McCain Changes Mind; Will Continue To Tweak Romney In Ads

What John McCain said yesterday about moving on from Mitt Romney -- check that.

The campaign will continue to use the medium of television advertising to push the notion that Romney is deliberately misleading New Hampshire Republicans and independents about McCain's record.

"You know, I find it ironic that Mitt Romney would attack me on the issue of immigration. This is the same Mitt Romney who called my plan "reasonable." Before I can win your vote, I know I have to win your respect. And to do that, you know I'll always be straight with you. And on this issue, I've learned that we've got to restore trust in government and secure our borders."

The ad was previewed on ABC's "This Week" this morning, but it was unclear, initially, whether the ad would be sent to stations for broadcast.

"We're getting such a great response from the ad citing NH newspaper's assessments of Romney that we're re-evaluating whether we want to switch gears," a McCain aide said of the decision.

Comments

It seems that McCain's flip-flop frequency is about 1-day! It is telling that the most negative thing he can come with about Romney is that Romney called McCain's approach "reasonable". Apparently, the one word quote taken out of context in both time and situation shows McCain's desperation resulting form his amazingly incompetent campaign.

Posted by Charles | December 30, 2007 3:08 PM

Romney migrated on a few positions across thirteen years. McCain has done so in the last few months to win this campaign and he has the nerve to imply Romney lacks conviction! McCain has been on the wrong side of campaign reform, immigration, tax cuts, etc. On many of those he simply says now, "I was wrong." This guy was admittedly wrong so many times I fear for our country if he is elected. Is he dumb, does he have bad advisers or both? I don't know, but I do know our country needs better judgment not a better apologizer.

Posted by DLounsbury | December 30, 2007 3:16 PM

Good! Romney is running deceitful ads against Mike Huckabee here in Iowa, too- ads which misrepresent Huckabee's record, just as Romney's New Hampshire ad misrepresents McCain's.

You might want to check the Romney ads out.Annenberg Fact Check has two articles on Romney's misleading attack ads in Iowa, and one on "Mitt's Malarky" in New Hampshire. That Romney is deliberately trying to mislead people in both states is no mere "notion." It's simple and obvious fact. All you have to do is check out the alleged "facts" in his ads.

Slick Mitt shouldn't be allowed to get away with it. The guy has a real problem with truth, and it's becoming more and more obvious every day.

Charles is right about one thing: going negative is a desperation tactic. Thing is, Mitt went negative first in N.H.- and Mike Huckabee may well lose in Iowa because he won't go negative himself in responding.

If so, it will be a pity- and a "victory" Romney should be ashamed of.

Posted by Bob Waters | December 30, 2007 3:21 PM

Facts hurt, bobby...People aren't voting for mitt, cause he is running a "negative" campaign, but rather because he is the best candidate...oh yeah the liberal MSM doesn't like him...good. Much like how you huck supporters say that the Arkansas papers are biased and liberal against Huckabee, I'd say that Liberal MSM is going crazy with the search engines...and the best they got, he said my plan was "reasonable"? I'm not going to go through and debunk all of your notions that Mitt is not the real Mcoy, as they have already been discussed and thrown out ad nauseum. Fact is Mitt will win, and it's not cause of the negative ads, it's cause he is the best candidate (at least in the people's eyes, and thats all that matters, right?)

Posted by jaaron | December 30, 2007 3:50 PM

Why should McCain not swat back at Romney? Mitt is just making a fool of himself with these baseless attacks, so McCain wants him to keep it up as long as possible. Maybe a few "tweaks" will achieve that.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

Posted by matt | December 30, 2007 4:29 PM

Let's look at McCain's record. McCain-Feingld, helping Sen. kenedy try to get amnesty for illegal immigrants, Gang of 14, Keating 5, questionable mental stability, and on and on and on. No real conservative should even consider voting for him.

Posted by Cory | December 30, 2007 4:48 PM

How was McCain's record slanted by Romney? Is McCain trying to trick voters into thinking he didn't attempt to provide blanket amnesty? He should either stand up for what he did or else reject what he did as something incorrect that he's repented himself of. Otherwise, he's trying to trick us so that he gets his way. Not the kind of person I'd like to vote for. He also hasn't retracted these comments:

"I think the Democratic Party is a fine party, and I have no problems with it, in their views and their philosophy"

Not exactly the kind of person I'm interested in nominating for the Republican ticket.

Posted by B. Nelson | December 30, 2007 5:21 PM

Good luck to Mitt Romney in Ohio and New Hampshire. It's nice to have someone running for pres. that has integrity and principles. Our current pres. also exhibits these traits. It would be hard to sit and take the negative publicity without standing up for yourself. One thing Mitt Romney doesn't do is lie. Unlike the other candidates he's been honest with the people he loves the most!

Posted by Judy Sloan | December 30, 2007 6:18 PM

I've gone in to detail research about the "phony and dishonest" claims about Romney and I'm amazed at the twisting and parsing of words that are used to try and make something out of nothing.

The facts are Romney is an exceptional honorable person. He has earned many millions of dollars and there aren't any ethics violations or even the appearance of violations. He donates much of his money and has worked for nothing in both the Olympics and Gov of Mass.

I clearly see, this is a man that walks the talk and is squeaky clean. How do you go after a man of that caliber other than trying to twist his words.

The only policy he has changed is abortion. He personally has been against abortion, however felt that government didn't have the right to force a decision on a women. However, as Gov of Mass, he saw what this law now allowed. I checked his record and each law that came across his desk he support life.

He has always supported rights for every American no matter the sexual preferences. However, he is very clear that marriage is an institution between a man and a women. He held rally's and did everything he could to get the vote of the democratic legislatures.

He has always supported the 2nd amendment, however he has always been very clear that assault weapons have no business in the hands of the public.

There are NO flip-flops.

In addition to his record, his experience and education are sterling. I can't understand why anyone would vote for someone who has less education, less experience or ethics issues.

I've done the research. Mitt Romney is the best person on both sides to be President of the United States.

Posted by truth be told | December 30, 2007 6:50 PM

Romney's ads are not personal attacks, they are simply contrast ads. The ads even describe McCain as an "honourable man" before pointing out McCain's positions on immigration and taxes. Huckabee is described as pro life and a " good man" before his views on immigration and taxes are discussed. McCain is a hero of mine, but he is wrong on immigration and taxes and has recently changed his positions. Huckabee has changed his positions on these issues too, so their criticism of Romney falls flat.

Posted by john | December 30, 2007 7:25 PM

Mike Huckabee Must Be Stopped

Thank goodness Huckabee has finally seen some scrutiny. Although Hillary, Obama, and McCain have never actually run anything (business, etc), inexperience is much better than the experience that Huckabee gained as governor of AK. He had a chance to prove himself, and proved that he is not worthy of the presidency – even by Bush standards.

Huckabee’s only true “appeal” is that he is a Christian. It’s a bit too egotistical to say “Vote for me because I’m better than the others – why am I better? – because I’m Christian.” Well, being a Christian isn’t exactly a qualification – I’m talking to you, Iowa.

Huckabee may sport one hell of a public speaking smile, but he has a dark side. Actually, he has many dark sides. See http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2007/11/13/huckabee/ for more details. Below are some highlights – or lowlights.

Huckabee tried to force Roby Brock, the host of a public TV show, off the air for critical commentary. Huckabee had to pay $15,000 to settle the suit.

Huckabee compared journalist Max Brantly to Jeffrey Dahmer (in print, even) for publishing articles critical of the governor.

Huckabee has either pardoned or commuted the sentences of over 1000 felons, 12 of which were murderers. One particular rapist (DuMond) claimed to have found Jesus, so Huckabee pressured the parole board to let him out. He raped again, and killed this time. Was Huckabee wearing his minister hat, or his governor hat when he pardoned the rapist who found Jesus?

In 1992, Huckabee paid himself with campaign funds. He was apparently his own “media consultant.” After he became governor in 1996, he accepted tens of thousands in gifts from people – people whom he later appointed to state office!

Huckabee used campaign funds to pay for trips in his own personal plane – and failed to disclose that the plane was his. This guy is a self-dealing maniac.

He tried to claim $70,000 in furnishings provided by a wealthy cotton grower for the private part of the residence as his own, until he learned ethics rules prevented it.

He even took control of the state Republican Party's campaign account -- then swore the account had been somebody else's responsibility when it ran afoul of federal election laws.

Huckabee was even SANCTIONED by an ETHICS COMMISSION on at least 5 occasions. In one case, he was saved by the swing vote of a woman who left the chairmanship of the Ethics Commission days later to take a state job. She listed the governor as a reference on the job application.

Huckabee even once sued to overturn the ban on gifts to him.

In early 2007, reporting also prompted the former first lady to decline dozens of place settings of governor's mansion china and Irish crystal that had been purchased with tax-deductible contributions to the Governor's Mansion Association, nominally set up to improve the mansion, not to buy going-away presents for former occupants.

Huckabee even tried to subsidize education for ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

Huckabee professed opposition to alcohol and gambling, but he allowed passage of legislation that made it easier for restaurants to obtain private-club mixed-drink permits in dry counties. Over the angry objection of the church lobby, he sped final action on a bill to allow video poker at the state's racetracks, an act followed not long afterward by a $10,000 campaign contribution from the owner of the state's biggest race track, at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs.

Huckabee left Arkansas with a bill of more than $40 million for overcharges of the federal government's Medicaid program.

When he left office, Huckabee crushed computer hard drives so nobody could ever get a peek behind the curtain of the Huckabee administration. Apparently, he is not a fan of transparent government.

Huckabee even raised more taxes in 10 years than Clinton did in 12 years as governor for AK (http://www.arkansasleader.com/2007/11/editorialswhos-biggest-tax-raiser.html).

After the school shooting at Westside Middle School near Jonesboro, Arkansas where four little girls and a teacher were killed by two young gunmen, Huckabee decided to CASH IN on the tragedy. He received an advance of $25,000 from a publisher to write “Kids Who Kill.” And no, he did not donate any of the money to the families of the murdered children, or any other fund for that matter.

Now if you want to vote for this guy just because he’s Christian, you’re just plain stupid.

Posted by A Burns | December 30, 2007 7:39 PM

The only candidate who is desperate is John McCain. This notion of "straight talk" is a joke. McCain was for gay marriage before he was against it. He was for amnesty for all illegal aliens before he was against it. McCain was against the Bush tax cuts before he was for them. McCain was against personal attacks on other Republican candidates before he was for it. Romney has not launched personal attacks against any of the Republican candidates. Romney sticks entirely to the issues and debates the merits of the candidates' positions. McCain and Huckabee are both sore losers who are resorting to name-calling and personal attacks. Give me a break. Romney has the most class of all the candidates and is the best for the job.

Posted by Sharp Conservative | December 30, 2007 8:14 PM

Mr. McCain,

Why can't you answer the tough questions regarding your record. The Romney contrast ads are exposing your record. Do you stand by your record with pride or you trying to hide something from the conservative voters? Mitt Romney is not attacking you. He is contrasting the difference between your ideas and his. So, please quit whining about being attacked and talk specifically about your ideas on immigration.

I read several blogs regarding your record. You are not a conservative.

Posted by sam | December 30, 2007 8:30 PM

Huckabee is a pro-life liberal democrat with ethics problems. If that is what a voter is looking for, then he is your man.

Posted by Greg | December 30, 2007 8:30 PM

Both McCain's grandfather and father were Admirals in the United States Navy. McCain also attended the United States Naval Academy and finished near the bottom of his graduating class in 1958.

Why would I want to vote for a President who finished near the bottom of his graduating class?

And who knows if he would have graduated if his dad was not Admiral?

Posted by Mitch | December 30, 2007 8:48 PM

Run Mitt Run! All the candidates are attacking Romney. That is a badge of honor in my book. Romney keeps his composure and moves forward. Just what I want in a President. Huckabee and McCain are acting like little babies. The Romney ads just highlight their poor performance and poor decision making. If they think those are attack ads there is no way they can be the leader of the free world. Could you imagine what they would do if Putin said something about them they did not like. Cry baby deluxe. It is very telling. Run Mitt Run! You have my vote.
Mike

Posted by Mike | December 30, 2007 8:50 PM

I think McCain will be the GOP nominee. He will have a hard time identifying a VP. His opponents are just not good. Actually they are stupid (e.g., Huckabee, Romney, Paul).

He cannot win with these people. He needs to check-mate HRC, as she will win. Her VP will be Kerrey (most likely). Others include Richardson or Wes Clark.

What are people thoughts? How about the CT gov (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._Jodi_Rell) as his VP? Kay Bailey Hutchinson would be great choice, too.

Posted by eorse | December 30, 2007 8:56 PM

The word is "twit" not "tweak". The latter means to make slight changes to something or some process. The former means to taunt, reproach or upbraid.

Posted by Frances | December 30, 2007 11:15 PM

This is classic McCain, playing hardball politics but still trying to pretend he is more pure than everyone else. He is ridiculous. This little boomlet we are in the middle of will eventually burst (shortly after a NH victory perhaps) and again the short temper, the outsized ego and the thin skin will get him again.

Guiliani's Florida strategy may not be so stupid after all.

In response to eorse, I think Kay Bailey Hutchison will definitely be at the top of every GOP candidate's running mate list.

Posted by FPM | December 31, 2007 12:53 AM

So exciting. Depressing to watch Huckabee and now McCain twist and lash out in these last few days. Romney has been laying the groundwork, doing the work, winning hearts and minds for over a year in Iowa. Clearly, he's no liar. You don't have a tight family loyalty like he's got by being a liar. And that Huckabee's clearly got ISSUES.

Posted by Countdown2Iowa | December 31, 2007 1:25 AM

Is there someone here whose predictions rival Nostrodomus' and who lives in or around New Hampshire in a position to assure me that McCain will not win the nomination. It would sure help me sleep sounder at night. I am pulling tooth and nail for Mitt Romney!

Posted by Tony Roberts | December 31, 2007 1:40 AM

Personally I think nostradamus was a hack but I do live in NH Tony.

I will be voting for Romney and all of my friends and family are too. I am very confident that Romney will win the NH primary. I think there is a feeling in NH among Republicans at least that Mccain had his shot and couldn't get the job done the first time so we're not going to run him against Hillary this time.

One of the big knocks on Bush was that he is an idiot or at least comes off as an idiot. Having voted for the guy myself I feel that way sometimes too. Romney is the other side of the coin. He is one of the most intelligent candidates running and he has succeeded at everything he's ever done in life. He's the only candidate who has real experience outside of politics. The others are career politicians who can't hold a flame to Romney's business, financial and management skills.

Come next January 8th expect Romney to win NH by at least 5 - 10 points and Mccain come off looking liking a tired, crazy old man who just isn't up to the job.

Vive la Romney!

Posted by Dave H | December 31, 2007 8:53 AM

You are the most pathetic bunch of losers - my advice? stay in bed

Posted by blohole | December 31, 2007 10:01 AM

With all these negative and misleading ads run by Romney I am really fed up. How long? How much longer will America be held hostage by these money campaign machines? It is like when you tell a lie for 1000 times, many people will believe it as fact. If he (Romney) is blowing his republican fellows blood nosed, how can he expect their supporters to vote for him if he were to be nominated? A dirty politician is the last person I will vote for.

Posted by SC_GOP | December 31, 2007 11:26 AM

Mitt Romney did nothing but focus on the issues. The response by both McCain and Huckabee are typical of individuals who are losing a debate. They deflect focus on the issues and make every attempt to call the personal credibility of their opponent into question.

Here are some facts...

Public education rating by state:

Massachusetts #2 (Romney)

Arizona #50 (McCain, dead last)

Arkansas #32 (Huckabee, bottom third)

http://www.morganquitno.com/edrank.htm

Health Care:

Romney's healthcare initiative in Massachusetts significantly reduced the cost of health insurance to the citizens of the state. Nearly 300,000 citizens without previous healthcare coverage are now insured.

http://www.heritage.org/Research/HealthCare/wm14 14.cfm

The Economy:

Mitt Romney not only has an MBA from one of the most prestigious business schools in the world, he has demonstrated his ability to apply what he has learned in both the public and private sectors. His economic success at Bain Capital, in the Olympics, and in dealing with the Massachusetts state deficit were not anomalies.

If the republicans want a conservative candidate that has demonstrated that he can get the job done... it is Mitt Romney.

Posted by Roy Dew | December 31, 2007 11:38 AM

So calling a man "honorable" before stabbing him the back makes it ok? That has to be the craziest logic I have ever heard. Romney only throws that in for his commercials so that people can be fooled into thinking they aren't attack ads; by the looks of this board, it's worked well on a select few. There is no debating that the ads Romney is running against Huckabee and McCain are both dishonest and misleading; if you don't believe that, you should do a little more research. And what in McCain's record has he been running from? He has answered every question about his record because he has nothing to hide, unlike Romney and his constant flip flops. And lets be serious here, Romney has flipped on very important issues to conservatives like abortion and gay marriage, whereas McCain has flipped over...running contrast ads against Romney? There is no comparison there people. And I for one am glad to see candidates going after Romney over his lack of substance, and look forward to the day people everywhere start wising up this shister.

Posted by Publius | December 31, 2007 1:18 PM

Holy cow, did you see how Mitt Romney treated the kid in the wheelchair? This is how Mitt treats Americans. Mitt turns his back on answering the kids question and acts like a the rich snob he is. You will be amazed. You have to see this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY6UTnS6Z-A

Posted by Dan | December 31, 2007 1:55 PM

I was pretty neutral on Romney at first. The more I see of his tactics the less respect I have for him. I don't think his Mormon roots will affect him...nor any other "faith" issue. Why would anyone put their trust in such a slime ball? Thanks but NO THANKS!

Posted by cameron | December 31, 2007 3:40 PM

I am a true conservative - I am a man of integrity , please vote for me . I defended the right of a woman to choose when I was Governor of Massachusetts and I assured the pro gay Log Cabin Republicans that I would be a stronger advocate of gay rights than Senator Kennedy . I am a keen hunter , why I have hunted all my life especially those small varmints , thats why the NRA endorsed me . I am sure I saw Dad marching with Martin Luther King and you know all these rumours that I said nothing concerning the Mormon policy of cursing black people because of the colour of their skin its just anti Mormon bigotry . Just to reassure you I am white and delightsome as the good Book of Mormon says. I know I have a few little secrets but everyone has secrets - if no one is listening between you and me and these four walls I think Jesus is the Devil's brother and I do love singing "If I could Hie to Kolob" , naturally because thats where we were all from or near it - you know that dont you ? Shush sure no one is listening - I was dressed to the nines and I participated in a secret ceremony that showed Mike Huckabee and his ilk being in the hire and pay of Satan . I promised not to tell anyone on pain of having my throat slit thats why these little secrets are between you and me - we dont want those silly American electors knowing about them do we . Dont listen to the bigots who dont want a Mormon President - I promise you that I will not have a Muslim in my cabinet and as for that Barak Osama or what ever his name is - he's toast .

Yours So Very Sincerely Mitt Romney .

PS I always give it from the heart

Posted by Andrew Price | December 31, 2007 6:32 PM

Look at all the Romney bashers getting their panties in a bunch.

The man's a winner. He has excelled and succeeded at everything he's ever done in his life and you losers trying to tear him down are a sad pathetic joke.

Mccain was in favor of amnesty and did vote against the Bush tax cuts. Those are what's known as "FACTS."

This isn't a beauty test it's an election to determine who will lead our nation and if Mccain and Huckabee can't take scrutiny of their records with whining like little bitches then maybe it's time for them to call it quits.

Mitt is the best man for the job by far.

He is going to be president.

deal with it!

Posted by Dave | December 31, 2007 7:31 PM

Mitt Romney is a preening, narcissistic liar.

Mike Huckabee is a slick, self-serving, huckster preacher.

John McCain is a thin-skinned, petulant little Napoleon.

Posted by Ron Paul | January 1, 2008 3:47 AM

Andrew,

What will you do when this is all over and Mitt has either won, or not...? Will you go back to stalking the Mormon church in downtown London. Will you demonstrate your good "Christian" nature by disrupting other religions meetings and telling them they will all go to hell if they don't believe like you.
No, you're right, that last part wasn't true - not "other religions", only Mormons. Because lets not believe that you truly care about anyone's soul or you would preach to all who don't believe like you. No, Andrew, you are motivated by hatred. But because you are motivated so obviously by anything but the love that Jesus showed, I think that most people will never really listen to you ranting. But good luck to you.

Posted by Anon | January 2, 2008 12:51 AM

Interesting that LBJ, as is McCain, was known for arm-twisting the monied and companies for “contributions,” and had also produced for a political campaign his so-called "Daisy" attack-ad, which was created in part by another politicized Baptist preacher, Bill Moyers (now on PBS) and that bag-man for organized crime, the late LBJ protégé, Jack Valenti (long with the motion picture industry as "spokesman"). Given McCain's storied reputation (see Monday’s detailed Washington Post article about McCain’s contributors and "contributors") for fleecing persons and companies that came before the Senate Commerce Committee when chairman (1997-2004), which continues to-day by means of his well-greased pipelines of connection to K Street's lobbyists and its plethora of campaign money-bundlers, the similarities to LBJ become not just startling but incarnate. Assume, for more fun, that the Hick-he-be is Moyers transfigured, and uses his religiosity to fool his adherents and proponents, and who will even call our LBJ cum McCain figure an "American hero," which indeed he has, and LBJ cum McCain reciprocates by calling the Hick-he-be a "good person," to help him politically in Iowa to McCain’s advantage, while the Hick-he-be attempts to lambaste Romney in Iowa, in order to boost their respective chances with voters on two political fronts, and to perhaps enable the vacuous Hick-he-be to later propose himself as McCain's White House assistant, if McCain should win, when he invariably loses his bid for the nomination, like Moyers, his equally shifty brother in faith. And like LBJ, who when confronted with all those exclusive television and radio licenses discovered by regulators in his wife’s name, for which he had personally and feverishly lobbied, McCain likewise distanced himself, at the cost of whomever other than himself could be scapegoat-ed, charged with a crime and convicted, from the infamous Keating (of “Keating 5” infamy) by dent of becoming the fastest reformed reformer on the face of the planet, and thus cleverly allowed time for people’s abbreviated political memories to fade altogether. And McCain, unlike LBJ, who was in fact truly cheated of his party’s nomination in 1960 by John and chiefly Bobby Kennedy, has with time and the mind-tricks of aging convinced himself alone, though with a certainty bordering on obsession, that he too was cheated out of what was rightfully his by the unholy machinations of the Bush team, by their use of attack-ads, which the newly minted reformed reformer or self-appointed deity of wisdom as conferred by the over-eager press then forever eschewed – maybe, until next time!. But memories are indeed short, as our elderly Reformed John knows, wizened by experience. There too, pre- and present Reformed John’s near zero experience internationally is most identical to Johnson’s, who, having continued an unnecessary war in Asia to which he sent pre-Reformed John and thousands more of unfortunate others, gave them everyone a very lasting experience, though still limited in scope much like his own. Other than the experience of war and a number of taxpayer-footed Congressional “working” trips abroad, most recently to Iraq to be photographed and filmed with our troops for future campaign usage, that limited experience remains at stasis, no less but no greater. He is more fortunate in his several selections - though probably the final one - of a wife, in the person of a decades younger heiress-distaff who can herself afford a number of spousal bills, campaign travel or otherwise. Power is a magnet and an aphrodisiac at one, as Johnson also with reason believed, and may even work for advanced age-related dysfunctions, which some may want to remark. McCain can, it is said, differentiate a general’s insignia from a sergeant’s with proven alacrity, and was for many years a POW. But so what? Seriously! By sitting with the other grandees in the Senate? That’s not meaningful international experience! How is it then possible for an inexperienced McCain to deem himself a supposed "expert" on international affairs, that attribute Romney was adddressing in his comment, but which is taken out of context in McCain's advert? The fact that Romney has very successfully conducted business in many countries overseas for many years, and speaks a foreign language, surely provides a much broader and personal understanding of foreign affairs and related matters. And that is the very experience that is pertinent to the occupant of the Oval Office; not war stories, or “what I did to win the Great War” stuff and iterations. More disturbing is the fact that McCain unmistakably states and relentlessly projects the curious notion (or pathology) that simply because of the perceived tragedies befallen him in this lifetime, such as his debilitating stint as a POW and his apparently unexpected loss to Bush in the primary season eight years ago, you must unquestioningly support, work for, and vote for him alone. While he clearly thinks he is owed, I strongly believe he is owed nothing whatsoever; not your or my support or my or your precious vote. But should you falter and disdain his message, or worse, challenge his carefully constructed persona and assertions that he is deserving of or owed your vote, you are beyond the pale; in short, anathema. You are then, Nixon-like, an enemy to be chastened and pummeled. McCain is also in much the same situation as Goldwater when against Johnson in 1964. Other than the Hick-he-be, McCain is the weakest candidate to nominate against the eventual Democrat, which the press know, too, and the simple explanation for their support of him. Every knowledgeable Democrat knows this as fact, as well they know Romney is the strongest candidate the Republicans can nominate and field, which is exactly why they and a complicit media are focusing on him and conscientiously, furiously opposing from the outset. Romney is the only Republican that has a realistic chance of winning in 2008. It is hoped that the polity will look upon McCain’s new attack-ad for what it is: an act of desperation and sadly based on increasingly irrational behaviors, sophomorically tinged with his untoward envy of a successfully challenging and opposing candidate, who is much younger, smarter, better educated and experienced, and who by his own efforts was highly successful in domestic and
international business and become independently wealthy. Although his attack is more than just the simpleminded advertising stunt the Hick-he-be arranged yester-day to foist on the press and public, McCain’s attack-ad should be equally disapproved, and the person authorizing its production and dissemination should with justice be reprimanded and repudiated by the voters when it comes time for them to vote their displeasure for these childish antics and his insults to their intelligence.

Posted by Gordon | January 2, 2008 9:51 AM