Romney Camp Issues Statements on Push-Polls

Provided below are two (2) separate, on the record statements concerning recent reports about alleged push poll telephone calls being made to voters in New Hampshire and Iowa that contain negative statements about Governor Romney's faith alongside favorable statements about other campaigns.

The first statement is in response to the calls themselves; the second statement is related to official actions alerting the Office of the Attorney General in New Hampshire:

Statement on reports of negative push polling attacks against Governor Romney:

"Whichever campaign is engaging in this type of awful religious bigotry as a line of political attack, it is repulsive and, to put it bluntly, un-American. There is no excuse for these attacks. Governor Romney is campaigning as an optimist who wants to lead the nation. These attacks are just the opposite. They are ugly and divisive." -Matt Rhoades, Communications Director, Romney for President campaign

Statement on official action by the Office of the Attorney General in New Hampshire:

"Representatives of Senator Judd Gregg, acting in his role as New Hampshire's Senator and a Romney state leader, asked New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte for an expedited investigation into alleged push polling calls.

"General Ayotte informed Senator Gregg's office that the Attorney General's office would conduct an expedited investigation into the calls to determine if they violated New Hampshire's strict laws.

"General Ayotte requested the names of individuals who received the calls, and the Romney campaign is cooperating in providing all relevant information it has." -Matt Rhoades, Communications Director, Romney for President campaign

Statement by Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) on official action by the Office of the Attorney General in New Hampshire:

“New Hampshire voters are politically sophisticated enough to see through these types of negative campaign tactics and strongly resent this type of campaigning in our state. I know Attorney General Kelly Ayotte will see through this case with the seriousness it deserves in a thorough and timely fashion.” -Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH), Romney for President National Co-Chair