Posted on 01/30/2008 7:33:20 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. Mitt Romney said Wednesday that John McCain is out of the conservative mainstream, as the rivals for the Republican presidential nomination vied for votes in next weeks multistate primary.
Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, said McCain twice voted against President Bushs tax cuts and pushed campaign finance reforms that restricted fundraising and spending. The Republican establishment embraced the tax cuts and opposed the new campaign law, which many saw as more helpful to Democrats.
Those view are outside the view of mainstream Republican thought, Romney said in the opening moments of a debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. The forum came 24 hours after McCain won Florida presidential primary despite criticisms that he is too moderate on several issues dear to party loyalists.
McCain, an Arizona senator, disputed the claims, saying Im proud of my conservative record. He said Romney left Massachusetts with high taxes and a large debt. His job creation was the third worst in the country, McCain said.
Romney said McCain opposed Bushs first-term tax cuts because they were tilted largely toward the wealthy. But such a cut, Romney said, gets our rates down and stimulates the economy.
McCain said he opposes tax cuts not coupled with spending restraints. Republicans lost congressional seats in 2006 less because of the Iraq war than because of out-of-control spending that alienated conservatives, McCain said.
The 90-minute debate allowed McCain and Romney to focus on one another after Florida voters left no doubt they are the two viable contenders for their partys nomination. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani left the race earlier Wednesday and endorsed McCain.
(Excerpt) Read more at youdecide08.foxnews.com ...
welcome to my position. what took you so long
Marking.
Why do you guys insist on pulling down the best chance we have at beating Hillary?
Also, Senator McCain has done more anti-American, unconstitutional things as a legislator than both Hillary Clinton and Barack Hussein Obama combined.
Hillary is scary, and Obama is scary. What they talk about and stand for is frightening for the future of America. But John McCain has actually done the things they want, not just talked about them.
He has actually violated the First Amendment nationally, openly and with a finger to conservatives.
He has openly campaigned and legislated to encourage illegal immigration, grant them amnesty and give them taxpayer-funded benefits to boot.
He has joined with Democrats to stifle the so-called "nuclear option" that would have ended the Democrats' arrogant and obstructionist filibusters of President Bush's judicial nominations.
John McCain is effectively a liberal double-agent. He's an open traitor to his party. He gets to promote a liberal agenda, and put the Republican name on it.
What ever problems you have with Mitt Romney, I absolutely guarantee you that John McCain is not the guy you want to be helping, if you love the USA and the Constitution.
Continuing to pound on Mitt is only helping to bring one of three very dangerous candidates into office.
Romney is so COMPLETELY full of ..., I don’t see how he can look at himself in the mirror.
It must be some form of cult training that enables him.
My favorite Romney quote of tonights debate.
“And one of the two great regrets I have in life is I didn’t serve in the military. I’d love to have.”
Romney is bought and paid for...and McCain would just be another Bush.
Wow. A recommendation from a fellow despised illegal immigration supporter.
I’m shocked.
Nice drive-by accusation.
Care to give something more than a sound bite for analysis? Who, exactly, has "bought and paid for" Mitt? Any proof beyond your opinion?
I have watched and listen carefully!
Its reminds me of the guy on the roof during a flood and the only rope he wants is Hunter or Fred, but in the meaning time he (nation) is drowning
It's really simple, Resty.
McCain is forgiven a multitude of past -- and present -- sins. Romney cannot be forgiven for one sin, ever. He must get down on his knees and beg forgiveness. But not McCain; he is already forgiven.
Romney gets a "truth file," McCain doesn't. You get the gist of it......
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