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Romney slams Gingrich on ‘activist judges’ stance

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December 28, 2011|By Shira Schoenberg

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney held the microphone as… (Charles Krupa/AP )

LONDONDERRY, N.H. - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney today criticized a proposal by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to rein in the judiciary. But Romney generally toned down his criticism of Gingrich, after the two traded barbs last week.

Speaking to more than 100 people crammed tightly into the Coach Stop Restaurant, Romney never mentioned Gingrich by name. But he did criticize Gingrich’s position that he would force “activist judges” to justify their rulings before Congress and would abolish courts based on their decisions.

Romney, asked by a voter how he would curtail “extreme rulings,” said he would appoint members of the Supreme Court who would overturn extreme rulings. Romney said he would not allow Congress to subpoena judges to explain their rulings or to remove judges. “Then we make a super branch known as Congress,” Romney said. “We have a balance of power constitutionally, and I don’t want one branch, Congress, or even the president, to assume power above the other branches.”

Romney added that if a Democratic president or Congress were elected, they could do the same thing. “Every few years, you’d have elected Congress people changing the rulings of the Supreme Court.”

As Romney, Gingrich, and Texas Representative Ron Paul battle for the top spot in Iowa – which holds the nation’s first caucuses one week from today, Romney declined to predict how the caucuses will turn out.

Romney told reporters that he will not set expectations. “I want to do well in all the states,” he said. “A couple of weeks ago I was a distant third in Iowa, you just don’t know what’s going to happen in this process.”

Romney made clear that he is ready for an extended campaign. “I have to get 1,150 delegates,” Romney said. “I’d like to start with a good boost in early states. I’m planning to go all the way and get the delegates we need.”

Romney did two campaign events in New Hampshire today, before traveling to Iowa this afternoon. He said he will return to New Hampshire, which holds the nation’s first primary on Jan. 10, next weekend.

Romney’s criticism of Gingrich appeared more muted than it was last week. But he could not resist one zinger. Asked by a reporter in Portsmouth, N.H., about Gingrich’s failure to get on the Virginia ballot, Romney said, “I think he compared that to Pearl Harbor. I think it’s more like Lucille Ball at the chocolate factory. You’ve got to get it organized.” Of all the candidates, only Romney and Paul met Virginia’s requirements.