December 22, 2007
Posted: 12:02 PM ET

Romney has focused recent Granite State attacks on McCain.

NORTH CONWAY, New Hampshire (CNN) – Mitt Romney told a crowd in notoriously tax-averse New Hampshire Saturday that rival John McCain had "failed Reagan 101″ by not supporting President Bush's tax cuts, the latest in a series of new attacks on his Republican rival’s fiscal conservatism.

"He voted against the Bush tax cuts – twice … That’s failing Reagan 101," said the former Massachusetts governor. "Reagan taught almost all of us in the Republican party that lowering taxes would grow the economy, and was good for the economy, and good for individuals. I believe the Republicans are going to nominate a tax cutter to become President."

Romney’s campaign also sent reporters a press release Saturday titled ‘Straight Talk Detour,’ which compared the Arizona senator’s statements on the Bush tax cuts to those of Democratic Sens. Ted Kennedy and John Kerry of Massachusetts.

The McCain camp immediately shot back. "From his claims of being a 'lifelong hunter' to receiving the NRA's endorsement to marching with Martin Luther King, Jr., it's clear that Mitt Romney has trouble with the truth,” former New Hampshire Rep. Chuck Douglas, McCain’s New Hampshire vice chairman, said in a statement.

“His latest attacks are yet another example of his complete inability to level with the voters of New Hampshire. The facts are clear: Romney refused to endorse the Bush tax cuts he now claims to champion, maybe because he was too busy raising taxes in Massachusetts by over $700 million per year — more than any other state in his first year in office,” said Douglas.

The past few days have seen Granite State frontrunner Mitt Romney refocus his attention on the newly-resurgent McCain, who is currently at or tied for second place in most recent surveys of the GOP primary race there. The state’s voters head to the polls in just over two weeks.

After Romney’s speech, New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg, who has endorsed the former governor, told reporters the race “is coming down to a contest between Sen. McCain and Gov. Romney here in New Hampshire."

There has long been no love lost between Romney and McCain. The two men and their campaign allies were at odds, privately and publicly, long before either was a declared candidate. For Chuck Douglas, quoted in the McCain’s campaign’s tough Saturday statement, the anti-Romney sentiment may also be personal: in 1990, he lost his congressional seat to Democrat Dick Swett – who received a campaign donation from Romney during his first re-election bid.

–CNN's Sareena Dalla and Rebecca Sinderbrand

Filed under: John McCain • Mitt Romney • New Hampshire


Newt G. Chicago, Ill   December 22nd, 2007 3:30 pm ET

McCains Camp got the story all wrong. Mitt Romney went Hunting with Martin Luther King Jr and was endorsed by Oprah. How did they get that story so wrong way to go McCain Camp do some fact checks next time.

Tom, Phoenix, AZ   December 22nd, 2007 3:38 pm ET

It seems all Mitt can do is exaggerate his own stories and attack other republicans. "Do not attack other Republicans" - Reagan's 11th commandment. Didn't Mitt the flip accuse Huckabee of violating Reagan's 11th commandment when Huck went after Mitt? What a hypocrite Mitt shows himself to be again. You just can't trust this guy.

Why doesn't Mitt tell the whole story (we all know he is good at telling stories) and say that McCain was against the tax cuts because there were no corresponding spending cuts of wasteful pork in the budget. Mitt should know if you decrease revenues without decreasing spending you can add to the debt - and drive down the value of the dollar. Mitt needs some education on telling the truth and also on basic economics.

Brian, Syracuse NY   December 22nd, 2007 3:49 pm ET

Newsflash, Romney: You're no Reagan.

Dale Davis, Glendora, California   December 22nd, 2007 4:26 pm ET

Sing it John. Bomb, bomb, bomb,
Bomb, bomb, Iran.

JT Shaheen, Memphis, Tn   December 22nd, 2007 4:34 pm ET

Is there a reason that there is not ONE single ticker about Ron Paul?

He is clearly a threat to all of the other candidates. I just want to know why he is repeatedly ignored by CNN?

Susan Cater, Loganville, Georgia   December 22nd, 2007 4:37 pm ET

Why hasn't the media picked up on
Romney. We used to tess the Southern Baptist of keeping their women bare foot and pregnant. The Morman's make the Baptist look like liberals. They might allow Blacks into the fold, but their women will have 11 kids. Look how often they are in the church-4 plus times a week, and the communal food banks. Rather cult like, don't mix with the neighbors after school-off to the morman community center. Where are the woman activist? These guys just don't think women are equals when it comes to running business.

Humgrad, Iowa City, IA   December 22nd, 2007 4:46 pm ET

I don't think there can be much doubt that Gov. Romney, who helped to overcome a three-billion dollar deficit in Massachusetts and has spent the last two decades getting tremendous results in the financial sector, is the most fiscally sound candidate in the Republican party. Just as he has pointed out for a long time now, Romney supports the Bush tax cuts and will keep them, where Sen. McCain, like Sens. Clinton, Obama, and Edwards, wants to roll them back.
As for the inaccurate statement that Gov. Romney raised taxes by $700 million… he did not raise a single tax during his term as governor. He raised fees by some $250 million; the remaining 2.75 BILLION in deficit that he inherited he eliminated through sound fiscal conservatism.

GO MITT 2008!

Steve, Lyons, CO   December 22nd, 2007 4:47 pm ET

The Bush tax cuts helped the rich and corporate. No regular citizen got a thing.

The Bush tax cuts will disappear ten seconds after the Dems take over. The rich and corporate will pay their share for being allowed to live in a country where you can easily get rich if that's your bent.

It's time for REAL tax cuts, to the most abused of American citizens: the middle class, only the middle class, and nothing but the middle class. That person, Dem or Repub, would be considered a REAL tax cuts, for the WHOLE country.

J, Seattle, WA   December 22nd, 2007 5:23 pm ET

FOLKS! Some attention needs to be addressed to the states having lined up for ear marks for years and years. That this would undoubtedly include Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Michigan and Massachusetts. Why bother raising taxes or lowering them? It is this legal stealing from the coffers of the people that we need to address, not these petty attacks from Mitt.

Dan (Baltimore, MD)   December 22nd, 2007 5:32 pm ET

I love McCain's lame response. He didn't deny any of it or say that he was wrong. Nope. Instead he just attacks Romney right back. So, I guess McCain really is for higher taxes.

I hope these two keep attacking each other. If they make enough good points, then they can hand NH to Rudy, the one who should really win the nomination and the presidency.

Alex, Winter Springs FL   December 22nd, 2007 5:52 pm ET

What Romney doesn't say is that McCain voted against the tax cuts because they were not accompanied by a corresponding decrease in spending. That is true fiscal conservatism.

Chuck, Conway, NH   December 22nd, 2007 5:55 pm ET

Reagan 101? The lessons learned from the Arab Oil embargo are that we need greater fuel efficiency, renewable energy, and more conservation, but all that went down the drain with Reagan. His legacy was cut taxes for the rich, run up the national debt, and become addicted to foreign oil and debt to foreign nations.

And Romney wants to follow that lead?

Mike, New Braunfels, TX   December 22nd, 2007 5:57 pm ET

I'm really getting sick of hearing nothing about Romney except that he is attacking yet another fellow Republican, with most likely distorted or false information. This guy is a compulsive liar and appears to be willing to say anything to get elected. Not to mention the fact that he is pouring millions of his and others dollars into attack ads in an attempt to tear down the other candidates and buy his way into the presidency. Stay away from this guy!

Dave, Las Vegas, Nv.   December 22nd, 2007 6:09 pm ET

speaking of trust.. John speaks in code and is secretively clammoring to keep borders open to his losing immigration policy and democratic friends under the guise of "comprehensive" reform. When he lays an egg and the nation rejects it.. quit insisting that we have to keep these people in one form or another. If the other contenders wanna challenge his faith and his core beliefs then expect him to keep reminding them "its the economy stupid".
And as a successful business man, I'll take mitt's economics and resume any day over John's. Likewise, if they cant take the heat prehaps they shouldn't go into the kitchen.

Lynn, FL   December 22nd, 2007 6:11 pm ET

I have to agree with the McCain camp here. Mitt Romney defining what "saw" means is sounding a lot like Bill Clinton defining "is." Speak the truth and you won't have to go back and dicker over the nuances of a word, English Literature major or not. Romney is digging himself a nice big hole, which is fine by me because I wouldn't vote for him anyway.

Jon, Jacksonville FL   December 22nd, 2007 6:27 pm ET

This is incredible to me. The Romney campaign's audacity continues to astound me- Romney loves to play the victim, (the "reformed" politician who just keeps getting attacked on the abortion issue) but has no problem passing on the blame to Senator McCain, who has a great record of financial conservative policy. The previous post hit the nail on the head- John McCain was doing what was best for the country by voting against the tax cuts, even tough he knew that it would be unpopular. That's really the story of his career- putting the nation ahead of his own self-interest. Mr. Romney would do well to follow his example.

Daniel, NY   December 22nd, 2007 6:29 pm ET

The most recent poll from IA and NH has McCain ahead of Romney in Iowa and tied in New Hampshire. He has some major momentum! Link to these shocking polls.

Jim Murphy, Nyack, NY Vietnam Veteran   December 22nd, 2007 6:54 pm ET

The Republican Tax Cuts… if you are a veteran, Reagan and Bush slashed Veterans Healthcare… if you fly, they both slashed money for the FAA…
if you need to drive, they both cut funding for the American infrastructure BUT worst of all, they raided the Social Security 'surplus' to fund tax cuts for the wealthy. Reagan praised 'deficit spending' while turning his back on veterans needs for PTSD and Agent Orange.

DON, honululu, HI   December 22nd, 2007 7:22 pm ET

Romney has run the most negative campaigns of all candidates, by attacking his rivals. He is also the guy who spent the most and has the least cash on hand.

We should not pick a president with these attitudes and spending habits.

GRACE, SUN CITY CENTER, FL   December 22nd, 2007 7:37 pm ET

THE PROBLEM WITH TAX CUTS IS… YOU
HAVE TO HAVE CORRESPONDING SPENDING
CUTS. SHRINK THE SIZE OF GOV'T AND
YOU CAN CUT TAXES ALL YOU WANT. BUT
BORROW AND SPEND DOESN'T WORK. THEY
ARE MORTGAGING THE FUTURE OF OUR
CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. THIS MUST
STOP!!!

Jim, Tulsa, Oklahoma   December 22nd, 2007 7:48 pm ET

Great comments, Tom and Brian. Romney's campaign seems to be on a negative campaigning express. That only gives me more comfort with McCain. A man you can trust, a man who stands for what he believes.

J, Seattle, WA   December 22nd, 2007 8:13 pm ET

John McCain believes taxes should be low, simple, and fair and has a track record of commitment to these principles.

Allan Jones Boston, MA   December 22nd, 2007 8:33 pm ET

IT'S A FACT. McCain voted against the Bush tax cuts. That's concerning. That's why McCain is considered a fiscal liberal, and that's why true fiscal conservatives support Romney over McCain. WE DON'T NEED ANY MORE TAXES!

KEITH JAMES LOUTTIT   December 22nd, 2007 8:34 pm ET

You know, you gotta be really desperate when your best argument for getting elected is always, 'the other guy sucks'!

Mike, NJ   December 22nd, 2007 9:06 pm ET

The idea behind supply side economics is that it frees up cash for investments of capital in the US - and therefore JOB CREATION IN THE USA. Romny seems to have 'accidentally' overlooked the fact that Corporations are investing thier capital in other countries where product safety is not followed, pollution controls are non-existent and unrealisticly low wages are tolerated. Romney is either not a very smart man or he is trying to pull a fast one on the voting public - the vast majority of which will be negatively affected by lower Corporate taxes. God help us if we elect another idiot to the Whitehouse.

Greg, Barrington, IL   December 22nd, 2007 9:28 pm ET

True to form. The only real opportunity conservatives have to prove their patriotism (beyond no-cost gestures such as wearing flag pins and promoting flag-burning amendments)is the concrete act of contributing to their country monetarily. This puts conservative greed at direct odds to their "patriotism". Guess which wins?

J, Seattle, WA   December 22nd, 2007 10:17 pm ET

http://republicansagainstromney.blogspot.com/

Walt, Belton, TX   December 22nd, 2007 10:36 pm ET

Romney couldn't hold a candle to NcCain's record of service to this country. The fact that he refused to serve his country in uniform shows his true colors - yellow!

pam Eugene OR   December 22nd, 2007 11:06 pm ET

MsCain and his bigoted mommy need to go home and take a nap till about 2050.
I very much appreciate his military service but do not want him to be our President!

Mike Kaplan, philadelphia PA   December 23rd, 2007 12:15 am ET

What kind of level of simplistic moronism have we descended to here? Romney's version of Reaganism 101 seems to come down to "Taxes BAD, tax cuts GOOD". In fact, some tax cuts are good, and some are irresponsible…and some are nothing but greedy giveaways to the already obscenely rich.

Not only that, but someone needs to tell these guys that they are running for president, not Ronald Reagan Impersonator.

Justin, Charlotte, NC   December 23rd, 2007 1:09 am ET

I agree wholeheartedly but McCain's coming up short on resources.

Matthew B, Main Line, PA   December 23rd, 2007 1:16 am ET

Of course, inherent in this back-and-forth is the fact that both McCain and Romney insist — against common sense as well as every bit of evidence — that tax cuts produce higher revenues. They both know that what they're saying is an outright lie, repeatedly debunked, but it's what Fox News viewers have come to believe, and that's who votes in the GOP primaries. That they can maintain straight faces while calling themselves "straight talkers" is hard proof of their disingenuousness.

GRACE   December 23rd, 2007 1:27 am ET

YEAH, RIGHT JIM, TULSA….
McCAIN…THE DIGNIFIED BOMB,BOMB,IRAN
MAN. BUSH HEAVY!!! THAT'S ALL WE NEED
4 MORE YRS OF ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
BRING 'EM ON.

D Hansen, Apex, NC   December 23rd, 2007 2:07 am ET

McCain is a mean spirited, bitter, old man who is unloyal, uninspiring, author of the McCain Feinhold bill that hurts our election process by being full of loopholes who loves amnesty for illegals. No way can I vote that that candidate. Not afraid of taxes.

Romney is just the opposite. He has confidence, solid ideas, the three legged stool of Reagan (defense, family and economy), a tried and successful turn around expert, tax cutter, market economy supporter.

pbj, San Diego, CA   December 23rd, 2007 3:10 am ET

McCain's camp's comments ignore the substantive point in favor of an ad hominem attack: McCain voted against the tax cuts twice. McCain should say where he is on the issue now and not take a shot at Mitt, essentially calling him a liar. Did McCain not make those votes? Is that a mischaracterization? Mitt's "refusal to endorse" (i.e., refusing as a state official to take a stance) is much different than McCain's actual no vote when McCain was a Senator whose vote was needed for passage.

Mitt balanced Massachusetts' budget without raising general taxes. If he increased fees, that would raise the costs of those using the government's services, which seems eminantly fair when balancing the budget of a state operating at a huge deficit. I also understand Mitt closed big loopholes, which is not raising taxes, either, but some people end up paying more.

Alice Newman   December 23rd, 2007 8:04 am ET

If Mitt was so great in Massachusetts and a great 2nd home owner in NH, why did all the major newspapers in NH/MA endorse McCain? They know more about him than most …

Those pointing out that McCain wanted the tax cuts for Bush friends and contributors to come with cuts in spending are right on …

You can say you are a fiscal conservative or you can be one … as for the deficit, check the facts… Mitt's are wrong - again. I don't have the link but the information is out there - just not on Mitt's webpage.

Another Educated Mormon Woman in the US!   December 23rd, 2007 12:04 pm ET

To SUSAN CARTER in Loganville, Georgia.

Your bigoted comments about Mormon women show your extreme ignorance and lack of education.

The Women's Relief Society, which is the largest women's organization in the world, is run entirely by Mormon women. They work and travel around the globe in their efforts to serve in charitable capacities.

The Mormon Church encourages their female members to be educated and politically and socially active in their communities and the world.

My own daughter is doing her undergraduate work in Political science/International relations before she finishes with a Law degree. She is just another example of the level of education encouraged by church leaders.

She also served 18 months at a local college as President of a student body organization while she was a dual credit high school student.

My other daughter who is still in high school is planning on studying Photo journalism.

Within my congregation there are women engineers, doctors, teachers, nurses psychologists, business administrators, and (gasp) Home Economists.

Although Mormons do value the family and family values, I only know one woman who has "11 kids" as you so ignorantly put it. Actually she has 17! She has traveled to Romania on several occasions and adopted mulitple handicapped children who would otherwise be trapped in horrific conditions. Not only is she educated, her career is in Theatre and she has worked as a director, she is compassionate and proactive!

Please become more educated about people before you make such an ignorant generalization.

j, Seattle, WA   December 23rd, 2007 2:47 pm ET

But 'What about Dave?'
His comments in this blog:

'speaking of trust.. John speaks in code and is secretively clammoring (sic) to keep borders open to his losing immigration policy and democratic friends under the guise of "comprehensive" reform.'

Dave, get some psychiatric care.

FAIR TAX,LA.   December 24th, 2007 6:49 pm ET

NO TAX CUTS. ADOPT THE FAIR TAX PEOPLE IT'S THE CURE ALL!
MERRY CHRISTMAS

Crystal   January 8th, 2008 5:43 pm ET

Sorry Romney you seem to have the right intensions but you are just too two-sided on every topic especially about abortion.

Crystal   January 8th, 2008 5:44 pm ET

Nice Regan inpersonation but that won't win you votes

Derrick   January 11th, 2008 1:56 am ET

Can someone correct me if I'm wrong but Do John McCain support the fairtax.

Janine Brownlee   January 30th, 2008 2:44 pm ET

This campaign is not about a person's religion, Susan Cater. But if you do want to factor in anything that has to do with religion then you need to factor in morals. The mormon church teaches that in abundance and you need to check your facts before you attack another person's religion.

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