Romney vows to speak up on Gingrich record
Paradise Valley, Arizona (CNN) - Mitt Romney signaled Tuesday he would step up his media outreach as he attempts to fend off a steadily encroaching Newt Gingrich, and vowed he "will not be quiet" about contrasting his record with that of the former House speaker.
Gingrich's lead in Iowa has solidified in recent polls, prompting questions about Romney's continued focus on attacking President Barack Obama amid what some now view as a two-man race for the GOP nomination.
The GOP candidate repeated his dismissal of Gingrich as a Washington insider in an interview with Fox News, saying Republicans had a choice in the party's primary: "If Americans want someone who's been in Washington the last 40 years, then that's him."
"We're going to make sure that the differences in our experience and perspective are well-aired," Romney said. "You can be sure I will not be quiet. I am going to make sure my message is heard loud and clear. Gingich is a friend, I respect him, but we have very different life experiences."
After his campaign event in Arizona, Romney, who has been criticized for a prickly response to an interview with a Fox News host and for avoiding media at his events, told members of the press, "I'll be seeing you more often." and took questions from them for the second time in four days. He said his campaign had planned seven more days of fundraising but that voters would see him campaigning "aggressively" in early primary states and through an uptick in television advertising.
A reporter asked the former Massachusetts governor about a Gingrich jab from a day earlier. On Monday the former House speaker suggested Romney could be considered a "career politician," although not a particularly successful one.
Romney said his failed bids for the U.S. Senate and for president in 2008 had helped him grow, in the end.
"Had I won, why we wouldn't be having this argument. I'd be president of the United States," he said. "But instead, when I lost elections, I got to go back and be a businessman again. It allowed me to be involved in the economy and to understand at the grassroots level that American people are suffering and what I can do to get jobs again."
He had one other surprise in store, acknowledging he had turned down a debate invitation from Donald Trump. Though Romney met with Trump earlier this year, he downplayed the significance by dodging members of the press who had waited outside the meeting.
Earlier in the picturesque setting outside Phoenix, former Vice President Dan Quayle helped Romney try to spell success in the border state by vouching for Romney's conservative credentials and his strength in a general election match-up against President Barack Obama.
"He'll reach out to disenchanted Democrats, to Independents, to people of all walks of life, different ethnicities, different religions, and bring America together again," Quayle said. "He is our best hope for the future."
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What a loser. lmao
Mitt Romney has a reputation for playing hard and dirty in business and politics. My mind was made up on him when he used a sound bite from an Obama speech as if President Obama was chosing the words himself – when he was quoting Johm McCain from the previous campaign. When questioned about the ethics of such a stunt Romney laughed and threatened more tricks. He didn't seem to relate the dirty trick with unethical behavior. Another "swift boat" Republican. Case closed...
Is this dull and dumber circus clown still in the race?I thought he changed his mind and drop out!
Go Romney Go!!! We all know the reason why you are stuck in the poll....The base of the republican party is full of anti.Mormon people....very sad...hypocrits....Imagine if you were an Evangelic or Baptist...the race is already over....
Go back to mass , and help pay the 1 billion defict you left for the next gov, you clown. The only jobs program these teapublican clowns have is in China
Ha ha ha... "former Vice President Dan Quayle helped Romney try to spell..." Romney needs QUAYLE to help him spell. Good one!!
perpetual politician vs perpetual candidate Decisions, decisions... I got it- neither!!
Your done, but you can run for king in 2016 if there's any teapublican left!!!
While you have deleted your record Mitt!
how desperate these idiots are...mess, mess, mess...
Will Newt's complicity in the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act be in the public dialog?
Much of what Obama is doing is due to the doors that were opened by Newt. How can we let Newt hide from that?
The Glass-Steagall Act is what kept the Banks out of the derivative markets. Its repeal ended up putting the American Tax payer on the hook for guaranteeing the Bank's solvency and removing the investor's risk.
To people of all walks of life is code for( Black people.)
MITTens is a "wimp." He stepped out of TRUMPet's debate ONLY after Huntsman and Paul did!!! If he had a "tight" schedule for December – he should have said that upfront!!! What a LOSER!!
As far as the GRINCH – he's a manipulating lying turncoat and he – along with TRUMPet – will continue to ruin the Republican Party!!! If any of the candidates on the RIGHT were SMART, they will ALL turn down the debate and leave ginGRINCH and TRUMPet standing there ALONE!!!
But who am I to give advice to the far-RIGHT maniacs?????
Obama 2012!!!
"Romney vows to speak up on Gingrich record" = ROMNEY VOWS TO FLIP-FLOP AND DISTORT GINGRICH GREAT RECORD.
How is this a two man race when Paul is beating Romney in Iowa? Hmm?
The strange thing is that everyone has seen Newt's dirty laundry and STILL he surges ahead, so the problem is not about being deceived by Newt, but why is Mitt stuck at 25%???? Clearly the people in the polls are weighing the good and the bad, the baggage and the flaws, the history of the candidates and seem to be saying that Newt's warts are smaller than Mitt's warts..... and all.... and that Newt's "ideas" are more interesting to listen to than Mitt's "ideas".... and that Newt "seems more like them" than Mitt does... go figure? This process is alive and moving and changeable and tomorrow may be different, but if the trend line holds this pattern, uninterrupted by some dramatic events, Newt will prevail.
Romney said his failed bids for the U.S. Senate and for president in 2008 had helped him grow, in the end.
Now Romney has a much larger posterior.
Go Go Mitt Romney !! Vote for Mitt!!
ron paul 2012
That image says it all .
If he could just get his hands around Newts brain !
If you don't get a spine and standup to this horrible man, you are going to lose and leave thismega ego as the republican candidate. When your own party members do not want him as President and some even have the nerve to admit it, the least you can do is come after him. It's not like you don't have enough weapons – the list of wrong doings and false statements are endless. He is one of the most corrupt men and just the fact that he was kicked out as speaker of the house speaks volumes. Now you have let that baffoon Trump into the picture. You run ads, put it all in there. Of course they are going to come after you, that is what the Donald and Newt do best – try to dehumanize anyone who disagrees with them. Please grow a spine and go after him. Let the voters know what a sleeze bag this man is. Our country has endured enough anger and hated from the present Congress.
Bishop Romney looks like the American President in a Canadian movie....
Romney has no appeal and no matter what he tries that won't change!!! He may bring others down but it will not elevate him in the the polls. He's a hatchet man through and through!!!
It will be fun to watch these two spoiled and arrogant ego-maniacs tear each other down!