McCain stands by attack ad

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Sunday defended the use of the term "phony" in his campaign advertising to describe GOP presidential rival Mitt Romney.

Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, called the ad -- which included the "phony" designation used by the Concord Monitor in its editorial supporting McCain -- a "nasty" personal attack. McCain, appearing on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," refrained from calling Romney a phony during the telecast but said Romney has switched positions on issues and it is OK to use what others have said about Romney in his advertising.

"I paid for the ad that put up the words of the respected newspapers here in the state of New Hampshire and I think that's perfectly appropriate," McCain said. "I think he's a person who's changed his position on many issues and the voters know that and they'll decide that, but that's what I will continue to quote from ... ."

McCain said his campaign is financially strong and he will not apply for federal matching funds unless the situation warrants it.

"I've never run a campaign on money," he said, "and here in New Hampshire and in South Carolina it's the retail politics at work and what wins elections, not money."