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  • 29
    Jun
    2012
    2:43pm, EDT

    'Obamneycare' is back

    By NBC's Matt Loffman

    Now that the Supreme Court has ruled the health care mandate is constitutional and Mitt Romney has renewed his commitment for a full repeal of the law, Democrats have continued to point out the similarities between Romney's Massachusetts law and the Affordable Care Act.

    But some Republicans aren't on message.

    Yes, it’s the return of 'Obamneycare.'

    The term -- linking the Massachusetts plan with the federal one -- was first coined over a year ago by Romney’s opponent-turned-surrogate Tim Pawlenty during an appearance on Fox News Sunday.

    “Well, you don't have to take my word for it. You can take President Obama's word for it. President Obama said that he designed Obamacare after Romneycare and basically made it Obamneycare,” Pawlenty said. 

    On a conference call this morning, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) got a little tongue-tied during his defense of Romney and a repeal of the law.

    “There's only one candidate, Gov. Romney, who's committed that he will repeal the Obamney -- the Obamacare tax increase,” Jindal said. “He will repeal Obamacare as soon as he's elected.”

    Though Jindal quickly correct himself, the damage was done. Just an hour later, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) had already seized on the comments to show the similarities between the two laws.

    Speaking on a conference call organized by the Obama campaign, O’Malley said of the tax penalty for people who do not buy insurance, “It was a penalty provision that was also in Romneycare, or as Gov. Jindal just called it, Obamneycare.”

    43 comments

    Paul Krugman/Posted @ DailyKos: At one level, the most striking thing about the campaign against reform was its dishonesty. Remember “death panels”? Remember how reform’s opponents would, in the same breath, accuse Mr. Obama of promoting big government and denounce him for cutting  …

    Show more
    Explore related topics: mitt-romney, first-read, decision-2012, matt-loffman
  • 12
    Apr
    2012
    11:58am, EDT

    Anti-abortion-rights groups get behind Romney

    By NBC's Matt Loffman
    Follow @mattloff

     

    In a room overlooking the White House, the National Right to Life Committee, the nation's oldest anti-abortion-rights organization, announced their support this morning of Mitt Romney.

     "It is now time for pro-life Americans to unite behind Mitt Romney," said Carol Tobias, president of the group. "While some would like to call into question Mitt Romney's pro-life position, let me state clearly and emphatically, Mitt Romney is pro-life."

    Tobias said the Romney campaign was informed of the endorsement late yesterday afternoon, and she read a statement from the former governor. In part, Romney said he was "grateful for [the NRLC's] support and honored by the trust they have place in me. I look forward to working together to carry out the great responsibility of protecting and defending innocent human life."

    The endorsement comes late in the primary calendar compared to four years ago when the NRLC endorsed Fred Thompson.

    "There was a different situation in 2008," Tobias said. "There was a pro-abortion candidate in the Republican primary, and we wanted to make sure that he did not get the nomination, so we wanted to select a prolife candidate to support. This year, all of the candidates seeking the Republican nomination were pro-life. They actively campaigned as pro-life; they took strong positions. So we early on said we'll be very happy with whoever gets the nomination. At this time, it has become apparent that Mitt Romney will be the party nominee, and we'll do everything we can to help him beat Barack Obama."

    Tobias said when they earlier compared all of the candidate's positions and the judges they would appoint "all of the candidates were the same, which is why we stayed neutral in the race until this time when we have apparent nominee."

    Tobias addressed concerns of people who feel Romney has flip-flopped on the issue of abortion.

    "The pro-life movement is filled with converts," she said, "and we consider Mitt Romney to be one of those. I mean he did support abortion early on in his political career. But Ronald Reagan was pro-abortion early on in his career. We love people who have changed their position. Mitt Romney admits that he has done that, and we are happy to be working with him."

    "I understand there are some that still have reservations," she said, "but I think, as the campaign goes on, it is a clear contrast between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama. I certainly expect pro-lifers to actively campaign for Mitt Romney and defeat Barack Obama."

    The organization's Hispanic outreach coordinator Raimundo Rojas also spoke. Reaching out to Hispanic voters who overwhelming support the reelection of Obama over Romney, Rojas cited the disproportionate rate of abortions in the Hispanic community.

    "Today, clearly the single most dangerous place for a Latina in these United States is in her mother's womb," Rojas said.

    Rojas also attacked "looming tragic reality" of "ObamaCare," saying coverage would be denied, because of the "junta of bureaucrats."

    Earlier this morning, another pro-life group, the Susan B. Anthony List, also announced their endorsement of Romney.

    158 comments

    Yeah, tell me again how this election is going to be all about the economy, and I'll tell you about some land I've got for sale... These groups are going to keep social issues front and center which will drive the wedge in even further between the GOP and the majority of women voters.

    Show more
    Explore related topics: romney, featured, first-read, matt-loffman
  • 20
    Feb
    2012
    2:42pm, EST

    Trump stumps (on radio) for Romney, but leaves open run of his own (if Romney loses)

    By NBC's Matt Loffman
    Follow @mattloff

     

    Donald Trump, who endorsed Mitt Romney earlier this month at his Las Vegas hotel, is making the rounds on Michigan and Ohio radio stations this week to praise Romney's electability.

    Trump said on Michigan’s WSGW this morning that though he personally likes Newt Gingrich, who is a member of his Washington, D.C.,-area country club, Romney's electability and position on China sealed the endorsement. 

    "Mitt, by far, and this is very important, has the best chance of getting elected and beating Obama," Trump said.

    But the star of NBC's The Apprentice was not as kind to another Romney opponent, Rick Santorum, who Trump said "came out of nowhere" and dismissed as "unelectable."

    "I see some of his views which are so out there that he's never going to win. He cannot win the general election," Trump said. "The people in Pennsylvania turned him away, and they knew him the best. I hear his local community was even more vociferous. I mean he lost by 18 or 19 points, but locally where they knew him best, it was substantially more than that."

    Trump continued, "There is no gift, no Christmas gift that could be given better than Rick Santorum for the Democrats. They are just salivating at that. I don't think they believe it's going to happen, but boy would they like it to happen, because it would be an easy election."

    While Trump described Romney as a "high-quality human being," he acknowledged that the former Massachusetts governor, who is sometimes criticized as struggling to connect to people, is much different face-to-face than on TV.

    "He's a much different guy on a personal basis than he comes across on television," Trump said. "While he projects very well, I can tell you on a personal basis, I think it's even better."

    Trump was also asked by host Art Lewis if he would consider throwing his hat into the ring if the nomination fight continues to the Republican Convention in September.

    "Obviously if [Romney] wins, I'm not running," Trump said. "If he doesn't -- and I hope that doesn't happen -- I would say that there's a good possibility that I would do something, yes. The reason is I love the country, and I hate what's happening to the country."

    As NBC's Garrett Haake reports, Romney's campaign asked Trump to do the interviews a few days ago, and several more are planned this week.

    38 comments

    but leaves open run of his own (if Romney loses) With friends like like the "Donald' who needs enemies..? BTW: I refuse to watch the bloated millionaire who has a squirrel living on top of his head & "Celebrity Apprentice". It's an hour out of my life I will NEVER get back!

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    Explore related topics: trump, romney, featured, matt-loffman

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