The American Spectator

Today the slams were not from an unnamed rival but from McCain himself who responded to Romney's "I represent the Republican wing of the Republican party" at a New Hampshire campaign stop with this: "As we all know, when he ran for office in Massachusetts, being a Republican wasn't much of a priority. In fact, when he ran against Ted Kennedy, he said he didn't want to return to the days of Reagan-Bush. I always was under the impression Ronald Reagan was a real Republican. When Governor Romney donated money to a Democratic candidate in New Hampshire, I don't think he was speaking for Republicans. When he voted for a Democratic candidate for president, Paul Tsongas, I don't think he was speaking for Republicans. So, you'll understand why I'm a little perplexed when Mitt Romney suggests he's a better Republican than me." Romney spokesman Craig Stevens, apparently remembering it is not nice to criticize other Republicans, replied by chastising McCain for breaking "Reagan's 11th Commandment in an attempt to divide us." This isn't bean bag anymore and both McCain and Rudy are sensing an oppotunity to pile onto Romney and knock him out in in New Hampshire.

UPDATE: Not to be left out Team Thompson Communications Director Todd Harris released this: "In 1994, Mitt Romney accomplished what people had long thought was impossible - he ran for Senate to the left of Ted Kennedy. I didn't know there was any room there. For him to now claim to represent the Republican wing of the Republican Party is yet another Mitt Romney flip flop."

It is in each of the three other contenders' interests to knock Romney down a peg. Rudy and McCain are looking to snatch NH and Thompson would like to take a run at Iowa and become the consensus candidate of social conservatives.