|
The findings are likely to buttress criticism from top Democrats, feed into TV ads and show up as part of fall campaign mailings. The group also has video trackers in key areas eager to capture possible miscues or shifting positions. Romney's campaign criticized Obama for seeking the critiques. They are little more than "negative smear campaigns against the possible GOP vice presidential nominees," Ohio-based spokesman Chris Maloney said. Natalie Baur, a confidante of Portman, went so far as to issue a rebuttal to fellow supporters defending Portman as a problem-solver. The message called the Obama push for feedback on him a "desperate" move and a sign that "the president's friends are more interested in playing political games than working together to create jobs, fix the economy and pass a budget." Romney has said little about whom he favors or when the choice will come, although it's expected well before the Aug. 27 start of the Republican National Convention. So far, Vice President Joe Biden has had the No. 2 space all to himself, which has given the Obama campaign a second high-level voice to tour the country, raise money and hammer their fall rival. Obama's aides deny he has a preference, but they admit they're watching closely for Romney's decision. "Any way you cut it, whomever they pick, we'd much rather have Vice President Biden on our side, campaigning across the country, in the debates, out there standing up for the president, than any of the motley crew that Mitt Romney is choosing between," Obama campaign spokesman Jen Psaki said Wednesday.
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries
Community |
Perspectives
|
Law & Courts |
Leisure Time
|
Spiritual Life |
Health & Fitness |
Teen Scene
Calendar
|
Letters to the Editor