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Mitt Fits

December 26, 2007 10:23 AM

The New Hampshire Union Leader -- the biggest paper in the Granite State, where Mitt Romney and John McCain look to be neck and neck -- endorsed McCain a couple weeks ago.

But just in case Romney didn't get the message, they twist the knife in deeper today in an op-ed where they lambaste the former Massachusetts governor, saying New Hampshirites "can sense that the words are memorized, not heartfelt…the more Mitt Romney speaks, the less believable he becomes."

This follows Sunday's scathing Concord Monitor anti-endorsement, which called Romney a "phony."

Romney spokesman Kevin Madden's response to the Monitor dis was to note that the "Monitor's editorial board is regarded as a liberal one on many issues, so it is not surprising that they would criticize Governor

Romney for his conservative views and platform. Governor Romney has taken firm positions that are at odds with the board's support for drivers licenses for illegal immigrants, their position against school choice and their advocacy for taking 'Under God' out of the Pledge of Allegiance. The governor happens to disagree with the editorial board on all those issues, as do most Republicans in New Hampshire."

But the Union Leader is decidedly conservative….Will let you know what Madden's response is to today's dis, from the right.

-- jpt

UPDATE: Madden emails me back, writing, "Governor Romney is running for President as the 'full-spectrum conservative' in this race, as described by the editors of National Review, a widely respected conservative publication, in their published endorsement of him.

"Governor Romney has built a coalition of grassroots conservative support in. New Hampshire and across the country as a result of his advocacy for economic, social and national security policies that champion conservative Republican ideals.

"We respect the Union-Leader's right to voice their opinion, but the differences between Governor Romney and Senator McCain are clear. We disagree with Senator McCain's joining Democrats to vote against Republican plans for tax relief, his pro-amnesty immigration proposal with Senator Kennedy and his McCain-Feingold legislation which hurt conservative advocacy efforts."

December 26, 2007 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (4)

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mitt romney is the most presidential candidate in this race. strong, dedicated, moral - excellent candidate. i feel safer knowing he would be in charge.

Posted by: sara | Dec 27, 2007 9:07:57 AM

Mitt has my vote. He's the best all-around candidate. Huckabee's religious fervor, odd views and fiscal irresponsibility can't stand through a general election and McCain will again be the victim of his tax, immigration and maverick issues. Mitt has the experience to be a successful executive and can unite the party. Either that or it's Clinton part II.

Posted by: pbj | Dec 27, 2007 3:51:11 AM

Why is an ad considered an attack ad when it legitimately brings to light the candidates actual differences. IF the ad is truthful, why shouldn't the Romney camp be able to run the ad's? There's a difference between being terrible and bringing to others attention actual facts about another candidate's records, to allow voter's the opportunity to make good judgements on which candidate they should vote for.

Posted by: Rhonda | Dec 26, 2007 2:07:33 PM

Flip-flop Mitt is in trouble in both Iowa (with Huck.) and in New Hampshah with Johnny Mac. Attack, attack, attack your opponent(s) may just not work so well this year as in the past. We can only hope those who vote in the GOP primaries or caucuses will want to know what ALL the candidates stand for, not just why their opponents are so terrible.

Posted by: sophillyfatz | Dec 26, 2007 12:38:45 PM

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