Republicans rally around Romney after hits on Bain

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jKsNpXKpZEbq2XxGIn7nNkZa92Jg?docId=75a9d28b6c094a49a17082179fa9c7ed

By KASIE HUNT, Associated Press – 26 minutes ago

GREER, S.C. (AP) — An array of Republicans and conservatives — including some of Mitt Romney's sharpest critics — rushed to the GOP presidential front-runner's defense Thursday to counter efforts to paint the former venture capitalist as a job-killer. Under fire, Romney rivals Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry backed off from directly attacking Romney's tenure at the helm of Bain Capital.

"We're disappointed" with the line of criticism, said Thomas Donohue, the head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The business group doesn't endorse in presidential campaigns, but Donohue said: "We think Romney has had a pretty good track record. Perfect? Hell no, but damn good."

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who ran against Romney four years ago, wrote in an online letter: "It's surprising to see so many Republicans embrace that left-wing argument against capitalism." And another 2008 foe, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, told Fox News Channel: "I'm shocked at what they are doing. I'm going to say it's ignorant. Dumb. It's building something we should be fighting — ignorance of the American economic system."

Romney's new defenders — many of whom have long histories of disagreeing with the former Massachusetts governor — argued that the attacks on his business record undermined the GOP's identity and weakened the party's chief argument against Democratic President Barack Obama, that federal intrusion has stymied the economy's recovery.

[Hugabear]

1. This is the party of Wall Street - should we have expected anything less?

Corporate Rethugs don't give a shit about people losing their jobs. To them, shutting down factories and firing American workers is a good thing, especially if they can increase their profits by relocating those factories and jobs overseas.

[spanone]

2. been seein' it all day..... gingrich is taking his last stand in politics imho

republicans won't have anything to do with him after this election

[arcane1]

3. I love how this forces them to equate Bain with "capitalism" and the "free market"

It's like they're doing our job for us

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. There they are, like pus surrounding a wound.

[Charlemagne]

5. Social Issues

Thats what it comes down to, social issues. Because Romney is not perceived to be as draconian as the rest. As such, they have to find ways to stop his candidacy. They are using economic issues to dissuade people.

We all know that if a hardline social conservative had worked at Blain Craptial, they would say it was the free market, ordained by Christ himself. But since Romney isnt psycho enough, they paint him as economically immoral.

[arely staircase]

6. one thing this all reveals is how vulnurable romney is on this issue. nt

[RickFromMN]

7. The Republicans can defend Romney now. It won't help. The damage is done.

It raises doubt. Does Romney like to fire people?

It's one thing if a politician, like Gingrich, is seen as a danger to himself and his personal family.

It's another thing if a politician, like Romney, is seen as a danger to other people.
Democrats, Independents, even Republicans and Tea Party Republicans, will have doubts.
Would Romney like to fire me? What will happen to my job?

When we think of Romney, we will think of a person who likes to fire people. That's all it takes.

[justiceischeap]

8. Who cares what Americans think, it's all about the Republican brand.

So what if Gingrich's ad resonates with not only repubs, but independents (and some Dems). We must protect the republican brand of job cremators at all costs.