GOP Race Heats Up - Candidates Highlight Differences

by Liz Sidoti, AP: Forget the pleasantries. The criticism grows sharper by the day in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. The reason: Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, John McCain and Fred Thompson are bunched at the top and trying to emerge with voting to begin in just a matter of weeks. . . . So, they are taking on one another with increased frequency and heightened ferocity. Thus far, the criticism largely has been limited to rhetoric. Some candidates have poked at their rivals in a handful of radio commercials, but the contrasts have been subtle. None has run negative television ads.

On Monday, Thompson, the former Tennessee senator, became the latest candidate to criticize. Without naming Giuliani, Thompson suggested the ex-mayor of New York, a one-time Democrat who backs abortion rights and gay rights, was a closet Democrat. "Some think the way to beat the Democrats in November is to be more like them. I could not disagree more," Thompson said in a speech he was to deliver to the Conservative Party of New York. "I believe that conservatives beat liberals only when we challenge their outdated positions, not embrace them." [Note Below]

Giuliani, in turn, had a former deputy mayor prod Thompson . . . "Some candidates talk the talk about Republican principles. Others actually have a proven track record of governing according to Republican principles." . . . . McCain . . . looking to continue gaining ground in New Hampshire and curtail Romney's standing there, took issue with Romney's remark that "I do speak for the Republican wing of the Republican Party." McCain recalled Romney's past support for Democratic candidates and moderate politics in Massachusetts, saying, "Being a Republican wasn't much of a priority for him." Thompson got in the act with an aide issuing a statement critical of Romney. Romney and Giuliani squabbled over taxes and spending . . . [Read More] THE RACE IS ON! Note: See also: Thompson Says He's the Real Conservative - Thompson Quote: "Some think the way to beat the Democrats in November is to be more like them. I could not disagree more." . . . "I believe that conservatives beat liberals only when we challenge their outdated positions, not embrace them. This is not a time for philosophical flexibility, it is a time to stand up for what we believe in," . . . "With me, what you see is what you get. I was a proud conservative yesterday, I remain one today, and I will be one tomorrow."

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Tags: Election 2008, Fred Thompson, GOP, John Mccain, Mitt Romney, presidential candidates, republican candidates, Rudy Giuliani To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!