Romney: DOLE TO HUCKABEE: "WHY HAVE YOU JOINED THE BUSH BASHERS?"

Former Sen. Bob Dole Questions Gov. Huckabee's Foreign Affairs

No Laughing Matter: A serious look at Gov. Mike Huckabee's record and policy beyond the one-liners.

Gov. Mike Huckabee: "And the ultimate thing is, I may not be the expert that some people are on foreign policy, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night." (WABC Radio's "Imus In The Morning," 12/4/07)

National Review: "The Holiday Inn Express Candidate." "In sum, conservatives should have worries about the depth and soundness of Mike Huckabee's foreign-policy views. And staying at a Holiday Inn Express is not going to be enough to allay them." (Editorial, "The Holiday Inn Express Candidate," National Review, 12/10/07)

"Dole Stings A Bee"
The Des Moines Register
David Yepsen
December 21, 2007

Bob Dole has sent Mike Huckabee a sharp letter rebuking the former Arkansas governor for criticizing Bush administration policy in Iraq in a recent magazine article.
…

The text follows:

"Dear Governor,

"I'm puzzled by your gratuitous slaps at the President in the January/February issue of Foreign Affairs. By the way, I have no special ties to President Bush and I'm not involved in any presidential campaign.

"Why have you joined the 'Bush bashers?' I know Iowans fairly well and doubt those attending Republican caucuses will appreciate your critical comments. President Bush gets more than his fair share of criticism from the other side and many in the 'mainstream' media. They all really must be heartened by your comments.

"As a veteran, I worry about the future security of the good people of Iowa and all other Americans. We are engaged in a global war on terror which will not disappear because you imply a willingness, without any preconditions apparently, to sit down with the enemy. Sure we can all find fault with President Bush and his Administration on policy matters and phases of the Iraq policy. I doubt however Iowans will applaud second guessing more than five years after the agony of 9-11, particularly since you have been either silent or supportive during the interim as far as I can determine.

"The Foreign Affairs piece is a perfect example of 20-20 hindsight, and wishful thinking in most instances. You make knotty foreign policy issues sound so easy if we would just change our ways. I never was a foreign policy expert though I followed it closely for nearly three decades under Democrat and Republican Presidents.

"The great majority of Americans regardless of party, place liberty, freedom and security as top priorities. I'm certain you do too but I am troubled about some of the statements attributed to you in the Foreign Affairs article.

"The administration is certainly not perfect, I cannot recall one, but I do not believe it should be your primary foreign policy target. We are a great, compassionate nation and I know you want to keep it so.

"To win in 2008 we need to multiply, not divide," Dole said.

He then joked in a post-script: "P.S. I lost the General in '96, so what do I know?"

To read the full article, please click here: www.desmoinesregister.com

NEW HAMPSHIRE HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER MIKE WHALLEY ENDORSES GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY

Today, New Hampshire House Republican Leader Michael Whalley announced his endorsement of Governor Mitt Romney. Representative Whalley represents Alton Bay residents in the New Hampshire Legislature.

"Mitt Romney is the candidate with the experience, vision and values to lead America. He is a true fiscal conservative who will cut taxes, end illegal immigration, and strengthen our military. With a record of turning around institutions, I believe he has the experience to do the same in Washington. I'm proud to support Mitt Romney for President and I encourage other Granite State residents to join me in supporting this great man," Representative Whalley said.

"We're very pleased to have Mike Whalley sign on as the newest member of the New Hampshire Romney for President team. From his past service as Deputy House Speaker to his current role as House Republican Leader, Mike is a proven New Hampshire leader who is highly regarded by his peers and by voters across the state. His support is further evidence that Governor Romney's message of strengthening our economy, our military and our families is resonating with the people of New Hampshire," Romney for President New Hampshire State Director Jim Merrill said.

Obama Vows to Protect Workers from Unfair Trade Deals

New TV Ad “Enough” Highlights Obama’s Commitment to American Workers

U.S. Senator Barack Obama today discussed his commitment to fight for fair trade for America’s workers, reject trade agreements that weren’t in American workers’ best interest, and enforce the agreements we do have. The Obama Campaign also released a new television ad, Enough, in which Obama vows to end tax breaks for companies moving jobs overseas and reward companies that invest in America. To view “Enough”, click HERE.

The Bush Administration has done little to protect Americans whose livelihoods are being threatened by globalization and changes in technology. By failing to enforce U.S. trade agreements, overseas companies and workers have been given an unfair and sometimes illegal advantage over American workers.

“American workers deserve better. When I’m President, we’ll make sure our trading partners live up to their agreements,” Obama said. “We’ll have a trade representative who’s actually representing American workers. And we’ll do more to stop countries like China from acting unfairly when it comes to trade – because no country should get a free pass if they’re bending the rules.”

Obama will make enforcement the top priority of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Office, and he will increase resources for the USTR so it can carry out its responsibility to protect American interests. As President, Obama will only negotiate trade agreements that benefit American workers and have strong and enforceable labor and environmental standards in the body of the agreement. In addition, Obama will help workers hurt by the effects of globalization get back on their feet by strengthening training programs and providing assistance for health care costs.

“When I’m President, we’ll give you training before you lose your job if there’s a good chance it will get shipped overseas,” Obama said. “We’ll give you an education account that you can use to retrain. We’ll help ensure that losing your job doesn’t also mean losing your health care by giving you some extra money to pay for it. And we’ll make sure employers give you an additional month’s notice before letting you go – so you have 90 days’ notice, instead of just 60. We’re not going to be able to stop globalization in its tracks, but what we can do is have a President who’s standing up for American farmers and workers. That’s why I’m running for President.”

Below is the script of “Enough”:
B&W still of BO
BO VO:
I’m Barack Obama and I approve this message.
BO speaking to town hall sized crowd
BO Synch: Ordinary people all across the country are struggling from paycheck to paycheck.

If the plant moves to China, and you’ve been working there for 20, 30 years and suddenly you have the rug pulled out from under ya…

And you don’t have healthcare, and you don’t have a pension, you’re on your own.

We gotta stop giving tax breaks to companies that are moving overseas and give those tax breaks to companies that are investing right here in IA

In the United States of America.
Barack Obama for President
Iowa.barackobama.com

Approved by Barack Obama. Paid for by Obama for President.
Enough is enough.
For more information on Obama’s plan, click here: iowa.barackobama.com/TradeEnforcement