Almost all top GOP presidential hopefuls oppose debt deal [View All]

[bloomington-lib]

Source: Los Angeles Times

Reporting from Washington and Manchester, N.H.—
The almost unanimous opposition by Republican presidential contenders to Washington's bipartisan debt limit deal reflects the pull of conservative — and particularly "tea party" — voters as the 2012 nominating contests near.

Mitt Romney, the early national front-runner, on Monday broke weeks of evasion on the topic by rejecting the agreement his party's leaders in Congress struck with President Obama and the Democrats. In a brief statement, the former Massachusetts governor said he "personally cannot support this deal" because it leaves open the possibility of future tax increases or further defense cuts.

Republican strategists said Romney's opposition reflected the political realities of the 2012 contest and, in Romney's case in particular, a need to protect his right flank against conservative rivals. That concern has, if anything, been enhanced by the likely candidacy of Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a strong favorite of many in the tea party movement. Perry has declined to take a position on the deal.

Among all top GOP presidential candidates, only former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. supported the agreement. Huntsman has been running to the left of the Republican field on a host of issues.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-0802-debt-gop-candidates-20110802,0,452826.story