DENVER -- While Democrats bask in the limelight of their own national convention, Republicans are aggressively countering the Democrats message.

They've set up "war room," in Denver, with researchers, a rapid response team and people to push John McCain's message.

"We want to make sure that beyond the glitz, confetti and celebrity that we talk about the facts," said former Mass. Governor Mitt Romney.

Republicans say Barack Obama has a history of voting for more taxes.

"Ninety-four times he has voted to raise taxes or to prevent a tax decrease," Romney said.

Professor Max Clouse of the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver has studied both John McCain’s and Barack Obama’s economic proposals.

When asked if we'd be better off under McCain's economic plan than Obama's, Clouse told 7NEWS, "I think economically, yes. The issue then becomes more social than economics."

Clouse said Obama is pushing to help the middle class and is willing to tax others to reach that goal.

It's not just taxes that Republicans are focusing on.

Rep. Eric Cantor, (R) Virginia, said Democrats don't want to drill for oil offshore.

"They don't think it will do anything to bring down the price at the pump," Cantor said.

Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart, (R) Florida, said Barack Obama was not involved the bipartisan effort to deal with immigration reform.

"I remember Sen. (Ted) Kennedy was involved," Diaz-Balart said. There were colleagues on both sides of the aisle, trying to deal with that extraordinarily difficult but important issue."

The Florida Republican said Obama was AWOL. "It's another example of why Mr. Obama is not ready to be president. He's been AWOL from the tough issues."

The GOP has printed thousands of placards with Obama's picture and the theme "Not Ready-08, a mile high, an inch deep."

They'll be hammering home that theme as they prepare for their convention in the Twin Cities.