Thread: Romney links McCain with Obama

Seeking Illinois Republican votes, Romney links McCain with Obama

Email|Print| Text size – + By Glen Johnson
Associated Press Writer / February 3, 2008

GLEN ELLYN, Ill.—Mitt Romney lobbed a political twofer on Sunday, linking Republican rival John McCain with Democratic presidential front-runner Barack Obama as he sought Super Tuesday votes in Illinois.

more stories like thisThe former Massachusetts governor, joined on stage by former House Speaker Dennis Hastert of Illinois, cast himself as the more reliable conservative in comparison to McCain as he made his pitch to bedrock Republicans.

"Yesterday Barack Obama said there's not a dime's worth of difference between he and Sen. McCain on illegal immigration. I'm afraid it's going to be real hard to win the White House if there's not much difference between our nominee and theirs, and that's why I'm going to make sure that we stand for Republican ideals and win the White House on that platform," Romney told a noisy crowd at the College of DuPage.

At another point, Romney jabbed at Obama by noting the large "Change" banners that hang behind the Illinois senator at his campaign rallies.

"I know that there's a certain senator from this state who says he'd bring `change' to America, and I'm convinced he would change America; just not in the sense you want," Romney said. "Someone remarked to me when they saw the sign, you know, that's what we'd be left with if he were president, in our pockets."

Romney's visit came as a new Chicago Tribune poll showed him trailing McCain badly in Illinois. Overall, McCain led with 43 percent of the vote, compared to 20 percent for Romney, 15 percent for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and 4 percent for Rep. Ron Paul of Texas.

The state, however, awards its 57 convention delegates proportional to the winner in each of its congressional districts, so as he did in California, Romney campaigned personally in the state, hoping to claim a share of the prize.

The former businessman contrast himself with McCain not only philosophically, saying the senator favors liberal positions against tax cuts and for amnesty for illegal immigrants, but Romney also hit McCain for his lack of private sector experience.

"You recognize that right now our economy is in kind of a fragile state. We don't know whether we're going to hit a tipping point and sort of go downhill here," Romney said. "But, you know, when the economy is having a tough time, don't you think it makes sense to have somebody lead the economy who's actually had a job in the private sector?"

Afterward, Romney headed for a campaign stop in Missouri before overnighting in Nashville, Tenn. Aides said they were considering a change in their campaign schedule in light of polls showing the race tightening in California, where McCain was endorsed last week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

While Romney had been slated to campaign in Georgia on Monday and speak to the West Virginia Republican convention Tuesday morning, aides said they were considering flying from Georgia to California for a final series of campaign stops on Monday, before taking an overnight flight back to West Virginia to keep the convention appointment.

Afterward, Romney is planning to fly to Massachusetts so he can vote and receive the Super Tuesday results in his home state. He dismissed a visit McCain is making to the state on Sunday night and Monday morning. McCain has crowed about winning the endorsement of Romney's two hometown newspapers, The Boston Globe and Boston Herald.

"For me, this is not about trying to tweak somebody or get in their head," Romney told reporters during a news conference after his speech. "This is about winning delegates and becoming the nominee, so you can expect me to be in places where I think I got a real shot of winning a lot of delegates."

Romney also told reporters he had traded e-mails on Saturday with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who was in Arizona preparing for the Super Bowl against the New York Giants.

"No business at all was conducted; just wished him the very best," Romney said.

http://www.boston.com

I agree, if you want "Change" don't vote for McCain, Clinton or Obama.

Dixie

mccain +hillary +obama =MChillobama

Ditto.

Have to agree. I'm leaning toward Romney.

Seriously folks, we have to hammer the Republican leaders and let them know they better listen to the voice of the people....we do not support McAmnesty, or having Juan Hernandez as part of a Republican presidential campaign!

VOTE MITT ROMNEY......OR VOTE FOR ILLEGAL ALIEN'S FAVORITE CANDIDATES OF CHOICE....MCCAIN, HILLARY OR OBAMA. NO DIFFERENCE.