DENVER — Mitt Romney, a potential John McCain running mate playing Republican pit bull on the periphery of the Democratic National Convention, charged Tuesday that a Barack Obama presidency would “make America a weaker nation.”
The United States under an Obama administration would see “less prosperity, and less security,” Romney said in what could have been an 11th-hour audition to join McCain’s ticket.
Romney insisted he was in Denver only to help McCain get elected and not to audition for running mate. “I’m not in any way trying to promote my qualifications, or to dissuade others of my disqualifications, to serve on a McCain ticket,” he said.
Holding a news conference on the fringe of the convention arena, the former Massachusetts governor cited Obama votes on taxes and proposals for government spending. And he took note of the Illinois senator’s comment earlier this year in debate that he would negotiate with leaders of rogue nations.
Summing up his pitch, Romney questioned the Democrat’s judgment, saying, “Barack Obama is a charming and fine person with a lovely family but he’s not ready to be president.”
At a luncheon with reporters earlier, Romney also brought up two associations Obama has with questionable figures, naming scandal-scarred Chicago businessman Antoin “Tony” Rezko and 1960s radical William Ayers.
Later, he did interviews with cable networks from inside the Pepsi Center, where the Democratic convention is being held.
Obama’s campaign responded that McCain’s choice “won’t make a lick of difference to struggling American families” because the Republican ticket will offer the same policies as the unpopular President Bush.
McCain’s campaign dispatched Romney, who is believed to be a top contender for the vice presidential spot on the ticket, specifically to assail Obama. Another Republican said to be in serious contention for the No. 2 slot, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, was scheduled to play attack dog in Denver on Thursday.
Likely by design so top McCain aides could gauge their effectiveness, both Romney and Pawlenty have emerged as top surrogates for McCain over the past few months as he has weighed his choice.
The Arizona senator is expected to name his vice presidential pick in the coming days, maybe even while Obama is holding court in Denver. Rallies in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan, perhaps involving the complete GOP ticket, are planned for the run-up to the GOP convention, which starts Monday in St. Paul, Minn.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
