January 3, 2008
Posted: 01:01 PM ET

(CNN) — A new negative television ad out in the Granite State today from Mitt Romney’s campaign criticizes John McCain’s stands on immigration and taxes, and argues that the Arizona senator's moment has passed. Immigration is a hot-button issue for GOP primary voters this year, and taxes are a perennial New Hampshire primary voter priority.

The two Republican presidential contenders are running neck-and-neck in the state in most recent polls.

The 30-second ad features man-on-the-street interviews with New Hampshire voters:

Bob Duffy: "I believe John McCain's war record is outstanding."
Marie Paling: "He's a true patriot and has served his country long and well."
Bob Duffy: "However, his record in the US Senate leaves a lot to be desired."
Gene Bois: "John McCain has been one of those Republicans that have been wrong on tax cuts."
Ray Brun: "Opposing tax cuts that would have helped our family, supporting amnesty for illegal immigrants, taking jobs away from Americans."
Collett Hill: "He wrote the amnesty bill that America rejected."
Bob DeGange: "He's not really listened to the American people."
Marie Paling: "He's had his chance in Washington to make things better."

The New Hampshire primary is January 8.

Filed under: John McCain • Mitt Romney • New Hampshire


Dan, Saint Louis, MO   January 5th, 2008 12:22 pm ET

McCain is wrong about taxes, immigration and campaign finance. He's a washed-up fool runnning for the wrong party.

Jay Bee, USA   January 5th, 2008 5:07 am ET

Americans have the opportunity to make history. A woman, a black man, or a mormon, it's a first for everything. I will probably vote for the one that makes history!

Huckabee just isn't there, and if he thinks electing a mormon will cause evangelicals angst he shouldn't worry - look at how Huckabee and his crew called an anti-Catholic preacher "one of the great Christian leaders". Their groups can continue to fret and hate Catholics and Mormons regardless of their political views, but let's get the individual in there that can beat the democrats. That is Romney, come on people, the guy is willing to spend part of his own fortune to win the White House for Republicans.

McCain is Washington. He's been there so long you don't know who he owes favors too. Kennedy, Feingold, others? His time has past.

A vote for Romney is a vote for a balanced budget, which will strengthen the economy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fiXLymRkjU&feature=related

Besides, Romney's been running a lot longer than Huckabee:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufQDWPEgJZg&NR=1

Fred, CA   January 4th, 2008 10:54 pm ET

If he's being attacked, he must be dangerous! We must reject negative ads. Tell me what you are going to do, not what the other guy might or might have done. Anyone who advertises negatively is out in my book. If one can't stand on his own ideas, then forget it.

Reject negativeness. Tell me what you are going to do!!!

Matt   January 4th, 2008 9:58 pm ET

To any Ron Paul supporter, your candidate is an idiot. He plans to bring every single American soldier in Japan, Germany, South Korea and elsewhere around the world, home. What are these millions of troops going to do when Paul cuts down the military? He plans to turn all the navy ships around and return them to port. He wants to dismantle the IRS and dozens of other government funded organizations, firing tens of thousands of employees. With 5% unemployment, where are these fired workers going to go?

Ron Paul brings change alright, but it would certainly not be good for the security of the country.

Support John McCain and make your vote mean something.

Tyrone in Oh-hi-oh   January 4th, 2008 1:46 am ET

Romney is the right man for the job, and if he gets off the stupid horse and stops running negative ads, he will become the man that gets the job. The Democraps don't have a shot this year… That is, unless someone like Huckabee or McCain get the nomination. Wise up Mitt! Stop running these ads, or lose the nomination!

Sean, Keene, NH   January 4th, 2008 12:27 am ET

It absolutely amazes me that many of you have nothing better to argue about with McCain than his age! How about you focus on what is really important.

I plan on throwing my support for Sen McCain, like I did in 2000. I don't have any personal issues with the other candidates, but in terms of the issues that are most important to me (military, tax reform, immigration, etc), he and I speak the same language. His work ethic, integrity, and ability to speak his mind with no regard to the pathetic concerns of being PC also speaks volumes. I'm tired of the political rhetoric that is constantly spewing these days and I know McCain will be a breath of fresh air in a stagnant political office.

Chris G. Michigan   January 3rd, 2008 11:45 pm ET

I'm very disappointed how the Republican Party seems not to rally around the only candidates who can challenge the Democrats-Mitt Romney. I am a moderate republican, a veteran of 12 years 4 in Iraq. If the Republican nominee is anyone but Mitt Romney a Michigan native, I may vote for the Democrat especially of the rep. is Obama or Edwards.

Michael   January 3rd, 2008 11:22 pm ET

Even Iowa, when polled, believed that Mitt Romney was the only GOP candidate who could beat the Democrats. Don't know why they voted for Huckabee. If Romney doesn't win the GOP nomination, republicans can kiss the election good-bye.

Ted   January 3rd, 2008 9:53 pm ET

McCain Lacks Leadership?!?! Jean Truman..you must not know what what leadership means - The Naval Academy (as well as the other Service Academies) produces the best leaders in the USA!

Ted   January 3rd, 2008 9:45 pm ET

Romney will continue his negative campaign approach because he is in a tailspin…. He may have been a successful businessmen but his leadeship skills pale in comparison to John McCain… McCain in '08!

Mario   January 3rd, 2008 8:31 pm ET

Markiebe, what is it democraps like to control our lives, lie about global warming, want to raise taxes, have universal health care that doesn't work, why would anyone vote for hitlery when she was trying to bring her health care and shove it down our throats back several years ago and she still wants to, how is that change for this country. The dems want you to turn to the government for everything when we see it can't be counted on, does anyone recall 9/11 or Katrina, don't be fooled by these idiots, depend on yourseld first and foremost. But if you want to see thuis country go to hell then vote for Hitlery and sick Willie.

Trang, Fremont, CA   January 3rd, 2008 8:05 pm ET

McCain is not as inspirational as Obama, but he is a decent guy. My issue with him is his stand on the war, and I suppose that goes for the whole Republican field, except for Ron Paul, because I think they want to drag this war on. Other than that, I think he's a fine man.

Many people might be upset at his stand of immigration, but I think I know where he is coming from. He has stated that 'we are all God's children', so to ask him to deport people simply because they are here 'illegally' is not an easy thing to do. How can you look into God's eyes and treat a fellow human being like that? Same thing with Huckabee - and I think, in general, that's how the Democratic candidates see it too.

They all realize that addressing the border is the priority - stopping the influx, although I am not sure how they are going to do that.

I guess this election will decide the values of the American people as a collective, and I hope we choose compassion over fear.

ED winter park fl   January 3rd, 2008 8:01 pm ET

Mccains involvment in the savings and loan debacle and Romneys involvement in a shady olmypic monetary scandal plus the boston big dig show that both seem to have trouble/happiness in abusing other peoples money. Both are true republican traits and they are prerrty good at it.Unfortunatley neither have had to face life as a challenge to succeed. Mccains father was a three star admiral so you see the ease at which he proceeded to success in the navy. Although it might not have been a plus when he got shot down ,the resulting political aftermath after his release from POW status sure benefitted his political asperations . What draft dodging politician would dare call into question any malfunction against a war hero until rhe Bush admin screwed him and his family over in 2004. But his political background took over his military background and he then sucked up to anybody or any thing that might further his political ambitions. Romney's back civilian success and political back ground and his religious background appear to be suceeding in these primary situations but If either get to the big game where no holds are barred their true backgrounds will surface . Then all hell will break lose and the true [and untrue ]aspects of their life and achievments will come before the American voters. The result then will prove what reality is.

Louis in Bakersfield, CA   January 3rd, 2008 7:54 pm ET

Samuel Adams said:
"Senator Jeff Sessions was one of the few people in the United States who actually took the time to read the bill and his assesment was it would accomplish absolutely nothing in reducing or eliminating illegal immigration. The same kind of bill was passes in 1986 and it only caused more illegal immigraton. "

Tell us Samuel, what exactly were the similarities between the two bills? I can tell from your comments that you never read either bill. But if I'm wrong, then prove it. Give me some specifics about the McCain Bill

So many of you people that are screaming Amnesty, but I doubt that you've actually read the bill.

Alice Newman Center Harbor NH   January 3rd, 2008 7:41 pm ET

… if his moment was passed, it was because of the dirtiest campaign ever waged by a Republican against a Republican … McCain was bushwacked -

After 7 years of the worst president ever, I still wonder what a McCain presidency would have been like -

saddest words ever penned - "it might have been."

Charlie, Portland Oregon   January 3rd, 2008 7:32 pm ET

It is astonishing that Republicans are critcizing McCain for supporting immigration policies and free trade policies that their own beloved President W sponsored!

Vicki Hampton Hanceville Alabama   January 3rd, 2008 7:19 pm ET

Romney with all the dirty tricks and nothing is working. Poor poor Mitt with all that money and can't even buy an election. Emptied his bag of dirty tricks and still to no avail. I am sure glad that I don't go to the church that he is the "supposed minister" over because I can get to hell all by myself. Him and his lies and dirty push-polling but still can't win. Wah!

JW   January 3rd, 2008 7:05 pm ET

As an Arizonan I can support McCain for Senator just because he's such a veteran, but I definitely won't support him for President. McCain has been strong on defending the country, but he has fallen short of representing his constituents and is as guilty as anyone for "flip flopping" on issues after making promises. I think the closest he should be to President is the Secretary of Defense, which I believe he would be good for.

I'm neither Democrat or Republican, and haven't voted in the last two elections. But I'm definitely going to vote this tiime. I think its time for change. If this country keeps going in the same direction economically (floating amilessly) it won't be long before we lose out economically to China and the EU, and then all our problems will just get bigger exponentially.

To me the all powerfull bottom-line and economy is the biggest invisible issue in this campaign and I think Mitt Romney is the best qualified in this department as the only contender with any real business experience. The rest of the pack are just bull-shooting politicians who's best skill is talking, who lack the hands on experience actually running something that Romney does.

You can say what you want but how many people do you know (and which other presidential contender), who have build and successfully run a $200 million company, manking a lot of other people rich in the process? Romney has the experience to provide the right kind of leadership this country needs in the White House for the next 4 years: practical and businesslike with a proven track record of being able to work accross party lines.

Mark Sherwood   January 3rd, 2008 6:51 pm ET

True enough. Remember it was Senator McCain who wanted to run as John Kerry's Vice President!

It was also Senator McCain who screamed at other GOP Senators to f-off on the floor of the senate.

The American Spectator called McCain an angry old man.

http://spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=12512

Walt, Belton, TX   January 3rd, 2008 6:29 pm ET

I'll take an old veteran like McCain at 72 over two lying SOBs like mormon Romney and Hucklebee.

Scott, Madison, WI   January 3rd, 2008 6:14 pm ET

Probably the one and only thing Mitt and I can agree on!

Steve Blaine Washington   January 3rd, 2008 6:07 pm ET

Unless McCain is going to seek a constitutional amendment amending
the Constitution by changing the definition of natural born from what the framers
intended and seek ratification from appropriate number of states he is just
trying to cause a constitutional crisis, a civil war or a take over of the Government by military. They would not let Goldwater be President and he was born in Arizona
3 years before it became a State. So why should someone born on leased property in Panama be so elgible.

I am not saying that John McCain is not a citizen of the USA but I am saying
that in order to become President or Vice President there needs to be a
Constitutional Amendment defining natural born beyond framers intent or
removing term from Constitution and 12th Amendment to Constitution.
John McCain supposedly was aware of this information listed below because
his spokeswoman Nancy Ives quotes Act of 26 Mar 1790 and on same page
of Congressional records Act of 26 mar 1790 is listed as replaced by Act 29
Jan 1795. John McCain has been aware of information for at least 4 years and
undoubtedly could have succeeded in obtaining a Constitutional Amendment
on the subject during past 4 years if he planned on running for President a
second time.

A requirement to be President and Vice President is listed in the
Constitution and requires that both be natural 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 natural 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 in 1936 and the Canal Zone was leased
property like Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
Around 2004 when John McCain was running for either the Presidency or
Senate a spokesman by name of Nancy Ives claimed McCain was entitled to
natural born status due to Act dated 26 Mar 1790 Section 1 &2 which stated "
The Children of Citizens of the U.S. that may be born beyond sea or outside
the limits of the U.S. shall be considered as natural born Citizens of the
U.S."
However, this Act was repealed by Act of 29 Jan 1795 Sections 1&2 which
does not mention the words natural 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
natural born either.
So how does John McCain qualify to run for President without a
constitutional amendment removing the term natural born from the
Constitution and subsequent ratification by the proper number of States?

Jean truman   January 3rd, 2008 6:07 pm ET

JOHN McCAIN WHO…… THIS OLD MAN SHOULD BE SEND BACK TO AN OLD AGE HOME. HIS OWN PARTY, HEADED BY GEORGE BUSH, DESTROYED McCAIN'S FUTURE AS A POTENTIAL PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AND DESTROYED McCAIN'S POLITICAL AMBITIONS FOR EVER IN 2000. AT THE AGE OF 72, NO REPUBLICAN POLITICIAN WILL SUPPORT McCAIN. HE WILL BE LUCKY IF IN CAN KEEP HIS SENATE SEAT COME NEXR ELECTION.
McCAIN IS A SUPERFICIAL AND FAKE POLITICIAN. HE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT ECONOMY, NOTHING ABOUT EDUCATION, AND HIS FOREIGN POLITICAL KNOWLEDGE IS 18TH CENTURY KNOWHOW. SOME PEOPLE ARE PUSHING McCAIN'S CANDIDACY IN CASE HUCKABEE, ANOTHER EXTREMIST, BECOME SUCCESSFUL.
BEEN SO MANY YEARS IN THE SANATE, WHAT DID McCAIN ACCOMPLISH ?
NOTHING.
WITH HAVE GREAT RESPECT TO HIS MILITARY SERVICES TO OUR COUNTRY. BUT DOES NOT MEAN HE CAN GOVERN. HE LACKS LEADERSHIP AND HAS NO PERSONALITY. IF McCAIN REALLY WANT TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE, THE ONLY FIELD OPEN FOR HIM WILL BE TO BECOME A TEACHER, SHOULD HE DECIDE NOT TO RETIRE.
AMERICA NEEDS A YOUNG POLITICIAN WITH A DYNAMIC VISION TO MODERNIZE AMERICA. McCAIN AND ANY OTHER POLITICIAN LIKE HIM WILL TAKE US HUNDRED YEAR BACKWORD.
THIS IS A VERY CRITICAL YEAR GIVEN THE CURRENT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SITUATION. WITH McCAIN'S PHYSICAL AND A QUESTIONABLE HEALTH SITUATION, HE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE WHITE HOUSE.
MY FRIENDS, WAKE UP. LOOK AT SOME FOREIGN COUTRIES AND ECONOMIC POWERS AND COMPARE THEIR PROGRESS WITH OUR CURRENT SITUATION WHICH IS SINKING EVERYDAY.
WE CAN WIN A MISSGUIDED WAR.
OUR NATIONAL DEBTS IS OUT OF CONTROL.
OUR FOREIGN TRADE DEFICIT IS GOING FROM BAD TO DISASTER.
WE HAVE A PRESIDENT WHO CANNOT SPEAK ENGLISH, OUR OFFICIAL LANGUAGE.
AMERICAN CORPORATIONS ARE EITHER LEAVING THE U.S. OR ARE BEING TAKEN OVER BY FOREIGN ENTITIES.
AMERICAN TEENAGERS CANNOT READ AND WRITE.
NOBY CAN CONFIRM THE ONLY ACCOMPLISHMENT OF OUR PRESENT PRESIDENT AND THE VICE PRESIDENT.
GIVEN ALL THESE CRITICAL SITUATIONS, DO YOU THINK THAT JOHN MCCAIN CAN GOVERN THIS COUNTRY ?
WAKE UP AMERICA.

WTSMITH61   January 3rd, 2008 6:02 pm ET

McCain, it seems to me, is the only honest politician out there. Immigration reform and opposition to tax cuts are controversial topics that require leadership rather than government by public opinion polls.

Samuel Adams   January 3rd, 2008 6:00 pm ET

The comprehensive immigration bill McCain co sponsored with Ted Kennedy was written very cleverly with many loopholes and unenforcable provisions. Senator Jeff Sessions was one of the few people in the United States who actually took the time to read the bill and his assesment was it would accomplish absolutely nothing in reducing or eliminating illegal immigration. The same kind of bill was passes in 1986 and it only caused more illegal immigraton. The facts are McCain and Kennedy are corpororate pawns who were seeking to provide big business with plenty of cheap illegal labor. The bill was nothing more than a political head fake designed to bring in more illegals while pretending to be about enforcement. SHAME SHAME SHAME dont vote for McCain!!!

Cat, Costa Mesa, CA   January 3rd, 2008 5:57 pm ET

Notice, Romney didn't say anything….It was purely the citizens of New Jersey talking. And McCain is supposed to be their pet!

Sandy, KS   January 3rd, 2008 5:49 pm ET

McCain is an old wood log that is dead. He should be preserved in a mueseum rather than sent to the White House. How can people forget his support for Amnesty for illegals !

MarkieBee, Sacramento, Calif.   January 3rd, 2008 5:37 pm ET

Yeah, those tax cuts sure are great…helped lead us to $9 TRILLION deficit. What is it with Republicans and their love of running up record deficits?

John   January 3rd, 2008 5:28 pm ET

McCain never raised taxes. He is against tax increases that is why he is in favor of extending the tax cuts.

Romney was against the tax cuts he said he wouldn't cheerlead for the president then flip flopped as the election approached.

Romney is the one who raised taxes 500 million in mass.

McCain has never voted for a tax hike.

McCain polls 20 percent better against hillary than the dems.

Romney is the anti reagan he will set the party back a generation. He is the biggest phony alive.

Cephas   January 3rd, 2008 5:26 pm ET

Brian Nancoo,

I partially agree with you. At least about the Republican Party not properly repecting VETS who enter public life - unless its a vote getter. But the same is especially true of the DEMS unless they can use the VET to make them appear more hawkish than they are.

McCain is a Patriot, no doubt about it. I'm proud and very glad that he has continued to serve as he has. Additionally, I respect McCain's willingness to be an individual on issues and even to cross the political divide now and again. But, I am not in favor of supporting McCain's presidency. His time has come and gone. There are reasons why he couldn't get elected in the past. His immigration bill was not as bad as some of the pundits made it out to be, - true. Nevertheless, it was clear that he wasn't paying attention to the American people when he wrote it with Teddy. He wrote a bill that he thought would get by the dems, placate the non-immigrant American public and not loose favor with illigals. I don't call that securing the boarders. Likewise his position on Tax Cuts continue to leave me uneasy. I'm convinced that when it comes to taxes he has a lower case 'd' behind his name. Also, and I hope he wouldn't find this insulting, but like my father, I believe that his previous service (and especially his ordeal in captivity) have negativily affected his ability to lead the military services. It is clear that when he talks about "strong interogation" techniques that he is more concerned about the ramifications our actions will have on any of our folks who become captives than he is protecting the home front. The active military commanders will be the first to tell you that that kind of hesitation during a crisis can be extremely dangerous.

Carl ,Arizona   January 3rd, 2008 5:16 pm ET

I have lived in Arizona for 30 years and I have seen John McCain DO some stupid things.McCain is a looser,a snake and a traitor to the AMERICAN people.
WHY ,Because he was for amnesty for the millions of illegal aliens,YES AMNESTY.I don't care if some people say that it wasn't amnesty. The people who come to our great country illegally don't deserve anything,EXCEPT a trip to where they came from.
By voting for amnesty McCain has shown his true colors.
HE SHOULD NOT BE VOTED IN AS PRESIDENT,PEROID

David, Gilbert Arizona   January 3rd, 2008 5:14 pm ET

I like how Mitt goes about creating ads that attack other candidates but do not say anything about how he would be different. Could it be that Mitt's flip flopping on just about every issue has become such a problem for him that he must resort to attack ads?

The saddest part of this entire election process is that we sheeple blindly follow any front runner candidate as if it's a popularity contest instead of who is best for the job. A prime example is all the voters who would vote for Hillary Clinton for no other reason than she's a woman. I hear time and time again it's time we had a woman in the White House. How moronic are people? Totally disregard the fact that her proposed health care program is unfunded and she won't explain where the extra money will come from to pay for it. Shut your ears completely to the grand speech she made on the Senate floor about knowing for sure there are weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Let's all vote for her only because of the ignorant fact that she's a woman.

If the democrats were half as bright as they claim to be they'd nominate Joe Biden in a heart beat. It the republicans had the slightest clue they'd nominate McCain or even Ron Paul. Any one of those candidates has more experience than any of the so called front runners. I'm a republican and I'd vote for Joe Biden. I don't know a single republican who would give Hillary the time of day let alone vote for her.

We the voters are to blame for the sad disgrace the United States has become. WE vote these people into office. WE hire these morons then sit back and cry when things go bad. If you want to blame anyone for the shape our country is in then look no further than your mirror. The person staring back at you is to blame.

Lawrence, Madison, AL   January 3rd, 2008 5:14 pm ET

ANY Senator that's been in office more than one term has had their chance to make things better.

The Congress isn't part of the solution these days - they're part of the problem. No sitting congressman/woman is fit to hold the Office of the President!

Michael   January 3rd, 2008 5:12 pm ET

Not to many Republicans have strapped on body armor or heard the sound of hostile fire. McCain is one of the few real men in the GOP. The rest of you hens, to quote Gov. Schwarzenegger, are nothing but girlie men. Keep pecking and chirping at each other girls and get used to the idea that your day is done. :)

Ted, Gilbert AZ   January 3rd, 2008 5:10 pm ET

McCain has a temper, he is just been in Washingtron too long. He has never run anything and his immigration bill was amnesty. There is a reason why the sheriff of the largest county in AZ who is very tough on immigration is supporting Romney.

Walt, Belton, TX   January 3rd, 2008 5:06 pm ET

The mormon's last chance has passed too!

Richard, Ewing, NJ   January 3rd, 2008 5:04 pm ET

Romney is correct that sometime his opponent like Huckabee and McCain question his characters instead of position, that is because Romney has NO position. When someone is for and against everything, you cannot attack his positions because there is no position to speak of. You question his integrity.

Romney was ran his Senate race on the left of Ted Kennedy on gay's right, but now he is super conservative about a marriage is between man and a woman

Romney was pro-choice, and now he is pro-life

Romney was not a hunter, but now he is a hunter.

Romney was an independent who does not want to go back to the old days of Reagan Bush, but now he does.

Romney saw his dad matched with Martin L. King, but not anymore.

Romney questioned the military surge, but not anymore

FINALLY, Romney was for the senate compensative immigration reform bill, but now he does not.

Let me ask you…. Should I attack him as a Pro-gun or Anti-gun person? Should I attack Romney as a Pro-life or a Pro-Choice? Should I attack him for supporting the military surge or discouraging the surge? I do not know. I do know I question his integrity.

Darth Vadik, Diamond Bar CA   January 3rd, 2008 5:04 pm ET

Mitt attacking McCain is like Michael Jackson attacking Britney Spears for being a bad parent.

Both of these guys are off their rockers.

McCain belongs in an old mans home, sitting on a porch, raising his fist at people walking by.

…and Mitt actually belongs on the Neverland Ranch with Michael Jackson, so they can share hair tips.

Hey, that's an idea, if Mitt wins the presidency by some evil miracle, he can have his own little ranch like Bush. The Neverland Ranch I think its for sale…

…why, because he is CREEEEEEPPPYYYY.

Jen, Cedar Falls, IA   January 3rd, 2008 4:58 pm ET

McCain is TOO old and everybody knows it. There, it's been said. Now move on………….

New Hampshire Independent   January 3rd, 2008 4:58 pm ET

I don't know how many of the above comments were made by New Hampshire residents, but as far as McCain's moment having passed……well some of these folks are in for a really big surpise in a couple of days. This includes Mitt Romney.

Iowa Bob   January 3rd, 2008 4:57 pm ET

McCain's amnesty bill for illegal immigrants was just that. Nobody had to go home. All any illegal alien had to do was apply. He could then stay forever and bring in all his relatives, even if he never went on to pay fines, pay taxes or do anything else to apply for citizenship. Citizenship is not the issue! It was the fact that the illegals got to stay and received instant legal status to prevent their deportation! Wake up! If McCain is elected the Democrats in congress will have a field day because McCain is really one of them on most issues. Why else do you think the liberal media supports him?

John - New York, NY   January 3rd, 2008 4:57 pm ET

I read something earlier stating that McCain is a Democrat…and even agreed with Ted Kennedy on an issue. Once in a blue moon, that can happen people. Guess what…this country wasn't designed so that two entrenched partisan heavyweights could go toe to toe in the year 2008. The Presidency is about leading our country to new heights, protecting our right to live free, and ensuring that we continue to lead the world economy. John McCain just may be the guy to do that. Too bad, for those of you that call yourselves Republicans, that the man likes to compromise on certain issues. If we dont compromise we get nowhere. We get more done however when there is some vision sharing.

k   January 3rd, 2008 4:52 pm ET

Electability people! McCain is the only shot Repiblicans have at keeping the White House! Think about it….

Richard, Ewing, NJ   January 3rd, 2008 4:51 pm ET

Brian Nancoo ,

Colin Powell's presidental chance was killed a long time ago. It was killed when he got married. His wife would not allow him to run for president and does not want me to get into politics, which is why in 1996 the GOP ran Bob Dole against Clinton and not Colin Powell against Clinton. GOP tried very hard to draft him out that election and that was in fact his best chance — remember all the talk in 1994-5? He was young, the Gulf War finished only 4 years ago, people loved his integrity, and Clinton's integrity was being quetioned. His wife won't let him run. She had a bad dream that Colin Powellbeing assassinated as president. She had since strongly against him into any electing official. Remember he retired and did not get back into politics, until Bush drag him to become his secretary of state — even then I think they have to persude her that the secretary of state is appointed position and not an ELECTED offical. Despite rumor, Powell had long told Bush that he will only serve one term because he has promised his wife. I am sure the whole WMD thing did not help, but if you look for speeches from 2000, you will see that Powell only promised to go for one term.

tati   January 3rd, 2008 4:49 pm ET

Only Romney is really qualified for this job . My friends — from Germany,France,
Russia are very surpised that american people don't see a difference .

Howard, NY   January 3rd, 2008 4:49 pm ET

Mitt Romney is such a sham of a candidate. Can anyone imagine how much better these last 8 years would have been if John McCain had gotten the nomination in 2000? I'll be voting Democratic this election, but John McCain is the one GOP candidate that I could stomach. He did suck up to Bush wayyyyy too much, but he's still much less of a panderer than any other Republican frontrunner.

Iowa Bob   January 3rd, 2008 4:49 pm ET

McCain was a POW during the Vietnam war over thirty years ago. How does that alone qualify him for the presidency, or immunize him from any criticism on his abismal voting record in the senate? He is no conservative and only nominally a Republican. The liberal media loves him because as a "maverick" he consistently votes against conservative principles and shows no loyalty at all to his party. He is an egoist who revels in the spotlight he gets by acting like a democrat. His support for higher taxes and unlimited amnesty for illegal immigrants show him to be a liberal in sheep's clothing. Aside from that, he is an old sourpuss!

P.S. Don't forget his role in the S & L scandals.

Cyrus Johnson   January 3rd, 2008 4:47 pm ET

Mitt Romney is the most dangerous opponent to the Democrats and they know it. Don't believe anything to the contrary. Why has the DNC and MSM made Romney their main target? Doesn't take a genius to figure that one at.

As a conservative I'll go ahead and call out the liberal media. Screw all of you who abuse your trust as journalists to promote your candidate and then shoot down those on the GOP who scare. Screw all of you, seriously. You haven't an honest bone in your bodies, and you're a disgrace to the journalist's profession.

We need a revolution in this country to take back the MSM from the flaming liberals, or at least add some balance. It so skewed it is disgusting!

Nicci   January 3rd, 2008 4:46 pm ET

McCain has passed! He's so cocky and arrogant now; all his debates were about him having the experience and only him having the knowlege. I don't think so! He's spent too much time in the political arena and now enough recently in the general public.
Romney has almost always been in the normal world and understands it.
Thank you McCain for all yor help in the past - thank you for making my country better for me - but I can't support your attitude into the White House.

Barry   January 3rd, 2008 4:44 pm ET

READ THE BILL.
There's absolutely NOTHING in there about any "amnesty".
The American people have once again allowed themselves to be led by the media and baseless political idiom, jumping on a bandwagon without even knowing where it's headed. You, Samual Adams need to specify exactly where you find any workings in Senator McCain's immigration proposal that offers any illegal a free pass.
Blindly following a popular theme without doing some fact-checking seems to be a pretty acceptable way to operate these days - I think we have a war in Iraq to prove it.

Mitt is shooting arrows at ghosts, and his desperate tactics aren't going unnoticed in Iowa or anywhere else in America.

At the end of the day, we're going to be faced with choosing between a young, well-intended but inexperienced senator from Illinois or a proven stalwart from Arizona and the decision will be either major change and higher taxes or workable policies and reduction in services.
It's time the spenders in Washington be made accountable for our tax dollars, and we stop offering free rides to those who seem to forget this country is ruled by majority and not special interests. Someone who'll fight for our constitution - as he has proven time and again - instead of trampling it or stretching its intent.

Don't perpetuate the bs you're being fed - do your own homework and then come back and suggest who should be ashamed. I'll guarantee you it won't be John McCain.

Richard, Ewing, NJ   January 3rd, 2008 4:40 pm ET

Anyone suggests McCain supported an amnesty bill should actually read the senate bill. It is not an amnesty bill. Illegal immigrants who stay for less than 2 years will be sent back home and need to apply to get back to US and work. Illegal immigrants who stayed for more than 2 years, need to pay a fine, pay missing tax, learn English, put on probition for 12 years before becoming US citizen (maybe). McCain did not support the Bush tax cut because it has no spending cap. Everyone idiot radio talk show hosts said McCain is not conversative enough for not supporting the two tax cuts. We had a faster spending increases under Bush than Clinton. Forget about the Iraq war, the domestic federal spending increased dramatically under Bush. Our federal spending increases since 1950's and the government size keep increasing. McCain is correct. It is conservative to balance the federal budget. It is conservative to limit government size. You cannot maintain a real permanent tax cut withouth a spending cut. McCain is the only presidental candidate who possibility understand that. He has a good senate history of cutting wasteful spending. Just look at the Iowa causus now, every candidate say they support ethanol subsidies for farmer, except McCain. Does it not occur to people that these other candidates are not doing this just because Iowa is the Tall Corn State and they trying to gain Iowaian support? Yet, increasingly the entire ethanol as a clean fuel appears to be fake, it takes more energy to grow the corns , then the energy we can get from the corns. The price of corns have skyrocketted and all livestock (cow, pig, chicken) price also went up because they feed on corns. McCain say no to subsidies for corn, and cut government spending for it. Good job.

JCK, Chandler, Arizona   January 3rd, 2008 4:36 pm ET

This is a false ad. I'm an Arizonan and have followed McCain's record. No, he was not wrong on tax cuts. He opposed BUSH'S tax bill. He was FOR TAX CUTS. He believed, correctly, that the tax cuts proposed by Bush were too high, and he wanted a bill that would give a slightly smaller tax cut, targeted, of course. He is a thinking person who IS for tax cuts. This was sensible, because it turned out that the budget went into a huge deficit because Bush overspent. Bush never vetoed a spending bill until just recently. And, of course, the economy is suffering.

As for amnesty, again false. No amnesty for illegals in McCain's version of the bill. The illegals had to GO HOME FIRST, fulfill certain obligations to become legal, then come back if they chose, but only legally, and then if they did what was required, their penalties would be reduced. That is certainly not amnesty. Amnesty is when you tell the illegals that they can stay, and that they are legal without any obligation and penalty.

Why is Romney doing this? To cover up that he - in contrast to McCain - has not been consistent on ANY policy?

J, Seattle, WA   January 3rd, 2008 4:30 pm ET

McCain's moment has passed? That's beyond silly Mitt.

janice Tomlinson   January 3rd, 2008 4:27 pm ET

Lordy Mercy. I will vote for a democrat. Republicans are just too tightly wound for me… life is too short, don't get your britches in a wad… vote how you want, but use some restraint on public forums such as this.

david branson   January 3rd, 2008 4:25 pm ET

I used to admire John McCain and I still admire his war record but when he cozied up to Jerry Falwell after demonizing him in 2000 he lost me . He also supported a men that brutalized him ( Bush ) He was against tax cuts when he opposed Bushand now he supports them. And then he was in favor of Amnesty for all of the illegals in this country.

Sorry but no thanks.
Dave Branson

AJ, IL   January 3rd, 2008 4:23 pm ET

Samual Adams you should vote for Romney! Romney is the man… (i.e. the man that can easily defeated by any democrat).

Brian Nancoo - Trinidad   January 3rd, 2008 4:21 pm ET

I challenge anyone in the Republcan Party to show me an instance where the Republican leadership has honored the military service of those who have become politicians.Its disgraceful what they have done and said about McCain,both now and in the past when he challenged for the presidential nomination.Ditto for Colin Powell,who's presidential aspirations were killed when they set him up to lie about WMD,and we won't bother going into what they've done to the Democrats.Americans need to beware of Mitt Romneys,who sounds more like the 2002 Bush everyday.McCain is the most qualified Republican to lead this country out of the huge domestic and foreign mess it is in. True,its a separate challenge to get elected,but you Yanks could do yourself a huge favour and turn aside guys like Romney and Guliani who are just in it for the trappings and elect a guy like McCain who will do something.

Samual Adams   January 3rd, 2008 4:09 pm ET

McCain, you are a democrat. Amnesty for illegals, support for free trade. You are just like HIllary Clinton And TEd Kennedy. You even co sponsored a comprehensive immigration bill with liberal Ted Kennedy ,Shame Shame Shame.

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