On Sunday, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) dismissed Democrats’ focus on Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney’s tax returns, saying this election will be decided by the economy.
Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Graham said President Obama’s supporters are not talking about his record in office because the economy continues to struggle as Election Day looms. He said voters won’t be swayed by the personal attacks on Romney.
“I think it’s going to be about your bank account, not [Romney’s] Swiss bank account. It’s going to be about your job, whether you have one or you’re afraid of losing it,” Graham said. “This election is about the economy and the future of America.”
Obama is leading Romney in polls from several key battleground states but Graham said he feels good about the state of the race for the GOP presidential candidate.
“This is a very close race. Quite frankly, I like our positioning,” Graham said, noting that no presidential incumbent has been elected with the unemployment rate this high.
“They are not talking about what they have done,” Graham said. “During the debates, we are going to focus on four years of Barack Obama.”
In contrast, Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) said Democrats are feeling confident about Obama’s chances of reelection but are not complacent.
“Momentum has shifted in Obama’s direction and that’s a good thing from our point of view,” Durbin said. “We are taking nothing for granted. There are still three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate left.”
Durbin said the criticism of Romney is important for voters because it shows he is out of touch and doesn’t understand the everyday struggles of ordinary Americans who are dealing with this tough economy. The Illinois senator referenced the “47 percent” remarks Romney made at a private fundraiser earlier this year as evidence.
“Romney’s approach to politics and this economy, as evidenced by his ‘47 percent’ remarks, writes off so many Americans, ignores the economic realities of so many families,” Durbin said.
