Obama: Romney Won’t Say ‘No’ to Extreme Parts Of Republican Party

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President Obama sought to tie Mitt Romney to hard-line Republicans, at the end of the first debate.

“But ultimately, part of being principled, part of being a leader, is to describe exactly what it is you intend to do — not just saying ‘I’ll sit down’ — you have to have a plan,” said Obama. “Number two, what’s important is occasionally you have to say no, to folks both in your own party, and in the other party.

“And, you know, have we had fights between me and the Republicans. When they fought back against us on reining in the excesses of Wall Street? Absolutely, that’s a fight that needed to be had. When we were fighting over whether or not we would make sure if Americans had more security with health insurance? We said that’s a fight we needed to have. Part of leadership and governing is both saying what it is that you are for, but also being willing to stay no to some things. And I’ve got to tell you, Gov. Romney, when it comes to his own party during the course of this campaign, has not displayed that willingness to say no to the more extreme parts of his party.”

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