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Romney Negative Ad Attacks Huckabee's Immigration Record
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ShareDecember 10, 2007 7:21 PM
ABC News' John Berman Reports: Let the record show that Mitt Romney is the first presidential candidate to run what his campaign calls a "contrast" ad, but what others call a "negative" ad.
The spot which starts airing Tuesday in Iowa is called "Choice: The Record," and takes aim at former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee who is now leading in Iowa polls.
The spot highlights Huckabee’s record on immigration saying he, "Supported in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrants, " and "Huckabee even supported taxpayer-funded scholarships for illegal aliens."
The Romney campaign is clearly doing everything it can to draw attention to Huckabee’s record on immigration. In an interview with CBS's Katie Couric, Romney said Huckabee is soft on criminals, soft on illegal aliens, and tough on taxpayers"
But what is most fascinating about the spot, is that it spends just as much time saying Mitt Romney is actually like Mike Huckabee as saying he is different.
"Two former governors, two good family men," it says "Both pro-life, both support a Constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage."
This seems to suggest the Romney campaign is wary of a frontal assault in Iowa, which is known to frown on negative campaigns. It also seems a tacit acknowledgement that Huckabee is appealing to "family values" voters and social conservatives. Romney’s ad seems to say "hey, I am just as good as the other guy."
For all the niceties in the spot, other campaigns are pouncing on the opportunity to call Romney negative. John McCain’s Iowa Chairman released a statement saying, "It's particularly amazing that Governor Romney would attack anyone on immigration when he's on his third position. …. I call on Governor Romney to drop his plans for this negative attack ."
December 10, 2007 in Palin, Sarah | Permalink | User Comments (10)
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The opening assertion of this article, that Mitt Romney was the first person to run a negative ad during this campaign, is quite false. One needs only to look at the Republican Youtube debate to remember that it was Fred Thompson who began the mudslinging, attacking both Romney and Huckabee.
This article, then, needs to be edited, considering the fact that it makes an obviously poorly-researched or completely biased statement.
Posted by: Walker Yeatman | Dec 10, 2007 7:43:02 PM
Mitt Romney is inspiring and will make a great president. I pray that he is successful in his bid to be president.Go Mitt Go!!!!
Posted by: Dennis | Dec 10, 2007 9:29:30 PM
The way Romney is tackling obstacles on his path is amazing and speaks volume of how lucky America would be to have professional leader like him...
After tackling voter's apprehension on his religion, he is systematically going after Huck. Huck baloon is going to deflate in next two weeks - thanks to Huck lacking preseidential calibre. What seems a little negative now - would serve as nail to his candidacy.
Posted by: Dash | Dec 11, 2007 2:37:54 AM
I am afraid Huckabee is going to be another "compassionate Conservative" and will in his good-nature be more apt to allow illegals into this country out of his compassion/religious beliefs.
You heard his answer in the debate when asked about his record in Arkansas. "We are a better country than that." I am really afraid he won't enforce immigration laws and may even want Amnesty for thos already here.
Posted by: Ruteger | Dec 11, 2007 7:23:34 AM
I don't think it's negative at all. If it is then it's the nicest negative ad I've ever seen in politics. How are they supposed to compare each other's records?
I personally don't think Gov. Huckabee will make a strong enough candidate to beat Hillary and Obama. I've researched him, and he sounds like another Compassionate Conservative who's a little soft on illegal aliens and criminals. He will get creamed once the general public hears about him pardoning over 1,000 criminals including 12 murderers while he was Governor of Arkansas.
For me, Romney or McCain would have the best chances to beat Hillary/Obama.
Posted by: Kim | Dec 11, 2007 8:30:11 AM
I used to like Romney, i dont like the way he's conducting himself now. Im sorely disappointed in him. I wont support him after this.
Posted by: clarence | Dec 11, 2007 10:06:50 AM
HIJACKED: The next presidential election will be hijackd by "immigration" akin to the "war on terror" in the last election!
Posted by: Joe | Dec 11, 2007 10:30:25 AM
Romney must have thought that his millions would buy him the election,.NEWSFLASH - America is not that dumb, except for the ones who voted for Bush. Huckabee will come out better because of this.
Posted by: G | Dec 11, 2007 12:57:18 PM
Mitt Romney is not being negative about Huckabee's Immigration record, it is a fact. The media can not deal with facts, such as Hillary Clinton is a complete idiot.
Posted by: Romney is right | Dec 11, 2007 2:38:57 PM
How ironic that Romney is attacking Huckabee on immigration when Romney is the guy that got caught not once but twice for hiring a landscaping co. that used exploited illegal immigrants. Of course what can we expect from a bottom-line "businessman" like Romney whose decisions are informed by low cost services to maintain his pink mansion rather than the human values of fair wages. Can`t let "secular" human values interfere with his Mormon spiritual ones!
Posted by: Luke | Dec 11, 2007 3:17:15 PM
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