Romney decries attacks against him

2012-08-27 10:00

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney along with his running mate Republican vice presidential candidate, Representative Paul Ryan campaign buttons. (Jae C Hong, AP)

Washington - Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney decried, in an interview made public late on Sunday, what he called "misguided" and "dishonest" attacks by President Barack Obama's camp against him.

"There are plenty of weaknesses that I have, and I acknowledge that," Romney said in an interview with USA Today newspaper.

"But the attacks that have come have been so misguided, have been so far off target, have been so dishonest, that they surprised me. I thought they might go after me on things that were accurate that I've done wrong, instead of absurd things."

He cited as examples allegations aired by Senate Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid that he had not paid taxes in 10 years or a statement by Vice President Joseph Biden that a Republican victory in November could result on people being put "back in chains".

"The White House just keeps stepping lower and lower and lower, and the people of America know this is an important election, and they deserve better than they've seen," Romney said.

He said he was confident that in the final analysis, voters will recognise those attacks for what they are and will "make a decision based on who can do a better job creating jobs and providing more take-home pay for the middle class of America".

- AFP