Thread: Romney: Romney dials down expectations hard

Romney dials down expectations hard

By: Jonathan Martin and Jim VandeHei
Jan 6, 2008 10:16 PM EST

Mitt Romney, a dominant favorite in New Hampshire just weeks ago, said Sunday that a "close second" to Arizona Sen. John McCain would be a significant feat on Tuesday.

The almost frantic downsizing of expectations for the former Massachusetts governor came as the candidate and his staff are publicly and privately preparing to explain away what would be a disheartening loss and shift to a last-ditch strategy predicated on his ability to outlast and outspend his rivals, according to sources inside the campaign.

"This is a must-win state for him," Romney said of McCain, in a Politico interview Sunday. "If he doesn't win here, I don't know where he is going to win. So for me it's can I catch John McCain — can I keep him from getting this?"

Left unsaid was that Romney has led in state polls for much of the race, and McCain only caught him recently.

The Romney campaign has the feel of one bracing for a possible loss, including the tell-tale emergence of behind-the-scenes clashes. Several Romney advisers described internal disputes over strategic missteps leading up to Iowa — with some contending Romney should have focused earlier on his ability as a Washington outsider and businessman to change the political process and fix Washington's big problems.


Instead, he emphasized his conservative positions on abortion, immigration, and other hot-button issues — opening himself up to a devastating perception that he is an opportunist and phony. In an interview with ABC’s “This Weekâ€

The header on this is, Romney dials down expectations hard, not: I will boot many illegals in 90 days! Romney never used the words I will boot many illegals in 90 days. Actually, the man is being elusive and vague on the issue.

He said illegal immigrants who arrived very recently would be deported immediately, but that he would support allowing a slower deportation process for those with families and deeper roots.

"That would be negotiated," he said. "For a lot of people it would be immediate. They have been here a short time, they are not paying their taxes, so [they should] just go right home." He said this could be as quick as 90 days.

Geez, the man wants to "negotiate." We do not negotiate with terrorist and we shouldn't negotiate with law breakers! If you broke the law and your caught, you go home - it's that simple. I'm sick and tired of the mindset that we should allow those that have broken the law the longest some mercy. That's not how our judical system is supposed to work. Typically, folks who have broken the law the longest would receive the harshest penalty.

Thanks for editing the title, CindyB. It helps to reduce duplications.

Romney's Misstep May Cost
CBS Evening news ^ | Jan. 6, 2007 | Video-CBS Evening News


During Saturday's GOP debate, Mitt Romney denied comparing John McCain's immigration policy to amnesty. But two of Romney's ads make that comparison. Kelly Cobiella reports.

Video: http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/evening ... 3420.shtml

Romney is apologizing for saying McCain supported ‘amnesty’ in the debate last night. Said he was wrong to call it amnesty. He had an ad that called it amnesty, but said he had not seen the ad and has canceled it because McCain’s plan should not have been called amnesty.

ALSO!

DUNCAN HUNTER RATED EXCELLENT, AHEAD OF ALL THE OTHERS BY NUMBERS USA, Jan. 5, 2008

HUNTER has 9 EXCELLENTS (the rest all GOOD), compared to the next 6 Excellents (One Poor) of Fred Thompson. Hunter is WAY ahead of he rest of them that are left in the race. Ron Paul earned only one 'excellent' and several 'poor' and 'bad' ratings. Romney is Bad....I hope Tancredo is proud of himself!

See Chart:
http://www.betterimmigration.com/candid ... _gop1.html

Yeah, hard telling what kind of mischief the longtimer illegals have been up to.