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McCain, Romney: I'm the Real Conservative

GOP rivals battle over right-wing credentials

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 5, 2008 2:55 AM CST

(Newser) – GOP contenders John McCain and Mitt Romney have both staked out claims on the conservative heart of the Republican party, hoping to convince voters heading to the polls today that they're the genuine article. Romney insists conservatives up and down the country have told him: "We don't want Senator McCain. We want a conservative in the White House." McCain, meanwhile, slammed Romney's Massachusetts record and said his own hard-line positions on Islamic extremism and for limiting federal spending are truly conservative.

McCain is ahead in many states but it's expected to be a close contest today in delegate-rich California, and both candidates made last-minute detours there yesterday to shore up support. Romney labeled himself the underdog but was quick to point out that underdogs "typically win." He vowed:  "We're we're going to hand the liberals in our party a little surprise Tuesday evening when we take California."

Republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, answers a question as fellow  Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., looks on during the Republican presidential debates at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008.  (AP Photo/Mark Terrell )
Republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, answers a question as fellow Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., looks on during the Republican presidential...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R- Ariz., shows his appreciation to supporters during a campaign appearance at Grand Central Terminal in New York, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008.  (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Republican presidential hopeful, Sen. John McCain, R- Ariz., shows his appreciation to supporters during a campaign appearance at Grand Central Terminal in New York, Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Kathy...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., makes a campaign stop at Grand Central Terminal in New York one day before the Super Tuesday presidential primary elections Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., makes a campaign stop at Grand Central Terminal in New York one day before the Super Tuesday presidential primary elections Monday, Feb. 4, 2008....   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt  Romney shakes hands during a campaign stop in Long Beach, Calif., Monday, Feb. 4, 2008.  (AP Photo/LM Otero )
Republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney shakes hands during a campaign stop in Long Beach, Calif., Monday, Feb. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/LM Otero )   (Associated Press)
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