‘Phony’ Romney Given ‘Anti-Endorsement’ by New Hampshire Newspaper
MILFORD, N.H. — The Concord Monitor broke with political tradition Sunday, telling readers in the state with the first presidential primary why they should not vote for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney instead of whom they should support. In a scathing anti-endorsement that called Romney a “disquieting figure,” the New Hampshire newspaper’s editorial board said he looks and acts like a presidential contender but “surely must be stopped” because he lacks the core philosophical beliefs to be a trustworthy president.
In particular, the newspaper noted the former Massachusetts governor’s change of heart on such issues as abortion rights, stem-cell research and access to emergency contraception, as well as on signing an anti-tax pledge.
“When New Hampshire partisans are asked to defend the state’s first-in-the-nation primary, we talk about our ability to see the candidates up close, ask tough questions and see through the baloney. If a candidate is a phony, we assure ourselves and the rest of the world, we’ll know it,” the newspaper said. “Mitt Romney is such a candidate. New Hampshire Republicans and independents must vote no.”
Romney’s campaign sloughed off the criticism and instead pointed to his endorsement Sunday by the Sioux City Journal in Iowa, the state whose Jan. 3 caucuses kick off the presidential nominating process. Romney also has been stumping hard in New Hampshire ahead of its Jan. 8 primary, including stops here and in two other communities on Sunday.
“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,” said Romney spokesman Kevin Madden. “Governor Romney has taken firm positions that are at odds with the board’s support for driver’s 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.”
In its endorsement, the Iowa newspaper said: “Romney combines an outsider’s new face with a proven track record of success as an executive in both the private and public sectors. …Personally, he is engaging, even charming, he has shown an ability to reach across partisan divides, and he is passionate on the campaign trail. In terms of leadership qualities, he possesses ‘it,’ and the importance of ‘it’ should not be diminished.”
The Concord Monitor lacks the philosophical beliefs common to Americans, not Mitt Romney. I am not voting for Romney, but the Concord Monitor did not determine my vote; they only determined my reason for never reading the untrustworthy Monitor again. I am not a bafoon and I don’t expect the Monitor to act like one either. Manufacturing news is the sleaziest tactic in political news coverage. Let’s hope that other newspapers learn from this ugly mistake.
I’m a right-of-center Independent and a Christian. I’ve not yet decided whom I will support next year (and the primaries will further limit my choices) but there are a few bright spots out there, and I believe Romney is one of them. I think his experience and his record as governor are strong advantages going forward. I don’t fault him for changing his position on an issue any more than I do any of the other candidates - in our political system, it’s simply a common denominator. I’m far more interested in the reasons he gave for doing so and, for that, I appreciate the Concord Monitor for reminding me to do my due diligence on all the candidates.
I would expect this type criticism from a liberal paper. It would be interesting to see how they characterize Clinton as for as the “trustworthy” statement is concerned.
Now I’m certain I’ll vote for Romney … people in New Hampshire need to “get out of Dodge” now and then and look at the real world.
It’s funny that they say Romney is phony. When they will probably endorse the most phony politican to ever disgrace American politics. That would Hitlary Rotten Clin-toon
It’s no suprise to me. I’ve know the man is a phony and a liar. He believes in what ever he has to just long enough to be elected.
I appreciate the paper for pointing out to others that the man is not worthy of serious consideration for those who just know him by what he has said recently and not what he has done or said in the past
I honestly dont think he stands for anything or has any posistion on any issue that wont be amended for an audience with an opposing view.
Please, dont take my word for it, take the time and look into this mans past voting records and statements before you give him your approval.
Thanks
You people in the newspaper business have a problem with reality. too report news, you need to leave the neighborhood and quit talking to the people in caves. -example look at where the New York times is, It will be a community paper in 5 years if the liberal managment doesn’t retire to the confines of back woods of your state where all this type of thinking comes from. just think, If Kerry had won the race we would be a suburb of some other country. Let’s secure our borders and keep America- American not something that emulates Europe- We are the strong guys on the block- and don’t mess with us, and if your Illegal go home and come back thru the system___GB
And the fact that an extremely liberal newspaper is against him is what kind of surprise???? The real surprise, and something that might make me take a second look, would be if they had endorsed him. For me, Romney is the best candidate out there in either party - I hope he gets the GOP nomination and I hope he wins the general election. All the democrats look (and act) like socialists and many of the other GOP candidates aren’t conservative enough (for me). Go Romney!!!
Why is alright for liberals to change their minds/stance on an issue, but it’s not for Conservatives?
I can’t vote for someone who belongs to a religious cult.