HUCKABEE: Huck's views on foreign policy are No Laughing Matter

Good morning, folks-

Below you will find more information about Mike Huckabee’s inexperience on foreign policy with regard to his recent attack on President Bush’s policies:

“Mike Huckabee’s inexperience and lack of strength in foreign policy is no laughing matter. America faces big challenges at home and abroad, yet Mike Huckabee’s message to Republican voters sounds exactly like talking points from Al Gore, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. His lack of depth on such important issues is very troubling.”

-Kevin Madden, Romney for President campaign spokesman




"ON FOREIGN POLICY, HIS VIEWS ARE WRONG, AND HE'S PRETTY INEXPERIENCED AND IT'S SHOWING."



No Laughing Matter: A serious look at Gov. Mike Huckabee's record and policy beyond the one-liners.

· Gov. Mike Huckabee: "And the ultimate thing is, I may not be the expert that some people are on foreign policy, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night." (WABC Radio's "Imus In The Morning," 12/4/07)

· National Review: "The Holiday Inn Express Candidate." "In sum, conservatives should have worries about the depth and soundness of Mike Huckabee's foreign-policy views. And staying at a Holiday Inn Express is not going to be enough to allay them." (Editorial, "The Holiday Inn Express Candidate, National Review, 12/10/07)


Former White House Adviser Pete Wehner
MSNBC's "Morning Joe"
December 19, 2007

To watch, please see: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC0PRgnAF4Y

Former White House Adviser Pete Wehner Discusses Huckabee's Attacks On Bush Foreign Policy:

MSNBC's JOE SCARBOROUGH: "Welcome back. We got Jim Cramer to stay because he's mad. He's mad for life brother and he's number one with a bullet. Let's bring in right now Pete Wehner. He's former deputy assistant to the President, senior fellow right now at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Pete, thanks so much for being with us."

PETE WEHNER: "Nice to be with you. Thanks for inviting me, Joe."

SCARBOROUGH: "You have written and we're a little shocked and stunned and deeply saddened because the guy that loves Jesus, generally loves Jesus, Mike Huckabee was on our show earlier. We're friends with Mike. He likes Hendrix. I mean, he's got all the bases covered. But you have gone after him in a National Review article and you say that his Foreign Affairs article where he attacked President Bush for being arrogant and having a bunker mentality was misguided, and you said it was stunningly silly and deeply revealing. In what way?"

WEHNER: "Well, it was revealing because the criticisms that he made were with the kind that Jimmy Carter and Al Gore would make, not that usually conservative Republicans would make. He said that the President was at war with the world, which is not true. He spoke about the 'arrogant bunker mentality.' He said that the President really should deal with Iran like you deal with miscommunications between parents and friends. And that's actually not how you deal with Iran. It's not that he criticized the President. I've criticized our policy on Iraq. But the grounds of the criticism, I thought were wrong and, as I said, silly and I think for a Republican running in a Republican primary you don't want to sound like Jimmy Carter or Al Gore or the Daily Kos."

SCARBOROUGH: "Do you think, though, that a lot of Republicans are concerned with let's say what Paul Bremer did with the de-Baath-ification plan or what Donald Rumsfeld did by not giving the generals all the troops they wanted. I mean, Republicans, I know you've heard from other Republicans. There are similar concerns about missteps after we got into Baghdad."

WEHNER: "I acknowledge those and I accept them, actually. I've got some of the same complaints. Clearly the post-war situation wasn't handled well. We didn't have enough troops. We didn't have the right counter insurgency strategy. We have it now with David Petraeus. That wasn't the grounds of my criticism for the Foreign Affairs article. As I said, it was the nature of his criticisms as they related to this 'arrogant bunker mentality' that we really weren't, that we were having a problem in communications with dictators in the world. Well, sometimes it's actually the nature of the regimes that cause the problems. Its not that you're not being nice enough to them. He was making the argument that if you dominate the world you're going to illicit opposition. We're not dominating the world. We're actually trying to liberate some countries. And sometimes that elicits opposition."

CNBC's JIM CRAMER: "Peter, this is Jim Cramer, it seems like that Huckabee is also implying that we are a stingy nation that doesn't do a lot around the world. Isn't it true that we're the most, by far, the most generous nation in the world towards both friend and foe?"

WEHNER: "Yeah. That was another criticism that bothered me. Implicit in his argument is that it wasn't a generous nation. If we were generous we'd be well-loved. The reality is that we are generous. We give a huge amount in foreign aid. The President's global AIDS initiative which increased the amount of money to combat global AIDS by five times over the Clinton Administration is one of the great, generous, humane foreign policy achievements ever. And the reality is that we liberated more than 50 million people from two of the most despotic and cruel regimes in modern history and that was an act of generosity. It's come at a lot of cost to us in terms of human lives and in terms of money. It's cost more in lives and money than it should have. But the reality is that the impulse was generous and I think when all is said and done we'll look back on in history as having done the right thing and the generous thing."

MSNBC's MIKA BRZEZINSKI: "Peter, pertaining to the Foreign Affairs article written by Governor Huckabee and the words that he used, isn't it also true that we're dealing with an administration that led us into war on faulty intelligence and an administration that brought up the possibility of World War III which appears to be on intelligence that is still sort of hard to decipher at this point. I mean, isn't there something to be said for the 'arrogant bunker mentality' and why can't Republican candidates say that? Is there some rule against it?"

WEHNER: "No, there's no rule against it. He said it. But there's no rule against criticizing him for saying it. In terms of the faulty intelligence, I don't dispute that. Of course we went in with faulty intelligence and it was a huge, huge failure. The rest of the world had faulty intelligence. Countries that even opposed our actions in Iraq had faulty intelligence. They believed Saddam had weapons of mass destruction. I would say, that it would be nice if, once in a while, people pointed out that there was a burden of proof on Saddam Hussein to meet the obligations that he had agreed to. He didn't. He intentionally kept the inspectors out, and based on his history we drew conclusions. They were the wrong ones. Again, I don't dispute the idea that the Bush Administration can be criticized or even if it should be criticized. In eight years, you're going to make mistakes. This administration has made some; we've made some big ones. My objection was the nature of the criticisms. I just think Governor Huckabee who is a very smooth and talented fellow – you saw that in your interview with him. He's the best debater in the field. He's a terrific speaker. But, I think on foreign policy, his views are wrong, and he's pretty inexperienced and it's showing."

SCARBOROUGH: "Alright, Pete, thank you so much for renewing this. Pete Wehner. He's with The Ethics and Public Policy Center. You can read Pete's critique on the National Review Online and you can also see Governor Huckabee's article in Foreign Affairs."




Kevin A. Madden
National Press Secretary
Romney for President

ROMNEY: New Ad, "Searched"

Good morning, folks-

Today, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, "Searched."

“Searched”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjwWVWkPr-4


In the ad, Robert Gay, a former business partner of Governor Romney, recounts the story of his daughter who disappeared in New York City in the summer of 1996. When no one could find her, Governor Romney and his colleagues stepped forward and closed down their company in Boston, Bain Capital. Together, they headed to New York City to aid the search. Spreading out across the city, they set up command centers, combed through neighborhoods, passed out fliers and drew media attention to the case. Through their efforts, Robert Gay was reunited with his daughter. This ad is their story.

The ad will begin airing today as part of the campaign's rotation in New Hampshire. Script and the story behind “Searched” are provided below.


Script For "Searched" (TV:30):

ROBERT GAY: "My fourteen year-old daughter had disappeared in New York City for three days. No one could find her.

"My business partner stepped forward to take charge. He closed the company and brought almost all our employees to New York.

"He said, 'I don’t care how long it takes – we’re going to find her.'

"He set up a command center and searched through the night. The man who helped save my daughter was Mitt Romney.

"Mitt's done a lot of things that people say are nearly impossible. But for me, the most important thing he’s ever done is to help save my daughter."

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "I’m Mitt Romney and I approved this message."



This Is The Story Of "Searched"…

On Saturday, July 6, 1996, Robert Gay Saw His Daughter, Melissa, For The Last Time Before She Disappeared In New York City. "The frantic parents of a 14-year-old Connecticut girl, missing since Sunday after she attended an all-night dance party on Randalls Island, came to New York City yesterday seeking help in finding their child. Melissa Gay, of Ridgefield, Conn., known also as Missy, left her home Saturday night without telling her parents she was going to New York City, said her father, Robert Gay, a managing partner of Bain Capital, a leveraged buy-out firm." (Shirley Leung, "Investment Firm Shuts To Help Find Girl," The Boston Globe, 7/12/96)






"I JUST HOPE THAT SOMEBODY COULD FIND IT IN THEIR HEART TO CALL AND LET US KNOW HOW SHE IS." - Lynette Gay, Mother

Melissa Was Last Seen In New York City On Sunday, July 7, 1996. "A distraught Connecticut family desperately searched yesterday for their teenage daughter, last seen early Sunday after partying at an all-night rave concert on Randalls Island. 'I just hope that somebody could find it in their heart to call and let us know how she is,' said the mother of 14-year-old Melissa Gay. 'I know she's afraid of the dark,' added Lynette Gay, 44. 'She's a courageous, spunky girl, but she also likes her hugs and kisses.' The girl was last seen Sunday at 11 a.m. in a park under the Whitestone Bridge. She wore a blue or red-striped shirt and tan pants. She is blond, 5-feet-3 and weighs 105 pounds." (K.C. Baker, "Fearful Kin Seek Missing Teen," New York Daily News, 7/12/96)

By Wednesday, With The Investigation Going Nowhere And His Business Partner Walking The Streets Of New York City Trying To Find His Daughter, Mitt Romney Closed Down His Company In Boston And Headed To New York City With His Colleagues. "On Wednesday he walked the streets of Manhattan looking for his blonde daughter, who was last seen wearing a blue or red-striped shirt and baggy tan pants. Gay, who has worked for Bain for eight years, kept his ordeal to himself, confiding only in Romney. But Wednesday, Romney decided to tell the other 11 managing directors, and they decided that finding a missing daughter was more important than operating a $1 billion investment firm." (Shirley Leung, "Investment Firm Shuts To Help Find Girl," The Boston Globe, 7/12/96)







"OUR CHILDREN ARE WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT. … EVERYTHING ELSE TAKES A BACK SEAT." – Mitt Romney

By Thursday Morning, Mitt Romney, 56 Bain Capital Employees And 250 Colleagues From Wall Street Were Working The Streets Of New York City In Search Of Melissa. "The executives decided not only to give their time but their money, paying all expenses for the search for the fifth of Gay's seven children. That night, 16 employees flew to New York, turned a function room of the Laguardia Marriott Hotel into a 'war room,' and got printing giant R. R. Donnelly to print 200,000 fliers with a color picture of Melissa. They also hired a private investigator and set up an 800-number hot line. Another 40 employees caught an early morning shuttle yesterday, and later were joined by about 250 colleagues from other Wall Street firms, including Goldman Sachs, Price Waterhouse and Bankers Trust." (Shirley Leung, "Investment Firm Shuts To Help Find Girl," The Boston Globe, 7/12/96)

Romney And Bain Capital Used All Of Their Connections To Further The Search. "Bain Capital's partners closed down the firm and drew on friendships and connections to find volunteers for the search. R. R. Donnelly, the firm's printer, printed more than 300,000 fliers bearing Ms. Gay's picture and last known whereabouts. Duane Reade, a drugstore chain in which Bain Capital is an investor, had clerks at 52 stores insert fliers in shopping bags. Price Waterhouse, which does the firm's accounting, sent nearly 100 volunteers to distribute the posters, and Goldman Sachs, Bankers Trust and Morgan Stanley dispatched more than 60 people." (Charisse Jones, "Volunteers Search For Missing Girl," The New York Times, 7/12/96)

Romney And Bain Capital Coordinated A "Five-Pronged Attack" To Find The Gays' Daughter. "The searchers prepared a 'five-pronged attack,' said Stephen Pagliuca, another Bain Capital managing director. The plan included: hiring private investigators; coordinating with New York authorities; lining up help from business associates; blanketing the city with 250,000 flyers; and organizing a media blitz that landed news reports on three local TV stations. Nearly all of Bain Capital's 50-plus employees got involved, Pagliuca said. A 'skeletal crew' answered phones and handled essential business in Boston while the rest flew to New York. By 4 p.m. Thursday, the search involved 300 people, Pagliuca said." (Eric Convey, "Bain Staff Swung Into Action For Child Search," The Boston Herald, 7/13/96)

With The Help Of Bain, The Gays Were Reunited With Their Daughter. "The saga ended late Thursday night when Melissa Gay of Ridgefield, Conn., was found safe and sound at a suburban New Jersey home. The discovery of 'Missy' followed 24 hours of intensive work by Bain Capital employees and their contacts that began soon after Robert Gay, one of the firm's 12 managing directors, told co-workers his daughter was missing. … The hunt went on until a family in Montville, N.J., heard of it and called police later to say Missy was with them and fine." (Eric Convey, "Bain Staff Swung Into Action For Child Search," The Boston Herald, 7/13/96)










At An End-Of-The-Year Meeting, Bain Capital Listed The Search For Melissa Gay As Their Greatest Accomplishment. "Last week, the partners of Boston's Bain Capital Inc. drew up their annual list of accomplishments: Number one was the week they spent last July combing Manhattan in search of Melissa Gay, the missing 14-year-old daughter of one of the partners. 'It really overshadowed everything we did from a money standpoint,' said Mitt Romney, the Bain Capital founder who won the 1994 Massachusetts Republican Senate nomination partly on his reputation as a venture capital wiz." (Peter S. Canellos, "Bain Capital Recalls NY Search," The Boston Globe, 12/8/96)


Romney Never Forgot What He Saw As He Sought To Help A Friend In Need. "Now back in school and fully recovered, Melissa and her parents are doing well, Romney said. The partners, however, are still taking stock of their visit to the dark corners of New York, putting up posters and talking to runaways outside seedy nightclubs and peep shows. Romney said he can't escape some of the images he carries with him from his week in the New York underworld. 'It was a shocker,' he said. 'The number of lost souls was astounding.' Romney said one partner still talks about a runaway he spoke with in search of information about Melissa.
'The girl asked, "Why are you looking for her?" and he said,
"Because her parents miss her,"' Romney said. 'She replied,
"I wish my parents missed me like that."'"
(Peter S. Canellos, "Bain Capital Recalls NY Search," The Boston Globe, 12/8/96)



Kevin A. Madden
National Press Secretary
Romney for President

ROMNEY: Statement: Governor Mitt Romney on Cuba

Good afternoon, folks-
Today, Governor Mitt Romney issued the following statement on Cuban dictator Fidel Castro's comments that he may not return to power in Cuba:

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY ON CUBA

"Even if Fidel Castro does not return to power, Cuba's government remains the brutal regime that he founded nearly 49 years ago. Regardless of his newfound desire to not 'obstruct the path of younger people,' the fact remains that Cuba's youth are currently subject to constant surveillance, harassment and violence for demanding their freedom and are among the many political prisoners in Cuba today.

"CAMBIO is desperately needed in Cuba, not a succession of power to Raul Castro or the next generation of Castro cronies. Cuba's future should be shaped by its freedom-loving youth. We must maintain our current policy until the Castro regime is dismantled, all political prisoners are freed and a transition to free and fair elections takes place."

ROMNEY: No Laughing Matter: A serious look at Gov. Mike Huckabee's record and policy beyond the one-liners.

“Mike Huckabee is great at snappy one-liners, but his troubling lack of depth on important foreign policy issues is really not funny. America faces big challenges on the domestic front as well as around the globe, and Mike Huckabee’s direct criticism of President Bush merely copies the Democrats’ talking points and puts him squarely at odds with many Republican voters who want a strong foreign policy posture.”

-Kevin Madden, Romney for President campaign spokesman


http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/No_Laughing_Matter_12.17



"SOMEONE WHO HASN'T THOUGHT MUCH ABOUT FOREIGN POLICY"


No Laughing Matter: A serious look at Gov. Mike Huckabee's record and policy beyond the one-liners.

· Gov. Mike Huckabee: "And the ultimate thing is, I may not be the expert that some people are on foreign policy, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night." (WABC Radio's "Imus In The Morning," 12/4/07)

· National Review: "The Holiday Inn Express Candidate." "In sum, conservatives should have worries about the depth and soundness of Mike Huckabee's foreign-policy views. And staying at a Holiday Inn Express is not going to be enough to allay them." (Editorial, "The Holiday Inn Express Candidate, National Review, 12/10/07)


"Huckabee did give a long speech on foreign policy at [CSIS]… It combined a superficial rendering of conventional foreign-policy wisdom — which of course included many unfair criticisms of President Bush — with Huckabee's inimitable folksy delivery. … Huckabee's views are the uneven grab bag to be expected from someone who hasn't thought much about foreign policy." – National Review (Editorial, "The Holiday Inn Express Candidate, National Review, 12/10/07)

To Watch Selections From Gov. Huckabee's Speech, Click Here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQitn77AXvo


Gov. Huckabee's Foreign Affairs Essay Closely Mirrors A Speech He Gave In September 2007:

Gov. Huckabee: "This Administration's Bunker Mentality Has Been Counterproductive, Both At Home And Abroad." GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE: "Well, let me begin by saying that to say that American foreign policy needs a change in tone or attitude, or an opening up and reaching out, is [as] obvious as saying that O.J. Simpson might've had a bad month. This Administration's bunker mentality has been counterproductive, both at home and abroad. They've done a poor job of communicating and consulting with other countries, just as they have, frankly, with the American people." (Gov. Mike Huckabee, Remarks To The Center For Strategic And International Studies, Washington, D.C., 9/28/07)

· Foreign Affairs As Playground Politics. GOV. HUCKABEE: "There's a sense in which our situation with prestige in the world is a great deal like many of us experienced as a child growing up in a neighborhood where there was one kid, one kid who was just exceptional at everything he did. He made A's, and never anything else; he could run faster; he could jump higher; he could throw the ball further; he never struck out. You know the kid; I hope you weren't that kid." (Gov. Mike Huckabee, Remarks To The Center For Strategic And International Studies, Washington, D.C., 9/28/07)

Gov. Huckabee: "Full Diplomatic Relations" With Iran. GOV. HUCKABEE: "Normally we speak to Iran only indirectly, through the Swiss embassy in Tehran. Our recent direct negotiations about Iraq have been very narrowly focused, not very productive because we really weren't exploring the full range of issues. We have valuable incentives to offer Iran in exchange for helping us to stabilize Iraq, not supporting the Taliban, Hamas, and Hezbollah, and abandoning their nuclear ambitions, trade and economic assistance, full diplomatic relations, and security guarantees." (Gov. Mike Huckabee, Remarks To The Center For Strategic And International Studies, Washington, D.C., 9/28/07)

Gov. Huckabee: Iran Is Simply Playing "Normal Power Politics" And We Can "Negotiate With Them." GOV. HUCKABEE: "And while there can be no rational dealings with al Qaeda, Iran is a nation-state looking for regional power. It plays the normal power politics that we do understand, and can skillfully and rightfully pursue. And we have substantial issues to negotiate with them." (Gov. Mike Huckabee, Remarks To The Center For Strategic And International Studies, Washington, D.C., 9/28/07)

· Diplomacy With Iran Is Like A Fight With Your Sister. GOV. HUCKABEE: "We haven't had diplomatic relationships with Iran in almost 30 years, most of my entire adult life, and a lot of good it's done. Putting this in human terms, all of us know that when we stop talking to a parent, or a sibling, or even a friend, it's impossible to resolve the differences to move that relationship forward. Well, the same is true for countries." (Gov. Mike Huckabee, Remarks To The Center For Strategic And International Studies, Washington, D.C., 9/28/07)

Gov. Huckabee: An Embassy In Baghdad Would Have Led To Better Intelligence. GOV. HUCKABEE: "If we had had diplomatic relations with Iraq, and an ambassador in Baghdad, we obviously would've had better information. Before we put boots on the ground in the future, we better have a few wingtips there first." (Gov. Mike Huckabee, Remarks To The Center For Strategic And International Studies, Washington, D.C., 9/28/07)

Gov. Mike Huckabee: "And When President Bush Included Iran In The Axis Of Evil, Everything Went Downhill Pretty Fast." (Gov. Mike Huckabee, Remarks To The Center For Strategic And International Studies, Washington, D.C., 9/28/07)

Gov. Mike Huckabee: "I Know That We Cannot Live With Al Qaeda, But There Is A Chance We Can Live With A Domesticated Iran." GOV. HUCKABEE: "As the only presidential candidate with a theology degree, along with several years of political experience, I know that theology is black and white. Politics is not. My enemy today on one issue may be my friend tomorrow on another. Bottom line is this: Iran is a regional threat to the balance of power in the Middle and Near East. Al Qaeda is an existential threat to the United States. I know that we cannot live with al Qaeda, but there is a chance we can live with a domesticated Iran." (Gov. Mike Huckabee, Remarks To The Center For Strategic And International Studies, Washington, D.C., 9/28/07)

Gov. Huckabee: Bin Laden Is "Protected Indirectly By The Pakistani Government." GOV. HUCKABEE: "Now, while our failure to engage Iran seems to be leading to our potentially attacking them, our failure to engage al Qaeda and Pakistan seems to be leading to their attacking us again. When we let bin Laden escape at Tora Bora in December of 2001, he fled Afghanistan into Pakistan, and we played Brer Fox to his Brer Rabbit. We threw him into the perfect briar patch, protected directly by Islamic extremists, tribal leaders who revere him, and don't consider their land to be part of Pakistan, protected indirectly by the Pakistani government, who believes that it is." (Gov. Mike Huckabee, Remarks To The Center For Strategic And International Studies, Washington, D.C., 9/28/07)

Gov. Huckabee: The War In Iraq Is A Distraction From Going After Al Qaeda In Pakistan. GOV. HUCKABEE: "I am convinced that our focus on Iraq at the expense of Pakistan or Iran is like dealing with the neighbor's house, which is on fire, while ignoring the house on the other side of the street that's filled with carbon monoxide. Iraq may be the hot war, but Pakistan is where the cold, calculating planning is actually going on. Al Qaeda in Iraq is a branch office. Corporate headquarters is in Pakistan." (Gov. Mike Huckabee, Remarks To The Center For Strategic And International Studies, Washington, D.C., 9/28/07)

Gov. Huckabee: By Supporting Pakistan's Government, "Our Government" Is To Blame If Al Qaeda Attacks Us. GOV. HUCKABEE: "If al Qaeda attacks us tomorrow, that attacked will be postmarked Pakistan, not Iraq. Pakistan has become the new Afghanistan. Another attack will spark justified outrage that we let bin Laden and his people get away. Concerns about Pakistan's delicate sensibilities will be drowned out by the wailing about American casualties. The American people will not understand why our supposed ally refused to help us or why our government put up with their intransigence." (Gov. Mike Huckabee, Remarks To The Center For Strategic And International Studies, Washington, D.C., 9/28/07)

· Gov. Huckabee: "I Would Prefer To Skip The Next Attack And The Exasperated Fury That It Will Rightly Generate And Cut To The Chase By Going After Al Qaeda's Safe Haven In Pakistan." (Gov. Mike Huckabee, Remarks To The Center For Strategic And International Studies, Washington, D.C., 9/28/07)

ROMNEY: Romney for President is launching its newest television ad, "Choice: Judgment."

Romney for President is launching its newest television ad, "Choice: Judgment."

Choice: Judgment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luQV0tTvkus

The ad highlights the very important choice voters will have to make when it comes to fighting crime in the United States. While Governors Romney and Huckabee both believe in protecting life and traditional marriage, they have very different crime records.

In Massachusetts, Governor Romney fought for tougher penalties to combat methamphetamines and respected juries' decisions by not pardoning a single criminal.

In Arkansas, Governor Huckabee granted 1,033 pardons and commutations, including 12 convicted murderers. This was more clemencies than the previous three governors combined. Governor Huckabee also reduced penalties for manufacturing methamphetamines.

The ad will begin airing tomorrow as part of the campaign's rotation in Iowa.


Script For "Choice: Judgment" (TV:30):

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message."

ANNOUNCER: "Two pro-life Governors. Both support a constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage.

"The difference?

"Romney got tough on drugs like meth.

"He never pardoned a single criminal.

"And Mike Huckabee?

"He granted 1,033 pardons and commutations, including 12 convicted murderers.

"Huckabee granted more clemencies than the previous three governors combined.

"Even reduced penalties for manufacturing methamphetamine.

"On crime. The difference is judgment."

Huck's "Playground Diplomacy" is no laughing matter

Mike Huckabee’s recent critique of the Bush Administration is right out of the Democrats’ talking points. Some examples are provided below.

“Mike Huckabee is known for his witty one-liners, but his criticism of the Bush Administration with sound bites right from the Democrats’ talking points is no laughing matter. At a time when Republican voters want strength of purpose and resolve in foreign policy, Mike Huckabee has resorted to the Democrat playbook of just bashing the president.”

-Kevin Madden, Romney for President spokesman

http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/No_Laughing_Matter_12.15

Rudy the Candidate has Rudy the Mayor to blame on illegal immigration - video

Good morning, folks-

Below you will find information about Mayor Giuliani’s record on immigration that directly contradicts his latest television advertisement.

Candidate Giuliani apparently has complaints in his ad about an illegal immigration problem that was exacerbated by Mayor Giuliani and his sanctuary city approach in New York City.

This video clip of Mayor Giuliani lauding illegal immigration says it all: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhS-Ic9JohM

The Mayor’s Sanctuary State of Mind:



"QUITE TOLERANT OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRATION"
Candidate Giuliani Complains About Problem Exacerbated By Mayor Giuliani


"The city of New York, quite frankly, is quite tolerant of undocumented immigration and this shouldn’t surprise you because I've been the Mayor for a long time and outspoken on this issue, even nationally, I happen to agree with that." – Mayor Rudy Giuliani (WABC Radio's "Live From City Hall…With Rudy Giuliani," 9/7/01)


To watch Mayor Giuliani's comments on tolerating illegals, click here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhS-Ic9JohM


A New Giuliani Campaign Ad Discusses The Issue Of Illegal Immigration:

The Giuliani Campaign Has Released A New Ad Complaining About Illegal Immigration. MAYOR GIULIANI "People are frustrated over immigration because the government has been talking about solving this for twenty or twenty-five years, and it's just gotten worse. What we need here is leadership." (Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee, "Rudy Giuliani Campaign Launches New Television Ad in New Hampshire," Press Release, 12/13/07)

But As Mayor, Giuliani Was "Quite Tolerant" Of Illegal Immigration:

In 2001, Mayor Giuliani Boasted That New York City Was "Quite Tolerant Of Undocumented Immigration." GIULIANI: "The city of New York, quite frankly, is quite tolerant of undocumented immigration and this shouldn’t surprise you because I've been the Mayor for a long time and outspoken on this issue, even nationally, I happen to agree with that. I think New York City should not deal with undocumented immigrants in a harsh way, I think they make a big contribution to the life of the city and were much better off being sensible and practical about it. And the reality is that restaurants are going to have a certain number of people who are undocumented, you know people that come here to make a living trying to help them selves and their families." (WABC Radio's "Live From City Hall…With Rudy Giuliani," 9/7/01, www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhS-Ic9JohM )

Mayor Giuliani Welcomed Illegal Immigrants To New York City:

Mayor Giuliani Actually Invited More Illegal Immigrants To Come To New York City. "[Mr. Giuliani said,] 'If you come here and you work hard and you happen to be in an undocumented status, you're one of the people who we want in this city. You're somebody that we want to protect, and we want you to get out from under what is often a life of being like a fugitive, which is really unfair.'" (Deborah Sontag, "New York Officials Welcome Immigrants, Legal Or Illegal," The New York Times, 6/10/94)

Mayor Giuliani Ran New York City With A Sanctuary State Of Mind:

ABC News: "Giuliani Inherited The [Sanctuary] Policy, He Reissued It And Seemed To Embrace It." "New York became a sanctuary city, where illegal immigrants enjoy some measure of protection, through an executive order signed by Mayor Ed Koch in 1989, five years before Giuliani became mayor in January 1994. But if Giuliani inherited the policy, he reissued it and seemed to embrace it." (Jake Tapper and Ron Claiborne, "Romney: Giuliani's NYC 'Sanctuary' For Illegal Immigrants," ABC News, 8/8/07)

A 1997 New York Daily News Editorial Blasted Mayor Giuliani For Not Supporting Federal Immigration Laws. "Mayor Giuliani is actually suing the federal government to be relieved of the requirement that city workers turn over information about illegal immigrants to the Immigration and Naturalization Service. At City University, undocumented aliens qualify for the low resident tuition if they've lived here for a year. And just last week, the mayor announced that immigrants applying for marriage licenses couldn't be turned away even if their visas had expired." (Editorial, "Not All Immigrants Are Equal," [New York] Daily News, 3/23/97)

· Daily News: Under Mayor Giuliani, "Illegal" Didn't Have Any Meaning. "But at the same time, federal immigration laws must be enforced strictly. For no nation can allow its borders to be violated with impunity. And state and local governments must help. In New York, that means making the adjective 'illegal' mean something when it appears before the word 'immigrant.' … In other words, legal or illegal, the law makes no distinction. Then what's the law for?" (Editorial, "Not All Immigrants Are Equal," [New York] Daily News, 3/23/97)

statement: response to Democratic presidential candidates debate in Iowa

Good afternoon, folks-

Please consider this response to the Democratic presidential candidates debate this afternoon in Johnston, Iowa


“A day after the Republicans debated, the Democrats have taken to the very same stage and offered a very different vision for where they would like to take this nation. Senator Clinton, Senator Obama and their fellow Democrats have designed a course for our country that would lead to higher taxes, more government spending and ultimately an America whose standing would be weaker around the globe.

"Yesterday, Governor Romney spoke of a more optimistic vision for a stronger America with a stronger economy, stronger defense and stronger families. It is a vision that calls for lower taxes, spending restraint and conservative change in Washington. On January 3rd, the people of Iowa will go to the caucuses and begin the process of rejecting the Democrats and their agenda that would take America in the wrong direction."

-Kevin Madden, Romney for President campaign spokesman

No Laughing Matter: Mike Huckabee's record on illegal immigration

Below you will find some information about Mike Huckabee’s troubling record on illegal immigration.

“Mike Huckabee is known as someone who is very witty, but his record of using taxpayer dollars to provide tuition breaks to illegal immigrants is no laughing matter. At a time when the American people are looking for leadership that will deliver stronger border security, it is clear that Mike Huckabee’s weak posture towards illegal immigration is entirely at odds with many grassroots Republicans who want stronger enforcement.”

-Kevin Madden, Romney for President campaign spokesman




NO LAUGHING MATTER: GOV. HUCKABEE'S TUITION BREAKS FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS "A DISASTER"


The No Laughing Matter!: A serious look at Governor Mike Huckabee's record and policy beyond the one-liners. As in:

· Governor Mike Huckabee: "And the ultimate thing is, I may not be the expert that some people are on foreign policy, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night." ("Imus In The Morning," 12/4/07)

· National Review: "The Holiday Inn Express Candidate." "In sum, conservatives should have worries about the depth and soundness of Mike Huckabee’s foreign-policy views. And staying at a Holiday Inn Express is not going to be enough to allay them." (Editorial, "The Holiday Inn Express Candidate, National Review, 12/10/07)


Today, Gov. Huckabee Says The Jim Gilchrist Endorsement Shows That He Was Not "Soft On Immigration":

Gov. Huckabee: "You know, clearly Iraq we've been through, and I think there could have been questions on immigration, in part, because some major developments. Even though I'm being attacked on it, it was our campaign who got the endorsement of Jim Gilchrest, the founder of the Minutemen Project. So I think the issue of soft on immigration is taken off the table for me." (MSNBC's "Morning Joe," 12/13/07)

To watch Governor Huckabee, please see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=favuJq2i-jg

However, Yesterday, Huckabee Supporter And Minutemen Founder Jim Gilchrist Calls Gov. Huckabee's Tuition Breaks For Illegal Immigrants "A Disaster":

Lars Larson: "But I want to ask you a couple of questions. I've looked at Huckabee's record. I've actually interviewed the Governor and I think he's a nice guy, but on illegal aliens, he's a train wreck."

Jim Gilchrist: "On a couple of issues. Offering the illegal aliens in-state tuition, that's a disaster. And I've talked to him about that." ("Lars Larson Show," 12/12/07)

To listen to Jim Gilchrist, please see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1lWTNua5xY

NEBRASKA GOVERNOR DAVE HEINEMAN ENDORSES GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY

NEBRASKA GOVERNOR DAVE HEINEMAN ENDORSES GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY

Boston, MA – Today, Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman announced his endorsement of Governor Mitt Romney for President of the United States. Governor Heineman joins current Governors Matt Blunt (R-MO) and Don Carcieri (R-RI) in endorsing Governor Romney.

"In his campaign for the presidency, Mitt Romney has outlined the clearest vision to move our country forward. With exceptional leadership experience and outstanding values, Governor Romney is the only candidate who can bring true conservative change to Washington. I am proud to be a part of his team and look forward to joining him as he travels across this country discussing his strategy to build a stronger America," said Governor Heineman.

Making today's announcement, Governor Romney said, "Governor Heineman understands that our party is strong when we stand for a strong defense, strong economy and strong families. In just a few short years as Nebraska's chief executive, he successfully passed the largest tax relief package in the state's history. Through conservative principles, Governor Heineman is making Nebraska a better place to live, work and raise a family. I look forward to working with him as we advance our strategy for a stronger America."

Background On Governor Dave Heineman:

Governor Dave Heineman Was Sworn In As Nebraska's 39th Governor On Friday, January 21, 2005. He was elected to his first full term on November 7, 2006 by the largest margin in recent history. In May of 2006, he overcame a forty point deficit to win a historic primary. Prior to becoming Governor, he served more than three years as Lieutenant Governor and nearly seven years as State Treasurer. Since becoming Governor, he has worked with the Nebraska Legislature to pass the largest tax relief package in the history of the state and the most comprehensive jobs creation, economic incentive legislation since the 1980s. A native Nebraskan, Governor Heineman is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served for five years in the U.S. Army. He is also a graduate of the Army's Airborne and Ranger Schools.

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY LAYS OUT VISION FOR A STRONGER AMERICA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Romney Press Shop
December 12, 2007

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY LAYS OUT VISION FOR A STRONGER AMERICA

Johnston, IA – This afternoon, Romney for President Communications Director Matt Rhoades released the following statement on the tenth Republican presidential debate:

"This afternoon, Governor Romney laid out the clear vision to meet a new generation of challenges confronting our country. From fiscal policy and education policy to our foreign policy, Governor Romney has proposed a clear strategy to build a stronger America with a stronger military, stronger economy and stronger families. In three weeks, the people of Iowa will vote in the caucuses and this afternoon, Governor Romney made the choice clear. With the experience, vision and values, Governor Romney is the one candidate who can build a stronger nation."

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY TO DELIVER ADDRESS TITLED "FAITH IN AMERICA"

December 2, 2007 (857) 288-6390

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY TO DELIVER ADDRESS TITLED "FAITH IN AMERICA"

Boston, MA – On Thursday, December 6, Governor Mitt Romney will travel to College Station, Texas, to deliver an address titled "Faith in America" at the George Bush Presidential Library. Governor Romney will be introduced by former President George H.W. Bush. Media must be credentialed to attend.