OTTUMWA – Mitt Romney predicted Friday that American voters will reject the Democrats in next year’s elections and refrain from making “a turn to the left.”

Romney described the Democratic candidates as a group that favors “Big Brother, big government and big taxes.” He contrasted that with his plan and called for tax breaks for middle-income Americans. He said people pay taxes on the same money over and over.

“I don’t want people to have to pay taxes when they earn their money, when they save their money and when they die,” he said.

The attacks on Democrats, made while ignoring Republican rivals, may signal growing confidence in the campaign. Romney was the target for some sharp jabs from Republican rivals in Ottumwa earlier in the week. Friday was an opportunity to fire back.

Romney led Republican fundraising in the first two quarters of 2007. Those showings helped create a sense with many observers that Romney is among the top candidates for the party’s nomination. That helped make him a target. Campaign officials said Romney does not avoid clashes with other Republicans, but that they were not necessary on Friday.

Friday’s appearance, Romney’s first in Ottumwa, was broadcast live on C-Span. He used the opportunity to push for health care change. The issue has long been a Democratic standard. Romney said Republicans take a big risk if they ignore it.

Romney served as Massachusetts governor. He said he worked with both parties to craft a plan in which the state helped people buy insurance from private companies. It saved money, he said, but he stepped back from saying the entire country should do the same. He said states have different needs and should have a say in how they address health care.

The same approach applies to Romney’s view on education. He said the No Child Left Behind program has strong points but needs improvement. Any changes should involve discussions with educators and parents before implementation.

Romney said Republicans rely on a three-pronged approach. He likened it to a stool. Everything collapses if you take one leg away.

“Republicans believe in strength. We believe in a strong military. We believe in a strong economy. We believe in strong families,” he said. “I want to strengthen our military. I want to strengthen our economy. I want to strengthen our family.”

That led Romney back to his latest campaign ad. He said it’s the only ad he has seen in which water stars. The ad features a voiceover in which Romney equates cleaning up the natural environment to attempts to remove pornography and drugs from children’s home and school environments.

Romney received loud applause when he blasted cities that openly proclaim they will not pursue deportation of illegal immigrants. He said such “sanctuary cities” ignore the law.

“That is simply wrong. We’ve got to stop that,” he said. He added that he sees a clear distinction between legal and illegal immigration and rejected calls to close the border.

Matt Milner can be reached at (641) 683-5359 or via e-mail at mwmilner@mchsi.com