WASHINGTON — Mitt Romney is trying to counter President Barack Obama’s argument that he would bring back Republican Party economic policies that have proved unworkable.

Romney tells Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends” that Obama is attacking capitalism while trying to drive America toward a European-style, government-dominated society.

Romney says: “It’s kind of funny listening to him.” The former Massachusetts governor, who is a shoo-in for the GOP presidential nomination, asserts that today’s economic problems are more Obama’s fault than the responsibility of the Republicans.

He says in the interview broadcast Thursday that the problems “start with” Obama’s health care, saying “let’s get rid of it.” He also accuses Obama of kowtowing to teachers unions that support him, arguing that it’s time to “put the unions behind, put the kids first.”