Romney: I can 'post up against Barack Obama'
STRATHAM, New Hampshire (CNN) - Mitt Romney has been shifting his message to focus on change following the emergence of Barack Obama as the Democratic frontrunner.
Romney said Republicans need a nominee who can compete with Obama.
"I think Republican voters who, like myself, were virtually certain that Hillary Clinton would be the nominee have now begun to rethink Hillary Clinton may not be the nominee," Romney told reporters here.
He said Obama's message of change has "put Hillary Clinton on her heels" and that if the Illinois senator becomes the nominee, then Romney's rival Sen. John McCain will be the wrong standard-bearer for Republicans.
"Frankly, I don't think Senator McCain, despite his service and his length of experience that that's going to be able to stand up to the message that Barack Obama has brought forward," he said.
"We better think about somebody who can stand up with a message and go toe to toe with [Obama]," Romney said, adding that he can "post up against" Obama.
Romney senior adviser Ron Kaufman said Obama " demolished three senators in Iowa" and will "demolish" Clinton in New Hampshire, "so clearly having a senator against him is not a good idea."
- CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby
Me thinks that the little pointy head dems on this board spew their hate too profusedly toward Mitt. If he can garner this much hate, then he must be a pretty good candidate. That's it. He is my man. My vote goes to Mitt, the most intelligent man in the race and one with the right kind of experience. He will beat the crap out of that blow hard 'junior' senator from Illinois.
Uh people,Iowa and New Hampshire don't pick the nominee. They only weed out the real losers. A bad showing matters,but not winning doesn't. This race has a far way to go. Predicting a nominee by tomorrow is like planning for a sunny day in April. The turn out by democratic leaners vs. republican leaners will tell us much more useful information. I'm willing to bet the republicans are on the losing end just like in Iowa.
And I love how people keep commenting on how much money Mitt has spent. Do any of you follow politics enough to realize that he has RAISED the most money of anybody? HELLOOOOOOO!! That ought to tell you something about the confidence people have in him.
To the gentleman who egregiously misrepresented the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints regarding garments and salvation: the Church's actual doctrine can be found on http://www.mormon.org.
I appreciate the civil political dialogue inspired by this election, but publicly defaming or misrepresenting a candidate's religion is indecent.
Mitt Romney is as shady a politician as they get, and his ties to the scandalous and dubious Mormon church make him all the less credible as a person with any genuine interest in human progress, rather than human control.
I shudder when I hear a voter say "he seems like a genuine person, or a likable guy." If you use the word" seems" in a sentence describing what made you choose a presidential candidate, you should be appointed a handler or a sane family member before you cast your ballot. And this is especially true with those voting for Huckabee on his value as a likable guy. It should be a federal offense to admit in public let alone vote for a president on the premiss of likability in this day and age. If a block of, or a majority of voters ever again get a president elected in any way, on whether he seemed nice, the sheer naiveity of it should bring on the calimity it provokes.
Mitt was my governor of my home state and did fantastic. I love all the anti-Mitt comments on here. You don't know the man or what he has done.
Washington needs to be run by a business. Do you see how inefficient the government is today? If it was run like a business then it wouldn't be.
The fact is everything Mitt touches turns to gold. Whether he flip flops on certain issues is not the point...he has a solid track record of being able to turn everything around that he works on.
Also...do you realize that without Mitt, there isn't another Republican candidate who is for lower taxes and against illegal immigration. Get rid of Mitt and you have a guaranteed tax hike.
Romney appears to be the typical politician. He will say anything to be elected. He's a hunter, he has NRA endorsements, he's against abortion, he's a hard core conservative, the original anti-immigration person, man of faith, dad walked with MLK and now he has a better chance to beat Obama. His attack ads and attacks on fellow candidates are disgraceful (he is trying to "outBush" Bush). He appears desperate and liable to say anything. Does not appear trustworthy at all. Americans have seen this type of person before and frankly we are tired of it. Please send this type of political act the strong message that Americans are sick of it and we are not going to take it anymore.
Mitt Romney is the only republican who can beat the democrats in November that is why I want Mitt to win the nomination
regardless of who wins, i sure would like to see an election without personal, and insulting attacks. It makes all candidates look ridculous, and does nothing to further national pride/healing. -Dr. Ron Paul in 08
Mitt always remember be humble and do what is right! I know you can be a great President if elected!!!
Jr., if you think that Obama can run a country because he's an overpaid attorney with a couple of years of experience in the statehouse, then maybe your Amway uncle can run the country.
The only thing attorneys know how to DO is talk.
Romney '08
I'm sorry, but I can't take anyone seriously who refers to Mitt Romney as "unprincipled." You may not care for his principles, but he is the only candidate in either party who has a consistent record of impeccable ethics.
There is something about Mr. Romney that makes me feel like our nation would be in good hands. His attitude to 'change Washington' excites and invigorates me, as there is much to change and much good to do. He's got my vote. Go get 'em in NH!
WILL THE REAL MITT ROMNEY PLEASE STAND UP?!
This guy changes his position so much, he doesn't know whether he's coming or going. Let see which focus group gains attention tomorrow so he can jumb on that bandwagon.
Mitt Romney, like Hillary Clinton is an Israel-Firster indebted to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. (AIPAC). We can`t trust any of the old guard of politicians because Democrat or Republican, they have served the interest of foreign powers. It is time to take back America from special interests and their lap dog politicians. Go Barack Obama, and Ron Paul.
Best way to beat Obama is to have McCain in front of him. Obama is just winning because people hate Clinton. Otherwise, Obama is just another Bill Clinton in the making.
McCain with his straight talk and real experience can say "dont preach me kid"/ McCain can blow of Obama's fluff with substance which Hillary isnt able to do.
ISomeone above said; "f you think that Mitt can run a country because he ran a business, you've got another thing comin'. I have an uncle that sells Amway, can he run the country?"
Um, Mitt Romney didn't sell Amway. That was Mike Huckabee.
I say good chaps, come, let us post-up the polo ponies. I shall vanquish my foe, the Moor Obama, then we shall all toast our good cheer over crumpets and marmalade with Mummy, while brother Jarith reads from the good book.
I think what Mitt is saying is that a man like Barack Obama might be considered good enough (nowadays) to hold the Mormon Priesthood, but he still isn't good enough to hold the U.S. Presidency.
To the monitors at CNN:
Thanks for airing our comments and monitoring them for appropriateness. Best of luck in 08.
This is the best the Romney camp can do? He might as well say – I can't win the presidency, but I'll give the Democratic front-runner a challenge. This man is truly un-remarkable. Let him fade into Republican mediocrity for good.
There is a lot of meanness in you democrats that don't like Mitt- He seems to scare you plenty.
Mitt, those of us who have looked into what you've done, what you want to do to help our country and how you keep your cool will continue to support you all the way. The people who post these goofy comments on here obviously don't know you. Anyone who changes their mind to support McCain never had their own mind to make up anyway. It's a Liberal Press dream to have the Dem against old man McCain.
Mitt Romney '08.