John Edwards does not embrace Bush either. With the economy in the shape it is in, we cannot afford another republican administration. When the last Democrat was in the Oval office, we had a budget suplus. All the Republicans have done for the last eight years is spend more money than they had to spend.

I think he owes Bush an apology! Just as he told Huckabee before. What, did Mitt's stand change?

I cannot believe dubya's mother or father would embrace his record! Once in a while and hardly ever will be his legacy in my opinion. That's tough yes, but staying with the Iraqi lie 5 years is totally unforgiveable. Shock and awe, yes and will never be forgotten, by the women and children that hovered and prayed while it was happening. Our country is in ruins, shame is our profle, Our resources and livelihood all but exhausted and we live in fear of the next blundering act that draws us ever closer to Armageddon. Take your place beside your counterparts that wait for you in your hall of shame, Mr. Hoover and a short list of others, fly your
clumsy banner over our ravaged land. Yes your mission is all but accomplished.I pray that every young man and woman facing the task of righting our wounded land, will study your work and never raise their hand to repeat your dismal performance,sir.

Just a few points of rebuttal… (1) John Edwards has no hope of winning the Democratic primary, let alone the general election. So honestly, what is the point of arguing for him? (2) While a Democrat may have been in the White House during the Clinton years, the Republicans controlled the Congress; it takes two to tango. (3) No Democrat, or Republican for that matter, has endured a physical attack on the U.S. and not run up public debt. Now while I may not support the current administation either, I do feel we should look at our politics and our contry objectively.

"When Reublicans act like Democrats…"? What a bonehead thing to say…it makes no sense and looks like a cheapshot gone WAY wrong. Bush acted like a Dem? Yikes. If you're going to insult the Dems, make it a zinger, not some psuedo-Freudian Claptrap.

Ya right., let's all apologize to Geo. Bush. For calling him an arrogant moron, a knuckle-head who can't see thru the right-wing bull to run a decent economy (2 recessions!), a pin-headed budget buster that is destroying America from within, a wing-nut chicken hawk who gets led around by the real president Cheney, a liar of the worst kind, a killer of Americans to appease his neo-con puppet-masters' agenda, a goon who can't find his political butt with his own two hands.

Geez, I'm real sorry Georgie boy. REAL SORRY that there enough idiots in this country to elect you twice as president. I'm so sorry these idiots set you up for this abuse.

Just for clarification–he wasn't referring to Bush directly when he said the Republicans were acting like Democrats. He was referring to Congress as a whole. They have pushed for big government, big spending and "big brothers" control over US citizens. So, what he was referring to did have merit and depth and wasn't some shallow snip at the president. Pay a little more attention next time Goofball.

As the National Review stated: Romney has many ideals similar to the Bush's but not likely to make the same poor decisions. Romney takes advice from people who know the issues…..he is pragmatic and his record is a record of success.

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

The question was directly about the George W. Bush eight year U.S. Presidential record. "WiTD" you suggest Mitt Romney was being evasive and not specifically answering the question? You like that? That is okay in your book? . . . oh

Economy Romney is about JOBS JOBS JOBS

He has the right balance.

Mitt Romney will have different priorities than Bush.

So Washington is broken, but it's got nothing to do with the Bush administration or Bush's failure to veto any of the high spending bills of Republicans that were acting like Democrats? Only Bush-supporters could swallow illogic like that.

Do any of these candidates not get that it was a Republican congress and President? The Dems had a balanced budget. The Repubs couldn't even accomplish that. These guys just come across as weak on domestic issues if they won't just suck it up and take responsibility for what happened. What the hell is it with these guys and the war? What do I know, I'm just and independent looking for a candidate. I was underwhelmed.

He will do what ever he is told to do once in office, just like the current set of puppets.You still dont get it do you people?

The problem with "when republicans act like democrats" is that instead of helping the people that need the help, the republicans help those who don't need the help.
How do you expect to pay down the debt? We can't grow our way out, we can't cut our way out, we will have to tax our way, thanks to Bush and the Republicans.

A little more clarification. I think he was referring to Bush and the Republicans in Congress that spent money like it was going out of style. About the only thing they did conservative was cut taxes. They grew government spending and government control like Democrats. I'm wondering if a few of them were "closet Demos"! Oh, the Democratic controlled congress has made up the slack in the last year to outspend the Republicans 5 to 1, but neither is acceptable! Has anyone notice that they're thinking about dropping the credit rating on the U.S. government?! Credit ratings get dropped on people or businesses or governments when they're afraid the debt won't get paid back. Bottom line: The U.S. is on the verge of bankruptcy! What do you think our money will be worth if we can't pay the bills??!! The dollar will drop like a rock, and we will get to feel what it is like to have a "banana republic" currency! Frankly, I'm not looking forward to buying bread with a wheelbarrow of money. Ron Paul or Romney are the best choices economically. Heaven help us if we get any one of the Democratic candidates. They've got so many spending programs that the government will probably be bankrupt by the end of their term. Perhaps that's the plan. Hitler came to power during Germany's economic maladies. Remember that their money was worthless due to horrible inflation and their government not being able to pay the bills! I'm not just saying this could happen with the Democrats. Remember, the Republicans were spending like Democrats! Perhaps some of them have an inside agenda?

Romney's statement was not aimed at Bush so much as it was aimed at McCain. It does Romney no good to criticize Bush, and he and all the other candidates are smart enough to know that. But there is a huge portion of the conservative base who are frustrated with the way the Republicans in congress have acted like Democrats, and McCain has a reputation as one of the worst such Republicans. Romney's remark is aimed at that conservative base, and I expect it was well-received.

Bush has an approval rating somewhere in the 30% range. Does anyone really think Romney would be wise to embrace that? Of course not and I like Bush. But you have to be willing to work things out and not shoot from the hip like Bush too often has done in the past. Romney can get that done.

Slick WIllard being evasive? Having a double standard? Nooo, your kidding.

What a liar! This is the same idiot who awhile ago said we shouldn't be badmouthing Bush.

Like this nation hasn't lost enough credibility already.

Oh wouldn't it just be a fairy tale ending if honest men could be honest and fight a fare fight in the political arena. None of it is "OK" in my book but I also am not naivee enough to know that this is politics and every word has to be quarded for we all know it will be twisted and taken out of context at every turn. Jose you show me one, just one of the candidates or even one in all of the presidential history that has won an election by not being "evasive" under your definition. Sorry you live in the dream world where media doesn't exists.

Gotta love this guy. "When Republicans act like Democrats the country loses." Great line!

Mitt is the thinking person's candidate. If you just listen to what he is saying, you realize that he is the best thing that could happen to the nation going forward. He is a FISCAL conservative which would benefit everyone in the country.

"When Republicans act like Democrats, America loses," he said.

lol… This guy should check out the track record of his own Republican party for the past year; corruption after corruption scandal!

Now thats when America loses!

Go Dr. Paul…

Romney won that debate hands down. " Rudy is Done"

I am not big on the Republican's , but after tonight i am pretty certain that most of these guy's would walk all over Hillary Clinton if she was to be the Dems nominee.
The Clinton's just have way to much scandle and trash in there back yard.

Why would anyone run on Bush's record? Or anyone else's for that matter? Romney has had plenty of success in politics, business, and in international affairs. His record speaks for itself.

Hey ken ,,, did you miss your appointment today ?

Nobody and I mean NOOObody in their right mind would embrace the Bush record. Romney is a lot like him though, he doesn't care about the voters, like Bush doesn't care about what the public wants. Me boss you not mentality.

I'm a democrat but Mitt Romney is the smartest candidate of all parties.

Romney sounds like a typical politician trying to get elected by saying anything to fool the ignorant voters of this country. He is no different than Bush and it unlikely to change anything. The fact that he agrees with the Bush stimulas plan speaks volumes.

The trouble was and is that the republicans are not acting like democrats. they are acting like republicans. under the democrats we had posperity. gas was cheap, not to mention milk and other commiities. under the republicans we have has war and prices out of control. and tax cuts for the richest people in the country. way to go Mitt.

Geez, CNN, yet another comment taken out of context! If you watch the debate, his answer about running against Washington came several sentances LATER! His main point — the ONE HE ACTUALLY RESPONDED with was that he'd run on his OWN RECORD. His point about Washington was a secondary point. Where is your journalistic integrity, CNN?????

Mitt is a phony.
He'll say anything to get elected.
That's always been his MO, why stop now?

Boyd SC,,,,, great stuff,,, and this could be the answers to ALL OUR PROBLEMS ,,, ALL the dems have to say to the world is its all BUSH"S FAULT,,, and all will be forgiven Right ? Sounds like the NEW dem/lib sratedgy to me !