November 26, 2007
Posted: November 26th, 2007 11:00 AM ET

CONCORD, New Hampshire (CNN) - GOP hopefuls Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani exchanged numerous verbal spars over the weekend - just days before the two will meet face-to-face at the CNN/YouTube debate.

The bulk of the battle stemmed from Romney's decision on Friday to call for the resignation of Massachusetts Superior Court Judge Kathe Tuttman - 20 months after he appointed her.

Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, learned that Tuttman had released without bail a convicted killer, who has since been charged with killing a married couple in Washington state.

– CNN's Sareena Dalla contributed to this report

Full story

Filed under: Uncategorized


Mike, Westport, CT   November 27th, 2007 12:46 pm ET

I wouldn't vote for Romney but I am afraid Giuliana has jumped into bed with the Neo-Cons and will lead us deeper into war. Also, I can't believe the anti-Clinton Moralists would even consider a man who has had affairs on his wives and who wants a first lady who has the same track record as her husband? They make BillClinto look like a straight arrow.

Tom - Dedham, Mass   November 27th, 2007 11:43 am ET

I'll write this slow Alice so even you can get it.

The difference between evolving positions over a period of time (like YEARS) based on life experiences is a little different than changing ones position from poll to poll, debate to debate and from crowd to crowd.

Do you understand the difference?

If not, feel free to vote for your candidate that does EXACTLY what I note above, Hillary Clinton.

Alice Newman Center Harbor NH   November 27th, 2007 6:56 am ET

I always find it fascinating that when Republicans change their mind, change their positions, admit mistakes ... they are just "evolving" – this in a political party that does not believe in evolution.

The same change in a Democratic candidate is called "flip-flop." ... and woe betide anyone who votes for someone who changes their mind ...

One of these elections the GOP will realize they can't have it both ways ... until then – pass the fool-aide and be happy....

aaron Smithsburg, Maryland   November 26th, 2007 10:12 pm ET

Nosfertu versus the Jesus lizard

rob   November 26th, 2007 6:44 pm ET

I'm a liberal democrat and oppose Romney strongly, but, just like he shouldn't be pillaried because he's a Mormon, he shouldn't be pilloried because one of his judges made an error. The world is simply imperfect.

I also don't blame Dukakis for the Willy Horton thing, I blame Lee Atwater (who on his deathbed apologized for exploiting the issue, to his credit.)

Walt, Belton, TX   November 26th, 2007 5:02 pm ET

Sounds like a big time mistake in judgment by Romney in the first place. Put the judge in jail for endangering the public, and I'll vote for you!

Tom - Dedham, Mass   November 26th, 2007 4:15 pm ET

True, Romney appointed her but other facets of the story being left out are she was voted in 7-0 by a independent panel, she won awards for being pro-victim rights (WE ALL SHOULD LIKE THAT), he was under pressure to hire a woman (I live in the state and know this is true) and the judge years later IGNORED a prosecuters warning that the guy was dangerous so SHE let him out on bail.

I liked Kerik, but he did turn out to be NOTHING BUT a HACK appointment which is a big difference.

What should Romney do, just stick up for the judges poor judgement or tell the truth that SHE alone blew it.

Hammer him for his words and actions, as many people agreed with this selection.

Reality Check   November 26th, 2007 4:06 pm ET

Romney consistently shows integrity, courage, honesty and class. Yet another example.

Romney isn't afraid to admit and correct his errors. Romney is presidential material and an honorable person.

Mitt has my vote.

Chris, Pensacola FL   November 26th, 2007 3:41 pm ET

That's great, but the readers/viewers would like info the the Top Tier Candidates.

Who will win the debate this Thursday?

Huckabee
Paul
Tancredo
Hunter

Chris, Middletown, CT   November 26th, 2007 3:40 pm ET

I choose....the moderate...the only one running...Giuliani...he will make an excellent next president. Think about this...the Democrats (the smart ones) really dislike Hillary – yet...they are Democrats and lean toward social issues (i.e. abortion) – which candidate are we running who is a social liberal and fiscal conservative (which 70% of the population describe themselves as) – Giuliani.....and who are the Democrats running who is moderate....nobody....its a no brainer....we need a moderate

Surrealist, Fort Myers, FL   November 26th, 2007 2:19 pm ET

They both just forgot to take their medication. A day without your tricyclic's is like a day w/out sunshine–and makes one fretful and grumpy!!!

John, Chicago, IL   November 26th, 2007 2:08 pm ET

Romney has done the right thing, once again.

Wynter, Loudon, NH   November 26th, 2007 1:55 pm ET

It looks like Romney is trying to avoid being the next Dukakis with this bit of Juris Interference. If he didn't say anything about it then someone would likely torpedo him in the debates that he is "like Dukakis" referring to the democratic presidential candidate that ran afoul of a prisoner that ran off while on his weekend furlough from prison and killed again. This practice was a normal and legal rehabilitation process for all prisoners. But while Dukakis had no direct hand in letting the prisoner out the door he was blamed and paid for it in the election.

The problem with Romney's situation is that he is blaming the judge for something the convict had done. As a judge you cannot "predict" a crime nor can you hold someone in Guantanamo-style to serve pre-emptive justice. So Romney's complaint is as bad as his silence on the matter. The problem isn't the Judge, and it's not the system being too soft. It's simply a matter of fate playing a cruel hand.

The moral of the story: Don't play politics with the criminal justice system.

Telling it like I see it,
Wynter

David, Dallas Tx   November 26th, 2007 1:31 pm ET

One guy appointed a state judge who a couple years later exercised very poor judgment.

The other guy tried to get a guy under an active investigation for corruption and fraud appointed to the national Director of Homeland Security spot.

It's not hard to figure out which has the worse judgment. Hint: it might be the guy who wants to appoint the corrupt to positions of national importance. Imagine how many corrupt individuals he could appoint if he were president?

Su Me, New Orleans, Louisiana   November 26th, 2007 1:26 pm ET

Let's hope Romney and Guiliani devour each other before the nominating convention. That way either Rain Man or Chuckabee will be the nominee, which means the Dems will win.

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