Print

Email story

Comment

Letter to the editor

Politics

McCain to chip at Romney on his turf

By Times Wires
Published February 2, 2008

CHOGAGO

John McCain plans to compete aggressively in Republican rival Mitt Romney's Massachusetts, a bold move that reflects a deep desire not just to beat the former Massachusetts governor but bury him in his own back yard.

The Arizona senator will pick up the endorsement of former Gov. Paul Cellucci today, run radio ads in the state, and campaign in Boston on Monday. Another of the state's former governors, Jane Swift, also will make appearances on his behalf over the weekend, and volunteer phone calls will begin. McCain secured the endorsements of the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald last month.

"We believe we have a chance in Massachusetts because Massachusetts voters know Gov. Romney's record very well," Steve Schmidt, a senior McCain adviser, said Friday.

OKLAHOMA CITY

Huckabee defends 'puberty' comment

Republican Mike Huckabee defended his remark that Romney didn't reach "political puberty" until recently, saying Friday that he was referring to his presidential rival's change of heart on key issues. Romney said that humor has its place but that the race for president should be a more serious matter.

Speaking to 600 supporters in a restaurant-bar in Oklahoma City, Huckabee said he has been consistent on issues dear to conservatives such as abortion, gun control and gay rights, while Romney has shifted his positions.

The former Arkansas governor made the "political puberty" remark Thursday on MSNBC: "Here's a man who didn't hit political puberty in the conservative ranks until 60 years old," Huckabee said.

Romney, speaking Friday in Denver, said: "Gov. Huckabee is always good for a good chuckle. That's another good chuckle."

LOS ANGELES

L.A. Times endorses Obama, McCain

The Los Angeles Times endorsed the presidential bids of Barack Obama and John McCain on Friday.

The newspaper said either of the candidates remaining in the Democratic field - Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton - would be a formidable nominee in the November election. But it "strongly" endorsed Obama after praising him as an inspiring leader "most focused on steering the nation toward constructive change."

In the Republican race, the paper said it parted company with McCain on various issues - he opposes abortion rights, rejects the right of gays and lesbians to marry, and advocates fighting on in Iraq.

But the newspaper credited the Arizona senator's "fundamental individualism, spanning his distrust of big government, his support for immigration reform and his insistence on a sound American foreign policy."

AUGUSTA, Maine

Ron Paul has a chancein Maine, adviser says

Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul has a couple of things going for him at this weekend's Republican caucuses: a band of highly motivated supporters and a natural appeal to Maine's like-minded independents. His stop there this week also made him the only presidential contender from either party to visit before the caucuses. "I think that (because) he's paid attention to Maine, he'll be rewarded," R. Kenneth Lindell, his campaign coordinator in Maine, said Thursday. Maine's GOP polling Friday, today and Sunday may be the Texas congressman's best shot at winning a state.

SAN DIEGO

Clinton, Obama spar on health plans, Iraq

Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday she's the last remaining presidential candidate who is advocating universal health care coverage. "I think that's one of the most important differences separating Democrats from Republicans," Clinton told a noisy rally of 7,000 backers at San Diego State University.

Clinton favors mandatory universal coverage, tax credits for working families to make insurance more affordable and requiring businesses to offer insurance to employees or pay into a pool for people without it. Rival Barack Obama calls for mandatory coverage for children, but no mandate for all.

Clinton advisers complained Friday about an Obama campaign mailer that criticizes her health plan. The mailer shows a young couple sitting at a table, appearing to puzzle over a stack of bills. "Hillary's plan forces everyone to buy insurance, even if you can't afford it," the headline reads.

Obama picked up the endorsement of a leading antiwar group and said Clinton has not adequately explained her vote to go into Iraq. His opposition to the war helped him pick up the backing of MoveOn.org, a liberal network that counts 3.2-million members and backed him by a vote of 70 percent to 30 percent for Clinton.

[Last modified February 2, 2008, 00:51:30]