Romney Attacks McCain about the Economy

Debates on the state of the economy dominated the Florida primary on Saturday. Republican Mitt Romney came down heavily on this topic; most other participants too focused their attention on this topic.

Romney attacked his rival John McCain for concentrating more on external affairs at the cost of the economy. Countering McCain's admission that economic affairs were not his forte, Romney declared, "No one needs to give me a briefing on the economy. I won't need to choose a vice president that understands the economy - because I know the economy."

McCain's turn came when a questioner brought up the subject of his votes, in 2001 and 2003, against the Bush tax cuts. McCain has subsequently defended the tax cuts, even saying that they should be made permanent. "I opposed the tax cuts because I saw no restraint in the growth of spending. We let spending get out of control," he retorted, defending himself.

Referring to his endorsement by the Republican Governor Charlie Crist, the senior Arizona senator said, "I think it's going to give us momentum in order for us to win next Tuesday."

McCain also named Iraq as the most important issue that faced America. He criticized Romney for backing a plan for timed withdrawal of the military from Iraq. Romney, however, refuted McCain's claim and demanded an apology.

McCain insisted that America's security was uppermost on his agenda. "Even if the economy is the, quote, No. 1 issue, the real issue will remain America's security," he stated. "…if they choose to say, `Look, I do not need this guy, because he's not as good on home loan mortgages,' or whatever it is, I understand about that, I will accept that verdict," he said, adding, "I am running because of the transcendental challenge of the 21st century, which is radical Islamic extremism."