Romney Notes "Three-Man Race" Between Himself, McCain, and Rudy; Calls McCain "Disingenuous" On Gay Marriage

Not really a shocker, but the race has pretty much begun.

Eager to position himself as the most conservative GOP presidential hopeful, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney accused Sen. John McCain Monday of being “disingenuous” on gay marriage.

In an interview with The Examiner, Romney described himself as more conservative than Republican rivals McCain, R-Ariz., and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani on a variety of issues. “We’re in a different place on immigration; we’re in a different place on campaign reform; we’re in a different place on same–sex marriage; we’re in a different place on the president’s policy on interrogation of detainees,” Romney said.

“I’m a conservative Republican, there’s no question about that,” he said. “I’m at a different place than the other two.”

...

Romney [criticized] McCain, who on Sunday told ABC News: “I believe that the issue of gay marriage should be decided by the states.” McCain also said, “I believe that gay marriage should not be legal.”

Romney seized on the remarks.

“That’s his position, and in my opinion, it’s disingenuous,” he said. “Look, if somebody says they’re in favor of gay marriage, I respect that view. If someone says — like I do — that I oppose same–sex marriage, I respect that view. But those who try and pretend to have it both ways, I find it to be disingenuous.”

I still hold out hope for Rudy, but I think right here's your front-runner.

Unless there's some huge scandal in his past that hasn't been uncovered throughout his career, I don't see any reason why he wouldn't win the nomination, fairly easily.

It still really turns on how deftly and fully Rudy can reverse his well-known liberal stances on gun and social issues.

posted by Ace at 05:37 PM

| Access Comments