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Romney defends McCain, parries VP talk

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor June 24, 2008 04:22 PM

In his latest TV appearance on John McCain's behalf, Mitt Romney this afternoon gave full defenses of McCain on healthcare and a gaffe by a top adviser, but shied from any vice presidential talk.

Pressed during an interview on MSNBC on whether he might be on the Republican ticket, Romney refused to speculate on what he called the VP "sweepstakes."

"He's got terrific people to choose from," the former Massachusetts governor said, adding later. "I'm just going to stay away from that."

He had no such reticence in promoting McCain's healthcare plan and disputing Elizabeth Edwards, wife of 2004 Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards, who said on MSNBC just before Romney appeared that McCain's proposal would wreck the current employer-based system.

Romney said McCain only wants to give people the option to buy their own coverage, with a $5,000 tax credit, and take it with them from job to job. Now, employers get a tax break to help them offer insurance to workers.

Romney also said while he supports the healthcare plan he pushed through in Massachusetts, McCain wants to let each state craft their own plan to meet their needs.

"I like what we did in Massachusetts for Massachusetts," he said, though during the Republican primaries, he distanced himself from some elements of the plan that rubbed conservatives the wrong way.

Romney, who has been one of McCain's most active surrogates on the campaign trail, also downplayed adviser Charlie Black's comments that another terrorist strike in the United States would boost McCain's election chances.

Romney said strategy talk has "very little" to do with McCain's stout anti-terror policies, which he said voters want.

UPDATE: On CNN, Romney disavowed "that kind of political punditry," referring to Black's comments.

"It's an unthinkable scenario," he said.

He repeated that candidates should not be characterized by punditry, but by their policies.

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3 comments so far...

  1. Mitt Romney is great! I wish he were the Republican nominee, and Hillary Clinton the Democratic nominee. Then we would have a real race between competent, knowledgeable people. McCain and Obama are both so mediocre that they really make me sick.

    Posted by MMK June 25, 08 08:18 AM

  1. McCain, Shut Down the Fear-Baiting-Chatter...

    It is a sad day in America when a presumptive Presidential nominee’s message and political platform is so weak that senior staffers in his campaign feel that "a fresh terrorist attack 'certainly would be a big advantage'” to his winning the White House.

    No... McCain should emphatically “shut down” that type of fear-baiting-chatter among people in his camp. Then, immediately hold an Obama-style-Pennsylvania-race-relations speech–– right near where the Twin Towers once stood and on the 4th of July. He needs to use that speech to assure the American people that if he is elected President of the United States, he will work hard to reduce this toxic “atmosphere of fear” that has festered and seemingly been encouraged to hover over the land since September 11th.

    Anything short of that will make Mr. Black’s comments appear staged and (‘wink-wink-nod-nod’) approved by the McCain campaign for political gain.
    www.vberryhill-soulvoice.blogspot.com

    Posted by Vivian Berryhill June 25, 08 09:20 AM

  1. Romney is my choice for VP! McCain needs a conservative VP on his side in order to preserve the Republican base...as it is definitely becoming more liberal with him in office. Between him and Obama, I honestly like Obama a lot more, but I will be sadly voting for McCain as his stance on issues are more like mine. I think that Obama definitely is a pretty sharp looking guy, but he has nothing to actually back him up. I really do not think he is ready to be President for America. We need someone like Romney to take on our foreign affairs and economic issues as well as taking a stance on preserving the nature of the family unit. Romney has my vote 100% even though he is not the nominee this upcoming election, though I hope he is picked to be VP. McCain should pick Romney as his VP if he wants to win the election. Romney will keep McCain in line during a McCain Administration period. Mitt 4 Veep!!!

    Posted by Joey June 26, 08 05:29 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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