Mitt Romney

Let's get right to what we are talking to governor Mitt -- it is Tuesday January 8. The voters of New Hampshire are about to go to the polls and make their voice heard all across the nation coast to coast. Governor kind of a mixed bag from my idea from my perception congratulations on Wyoming that is a great thing that a good outcome I'm sure excited by that. In in my national review have been a subscriber for many years. There is the handsome articulate Mitt Romney on the covenant says Mitt Romney for president with the embrace of the endorsement a national review that's on the good side. Negative side Iowa probably not what you hoped for given the time and effort you put in -- and some very specific negative editorials that rob the other candidate. Tell us how you reconcile this what have characterized as a mixed bag.

Well I'm pretty pleased with the good news of course site we're that it market it it's it's no surprise that as a unified. -- the mainstream media they're going to get behind John McCain -- don't. -- a favorite for them but I think. People are increasingly recognizing that we can't just -- fundamental change in Washington. And it the democratic nominee is going to be Barack Obama there's no way to Scott McCain will be able to post up against a against rock Obama. And and carry a message of change McCain is Washington. The people of this country are looking for a new -- and somebody you can actually make a difference there and it's exactly what I -- do.

John McCain seems to be on the ground virtually everywhere New Hampshire yet at the same time nobody can take you don't have to take a backseat to anybody you -- have a second home via. He spent countless hours here you've helped people all over the state Republican candidates and many many others how do you see this thing playing out what the polls close tonight. Now what you have -- sense of that you are in the race you are running on the track you know is it going to be golden it was a got to be something less than a gold.

Well I'm planning got a goal from this -- and and the reason is I'm pretty well known here and the attacks have been leveled against mayor really don't stick your biggest. People the New Hampshire a lot of room work in Massachusetts. You know them what I was able to accomplish as governor and by the way in large measure because of -- good relationship -- diet there but also because yacht I think I think people recognize that that that that this visit this really at a time that we need to have a candidate picket speak a message of change at Washington. And I and I employees that Indy in the debate we have a couple of nights ago. I was able to get such strong support and Senator McCain was seen as somebody who was in favor of the -- out of favor of the bush tax cuts. And and so his position on taxes and emigration that yes earth am I think those debates how to be a lot and I identity you can via the -- eight.

Governor is that watched the debates and I've been fascinated by them and you know I have kind of I guess I'm a junkie -- I'll concede to that right away. It does seem to be an increasingly negative tone it becomes more more strident and if you and I were talking several weeks ago I would have said -- It's interesting it's substantive and everybody seems to be getting along reasonably well here's the question that I have. -- terms of putting together the most compelling ticket for the Republicans. Has anybody crossed the line all of would saying it would it would nominee Mitt Romney successful nominee. Give consideration to a John McCain for the strengthen the Brett that he would bring to the ticket -- Huckabee a Giuliani for that matter they don't seem to gang up on the other night I guess is what I'm saying. And I'm wondering has have they crossed the line eat your opinion poll wholly personal overly negative.

The answer is no doubt no problem from a personal standpoint. I like yet again -- running for president I don't think rob hall could be considered for a presidential closet -- groups and yet but I but I do believe that Egypt the other man that's running for president. Could very well be considered a vice presidential -- if I -- that if our they had the presidential nominee I would consider each one of them -- hopeful that we could Serbian disable like this same generous things. I'm I'm not an incident that job and dissident and number one job -- Titus say thank but I -- our relationships with one another are positive and good. And at -- a -- pay its president and BPQ witness this race against either Hillary Barack Obama.

Governor you had eight top -- come -- desk on embryonic stem cell. Resurgent funding. You looked at dad and a fresh way of describe that and you said you really had a personal epiphany of described itself very very candidly is that -- I was wrong mama. On the on the life issue the abortion issue. And -- and I think people of good faith who listened closely to what you said can't help but be persuaded that it was a defining moment for you if if you get a defining moment in a chance to change on an issue that so profile to many people. Does John McCain get a similar latitude on immigration we have you know months ago he was with Ted Kennedy and comprehensive immigration reform and acknowledges he did not see. The temper and the the the new you know the determination of the American people to secure that border he says he sees it it feels it and understands that now. Does he get the same type of latitude the -- a base on balls that you get on the pro life issue.

absolutely and it does somebody -- suspect they were wrong and they changed their mind and explain why they changed their mind I think you have to get the benefit of the doubt. But with regards as Senator McCain and immigration president. He still believes that all of those illegal aliens. The -- in this country illegally if they're not criminals that all of them should be allowed to stay in this country for the rest of their life. And that -- form of amnesty has called an amnesty in the past and he has not willing to say that that was a long course. -- Is pursuing the same course the same embassy did before likewise -- you know he says you want but make the respect that's permanent now. But he also says. That if -- do over again he would continue to vote against the must act that the original position. So you know he he's not willing to admit that he made a mistake. And that and you're not going to say to somebody okay we'll give him the benefit of the doubt if you change your mind. What you thought well index -- except suspect you made a mistake that a horse you're gonna X -- altogether original position.

Government would you know the polls close in New Hampshire tonight at 8 o'clock and we'll all be watching with a fascination. Give us a sneak preview the Mitt Romney campaign well financed well organized and I think you said in the aftermath of Iowa. This is at fifty inning baseball game it's the ultimate. Marathon that were involved in the Mitt Romney campaign goes where have to -- Hampshire.

Well at the New Hampshire and hopefully it was a good win we -- lot to Michigan Michigan as a good place for me either there -- number about it they're -- assault tied for the lead at Michigan right now right after Michigan we go to South Carolina and of that we're we're all tied up the most -- well and and not deplore that and you know it also that's that's around.

what a journey that is going to be I guess will close from our end of things here by saying governor thank you for a given us the time. We recognize and respect the time and have to give made EM the kids you know the whole lot team Romney has really put on quite a show -- gotta say that he veterans salute -- I guess is really what -- debt until.

Hey thank you so much stuff in the past that. -- and -- that your girls.

Thank you very much and good luck tonight governor will stay in touch obviously as the campaign unfolds parents for a but I KO we're gonna cover this with -- intensity unlike anything you've ever seen. Most appreciative have the opportunity to speak with former governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney now presidential candidate -- tonight will be the night. That tells the tale here in New Hampshire will be back in a moment on EM 680 WRKO