WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s presidential campaign staff Wednesday accused former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney of changing his positions on a series of issues, offering a preview of what could be its central argument against the Republican presidential candidate next year.
Obama’s campaign said in a conference call with reporters that Romney had shifted his stances on taxes, health care and trade with China, raising questions about what he would do if elected president.
“If you are willing to change positions on fundamental issues of principle, how can we know what you will do as president?” said Obama senior strategist David Axelrod.
The stepped-up criticism by Obama’s team signaled that it increasingly views Romney as in command of the Republican race, and the flip-flopping charges could serve as a key argument against the Republican next year.
Romney has led the GOP field in recent polling, delivered strong debate performances and picked up the endorsement of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said the comments were “deflections and diversions from what really matters, which is President Obama’s failure to create jobs.”
Romney has emphasized his experience in the private sector and questioned Obama’s leadership.
“He said he’d bring us hope and change. Instead, he’s divided the nation and tried to blame other people,” Romney said in Tuesday’s debate.
Axelrod scrutinized Romney’s position on a payroll tax cut for employees, a key part of Obama’s jobs plan. Romney said in Tuesday’s debate that he supports permanent changes to the tax code and referred to payroll tax cuts as “temporary little Band-Aids.”
