Romney challenges GOP to put ‘house in order’

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AP	Video: In his own words Former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass., touches upon the primary themes of his campaign.
	Cartoons: Romney Msnbc.com's editorial cartoonists weigh in on Romney's candidacy.
Getty Images	Slide show: Born into politics Former Gov. Mitt Romney is a second-generation politician.

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‘I have the best chance’
In an indictment of Republicans, he bemoaned excessive spending, insecure borders and ethical lapses. “When Republicans act like Democrats, America loses,” he said. “We’ve got to start acting like Republicans, not earmarking Republicans, not big government Republicans, but like Reagan Republicans and Teddy Roosevelt Republicans.”

He did give Bush some credit. “Let’s not forget that this president has kept us safe these last six years,” Romney said. He also praised the president for “restoring personal integrity and dignity to the White House.” But otherwise Romney rattled off a slew of problems with the government, saying, for example, that the post-Hurricane Katrina cleanup “didn’t look like Republicans were in charge.”

In his speech, McCain focused on the security challenges confronting the U.S. “The world Ronald Reagan faced was a dangerous one, but more stable than the world today,” McCain said.

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He chastised those Democratic candidates who voted against military spending, have questioned whether there was a global fight against terrorism and have advocated “unconditional negotiations with our worst enemies.”

The senator pleaded for patience on Iraq. “To concede defeat — as many leading Democrats now advocate — would strengthen al-Qaida, empower Iran and other hostile powers in the Middle East, unleash a full-scale civil war in Iraq that could quite possibly provoke genocide there, and destabilize the entire region,” McCain said.

On just about every issue, Giuliani cited Clinton, Obama and Edwards and then sought to tear them down, much to the delight of his audience. He railed against their health care proposals and said they would raise taxes if elected. He also contended that “Democrats want to retreat” in the face of threats from terrorists.

To cap it off, Giuliani portrayed himself as the only Republican able to prevent a Democratic from capturing the White House. “I have the best chance of defeating Hillary Clinton,” who many assume will win the Democratic nomination.”