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Graham: Obama Distracting with Bain Issue

Senator says President Obama is just diverting attention with attention on Romney's business record.

MOUNT PLEASANT — President Obama is simply diverting attention from the mired economy and his poor job performance by focusing on Mitt Romney's time at Bain Capital and on the presumptive GOP nominee's tax returns, said U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

"If I was President Obama, and I had to run on my record, I'd want to be talking about Mitt Romney's tax returns, too," Graham said while speaking to the East Cooper Republican Club.

Obama has focused on the Bain Capital issue over the last week as Democrats question whether Romney was at the company's helm when it farmed out American jobs to overseas companies.

The criticism hasn't been solely from the left. Romney has faced criticism from both Republicans and Democrats for only releasing two years of tax returns.

But Graham, who has been supportive of Romney but not formally endorsed him, issued no opinion on the tax return issue.

"I'm going to leave that up to Gov. Romney to decide what to do with his tax returns," Graham said.

Eventually the focus will swing back to the economy, Graham said, and ultimately that's what will be the deciding factor in November.

"But I do believe the American people will pass judgement on President Obama's performance," Graham said. "He's a good man who has made poor policy decisions. There's no running away."

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been modified from its original version to note that Graham has not formally endorsed Romney.

maizenbluedoc July 18, 2012 at 11:34 am
It could be helpful if Romney didn't present the appearance he has something to hide by not releasing his tax returns. Whether he has a legitimate reason for not releasing the returns or not, it gives the appearance tht maybe he has something to hide. He is surely giving the Obama 'chicago politicians' more ammunition to bash him with. If Obama continues to represent Romney as someone who is secreative, it is possible that enough people will buy his 'bull' to affect the election. I aslo think Romney needs to become more aggressive on offense and stop always being on the defensive. The presidency isn't going to be given to him, he will have to earn it. So far, Romney hasn't been hitting Obama hard enough. His cry of "I'll repeal Obamacare" will not do anything unless he reveals HIS plan for healthcare. Mr. Romney, don't become a John Mccain in 2012.
JoSCh July 18, 2012 at 01:29 pm
Gov Romney is running on his business record since his record as an elected official brands him a socialist with todays GOP and he hasn't put forth a plan for his presidency. The business record that he's hiding is all he's got at this point. Unfortunately his record as a businessman brands him as a compassionless robot solely focused on profit even at the expense of real flesh and bone people, and that only plays well with corporation "people."
Ken July 18, 2012 at 01:49 pm
IOW, don't look at what our candidate did in the past because we don't want you to see how big of a crook that he really is. Instead you need to look at what we have kept Obama from doing since he took office so we can blame him for not fixing in 4 years what we screwed op in the 8 years that our president was in office.
That is essentially what the republicans are saying.
David Eady July 18, 2012 at 02:01 pm
Dav
Well said Ken
Tony L July 18, 2012 at 07:04 pm
Why is he a crook, give some facts. Putting money in off shore accounts is legal, many O supporters do it. he wasn't even in charge at Bain when they killed GST. See link, http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2012/07/oops-obamas-top-bundler-jonathan-lavine-was-in-charge-of-bain-during-gst-steel-layoffs/
O has done plenty, spending beyond control. can't get the Democratic Senate to produce a budget which is law. As usual it's always someone elses fault.
stanley seigler July 18, 2012 at 09:10 pm
@maizenbluedoc: '"I'll repeal Obamacare" will not do anything unless he reveals HIS plan for healthcare.'
mitt revealed HIS plan as MA gov...and BO copied it and calls it ACA (affordable care act)...and called obamacare by BO-haters...which put 30-40 million uninsured folks on the path to insured healthcare...and; puts USA on the path to universal healthcare (single payer plan) which will put our great country on par quality of care provided all other developed countries... now MITT wants, in effect, to repeal MITT's plan...defies comprehension...as does MITT wanting to repeat the failed GOP economic policies of 1929 and 2008. sigh
stanley seigler July 19, 2012 at 12:21 am
@Ken: '... not fixing in 4 years what we screwed up in the 8 years...'
actually since the 80s...eg; '...wealthy Americans benefited from Reagan's tax policies, blue-collar Americans paid a higher percentage of their income in taxes when Reagan left office than when he came in.'...and; this (GOP voodoo economics) was the beginning of the 1% v 99% divide which culminated in the 2008 great recession...opine.
Robert Kelly July 19, 2012 at 02:20 am
What plans does Mitt Romney have that are any different from George W. Bush? How did W's plans work out for the rest of the country? So far nothing that comes to mind, but then again, other than keeping taxes for the wealthiest at the lowest levels in our lifetime is the only plan I am really aware of. Yes, Mitt has made some angry words about Iran and China...just what we need, and in keeping with the pattern of W. Mitt thinks being a very rich CEO is all it takes to be president. Making money for people who already have money is his current goal. Has he presented ANY other actual plan?
Mimi July 19, 2012 at 05:37 am
The problems with Mitt Robme are of his own creation he is incapable of telling the truth about pretty much anything. He lies about his record as Governor, he lies about his record at bain, he lies about his investments, he lies about his taxes, he lies about his childhood, Heck I can't think of one thing he actually tells the truth about. This man is completly unqualified for the job of the President, its really that simple.
Melody Phelps Kavooras July 20, 2012 at 03:49 pm
I keep reading comments about how Mitt Romney left Bain before they shipped jobs overseas. He may have physically left before then, but I can almost guarantee that he was still getting bonuses from a contract that was enacted BEFORE he left. No company could possibly make that kind of transition in less than a year. The contracts had to have been made well before the actual move. As for Mitt's tax returns? The ones that he did release already condemn him as a rich man hiding money from the IRS.
Imlucky_2 July 26, 2012 at 01:09 pm
Puleesss..... it appears that many current posters are "in love" with the current administration. Tell me, are you better off than when Mr. Obama took office? He's had four years and a Democratically controlled congress and still cannot present a legal budget. We have a current President that is blinded by his philosophy and agenda to the point he cannot hold anyone to their constitutional responsibilities. His promise of "transparency" has been long forgotten. His minions (read AG) turn a blind eye toward racial incidents against whites and push their anti-gun agenda over the dead body of a border guard armed with beanbags against automatic weapons. Some call for Mr. Romney's tax records but turn a blind eye toward Mr. Obama's refusal to release his college records or legally acceptable birth certificate (how many millions of dollars did he spend trying to avoid that issue). The world may be changing, but principles of "truth" and "adherance to our constitution" still stand as meaningful measures of our political candidates. Mr. Romney may have some "baggage", which political candidate does not? But his record on "business" eclipses that of our current administration and that kind of experience is what this country desperately needs to rekindle our economy.

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Diana June 7, 2013 at 09:37 pm
I truly apologize Josch I shouldnt have let my reaction get to the point of exchanging insults. IRead More hope you will forgive my ungracious words and I acknowledge your right to voice your own opinions.
JoSCh June 8, 2013 at 01:52 am
Ok. Have a good weekend Diana.
Diana June 8, 2013 at 02:46 am
you too. ;)