Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Mitt and Mike Get Nasty in Iowa

Former and current caucus front-runners

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 22, 2007 6:20 PM CST

(Newser) – With the Iowa caucuses closing in, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee are taking the gloves off in the state critical to both their campaigns, the LA Times observes. Romney has taken to calling Huckabee, the Iowa front-runner, weak on crime and immigration. Huckabee calls Romney a flip-flopper. “I didn’t just suddenly decide to be pro-life because ‘Hey, that’ll help me running for president,'” he says.

Romney gave no pardons as Massachusetts governor—“a heck of a lot better,” he says, than Huckabee’s 1,033. Retorts the former Arkansas governor: The leniency rap “would be real news to the 16 people whose executions I carried out.” Romney also knocks Huckabee for criticizing Bush’s foreign policy, saying the president is owed “a great debt of gratitude."

Republican presidential hopefuls, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, right, interact during the Des Moines Register Republican Presidential Debate in Johnston,... (Associated Press)

The December 17 issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, December 10), 'Holy Huckabee!' looks at Republican candidate Mike Huckabee's strengths, weaknesses, and delve into how he has slowly amassed a... (Associated Press)

Republican presidential hopeful former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney talks with fellow presidential hopeful, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee following the Des Moines Register Republican Presidential Debate,... (Associated Press)

Republican presidential hopeful and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney campaigns in Muscatine, Iowa, Dec. 13, 2007. A day after the Republican candidates' final debate before Iowa's Jan. 3 caucuses,... (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Iowa Ads Got Unlikely Results

Caucusgoers may have known too much about 'establishment' candidates

(NEWSER) - The Iowa caucus results shook up more than just political campaigns, reports Advertising Age, as age-old advertising truisms also flew out the window. Mitt Romney’s $7.9 million on broadcast ads should have sealed the deal against Mike Huckabee, who spent just $1.7 million. Like Barack Obama (who did outspend his rivals), Huckabee came across as anti-establishment, which may have clinched his victory. More»

Iowa Keeps Candidates Awake at Night

24/7 campaigns have made for a raft of fatigue-induced gaffes

(NEWSER) - Fatigue has officially taken hold in Iowa, and not just for voters. “I won’t remember Iowans,” a sleep-deprived Mitt Romney said recently (he meant “I’ll never forget”), while Mike Huckabee offered “apologies” over Benazir Bhutto’s death (he’s not a suspect), and Hillary Clinton trumpeted supporters "literally freezing to death" (no fatalities reported). “When a person is fatigued, they will make a mistake,” reasons John McCain. More»

Clinton Drops to 3rd in Last Poll

Obama leads Edwards by 4% hours before Iowa caucus

(NEWSER) - A new poll conducted hours before the Iowa caucus gives a surging Barack Obama a 4-point lead over John Edwards, with Hillary Clinton slipping to third place. The Reuters/Zogby poll puts Obama at 31% support among likely Democratic caucus-goers, with Edwards polling 27% and Clinton 24%. Among Republicans, Mike Huckabee held a six-point lead over nearest rival Mitt Romney. More»

Huckabee Goes Negative ... Sort Of

Candidate ditches anti-Romney spot after screening for the media

(NEWSER) - Negative campaigning has finally gone meta. Mike Huckabee held a press conference yesterday to announce that he wouldn't air his latest campaign ad—a 30-second attack on his closest rival, Mitt Romney—then aired it in full for the press corps, the Washington Post reports. Huckabee says he pulled the ad himself, hoping to change the "level of discourse." More»

Hillary Leads in Iowa; Huck, Mitt Neck-and-Neck

Clinton clings to slim lead, but poll finds 'lots of potential for change'

(NEWSER) - With just four days left before Iowans gather to caucus, a Reuters/C-Span/Zogby poll released today found Hillary Clinton leads Barack Obama 31% to 27%, while GOP heavyweights Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee are in a dead heat. Third-place Democratic contender John Edwards was running a strong 24%. Republican John McCain, who is focusing on New Hampshire, was the only other candidate in double digits with 11%. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Mitt and Mike Get Nasty in Iowa

Former and current caucus front-runners

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

The Gloves are Off

Mitt Romney • Mike Huckabee • Election 2008 • Iowa caucuses

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Iowa Ads Got Unlikely Results

Caucusgoers may have known too much about 'establishment' candidates

Iowa Keeps Candidates Awake at Night

24/7 campaigns have made for a raft of fatigue-induced gaffes

Clinton Drops to 3rd in Last Poll

Obama leads Edwards by 4% hours before Iowa caucus

Huckabee Goes Negative ... Sort Of

Candidate ditches anti-Romney spot after screening for the media

Hillary Leads in Iowa; Huck, Mitt Neck-and-Neck

Clinton clings to slim lead, but poll finds 'lots of potential for change'

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Mitt and Mike Get Nasty in Iowa

Former and current caucus front-runners

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

The Gloves are Off

Mitt Romney • Mike Huckabee • Election 2008 • Iowa caucuses

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Iowa Ads Got Unlikely Results

Caucusgoers may have known too much about 'establishment' candidates

Iowa Keeps Candidates Awake at Night

24/7 campaigns have made for a raft of fatigue-induced gaffes

Clinton Drops to 3rd in Last Poll

Obama leads Edwards by 4% hours before Iowa caucus

Huckabee Goes Negative ... Sort Of

Candidate ditches anti-Romney spot after screening for the media

Hillary Leads in Iowa; Huck, Mitt Neck-and-Neck

Clinton clings to slim lead, but poll finds 'lots of potential for change'

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?