While businessman Herman Cain currently leads many national and some state polls, this week two of his chief rivals for the Republican presidential nomination -- former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and Gov. Rick Perry of Texas -- took aim at each other.
Perry, who entered the race in the middle of August, started off strong, brushing Romney aside to lead national polls and in a number of early primary and caucus states. Since then, following a series of unimpressive debate performances, Perry has cooled off -- dropping in both national and state polls.
Looking to turn things around, Perry released a Web video on Tuesday. In the ad, Perry highlights his record on job creation in his decade leading the Lone Star State -- and takes a jab at the corresponding record of Romney, arguing that, in Romney's one term as governor, the Bay State lagged behind the rest of the nation when it came to job creation.
While first U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, then Perry and now Cain have had their surges in the polls, Romney has remained way ahead of the pack in New Hampshire, home of the first presidential primary. Romney looked to maintain his lead in the Granite State on Tuesday when he announced that 15 Republicans in the state Legislature were backing his candidacy.
I am proud to have the support of these fiscally responsible New Hampshire state legislators, said Romney. With their help, I look forward to defeating President Obama and getting Americans back to work.
Governor Romney has the executive experience and the fiscally conservative values needed to create jobs and turn around our economy. He is a proven leader who can bring people together to confront the enormous challenges facing our country, said New Hampshire House Assistant Majority Leader David Hess, R-Hooksett.In 2012, Republicans must nominate a candidate who is capable of undoing the damage caused by President Obamas failed economic policies. That leader is Mitt Romney.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.
