Romney shuns Bush -- Obama defends

David Jackson | USATODAY

You're likely to hear anything at a debate.

Like Mitt Romney seeming to criticize George W. Bush -- and Barack Obama defending his Republican predecessor.

When a voter at Tuesday night's town hall-style debate asked Romney how he was different from Bush, Romney cited differences on energy policy, trade relations with China, help for small businesses and balancing the budget.

"President Bush and I are different people, and these are different times," Romney said.

Romney later added: "President Bush had a very different path for a very different time. My path is designed in getting small businesses to grow and hire people."

To be sure, Obama also criticized Bush, citing the deep recession he inherited from him -- and claiming that Romney has the same economic policies.

Then Obama contrasted Bush favorably with Romney, at least in his view.

"George Bush didn't propose turning Medicare into a voucher," Obama said. "George Bush embraced comprehensive immigration reform. He didn't call for self-deportation.George Bush never suggested that we eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood."

Politics really does produce strange bedfellows.