In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, John McCain would refer to his experience in the Commerce Committee as a major credential in terms of the economy. He would add: “I think everyone knows the difference between leadership and management. You can hire managers all the time, people who do the mechanics, people who implement policies, people who are good assets. Leadership is people who inspire.”
The Republican senator from Arizona would use former US President Ronald Reagan and top military commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus ad models. McCain said that he knows how to lead and inspire and says that he thinks he is the best capable of doing that.
When asked about if he was tagging Romney’s experience as a manager, McCain answered: “I am suggesting that Gov. Romney is touting his qualities and experience as a manager…. I am telling the American people that I am a leader.”
In the case of Mitt Romney, he was more critical about John McCain. In front of supporters in Pensacola, Romney said that due to his experience in the private sector, he was uniquely qualified to lead on the economy.
He would add in his view that John McCain did not do well in the forum. Romney would recall McCain’s attack on his record and saying that he does not qualify on how the economy works. In attacking John McCain, Romney would refer to his own record with includes 25 years in the private sector, 3 years running the Olympics, and 4 years of governor of Massachusetts.
Romney would say: “… a matter of fact, being on the Commerce Committee in the Senate, that’s what gives you the expertise you need to know about how the economy works. Oh yeah. And I think he’s detoured from what was some straight talk.”
Both candidates are in battle for the top spot in polls before the GOP primary in Florida takes place on Tuesday.