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12:25 pm CST - October 10, 2011
Posted under On The Record
Perry Hammers Romney on Health Care in ‘scathing’ Ad
By Caitlin Huey-Burns – RealClearPolitics
The Rick Perry campaign is out with a scathing new ad that ties chief rival Mitt Romney to President Obama’s health care law and paints him more broadly as a flip-flopper. The minute-long spot describes both “ObamaCare” and “RomneyCare” as “America’s most damaging prescription.” The candidates will meet again Tuesday night in a GOP presidential debate at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.
Against a soundtrack of ominous music, the movie trailer-like ad then pivots to an image of Obama looking into a mirror only to see Romney’s reflection.
It features an audio clip of the president endorsing the health care plan Romney signed into law as Massachusetts governor in 2006, while a split-screen shot of Romney and Obama signing their respective bills flashes on the screen.
The spot also includes a news report about former President Jimmy Carter backing Romney’s plan and highlights edited references to health care made between the hardcover and paperback versions of Romney’s book, “No Apology.”
“Even the richest man cannot buy back his past,” a caption reads. The ad closes with Romney’s own words from a Republican presidential debate in Orlando:
“There are a lot of reasons not to elect me.” (Romney followed up that quote with “There are a lot of reasons not to elect other people on the stage.”)
The ad also features a clip from a 2007 interview on “Meet the Press” with the late Tim Russert.
“Why — if it’s good for Massachusetts, if it’s working in Massachusetts — wouldn’t you apply it to the rest of the country?” Russert asks. “I would,” Romney responds.
The Romney campaign released a memo in response to the ad that includes a more extensive quote from the interview. After a follow-up question by Russert about whether Romney would support a national health insurance mandate, Romney responded,“No…I like what we did in Massachusetts. I think it’s a great plan. But I’m a federalist. I don’t believe in applying what works in one state to all states if different states have different circumstances.”
The 19-point memo also attacks Perry on illegal immigration and Social Security and for supporting Al Gore’s 1988 presidential bid.
“Rick Perry is a desperate candidate who will say and do anything to prop up his sinking campaign,” Romney Communications Director Gail Gitcho said in a statement.
“In trying to deflect attention from his liberal in-state tuition policy for illegal immigrants, he has resorted to repeated dishonesty, distortions, and fabrications about Mitt Romney. After a mere eight weeks on the trail, Governor Perry is poised to dethrone his one-time boss Al Gore as the most prolific exaggerator and truth-fumbler in presidential campaign history.”
The former Massachusetts governor has declined to apologize for the Bay State’s health care plan but has promised to repeal the national law if he is elected president. The issue has taken a back seat to jobs and the economy so far in this campaign, but Perry’s camp is working to bring it back to the 
forefront.
This is Perry’s second video attacking his rival on the issue. His campaign released one last month hammering Romney for the aforementioned edits to his book.
The two men have emerged as the leading candidates in the race for the White House, according to recent polls. Perry surged into first place after he entered the race in August but has since slipped in the wake of several poorly received debate performances.
Caitlin Huey-Burns is a reporter for RealClearPolitics.
5 Comments
CWJensen
2:50 pm CST
October 10, 2011
Perry and Romney are like two children that haven’t yet figure out we have already discovered how petty and spoiled they are.
If Bachmann and Palin are NOT going to be accepted because of their sex, let’s raise some real CAIN in Washington.
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-cain-occupy-wall-street-20111009,0,972806.story
I love when someone says what should be said and sticks to it.
F.R. Sr.
10:01 pm CST
October 10, 2011
Perry and Romney are both RINOs. Romney could run as a Dem. or on the Republican ticket, without changing any of his political views. Perry already has.
I really like Michelle Bachmann and was sorry to see Ron Paul take an unfavorable stance on Israel in the debates, but admire his honesty. Cain is a breath of fresh air.
Gman
3:54 am CST
October 10, 2011
I think that Mitt and RIck should have a bad hair day together!
Rabble Rouser
8:33 am CST
October 10, 2011
Well, we can clearly see that worn-out traditional political consultants are in charge of the Perry camp. Romney is not your problem Mr. Perry, your right flank and elements of your record are.
Besides, one would think that it is obvious attacks and political posturing are not resonating with the GOP electorate but optimism and commonsense principles are. This seems pathetic flailing about by someone who is sinking in the polls. Why help yourself?
garywfbg
12:34 pm CST
October 10, 2011
Nobody has asked Mr.Cain who he voted for last election?? What abusive program for Minorities and other VICTIMS has he promised to, or will cut if he is elected—-Let me be the first to ring the bell—-NONE, ZILCH, NADA.
Mr. Cain knows–Like Obama did—He needs White folks to be elected. The stuff Cain is saying is not all to different from the Obama crap in 2008. I personally will not be FOOLED TWICE. What he says is decent, but a hard pill to swallow!!!
BTW–This 999 plan is the biggest load of canal water pased down in a while—Give me a break—Tell me something other than a gimick to get elected!!! I know he has baggage, but Newt has the formula for getting us out of this and has done it before—if this was a business, I would spend whatever to hire this man, just to get the ship righted again. I know these other guys have business experience, but there is nothing like having that and WASHINGTON experience also.
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