The GOP's Mitt Romney, in Denver Tuesday during the Democratic National Convention, challenged his party's rivals to 'talk about radical, violent jihadism and the threat it poses to the civilized world.' (Andy Nelson/The Christian Science Monitor/File)
Romney’s got McCain’s back in Denver
By Gail Russell Chaddock | Staff writer/ August 26, 2008 edition
Denver – Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney took the Republican fight to Denver this week, amid speculation that he may be tapped as the No. 2 on the GOP presidential ticket.
“Barack Obama is a fine person, but I don’t think he is ready to be president,” he said of the Democrats’ presumed nominee at a lunch for reporters sponsored by The Christian Science Monitor.
“I don’t think he has the judgment which is developed through years of experience in life that prepares him for assuming the title of president of the United States and commanding the most powerful military and guiding the most powerful economy.”
Moreover, Senator Obama and Sen. John McCain, the likely Republican presidential nominee, offer sharply different views of how the economy works – and how the world works, Mr. Romney said.
On the economy: Obama proposes big tax increases on individuals, corporations, capital gains, and Social Security; new restrictions on trade; and the pursuit of alternative sources of energy, but without nuclear energy or offshore drilling.
Senator McCain would lower taxes, open markets to more trade, and “take a bite out of the three-quarters of a trillion [dollars] the US sends overseas for energy” by boosting nuclear power and offshore drilling, he says.
On foreign policy: Obama would “sit down with the world’s worst actors, without condition, and talk things out,” Romney says, noting that the Illinois senator has since backed off that position somewhat.
McCain’s view, he adds, is that “we speak first with our friends” and develop a league of democracies to stand up to the threat of “radical, violent Islam or jihadism” and “an expansionist, authoritarian Russia.”
“Will the Democrats in this convention ever talk about radical, violent jihadism and the threat it poses to the civilized world?” he asked.The choice of Sen. Joseph Biden (D) of Delaware as Obama’s running mate might be seen as shoring up Obama’s “foot faults in the foreign policy area,” Romney says.
“But as you stand back and look at Joe Biden, you see someone who has spent 30 years dealing with foreign policy but has usually been wrong,” he adds, citing Senator Biden’s opposition to the first Gulf War, his proposal to carve Iraq into three different countries along sectarian lines, and his doubts about the value of a “surge” of American troops into Iraq last year.
Asked about his own prospects for a vice-presidential nod, Romney said: “I’m not here to talk about my qualifications…. I’m talking about why John McCain has the qualifications to be president.”
But in response to questions, he did defend himself on charges by Obama’s campaign manager, David Plouffe, that Romney is a job killer.
Romney said the investment company he cofounded invested in some 100 businesses. “In some we were successful, in some we failed. In every case I can remember, it was our objective to grow and make more successful the enterprise,” he said.
Looking ahead to the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., next week, Romney says McCain’s position in surveys of likely voters – a tie with Obama – is remarkable, “given the celebrity status which has been lavished upon Barack Obama.”
“I believe that as the American people really begin to focus on the candidates and the issues, as they typically do after Labor Day, that John McCain’s positions on the issues and his lifetime of experience and judgment will propel him to become the winner in this race,” he said.
Comments
2. John | 08.26.08
Obama is nothing without his advisors and “surrogates.” Every time he opens his mouth he’s either sticking his foot in or spewing some sort of incoherent gibberish. He’s a puppet. It absolutely blows my mind that Americans would be duped into four more years of this garbage. After eight years of Bush, I think you left-wingers are in a position to realize that learning on the job is a bad thing, and that experience counts.
McCain/Romney
President
3. Jon Smith | 08.26.08
Hilary,
I didn’t see any major changes after the last four years of a democratic run congress. Please name me 5 things that congress did to shore up the economy in the last 4 years. You seem to forget that the government is made up of a multitude of decision makers and it is there responsibilty to make sure things don’t go astray. I would like to know why no one would listen (democrats and republicans) to economists when they said hey there is a huge bomb about to go off in the housing market and you need to put out the fuse. So I can’t help but wonder if there really is a good person for the job of president. I might go as far as saying there might not be a good person in Washington.
Sincerly,
Frustrated
4. GrowABrainYouDem | 08.26.08
I love how Liberals can critique McCain yet when you ask that same Liberal what exactly Obama has accomplished as Senator they draw a blank and repeat “Change…Change…..and uhhmmmm Change!!” It is probably a good idea for everyone, Republicans included, to step back from the conflict and take a good long unbiased view at the two candidates. After doing this create a list with two columns, one for Obama, and another for McCain, and unobjectively list all accompishments and base values their platform is running on. As a former Dem myself I promise you the results will blow you away. One more thing. I always ask any Democrat how much they need their paycheck and when I get an answer I reitirate that the basis for the Democratic party is large government and that they will have less OF their paycheck due to increased taxes if we get another Dem in congress. God bless and goodnight!
5. Mike Parks | 08.26.08
Everyone is the enemy except for the kind and caring rich corporate bosses and millionaires who keep America safe. Let’s have our government borrow more money to give to China and Halliburton. Mitt also needs more tax breaks so America can be proud. Thanks George W. Thanks **** C. Thanks John Mc. And thanks Mitt. What a crock.
6. Mike Parks | 08.26.08
PS. its funny that CSM blanks out the name of our illustrious vice-president Richard (”Dick”) Cheney. That’s deep under cover!
7. Jonathan | 08.26.08
I’m not sure how he can criticize issues of experience, when he himself has had little outside of being governor for 3 years and having lost the election for senator in ‘94. He’s a business man worthy of respect in that arena but little in terms of public service.
Hearing about how his party doesn’t want to look for alternative resources for energy, talks with the ‘worst’ actors (which actually implies that they’re bad at lying), boost offshore drilling and nuclear power sources makes me slant more democratic, if anything.
Also, comments about “radical, violent Islam or jihadism” seems very unpolitical. “Terrorism” as a term should not coincide with a religion, but that is obviously the parallel he is trying to create. Which is a little ironic given his own political history.
I’m glad he made these comments, because it helps to solidify my own decision. I’m also happy he was so clear on the differences.
8. James Johnson | 08.26.08
The GOP has become the party of FEAR AND SMEAR! Romney’s blather in Denver today shows exactly what an out-of-touch elitist he is; do the American people really want these tiresome elitists in the oval office for four more years? John McCain pounds his POW drum daily. BUT, how does having been a POW qualify someone to be President of the United States? McCain represents nothing but the same old and tired policies the American people have endured for the last eight years. YES, a vote for McCain is a vote for four more years of the same old and dreadful policies of yesterday and yesteryear. That prospect is TRULY SCARY!
9. AmericaTheBeautiful | 08.26.08
What a great benefit to our nation to have Mitt Romney on the McCain 2008 ticket !!!
10. Trip | 08.27.08
This is a bunch of garbage. I pulled JFKs bio and he was elected to the senate at 46 years old. How old is Obama again? 47 years old. I have observed a few traits among conservatives. They believe everything their party tells them. For instance, John McCain spits comments about being a POW and supporting the military. He did not vote for the new GI bill that would allow military members to pass GI bill benefits on to their families…Obama did. McCain voted against a bill to seek alternate sources for oil and cleaner fuel technology…Obama voted for it. McCain said that Senator Webb’s bill to provide more opportunities for military members to further their education was a too much. John McCain thinks $5 million is a baseline for “rich”. What kind of experience does he have again? If we are going to listen to what other candidates have said about the party nominess, should we listen to what Romney said about McCain. If I’m not mistaken, he called McCain a “liar”, didn’t he?
11. Stu Becker | 08.27.08
Watch! It will be McCain by a landslide (over a 10 point difference). I was so pleased that the Dems picked Obama over Clinton. Then they compounded their mistake by not taking her on as VP. She would have beaten McCain. I am greatful to them for their choices.
12. VeeKaChu | 08.27.08
For the fellow above who recommended list-making, I’d be curious to hear some of McCains worthy “accomplishments”.
Oh wait, POW, right… never mind.
13. Caryn | 08.27.08
First let me state I have a lot of respect for John McCain. I don’t doubt his patriotism nor his distinguished military career. That all being said, I won’t vote for the man. We disagree on some fundamental issues. He has voted with Bush the majority of the time (if you don’t believe look at his record….which is available online). I am very disappointed in the attack ads this man and his supporters have continued to run. The worst one being the one refering to celebrity, That was a new low. I would appreciate hearing about their stands on issues, not them tearing down each other or putting their spin on the other’s stand on issues.
As for Obama, I have a lot of respect for him. He has a lot of charisma. He stands for what I believe in. He has not been afraid to stand up against the tide when the vote is taken. The Iraq war is a prime example. He was one of the few that didn’t go along with group think. He did a lot for his homestate and has done very well in the Senate. The bottom line is his ideas are new and different from what the last 8 years have been. Change is what we need.
As for the attacks on Joe Biden, let me tell you this. He is someone who has voted his heart. The person on here who made a comment about making wrong decisions on foreign policy votes, let me ask you this…..by whose definition is it wrong?
It’s interesting all the arguments that are made about taxes, but let me tell you this……….I have more money in my pocket when a Democrat is in office.
In the end we have two choices to make up money that has been borrowed from other nations for our debt…..you either cut programs or you raise taxes. Hard choice but at this point, there is no real choice. You have to take care of that national debt as soon as you can. We are impacting ourselves and the future of our own children, which can’t in good conscious continue. We want to leave them a better world not a huge debt to pay off!
14. Andre Gromiko | 08.27.08
I have sat amazed at the number of lies, misdeeds, and general malfeasance that Grandpa McCain can get away with by restating the fact that he was once a POW in a war to keep Vietnam “French.” Even more mystifying is that his supporters seem to go along with this excuse rather blindly. It almost works but not quite. Try this at home see if it sounds as stupid to you as it does to me.
Repeat after me (it helps if you shout it out):
He didn’t have to keep his vows to his first wife, he was a POW!
He didn’t have to look past his first wife’s injuries, he was a POW!
He did not have to be a father to his first children, he was a POW!
He did not have to follow the law and not bilk investors, he was a POW!
He did not have to avoid a ton of shady real estate deals, he was a POW!
He did not have to avoid lobbyists and all their money, he was a POW!
He did not have to avoid cheating on his second wife, he was a POW!
He did not have to remember how many houses he owns, he was a POW!
He did not have to avoid playing the race card, he was a POW!
He can’t lose this election, he was a POW!
Now, calm down and breathe. There are probably others but if this still does not seem like a silly defense, for a human being of very poor character, try replacing POW with BLACK. The truth hurts but without pain there is little gain.
Feel free to disagree…
15. Steve | 08.27.08
Raise taxes on my employer so I don’t get a raise, don’t get a bonus, and he has to lay of 10% of the workforce to keep his margin. (if he doesn’t move the company to a foreign country with lower tax rates or get run out of business by a foreign company with lower tax rates and less EPA restrictions) Take that tax money, skim off 1/2 of it for administrative costs and use the rest for free health care to the people he laid off. Now that’s CHANGE WE CAN LIVE WITH?????
16. To James | 08.27.08
I have yet to hear any specifics from B.O. except raise corporate taxes and grow government entitlements. That, my friend IS the same old and tired policies from the Demolitioncrats. Tear down corporate America through class warfare and give the proceeds to people that didn’t earn it. Well as long as there are lazy people in America, like yourself, that want something for nothing there will be a Democratic party. Work hard and earn the American dream, don’t build your house by tearing down some one else’s.
17. andy harris | 08.27.08
=====================================Raise taxes on my employer so I don’t get a raise, don’t get a bonus, and he has to lay of 10% of the workforce to keep his margin. (if he doesn’t move the company to a foreign country with lower tax rates or get run out of business by a foreign company with lower tax rates and less EPA restrictions) Take that tax money, skim off 1/2 of it for administrative costs and use the rest for free health care to the people he laid off. Now that’s CHANGE WE CAN LIVE WITH?????============================
Steve you’re getting mad at the wrong folks. Your taking on the working man’s version of the Stockholm syndrome. The kidnapper makes the victim believe he has the victim’s best interest in mind. Your employer is a scumbag if any of what you said actually transpired. I’d suggest not working for a scumbag before I’d blame the government for making your employer be responsible citizen in these UNITED states. That doesn’t sound very united-like behavior to me.
18. Mary LaCoste | 08.27.08
I just pray for our country! And that God will lead People to vote from their Heart, (Not their head) Remember what this country was founded on!
We need someone with Military exper.
I myself and a McCain/Romney/Huckabee type of person! My parents were dem. and where in the world did it get them!
All i have heard from the other side is talk about the other person!
That we donot like!
No Pres. cannot do unless Congress o.k.s anything
This people is my stand!
I have read, all the neg. about McCain! What does the other side stand for?
19. David | 08.27.08
Barack Obama seems like a nice man, but he is naive. His lack of any real experience in governing and in foreign policy raises a red flag. The last time we elected a nice but naive man to be President was in 1976. Jimmy Carter exuded warmth and charm similar to Obama. Three years after he was elected the American economy was in a shambles with high interest rates, high mortgage rates, and high inflation. His foreign policy towards Iran helped create the conditions that brought about the fall of the Shah and the rise of the Ayatollah Khomeini and Islamic Fundamentalism. We cannot repeat this kind of thing again with Obama.
20. Mary McCurry | 08.27.08
2. GrowABrainYouDem | 08.26.08 wrote:
” I love how Liberals can critique McCain yet when you ask that same Liberal what exactly Obama has accomplished as Senator they draw a blank and repeat “Change…Change…..and uhhmmmm Change!!”
Not fair! Obama also promises hope, hope, and more hope in addition to change, change and change.
21. pecanpii | 08.27.08
Advisers? Last I heard, Obama had 300 advisers- traveled with him to keep him from making gaffes. 301 brains and still tied in the pols with McCain. Maybe Obama will order up 300 more.
A vote for Obama is a back to the Jimmy Carter way of foreign relations–Biden fits nicely into the picture too espousing their philosophy. Z-big advised Carter about the shah — I think we can get on with him. Sure we can, and Obama can sit down with Ahmadinejad and cut defense while Iran build theirs…. anyone see any similarities here?
He may as well have picked Carter as his running mate.
22. George | 08.27.08
“His foreign policy towards Iran helped create the conditions that brought about the fall of the Shah and the rise of the Ayatollah Khomeini and Islamic Fundamentalism.”
What exactly are you suggesting was “good” about the Shah of Iran that warrants a lament about him being overthrown by a locally popular movement that coincidentally was anti-American? He was a brutal dictator who made the Ayatollah look like a saint to his people. Were you even alive at that time? Were you aware that the CIA actually installed the Shah after we subverted the democratically elected Mossadegh government? Get acquainted with what actually happened before you allude to historical events as evidence for current affairs.
I think if you are using this as a basis about how inept Jimmy Carter was then you should spend a little more time reading the rich documented history that proves he was far from it. Good leaders don’t have to be entrenched in decades of self enriching corruption in Washington to have the necessary experience to drive this bus out of the ditch. If anything, I think the only way to avoid staying in the ditch is by picking people who didn’t get us there in the first place!
Good luck on doing real research, you’re probably too young to remember what actually happened. Good for you that there are these things called books that can help you understand better. You can find them in libraries.
23. JGM | 08.27.08
Obama has one blessing that John McCain and Mitt Romney will never own and that is the reality factor. We are not living the dream, we are living the nightmare. You cannot convince many that McCain’s knee-jerk former POW stalemated brain and his ‘Savvy’ (read, less than truly honest) businessman have a true clue about the American experience. We are homeless, hungry, unemployed. Our children have little hope except to join the military out of our under government’s planned induced desperation. This is what McCain, Romney and Romney’s cronies have been dishing out for feed. No! We will not ask for another bowl of that cruel gruel.
24. Bryan | 08.27.08
John McCain doesn’t know how many homes he owns…
Mitt Romney’s worth a few million dollars…
These guys are supposed to be champions of the working class???
25. Bryan | 08.27.08
If you actually listen to what Obama is proposing to do to taxes and not get caught up in Republican propaganda(Democrats will raise taxes) you will realize that most of the increases are for those making at least $250,000 a year. So sad, I guess they will have to settle for the new Lexus instead of the new Mercedes.
26. fLiPfLoPpEreY | 08.27.08
How is it possible that the Bush approval rating is 30% or less and yet McCain’s is 60% or better? when McCain promises more of the same; a de-facto 3rd term for Bush. There is something wrong with people who take abuse from their leaders, yet clamor for more from a (not-so)fresh face.
Then there is the Flip-Flop factor. Perhaps more than any other presidential candidates in recent memory. McCain and Romney have changed their positions on key issues for the sake of political expediency.
McCain Flips:
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/9111.html
Romney Flops:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2007/12/mitt_romneys_flip_flop_flip.html
Why is Flip-Floppery bad when John Kerry does it, but not when these charlatans do?
Add to that McCains unbelievable gaffe re: not knowing how many homes he owns and calling those who make five million dollars “middle class”? WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE? WHY are you supporting this pathetic old man and the Lying Liars in the Republican Party?
27. Cindy | 08.27.08
Wanted: One United States Citizen for position of President of the United States of America.
Qualifications: Moral fortitude,Spiritual fortitude, Emotional stability, Honesty, Prior business experience, Prior life experience.
Race, gender, age, religion, or party line superfluous.
Is anyone out there??
28. R - Ali | 08.27.08
George, Anyone who puts the Ayatollah’s gang above the accomplishments of the Shah’s regime is clueless. Based on 10 years living in Tehran and environs and experiencing the revolution first-hand, I can tell you there is not much that is better in Iran today than in 1978/9. That goes for the economy, personal freedoms, the environment, education, military, etc. Nothing attribuatble to the government, although talented Iranians have continued to build solid infrastructure, I am told.
The shah’s great failing was not developing democratic institutions over his long reign. Believe me, there is no chance we’ll see anything of the like under the mullah-led regime, which murdered thousands of decent Iranians after taking power and ultimately rules by intimidation and fiat today.
And yes, Carter’s administration was hugely responsible for losing touch with developments in Iran. The process started under Nixon and Ford, to be sure, when CIA became over-reliant on Iranian intelligence (SAVAK) to understand the status quo. The way we experienced Carter’s moves and countermoves during the revolution, as reportedly quite accurately in the CSM and rnightly by the BBC, showed he didn’t know what to do. By the time he sent competent people to Iran to take a look, it was too late. He became a laughing stock in Iran, and the new mullah rulers treated him as such.
Don’t believe everything written by Iranian story tellers about the shah’s brutality. Yes, he ruled as an autocrat and began to believe delusions about how well his society had progressed. He was not a brutal man, although many bureacrats and some SAVAK officials and bureaucrats operated beyond the pale with respect to both cruelty and corruption.
29. Jose | 08.28.08
http://www.irs.gov/taxstats/index.html
When the corporate income taxes are only 15% of our federal income taxes, what good does it do to increase income tax rates? These corporations hire the best accountants to produce statements that have no profits. No matter how high the tax rates are, corporations won’t be touched.
Should we tax the property values of corporations instead?
30. David | 08.28.08
George,
I was alive in 1976 when Jimmy Carter was elected President. I thought he was a good and charming man. Unfortunately, I voted for him as President. I know that the Shah’s rule was not good. In my note above I never said the Shah was a good ruler. I did say that Jimmy Carter’s foreign policy helped bring down the Shah’s government and helped give “rise to Ayatollah Khomeini and Islamic Fundamentalism.” We can agree the Shah was a bad ruler, the Ayatollah was worse. Everyone knows what the legacy of Islamic Fundamentalism has given us. Maybe you should review the history instead of engaging in ad hominems.
I noticed didn’t comment on the terrible economic conditions Carter left us.
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1. Hilary Smith | 08.26.08
McCain is nothing without his advisors and “surrogates.” Every time he opens his mouth he’s either sticking his foot in or spewing some sort of incoherent gibberish. He’s a puppet. It absolutely blows my mind that Americans would be duped into four more years of this garbage. After eight years of Bush, I don’t think you right-wingers are in a position to critique the Democratic ticket.