Even after 9/11 he has done nothing about illegal immigration or our borders. Nothing.
Since 1980 you have had 20 years of Gooper Presidents appointing judges and abortion is still legal.
Gay Marriage. Oh well.
Tax cuts. America is headed to it's second recession under GOP tax cuts.
Under Reagan the savings and loans industry had to be bailed out.
Any surprise that under Bush leadership we are now going to have to bail out the mortgage industry.
Why steal an election if you can't run the country after you steal it.
How those latest job numbers working for ya. And to think a liberal tax raising fool like Clinton left Bush a surplus which he quickly turned into the largest deficit in American History.
I saw two great campaign signs in NH.
Vote Gooper for the End of America with a Bin Laden picture and a Bomb Iran Vote McCain sign.
After voting for the worst President in history you guys should be forced to watch the grown ups vote.
Anybody seen Bin Laden. It’s only been 6 years. Another Gooper promise not fulfilled.
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