Oct 13, 2007 12:32 pm US/Eastern
McCain: Romney's Republican Credentials Iffy
MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) ―
Presidential hopeful John McCain scoffed Saturday at rival Mitt Romney's claim of being the truest Republican in the race, recalling Romney's past support for Democratic candidates and moderate politics as Massachusetts governor.
Romney, in an attack on fellow candidate Rudy Giuliani, said Friday that his own real-world experience and socially conservative values represent the "Republican wing of the Republican Party."
McCain, who is battling his better-financed competitors in New Hampshire, criticized Romney in a speech to state Republican Committee members. He said he would never "con" them in asking for their votes. McCain won the state's GOP primary in 2000, routing then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush.
"As we all know, when he ran for office in Massachusetts, being a Republican wasn't much of a priority. In fact, when he ran against Ted Kennedy, he said he didn't want to return to the days of Reagan-Bush. I always was under the impression Ronald Reagan was a real Republican," said McCain, who considers Reagan his political mentor.
"When Governor Romney donated money to a Democratic candidate in New Hampshire, I don't think he was speaking for Republicans. When he voted for a Democratic candidate for president, Paul Tsongas, I don't think he was speaking for Republicans."
Romney, during his failed Senate run against Kennedy, said he didn't want to return to the 1980s. He also donated money to New Hampshire Democrat Dick Swett's political campaign.
"So, you'll understand why I'm a little perplexed when Mitt Romney suggests he's a better Republican than me," McCain said.
A Romney spokesman responded that McCain is misleading and flailing.
"It's truly unfortunate that at an event designed to bring the Republican Party together, Senator McCain chose, instead, to break Ronald Reagan's 11th Commandment in an attempt to divide us," Craig Stevens said. "While no one can dispute the senator's service, he misses the mark on key Republican principles."
Stevens cited McCain's opposition to President Bush's tax cuts, support for failed immigration legislation and his work on campaign finance.
After the speech, McCain declined to call Romney a "con" to reporters, but said he could not let Romney's comments go unanswered.
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