WASHINGTON
Giuliani, McCain won’t be in Iowa straw poll
Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani said Wednesday he won’t compete in a high- profile Iowa straw poll. John McCain quickly followed suit.
“We are 100 percent committed to winning the Iowa caucuses in January,” said Mike DuHaime, the former New York City mayor’s campaign manager, as he announced the decision.
Hours later, Terry Nelson, McCain’s campaign manager, similarly bowed out, saying, “It’s clear that the Ames straw poll will not be a meaningful test of the leading candidates’ organizational abilities.”
Among top-tier candidates, only Mitt Romney said he would participate in the nonbinding poll.
WASHINGTON
Two Democrats to join Spanish debate
Democratic candidates Bill Richardson and Chris Dodd accepted an invitation Wednesday for the first Spanish-language presidential debate and challenged their rivals to do the same.
Richardson and Dodd would have an advantage in the Sept. 9 debate in Miami since they are the only two candidates who speak fluent Spanish. But simultaneous translation would be provided for the English-only speakers.
CONCORD, N.H.
Romney, gay woman have pointed exchange
A New Hampshire woman, frustrated with Republican candidate Mitt Romney’s opposition to gay marriage, made a point of telling him.
“I am a gay woman and I have children. Your comment that you just made, it sort of invalidates my family,” said Cynthia Fish, a mother of a 6- and an 8-year-old.
“I’m delighted that you have a family and you’re happy with your family,” Romney replied. “That’s the American way. … People can live their lives as they choose, and children can be a great source of joy, as you know. And I welcome that.”
But then Romney repeated his view of marriage: “Marriage is an institution which is designed to bring a man and woman together to raise a child and that the ideal setting for society at large is where there is a male and a female … associated with the development and nurturing of a child.”
