Ah, smearing another candidate with inaccuracies and unsupported facts - the act of a desperate candidate.

Not working on Huck in Iowa, and it won't work on McCain in NH either. People are smarter than that - and we're all weary of the negativity in politics.

And far as comparing John McCain to Mitt Romney? Mitt, you couldn't hold his water….

I will really appreciate Mitt Romney if he stop his ad against other politicians and concentrate on how to win this nomination. I don't appreciate his style of politics. He is playing the politics of if I am not leading in the polls, then I will run a negative ad against those leading.

truth hurts John. you are a softy in those areas so that's why I'll never vote for you.

How is John McCain going to Change the Constitution to permit himself to be elected or does he plan to just ignore it and create a Constitutional Crisis.

A requirement to be President and Vice President is listed in the
Constitution and requires that both be native born. The issue regarding
President was in initial Constitution and for the Vice President was in the
12th Amendment.
The reason for both cases was to prevent someone not native born from
gaining control of the military and is the reason given by framers of
original Constriction for inclusion of term for President which passed
without debate or discussion.
McCain was born in the Canal Zone and the Canal Zone was leased
property like Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
Until recently McCain claimed on his website he was entitled to native born
status due to Act dated 26 Mar 1790 giving native born status to some
children of citizens born outside the States. However, this Act was repealed
by Act of 29 Jan 1795 Sections 1&2 which does not mention the words native
born because Congress apparently recognized that they could not change the
Constitution by itself. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution also does not
mention the term native born either.
So how does John McCain qualify to run for President without a constitutional
amendment removing the term native born from the Constitution and subsequent
ratification by the proper number of States?

Comparing records and accentuating differences doesn't add up to "smearing" another candidate. John McCain can't even run a well-organized campaign, how is he going to run the country? McCain, as honorable a man as he is, is the last thing this country needs - a washington insider. Romney provides fresh ideas with the excitment and enthusiasm that the republican party needs.

As for Huckabee in Iowa, he's reached his peak. People are finally starting to see that he has absolutely nothing of substance to offer, and that aside from gay marriage and abortion, he's not even a republican. His foreign policy proposals are outright embarassing.

Even in Romney's "smearing" ads, he compliments the other guy. He did it in this ad, and in the last Huckabee ad. Romney has never even sworn, never mind slandered someone. ROMNEY 08!

Rhino:

Mitt couldn't hold McCain's water? what issue are you exactly referring to? I hope not all. I will give you that mccain def has more experience in foreign policy, but to suggest that mccain is far superior in all other areas of the political realm is ridiculous.. romney is a proven executive both in and out of politics.. besides the military, mccain has not had to make executive decisions on anything, just made his way to the floor to vote..

Rhino,
That was an excellent posting. Don't you love it when they think they can take Americans as fools as with this Romney ad?
Clearly showing they have no integrity, and trying to attack Mr. McCain who does.
To me it doesn't matter what they say or do in their ads, the one thing they can't take is their opponents integrity from them.
That has to burn them, as they desperately try to, trying to make idiots out of us Americans who see their tacticts.
But thats ok, I love to think about how much money these ads cost them!

Well I hate to see this sort of thing happening, but that's politics for you!

I think how he's using the ads are completely acceptable, he's not smearing other candidates, he's using comparison's with policies. He's stating the fact that he's a good man, but their policies are different. That differs from McCain and Huckabee who have repeatedly called Romney names and low. That's beyond the line! I can't believe you say that is hasn't been effective! It's actually very effective, look at the pollings since their credentials have come under fire, Romney is now in a statistical tie with Huck, and McCain's numbers have just started pulling back again to 12 points behind Romney in the latest poll! OF COURSE IT'S WORKING! Good for him, I get sick of everyone trying to paint Romney as something he's not by touting his former positions (which he never enforced in Mass, they were just verbal position). Like he said, every bill he signed, came down to a conservative side of life when presented to him. His "don't just talk, DO" mentality has proved himself well.

Romney's points are helping this registered independent voter to decide to cast a ballot for McCain. After the last seven years, I'd love to see a president who does what's right, necessary, or practical to solve a problem instead of what national party headquarters tells him to do. Political correctness makes a good candidate but bad governance.

I'm no McCain supporter, although I respect him, and I can't support Huckaby even though I'm from Arkansas. However, I'm real tired of Romney going after anyone who rises in the polls. It does nothing but make his campaign look desperate and tacky. When Romney's hometown newspapers endorse McCain that should tell the country something. When it comes to appearing slick Romney makes Bill Clinton look like a piker.

Steve Blaine, the Constitution only requires that you are a "natural born citizen," which is further defined by U.S. law to include anyone who is a citizen from birth. You don't actually have to be born in one of the states. John McCain is fine.

Rhino, how is pointing out positions smearing. McCain is an angry man who has shifted so far away from his position on immigration it is embarrassing. There is nothing inaccurate in the ads. I have been in meetings with McCain and seen his temper. He was a war hero and I deeply respect his service but I would never vote for him for president.

Every assertion in the ad is substantiated by the Congressional Record and his own words.

THERE GOES MUTT AGAIN …MUTTTS NEW SLOGAN CHAMPAING
CALL EVERYONE SOFT AND NEGATIVITY…WHO WOULD WANT THIS QUACK AS PRESIDENT

Mr. Blaine,

Senator McCain was born to parents who were stationed overseas while serving this great country. He could be born in BFE and still be a Natural Born American Citizen.

1.) He was born on what is considered American Soil (Coco Solo was a United States Navy submarine base at the time)

2.) Both his parents are Natural Born Americans so he is as well as (Father born Jan 17, 1911 in Council Bluffs, Iowa ; Mother born 7 February 1912 in Muskogee, Oklahoma)

HE is well qualified and legally able to be President.

"A child born overseas is automatically a United States citizen if both parents are U.S. citizens. " http://www4.army.mil/comrel/gQuestions/#06

Additional Info (http://www.uscitizenship.info/en_US/faq/citizenship/ans/g67.jsp)

An attack ad?! Since when is comparing issues and positions an attack ad?! A political race is all about the issues, and the candidates stances and track records on those issues.

So when real issues are at stake, the newspapers prefer candidates to just smile and play pattycake? And anything short of that is an "attack"?

Journalists make me shake my head.

Something I posted in another forum that is very appropriate here:

Both of these men are honorable, descent men and America would be well served to have either (or both) at the helm. McCain's add was right on - he is all of those things and more. However, the contrast add (and it wasn't a "negative" add as many people like to paint them, just wait till the general election and see what Shrillary cooks up if you want to see negative adds), was a correct assessment of particular positions both have stood. If you stand for what McCain has done, by all means vote for him. If you stand for what Romney has done, by all means vote for him. Plain and simple. Best of luck to all the candidates in the primaries.

Steve,

McCain is a natural born citizen of the United States. He was born in a military zone, and is "Native born" is not anywhere in the Constitution. Senator McCain is obviously the most qualified and most equipped to lead our nation.

attack? comparison? why not just talk about yourself. here are the promises I'm going to break. here are the opinions I hold so strongly that they're different from those I held just a few years ago. and best of all, here's how I'm going to shoot myself in the foot so you can watch me lost Iowa *and* New Hampshire in 2008.

I wonder when they will be wearing the little "purple hearts" on their faces???
Swift boating worked before, it will work again.

It is "smearing" when you pose here-say as fact, which is EXACTLY what Romney is doing.
As to his character - well, there's no denying he's made a fortune on top of an already large family war chest; but in the venture capital world it generally comes at the expense of blue-collar workers….the same people he's pandering for votes from now.
Ever wonder why he didn't run for office in Michigan, the state he grew up in?
Ever consider how growing up in a privileged family, having the best of choices can ever forge the character that most of us "commoners" are looking for in a leader?
Can his stance on Gitmo and torture be defended? No more than Dubya's.
This cat is an opportunist, plain and simple - and needs to be recognized as such.
As yet another Iowa independent voter, I can assure you we gladly accept the contributions his campaigning has made to the state's commerce, but his slick ways and artificial persona will never pass muster with regular folk.

We all know that Mitt has more than one position on every issue. He thinks that he has all bases covered. I don't need Mitt to explain McCain's or anyone elses position on a particular issue. I want him to articulate his position.

Mittflop Romney…A wolf in sheeps clothing…

I don't see any "attack" or "negative" in any of Romney's ads. He merely points out differences on issues between himself and the other candidates. That isn't negative or attacking. And he usually compliments the other candidates as well by saying "He's a good man, but here are our differences…." There's absolutely nothing wrong with that at all.

I've never seen McCain actually DO anything. He was a public name because he was a POW - and very deserving of that recognition for his service and sacrifice. And that got him into politics. But he's contributed little to nothing to the actual governance of this country - he's been merely a name and a number. He's sponsored or cosponsored several bills in Congress, but nothing substantive, and nothing that improved my life. And most never passed anyway.

Romney, on the other hand, is a proven leader and decision maker. He knows how to get things done, and he knows how to surround himself with intelligent and capable people who also know how to get things done. He's a proven doer, unlike any of the other candidates out there.

I am an indendent, when I look at the person that I vote for, the number one thing I look at is integrity. I am from Mass and am a veteran. Please, I only speak out of experience from Mass, Mitt Romney is not who you think he is if you believe that he would make a good president. Massachusetts may take years to recover from him as Governor. Look, throughout his governorship here in Mass, the Boston Herald supported him, but look now, for the presidential run, both the Boston Herald and Globe are supporting J. McCain; this speaks volumes. One only needs to go on the Boston Herald or Globe and read the headlines today, then search back in 2002 election when Mitt was running for Governor here, search under his name, and you can read for yourself on how he manipulated himself into the race and what he did to Jane Swift the former Gov. Then read what he did from the Big Dig, to even his own Lt. Governor's (Kerry Healy) run for Governor, he has shown his true colors - of someone who never takes responsibiity for his actions and is so quick to point a finger at anyone otherthan himself. Do your research on him, before you believe all that he claims he is. This is a man who believes that his own sons are serving our country by helping him get elected. Mitt Romney has no idea what it is to sacrifice, whether you are a struggling middle class or a soldier serving our country. Read for yourself. He is a very scary person, who hold little value in the words "honor and integrity"; he talks a good game, but never really has played. He spokeperson is and always had to speak for him.

Romney–

sacrifying ethics for expedience once again, are any of us really surprised?

Admittedly, negative ads are just that - negative. But Mitt's had a larger target on his back than any of the other candidates… Certainly they've all been criticized, but there isn't an article written about Mitt that doesn't make room to comment on how he's "flip-flopped" or how [insert latest poll] shows that [insert number between 30-60] percent of [americans/republicans/evangelical republicans] won't vote for a Mormon.

Neither standard is held to the other candidates in the same way (Do they ask what percentage wouldn't vote for a catholic? for an evangelical? Seldom…)

But all that aside… Mitt isn't desperate. He is (as ALL the candidates are) at the critical juncture where he needs to maintain the leads that he has (recent polls have put him on top in NH and tied with Guilani nationally) and obtain leads where he doesn't have them.

I agree. It's a compare and contrast ad and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. I deeply respect Sen. McCain for his service to our country - he is indeed an honorable man, but just not exactly someone that I would trust as president.

Romney 08!

Glad Romney is sharing the results of research with us….these are factual ads, not negative. I appreciate McCain's service to our nation, but he is not an agent for changing a system HE HAS BEEN A PART OF FOR SO MANY YEARS!

Romney will bring change, efficiency and respect to the oval office!

Romney doesn't need endorsements from corrupt political dealmakers and purchased newspaper editors…he just needs votes from people who support improving our nation, our living standards, our schools, our national security, our government, our image abroad!

Romney 2008-2016 !!

Skyhawk:

How is laying out the differences between each candidate unethical?! the presidential race is a COMPETITION, whether you like it or not.. if a candidate is rising in the polls, are you suppose to ignore the candidate and just profess your policies? NO! you need to educate the voters about the differences between you, in an attempt to swing voters to you so you can win! Swift Boat ads, on the other hand, are unethical, used to attack an opponents character to win votes, rather than attack their record.. romney even compliments his opponents in the ads! can't you see the difference??

O.K. we can all agree John McCain is a true American patriot and a great hero. But, his voting record in the U.S. Senate is spotty at best. He loves high taxes, his campaign finance "reform" bill will hopefully either repealed or ruled unconstitutional. But why argue about John McCain and Mitt Romney either one is far more superior to "The Dragon Lady." However, are we not forgeting our best candidate; Rudy Giulani?

HEY! instead of arguing about John McCain and Mitt Romney what about our best? Rudy Giuliani!

Steve Blaine, the Constitution only requires that you are a "natural born citizen," which is further defined by U.S. law to include anyone who is a citizen from birth. You don't actually have to be born in one of the states. John McCain is fine.
December 28, 2007 1:32 pm ET

Steve,

McCain is a natural born citizen of the United States. He was born in a military zone, and is "Native born" is not anywhere in the Constitution. Senator McCain is obviously the most qualified and most equipped to lead our nation.

Read what I wrote . Act of 26 mar 1790 was repealed and replaced by Act of Jan 29 1795. Nowhere else is the term listed except in Constitution for qualification of President and 12 th Admentment to U.S. Constitution, Native Born means native born not born in Cuba or Panama or even Mexico. When listed in Constitution there were only 13 States.

First of all, McCain voted against the Bush tax cuts because Bush did not decrease spending. This is why the deficit is as large as it is.

It's a good thing that the blogosphere didn't exist in the early 1800s, because a great compromiser like Henry Clay couldn't exist in today's atmosphere. He'd be villified from every side.

Without compromise, nothing gets done. I admire McCain for this.

Robert, sorry to burst your bubbles, but no one cares about rdy guliani anymore. I don't even think Rudy Guliani cares about Rudy Guliani anymore. He's slipped significantly in the polls, most of his campaign time is being spent in Florida instead of focusing on the earliest primary states, and he's almost becoming irrelevant. People are seeing through his popularity (purely linked to 9/11) and noticing his lack of foreign affairs experience, the fact that the only thing he's run is a city (he can't even credit running a household to his resume!), and he knows nothing about illegal immiagration!! What are his policies for boosting the economy? Who knows!! He never talks about it! Excatly how is he going to improve the illegal immigration problem? Who knows!! He never talks about it!

Sorry, but he has become irrelevant. Romney is clear on all those points. His time in the private sector proves he knows how to run a large corporation, his time as a govenor proves he knows how to run a state and his integrity as person proves he will best know how to run this country!

Romney 08

1. Romney's charges re McCain are not true. He waffles on our illegal torture of prisoners of war (and that is what they really are, no matter what the administration calls them). He thinks his sons working for his campaign are equivalent to military service, which he himself conveniently avoided. No one who has not served in the military should be considered for election to congress or the presidency.

2. It is clear that McCain is the only Republican who can win the presidency.

3. As a Veteran and an active Mormon, I am absolutely convinced that McCain is far and above the better man to be president in these times.