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Romney gives primary-eve address on auto industry

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor January 14, 2008 12:53 PM

By Michael Levenson, Globe Staff

DETROIT -- On the eve of what could be a make-or-break Michigan primary for his presidential hopes, Mitt Romney pledged today to help revive the beleaguered auto industry and save thousands of jobs.

If he wins the White House, "I will roll up my sleeves, and I will personally bring together industry, labor, congressional and state leaders to develop a plan to rebuild America's automotive leadership," he told the Detroit Economic Club, in a closely watched speech in a state with the nation's highest unemployment rate.

Washington, he said, should give the auto companies flexibility on higher fuel efficiency standards for vehicle, as well as increase funding for research from $4 billion to $20 billion and provide new tax benefits for research and development.

Romney said that there is "no one silver bullet," and that he is the only candidate with the business experience to follow through on a multifaceted solution.

"Washington politicians look at Michigan and see a rust belt," he said in remarks prepared for delivery. "But the real rust is in Washington. The pessimist will point to an empty factory and a laid off worker and say they have no future. Instead, I see a vital infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and an innovative spirit all worthy of an optimistic vision and deserving of a leader who will work tirelessly to deliver the power and potential of Michigan and the American people."

Rival John McCain's campaign immediately responded by issuing a statement from Jane Swift, who was acting governor before Romney, then elbowed aside by Romney in the GOP primary.

"Michigan voters shouldn't be fooled by Mitt Romney's latest campaign promises of economic development and job growth," Swift said, accusing Romney of raising fees and presiding over manufacturing job growth that was third worst in the country.

"Mitt Romney even advocated a new SUV tax that would have hurt the same American auto industry in Michigan that he now claims to champion," Swift added in the statement. "Mitt Romney has a reputation of saying anything to win. A comparison of his record versus his rhetoric on the economy shows why."

72 comments so far...
  1. OK SWIFT, just how many businesses have you brought out of the gutter to success???? Romney doesn't just talk, HE DOES!!! He's done it before, not once, but many times. My vote is for ROMNEY!!!!!

    Posted by WA GAL January 14, 08 01:37 PM
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  1. Romney is the turn around King! If you want some one to turn around the US economy its Romney. If you want new jobs, new business opportunities vote Romney! If you want peace around the world vote Romney! If you want real change in washington Vote Romney

    Posted by joel January 14, 08 01:54 PM
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  1. Good for Jane Swift for going after the most Disingenuous politician ever.
    I now have respect for Jane Swift

    Posted by EO January 14, 08 02:06 PM
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  1. I think the interesting thing in Romney's speech is that he has some ideas. We have known for a long time that the auto industry is important to our economy and as we compete in the world today - there must be support from the government to help those driving industries in our country. I applaud the ideas from Romney and would have preferred McCain to counter with a better idea vs. Swift's negative accusations.

    Posted by Mister January 14, 08 02:14 PM
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  1. Why anyone would request and print comments from Jane Swift about anything is truely amazing? Jane Swift was a clueless governor and the fact that Mitt pushed her aside with very little effort proves this point.

    Posted by Vinnie Tewksbury January 14, 08 02:23 PM
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  1. Of course Romney will say anything to win. He's the most disingenuous person I've ever seen. His stance on positions makes John Kerry look absolutely consistent. This guys is nothing more than a chameleon in an expensive suit. He changes colors more often than the winds change direction. Anybody who votes for Mitt Romney does not have enough self respect to demand that he tell them the truth.

    Posted by Mark January 14, 08 02:27 PM
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  1. WA Gal and Joel....Are you from Massachusetts? What turn around occurred here?
    I voted for him and felt betrayed. Cities and towns are a mess thanks to his leaderships cuts in local aide. Fees doubled and tripled or worse. Every move he made was a shallow effort to move on to presedential politics. I honestly feel he was the worst governor in many years. I will not waste a vote on him again

    Posted by Loaner January 14, 08 02:28 PM
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  1. WA Gal and Joel....Are you from Massachusetts? What turn around occurred here?
    I voted for him and felt betrayed. Cities and towns are a mess thanks to his leaderships cuts in local aide. Fees doubled and tripled or worse. Every move he made was a shallow effort to move on to presedential politics. I honestly feel he was the worst governor in many years. I will not waste a vote on him again

    Posted by Loaner January 14, 08 02:29 PM
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  1. Obviously neither "WA GAL" or "joel" live in Massachusetts. Sure Romney didn't raise taxes, but he sure as heck increased the number and the cost of fees that were levied on those of us who live here. Romney did nothing during his tenure but make it hard to "Make it in Massachusetts" and seek the Presidency.

    As a Governor, he was one of our worst and though I'm no fan of Jane Swift, in retrospect she would have done MUCH better given the chance.

    Posted by Ricster January 14, 08 02:30 PM
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  1. nice one mccain...more defeatism...this time sponsored by swift sour grapes. how 'bout putting on a happy face and acknowledging that your sheltered senate life would offer you know clues on how to ameliorate the u.s. auto industry. and that romney is by far the most qualified leader on either side of the race. you'd make a great secretary of defense in a romney presidency...assuming you could get over all the vitriol of all personal attacks you've lobbed at him. go romney!

    Posted by jbec January 14, 08 02:31 PM
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  1. Romney "turned around" companies by laying off thousands of American workers and outsourcing the jobs to other countries. It is laughable that after a career of making the rich richer by gutting companies of American jobs, he is pretending to care about the auto industry. MA job growth was terrible when he was here. Like Bush, he may have an MBA but that does not make you a good leader in outside the boardroom. Look at the economy of George Bush, can we afford 4 more years? McCain tells the truth about job growth, while Romney flips and flops depending on the audience- big government for Michigan's auto industry problems and small government to NH. He will lose Michigan the way he lost in NH and IA because the voters know a flip-flopping phoney.

    Posted by John January 14, 08 02:34 PM
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  1. Romney, at Bain Capital, has a far greater record of LAYING WORKERS OFF and outsourcing them, than adding new jobs. To say otherwise is just laughable.

    Posted by MJ January 14, 08 02:36 PM
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  1. People keep saying he was governor of Massachusetts, but I live here and I barely remember him being here. Oh, that's right...because he didn't really do anything of note except pick up a title to help him try to get to the presidency. He can't claim credit for the leading-edge health insurance plan, or any sort of economic growth.

    Posted by BK January 14, 08 02:36 PM
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  1. Rommey is two-faced and a liar. He did nothing for the state of Massachusetts and he will be useless as a President. Don't vote for Rommey. He cannot be trusted.

    Posted by Lisa January 14, 08 02:42 PM
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  1. Hey Jane,

    Who's providing your daycare now that you're out of the State House and can't have your aides mind your kids for free?

    You could have been a great role model for women like me who were so happy to see a young Republican Woman serve as the governor of this state but you let us down time and time again.

    Just slink off into the corner and try not to let the green monster of envy eat you up too much.

    Posted by Jenny January 14, 08 02:44 PM
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  1. Mitt's Done, Cooked, he is nothing but a fraud. He wasnt the worst state leader we had, I think the current lazy governer we have takes that position but Romney cant be trusted!

    Posted by RomJor January 14, 08 02:44 PM
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  1. Jane is Right! Romney the bully came into Massachusetts with his money and pushed her aside...she would have been a lot better than he was! Then he stepped on us as he "stepped up" to his run for the White House. Romney is the KING FLIP FLOPPER of Massachusetts: change your opinions on abortion, taxes, gay rights, women's rights, government, etc., just to say what you can to get elected. I have a new found respect for Governor Swift!

    Posted by Matt January 14, 08 02:46 PM
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  1. It's a pity that the auto industry sees the higher mileage standards as unnecessary government interference instead of what the measure really is: a last-gasp effort to urge the industry to make itself competitive on the world stage. Why do they think that Toyota has overtaken Ford as #2? Could it be because consumers as a whole tend to value reliability and value instead of driving up cliffs as we see on the ads? Romney should emphasize what's REALLY good for Michigan...using the infrastructure and experience to lead a 21st century manufacturing revolution that China can't touch

    Posted by Victor January 14, 08 02:49 PM
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  1. John you moron - you know NOTHING about Romney's business background. Look at the tens of thousands of jobs he created by building such companies as Staples, Sports Authority, and Dominos pizza rather than the one company that laid off a couple hundred people. Not all companies are good companies and layoffs do happen i.e Ford Motor Company. If the American economy as a whole mirrors what Romney did for jobs during his time in business we would be untouchable. Get the facts straight before you make such a nonsensical comment.

    Posted by Tom January 14, 08 02:56 PM
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  1. Swift, you complete hack. Who are you??? What have you done other than ride Celucci's coat tails to the State House?? Have you ever turned around a business, a state, or an international event?? The only thing you know how to turn-around is a taxpayer-funded helicopter to get you back and forth from the Berkshires. No one wants to hear from you - you were a disgrace as acting governor and a disgrace to working mothers.

    Posted by Tom January 14, 08 02:58 PM
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  1. I find it amazing that anyone would publish comments from Jane Swift about Mitt Romney without making the point that Mitt took the governorship away from Jane. Jane Swift’s comments about Mitt Romney have no credibility. Jane Swift became Governor of MA when Paul Celucci became US Ambassador to Canada. There is no way Jane Swift would have been elected to a full four year term as Governor on her own.

    Posted by Bob Cambridge January 14, 08 03:01 PM
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  1. As a Massachusetts Republican who voted for Romney, I too echo the comments from Loaner and Ricster. Terribly let down and disappointed. Romney started running for president the day he was elected governor and did nothing to address the systemic budget issues that face the commonwealth and it's cities and town.

    On his commitment to issues vs. his commitment to his own ambition, one only need look at his history on gay rights and abortion.

    On his business expertise, well he campaigned for Governor on leveraging that expertise for economic development. Never quite got around to it though.

    As for turn-arounds; sure, give him a short term finite crisis (like the Olympics scandals and the ceiling tile in the Big Dig) and he'll wow you. Just don't wait for the root of the problems to be addressed. Mitt will be too busy capitalizing on his new resume line.

    Posted by Peter B January 14, 08 03:02 PM
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  1. Romney this, Romney that! You people that think he is so great, I have some snake oil I want to sell you for cheap and if you like that, I also have a bridge and an island thats going cheap. Those of us that live in MA, know very well that he used and abused us to get some national attention so he could run for president.
    He was out of state more often than he was in. The only time he showed up was when he was in front of a camera.

    The only good thing about Romney running for president is that he is spending his money. I just hope he stays in the race longer so he can spend another few million.

    Posted by John January 14, 08 03:03 PM
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  1. Romney is a chameleon; anyone who says that the industrial jobs in Michigan can be brought back is either in a serious state of denial or lying. Those jobs are all in China now. We simply cannot compete with China, Mexico & others because of labor costs in this country. Romney knows this. Romney truely will say ANYTHING to get elected. In fact it is quite ironic that he says his economic policies would bring those jobs back to Michigan, when he built his business career on breaking up such under performing companies.

    Posted by Rouse January 14, 08 03:07 PM
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  1. Correct me if I'm wrong, but after running as "the jobs governor" and promising to use his personal rolodex to bring jobs to Massachusetts, MA was 49 out of 50 states in new job creation. Ironically, only Michigan was worse. Mr Romney's private sector success did not translate to the public sector. I pity the people of Michigan if they believe anything this guy is saying about him helping their state.

    Posted by Ed January 14, 08 03:09 PM
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  1. I live in Massachusetts and voted for Romney... I found him to be pure arrogant politician. He will say anything to get what he wants, search old archaic laws for ways to support his position when his position is voted down by locals (it's called the constitution, Mitt!), can be REALLY nasty and is nearly apoplectic when you disagree with him or don't support his position. I warn anyone not to vote for him.

    Posted by Maggie January 14, 08 03:10 PM
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  1. Here in Western Mass., we refer to Romney as our "drive-by governor". Nice suit, nice hair, no substance. And his presidential campaign has proven how extraordinarly disingenuous he really is. Good luck, Williard!!

    Posted by Dennis January 14, 08 03:13 PM
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  1. I felt Romney did a vaguely adequate job as governor, and wasn't particularly impressed with the Swift-ster, by any means. But seeing this radical change to fit the right-wing mold in order to get support from the one group he thinks would back him all the way just puts the whole thing in perspective. He was a moderate governor in MA because that's the role he had to play to get the job. Now he wants to be president in the world that (somehow) let Bush take charge, with the neocon and religious rights making themselves felt so strongly, so he's completely reinvented his image to try to become what they want. Is there a real Mitt in there? Considering his apparent lack of any value in his own convictions I'm not sure it's really worth it to find out. But Romney surely is not going to do anything to improve much in the US, and while I endured him as governor there's no way I could stomach him as president. Eight years of extraordinary patience to get through Bush only to be followed by Romney might just be too much to handle.

    All I can say about Swift is it's nice to see one honest observation from her at least, now that she's living life off in the wings somewhere.

    Posted by Stephen January 14, 08 03:28 PM
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  1. Romney did a great job as Governor. He gave us the first government in 20 years that was not driven by cronyism. Most criticism of him comes from the far left who are upset that he actually tried to build up the Republican party, he actually asked communities to tighten their belts so that we could have a balanced budget, he actually stuck his ground on conservative issues, he actually appointed judges without reference to party and ideology but with respect to competence in interpreting the law.

    I voted for Romney and would do it again...because he actually governed in a competent, reasonable fashion.

    It's funny that folks who talk about a "drive by" governor seem to have no problem with our "drive by" senator who campaigned for the presidency. Pure politics.

    Posted by bill January 14, 08 03:29 PM
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  1. As weak a governor as Jane Swift was, Mitt Romney was an unmitigated disaster. On his watch Massachusetts infrastructure decayed, and now virtually every publicly owned asset, from roads to trains to parks to tunnels, is failing apart. He was gutless in confronting the mismanagement of the Big Dig, even though he ran promising to fix it.

    Mitt Romney is an empty suit, whose thinking consists of hackneyed sound bites and changes depending on who he is talking to.

    Posted by Chris January 14, 08 03:49 PM
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  1. So Jane Swift basically says that Romney was like every other governor the state has had in recent history (including acting governors)? I had a lot more respect for John McCain before he started using Jane Swift as a tool. He should be better than that.

    Posted by Tim January 14, 08 03:49 PM
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  1. Romney is the biggest sociopathic egotistic liar with no integrity. He has no passion for anything or anyone except for himself and that's why he is running. I can't believe why so many idiots are being fooled by him.

    Posted by Romney Phoney January 14, 08 03:52 PM
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  1. I think Romney is nothing better than a used car salesman. Yes the suit is more expensive and the look is more polished but he is talking out of both sides of his mouth and I'd hate to think where we would be if he gets elected.

    I used to live in MA but haven't been there since he served as Governor. Is there anything he actually accomplished that qualifies him to be President?

    For that matter what is his position on anything? Other than trying to court Christian conservatives by telling them he's suddenly anti-abortion I'm not sure I understand what is campaign stands for? It seems he's so busy outspending his rivals on negative attack ads he hasn't bothered to form a personal message.

    Posted by NRS January 14, 08 03:57 PM
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  1. Jane Swift is spot on about "say anything to win Romney" - whose record from '94 to the present says it all.

    Posted by twilliams January 14, 08 03:59 PM
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  1. Romney is just another empty suit.....

    Posted by John Cahill January 14, 08 04:04 PM
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  1. And don't forget Mr. I Can Do What I Did in the Private Sector in the Public Sector's huge failure in 2004 to take over the Legislature by fielding GOP candidates in many races. Not only did it galvanize legislative opposition, it set back the Mass. GOP about 10 years and lost seats! Mitt gambled and lost and where is he now? Just like everything else, the state's GOP apparatus was disposable to him.

    Posted by A.T. January 14, 08 04:08 PM
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  1. Romney did not bring jobs to Massachusetts as he promised. During his governorship, MA republicans left the party in droves. The governorship was a stepping stone to national politics for him. National politics and the presidency is but an expensive hobby for him; he does not care one bit about people or public service. If Romney is elected president, he can be expected to trample on the civil rights of Americans and anyone who gets in his way.

    Posted by Sue Connaughton January 14, 08 04:10 PM
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  1. I like the paid Romney hacks posting to this forum. Like anyone from Massachusetts would support Mitt - that's a good one. The guy is doomed. Let's all hope he goes to some far off state (Utah?) after he drops out of the race (which will no doubt be soon).

    Posted by mike January 14, 08 04:12 PM
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  1. Anybody who's interested in a really good analysis of mitt should go to http://RomneyFacts.com for the 'Facts on Mitt Romney'. Some good stuff here. While Jane Swift may not be my favorite either, she's making a valid point and I think McCain is quite right to have her say this. This race gets a whole lot slimier than this!

    Posted by Frank Best January 14, 08 04:24 PM
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  1. Too afraid to post the truth on the poll numbers and blatant inaccuracy Mr. Blogger? Typical.

    Posted by LDM in NH January 14, 08 04:37 PM
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  1. Actually WA Gal and Joel probably do live in MA... because they CLEARLY work for Romney... they seem almost scripted... kind of like there should be a line at the end: "I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message"

    Posted by Dan January 14, 08 04:50 PM
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  1. You go Jane! I would have loved to see you run the state for 4 years. What did Romney do except waste lots of time and taxpayers money to set his own conservative presidential agenda by focusing so much on gay marriage.

    Posted by MSL January 14, 08 04:52 PM
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  1. Jane Swift may have been a clueless governor, but she's spot on when it comes to Romney - he will do/say whatever it takes to win. He has moved from marketing himself as a moderate to be governor here, to a radical right winger to be president. He didn't raise taxes directly in Massachusetts but he effectively did first, by raising user fees and secondly, by drastically cutting local aid to cities and towns which then required them to dramatically cut services or hike property taxes. He also "saved" money by deferring maintenance on state held properties - roads, bridges, even the state community colleges, state colleges and university. During his tenure job creation was second to last in the country. As for the lack of cronyism, other than going after Bulger (William not Whitey), Romney did nothing to end cronyism, he just changed its complexion - he dismantled the judicial nominating committee when they didn't produce judges right wing enough for him, he stacked the Board of Higher Ed and UMass Board of Trustees with totally incompetent insiders.

    Posted by Nancy G January 14, 08 04:58 PM
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  1. Michigan listen very carefully... if you think you can believe this huckster then you are sadly mistaken. Any promise made about the auto industry runs counter to his actual business history. Lowering mileage standards would make American automobiles less competitive, not more! Other than that his claims are entirely vacant of substance. We were very happy to see him leave Massachusetts and he didn't run for governor because he probably would've lost.

    Michigan, to paraphrase Nancy Reagan "Just say no Mitt!"

    Posted by Dale January 14, 08 04:59 PM
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  1. Better see what the former Mass. Governor says about Romney. SHe didn't even get paid to say it!

    "Before Romney had even finished delivering the speech one of McCain’s surrogates, Former Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift, issued a response:”Michigan voters shouldn’t be fooled by Mitt Romney’s latest campaign promises of economic development and job growth. They need to look closely at his record in Massachusetts, where manufacturing job growth was third-worst in the country and taxes and ‘fees’ increased by over $700 million per year. Mitt Romney even advocated a new SUV tax that would have hurt the same American auto industry in Michigan that he now claims to champion. Mitt Romney has a reputation of saying anything to win. A comparison of his record versus his rhetoric on the economy shows why.”

    (source Fox news) http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/01/14/romney-addresses-the-detroit-economic-club/

    The USA toady polls show Romney is in third place

    http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/poll-tracker.htm#Close

    Posted by Dan Campbell January 14, 08 05:09 PM
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  1. Say anything to get elected?? Romney proposed a tax BREAK for low-energy vehicles like hybrids and EVs and McCain characterizes that as a proposed tax INCREASE for SUVs and gas hogs??!! Whatever happened to the Straight Talk Express?? Vote Romney if you want to change the fate of the Nation for the better.

    Posted by Dan January 14, 08 05:21 PM
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  1. Those of us who lived in Massachusetts under Romney know that he did nothing for the state. There were no improvements in anything, just higher fees and the same old taxes, fewer jobs and little else.

    Romney didn't run again for re-election - and good thing for him, because polls showed that there was no way he could have won reelection after his lackluster performance.

    But Mitt is very smart and capable at one thing: self promotion. He's a super-star at carefully going into a situation, grabbing any credit he can get, and adding it to his resume as a "turn around king". But rest well, as you know at the end of the day, he'll deliver nothing. Status Quo for Mitt.

    Posted by Robert McFee January 14, 08 05:38 PM
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  1. Michigan Romney Backer Switches to Huckabee
    by John Gizzi
    Posted: 01/14/2008

    As most polls of likely primary voters in Michigan now show a near-tie between Republicans Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, and John McCain, the Romney camp got a jolt Saturday as a key backer announced he was switching his support to Huckabee.

    With three days to go before the primary, State Rep. Fulton J. Sheen of Allegan County, introduced Huckabee at the Amway Grand Hotel and announced he was changing to the former Arkansas governor from native Michigander Romney. In an exclusive interview the evening before his announcement, stalwart conservative Sheen — namesake-nephew of the legendary Roman Catholic bishop in the 1940’s and ‘50’s — said that Romney’s attacks on Huckabee’s Fair Tax proposal convinced him to switch to the Arkansas man.

    source
    http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=24432&page=1&cp=1#hec95554

    I am jumping up and down!!!!!!!!! Huckabee all the way!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by Dan Campbell January 14, 08 06:10 PM
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  1. Michigan Romney Backer Switches to Huckabee
    by John Gizzi
    Posted: 01/14/2008

    As most polls of likely primary voters in Michigan now show a near-tie between Republicans Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, and John McCain, the Romney camp got a jolt Saturday as a key backer announced he was switching his support to Huckabee.

    With three days to go before the primary, State Rep. Fulton J. Sheen of Allegan County, introduced Huckabee at the Amway Grand Hotel and announced he was changing to the former Arkansas governor from native Michigander Romney. In an exclusive interview the evening before his announcement, stalwart conservative Sheen — namesake-nephew of the legendary Roman Catholic bishop in the 1940’s and ‘50’s — said that Romney’s attacks on Huckabee’s Fair Tax proposal convinced him to switch to the Arkansas man.

    source
    http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=24432&page=1&cp=1#hec95554

    I am jumping up and down!!!!!!!!! Huckabee all the way!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by Dan Campbell January 14, 08 06:11 PM
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  1. Michigan Romney Backer Switches to Huckabee
    by John Gizzi
    Posted: 01/14/2008

    As most polls of likely primary voters in Michigan now show a near-tie between Republicans Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, and John McCain, the Romney camp got a jolt Saturday as a key backer announced he was switching his support to Huckabee.

    With three days to go before the primary, State Rep. Fulton J. Sheen of Allegan County, introduced Huckabee at the Amway Grand Hotel and announced he was changing to the former Arkansas governor from native Michigander Romney. In an exclusive interview the evening before his announcement, stalwart conservative Sheen — namesake-nephew of the legendary Roman Catholic bishop in the 1940’s and ‘50’s — said that Romney’s attacks on Huckabee’s Fair Tax proposal convinced him to switch to the Arkansas man.

    source
    http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=24432&page=1&cp=1#hec95554

    I am jumping up and down!!!!!!!!! Huckabee all the way!!!!!!!!!!

    Posted by Dan Campbell January 14, 08 06:12 PM
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  1. Funny how every debate between Mitt and (fill in the blank) goes something like this...

    Supporter: "Mitt did this... (List of past and present accomplishments)"

    Detractor: "Mitt is (list of personal attacks on Mitt)"


    Why can’t you just talk about the accomplishments of the candidate you support... or is he suspiciously lacking in that department...

    Posted by RonPaul January 14, 08 06:43 PM
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  1. I agree with the other MA people who have experience with Romney's style of governing. Romney is an ultraconservative who will say whatever it takes to get the vote. He campaigned as a moderate - he is not. He dissed MA (while he was still our governor) when he started his presidential run. He didn't work with our representatives in the statehouse. He is arrogant, homophobic, and a liar.

    Posted by Diane January 14, 08 07:02 PM
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  1. At one time I was the biggest supporter of Mitt Romney you could find in Massachusetts. After his four years as governor of Massachusetts and the changes that he has made in his stance on abortion and other issues I wouldn't vote him for dog catcher. When Romney was running for governor he was prochoice because it was what would help him get elected. Now he is running for president and he is prolife. Whether your prochoice or prolife why would you want to vote for a man that makes decisions according to what is best for him and not America?

    Posted by Jimmy Faletra January 14, 08 07:17 PM
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  1. Romney is the ultimate "change" candidate - he's held every position on every major issue and it willing to hold those positions again, if elected.

    Posted by Roni S. January 14, 08 07:21 PM
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  1. Jane may not have been the best choice to offer a rebuttal, but who do the Republicans have as a leader in Massachusetts? No national leaders ( Senators or Congressmen) no elected leaders (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, etc.) not even many in the legislature to offer comments. However, she may have encouraged some outside reporter to examine Mitt's record as a Massachusetts Republican.

    Mitt did such a good job in his years as a local leader and expert in business that -

    The Boston Globe is now a part of the New York Times
    Fleet Boston Financial is now part of Bank of America
    Gillette is part of Proctor and Gamble
    etc.,etc.

    And we shouldn't expect much as of an effort to build a Republican majority in Congress. Remember how successful he was in his race for U.S.Senate.

    AHA

    Posted by Andrew Hunter January 14, 08 07:21 PM
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  1. Jane get a life and go away !!

    Posted by Jim January 14, 08 08:32 PM
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  1. Besides all the other things he did wrong, Mitt also destroyed what was left of the Massachusetts Republican Party. They fielded only one statewide candidate other than governor (Attorney General, defeated 3:1) and only had candidates in 3 out of 10 congressional seats. That's just pitiful.

    If Mitt's so good at fixing things, you would have thought he would have been able to convince a couple of people to run for office...

    Posted by Peter January 14, 08 08:50 PM
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  1. Who would Willard "Mitt" Romney's running mate be? "Chainsaw" Al Dunlap?

    Posted by Rick January 14, 08 09:05 PM
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  1. If you read the report on Romney's statement, it says that Washington "should give the auto companies flexibility on higher fuel efficiency standards for vehicle."

    That translates into, let Detroit sell as many guzzlers as it can.

    I can't see how that's helpful for anyone. It's that kind of thinking that got Detroit into the sinkhole it's in now.

    Energy prices will not be going down for the foreseeable future. I think people actually are ready for more efficient cars now.

    Posted by fredm January 14, 08 09:14 PM
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  1. Mitt is the biggest phoney to come down the pike since Jane came to town.

    Posted by johnson January 14, 08 09:19 PM
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  1. Romney's a venture capitalist, which means he leverages whatever he has to get the next thing he wants. That's what he did as governor, and we In MA are suffering from the lack of support for local government by the state under his watch. All those jobs he "created"- how many were simply taken away from competitors run over by Bain Capital's ability to flatten them?

    Posted by RC Smith January 14, 08 09:26 PM
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  1. Let's talk about our illustrious last four governors- all Republicans. Weld, walked out on us and left us Cellucci, a total waste of space who walked out on Massachusetts and left us Swift, who did her 8 hours a day commuting and calling for 6 of those hours and then we got Romney, who used the last year of his governorship to be a no show while he was canvassing the country to begin his presidential bid. I voted for Weld to break the deep-seated Democratic stronghold in this state. Sick of the Irish/Italians running this state with all their family members and friends in hack jobs, I voted for Romney because I believed he'd do a great job as an outsider. Democrat or Republican, they are all hacks and opportunity-seeking carpetbaggers.

    Posted by january13 January 14, 08 10:10 PM
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  1. It's simple. After serving as our governor, Romney will pull very few votes out of MA. The schmuck spent most of his time jetting around the country telling everyone how awful MA is despite our great schools, low divorce rates, and general lack of bible thumpers.

    His Dem opponent in his run to the governor's office could barely put a sentence together and most of his fund raising $$$ came from Utah. He generally sounds good and looks the part, but Jane Swift is spot on. If he had tried to run again, I doubt MA residents would have re-elected him.

    Posted by AG January 14, 08 10:20 PM
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  1. Mitt Romney is the Hillary Clinton of the Republican Party.

    Posted by Citizen January 14, 08 10:32 PM
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  1. Thank you Republicans and Independents for voting into the Presidencey - twice - a man who bankrupted three companies before he ran for President and who has now basically bankrupted the United States while making his friends rich.
    Now you think Romney is a good deal. Gee, I have loads of confidence in your judgement.

    Posted by Massachusetts resident January 14, 08 10:42 PM
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  1. Jane Swift makes me sick. She has been biding her time waiting for the moment she can get revenge on Romeny for being more electable and competent that she could ever dream of being.

    I consider the source on her comments/article, a weak, self-serving, ineffective leader who is still angry about a better candidate taking what she felt was her due.

    She gives professional women a bad name and is acting like a slighted teenager.

    Posted by sue January 14, 08 11:27 PM
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  1. i ran into Mit Romney at the world trade center site about 3 yrs ago i was in a suit and i am 5 2 135 lbs. i was alone . He had 3 bodyguards and when i said hello Mitt he was so frightened he cowered behind his body guards. I responded by saying its ok mitt im from Massachusetts and I recognized you as our govenor. He then came out from behind his guards and said hello. i was left with the impression of a very insecure man. I personally would be frightened if this man became president

    Posted by paulmattera January 14, 08 11:48 PM
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  1. Thank you to everyone who has tried to expose this golddigger. I'm sorry. He has enough gold. Power or prestige digger is more correct. He is without solid conviction on any issue. This man was an absentee governor in MA. Ask conservative MA Republicans. If they say otherwise, watch them stammer and blush. Why he is still in the race is a mystery to me.

    Posted by Neil January 15, 08 01:18 AM
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  1. Go Jane! She is absolutely right -- this guy will promise anything, and abandon every previous held belief (or at least things he CLAIMED to believe) to win. He is raising false hopes to Michigan voters -- let's hope they see it and pay him back. Of course Jane is paying Romney back a bit for pushing her out. Life's a b**** and so is...HE!!!

    Posted by Paul January 15, 08 01:59 AM
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  1. I am a Republican City Committee member who voted for both Romney and Swift and, in the Primary, I will vote for Rudy to "thank Mitt" for trashing Massachusetts at every turn on the campaign trail, for lying to me and all the other voters on the issues of Gay Rights and abortion, and for making Massachusetts third from the bottom in terms of job growth during his term here!

    Frankly, I hope Mitt wins in Michigan because, then, he will have to continue in the race and will have to pump yet more of his own money into his campaign. Go Michigan voters - elect Mitt - make him spend it all!

    Posted by BobofNewtn January 15, 08 04:18 AM
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  1. "Romney is telling the same stories that candidates have been doing to this country during elections for decades. The people of america are waking up. For those who do not wake up may very well watch their freedoms go down the drain and then you can ask Romney what you are to do. Those who cannot see the obvious candidate that wants to fight for our liberties, may not be able to speak or think for yourself.

    Posted by Curt January 15, 08 10:26 AM
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  1. Mitt is nothing more than a "Paper Tiger" to be pushed off the scene into third place abandon. Thank God!
    His bums rush through Massachusetts is catching up with him. His army of paid ants can shower him with phony glory but, the people of this commonwealth will not be silent on his true record of trashing our state. We will NOT be silent.
    You twenty-something that are on his band wagon had better start using the good sense that God gave you and find a more reliable guy to hang onto shirt tails instead of that creep. Keep posting glorious reviews of him and boast of it to your friends. After they stop laughing at you, maybe one of them will take you aside and explain what a loser Mitt is. Otherwise, find new friends because you are living in Alice and Wonderland following Mitt.

    Posted by Chaz_D January 15, 08 10:50 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.

Send your comments to masspolitics@globe.com

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