Hometown News -- NW Ohio Stories from News 11 and our Newspaper Partners WTOL Editorial: Keep OGT Test and Get Parents More Involved in Education Toledo-Area Family Remembers 'Life Saving' Transplant Surgeon Killed in Crash Downtown Building Evacuated by Small Electrical Fire Paris Hilton Out of Jail Tuition at Ohio Colleges and Universities to Freeze for 2 Years University of Michigan Hospital Still Capable of Organ Transplants Despite Crash Person Tries to Jump into Pope Benedict's Popemobile MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE (AP) -- The Republican presidential hopefuls are distancing themselves from President Bush. They made a point of it last night during a spirited debate in New Hampshire, on the same stage where the Democratic candidates squared off Sunday. Several GOP candidates violated former President Ronald Reagan s cardinal rule of not speaking ill of another Republican.
Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson criticized Bush s diplomatic skills, saying he wouldn t send him to the United Nations to represent the US. Arizona Senator John McCain criticized the administration for its handling of the Iraq War, though he defended the immigration reform compromise. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney said, "I think we were underprepared and underplanned for what came after we knocked down Saddam Hussein.
" California Congressman Duncan Hunter said the current administration "has the slows" when it comes to building a security fence along the border with Mexico. Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo recalled that White House aide Karl Rove had once told him "never darken the door of the White House." Tancredo said he d tell George Bush the same thing.
The attacks make clear the presidential hopefuls believe that distancing themselves from the president could help their chances in 2008. One of the participants in the Republican debate is already trying to pre-empt criticism of an immigration measure he supports. Senator John McCain of Arizona says he doesn t think the immigration plan is "perfect" -- but he says Republicans need to work with the Democratic majority on the issue.
McCain is the only Republican hopeful to support the bipartisan bill. It would tighten security on the Mexican border. It would also give some of the 12 million illegal immigrants a chance to stay in the US and eventually become citizens.
Two of his rivals, Mitt Romney and Congressman Tom Tancredo of Colorado, argue that the bill would grant amnesty to illegal aliens. Tancredo said today he s going to start a petition drive and a volunteer network to help voters campaign against senators who support the plan. Posted by AEB The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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