(CNN) - Democrats working to keep President Barack Obama in office are targeting Mitt Romney, releasing a television ad Monday that portrays the Republican candidate wavering on important issues like abortion and health care.
The ad is the latest in a string of attempts by the Democratic National Committee to paint the former Massachusetts governor as inconsistent, and is another indication that national Democrats are singularly focused on Romney as the likely opponent to Obama in the 2012 general election.
The 30-second ad, called "Trapped," will run on broadcast and cable networks in New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and Wisconsin, the DNC said. It also said it will hold viewing parties and press events in other states to showcase a longer video that tears apart Romney's record.
The video is made in the style of an action movie trailer, with flashy graphics and throbbing electronic music.
In "Trapped," a narrator says: "From the creator of 'I'm running for office for Pete's sake' comes the story of two men trapped in one body: Mitt versus Mitt."
The ad goes on to show what seem like inconsistencies in Romney's record, including dueling remarks he made on abortion.
Romney is shown saying: "I will preserve and protect a woman's right to choose." He made that statement at a gubernatorial debate in Boston in 2002.
The clip is juxtaposed with Romney saying: "The right next step is to see Roe v. Wade overturned." The quote, which is truncated, came from a 2007 appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press."
The full quote from the interview shows more nuance in Romney's position than the DNC ad reveals, with the candidate taking the position that each state should decide its own abortion rules.
Romney said: "First of all, my view is that the right next step in the fight to preserve the sanctity of life is to see Roe v. Wade overturned. And then to return to the states and the elected representatives of the people the ability to deal with life and abortion on their own."
On another issue, the DNC ad attempts to portray Romney waffling on health care plans. He is shown as saying: "We put together an exchange, and the president's copying that idea. I'm glad to hear that."
That quote, from a 2009 interview with CBS News, also fails to capture Romney's full sentiment. In the same answer, Romney chided Obama for taking the wrong direction on health care.
"You don't set up a government insurance plan because it's going to end up costing billions of dollars in subsidy. It's the wrong way to go," Romney said.
The former governor's campaign came under harsh criticism itself last week for taking comments out of context when it ran an ad showing Obama seemingly making a statement about the economy. The president was actually quoting Sen. John McCain.
Monday's ad release isn't the first time the DNC has paid for advertising space to criticize Romney. The organization previously made television ad buys in Iowa and Arizona, slamming Romney's position on corporations and housing, and bought newspaper ads in Detroit, Michigan, thumping the candidate for not supporting a bailout of the auto industry.
In a statement, Romney's campaign spokesman said Democrats' focus on the GOP candidate was a distraction from real issues like jobs and the economy.
“President Obama has failed to create a single net new job and has wreaked more havoc on the middle class than any president in modern history," Andrea Saul said in a statement. "The last thing the White House wants is to have to run against Mitt Romney and be held accountable for the many failures of this Administration. So, instead of focusing on the economy and creating jobs, President Obama and Democrats are focused on tearing down Mitt Romney.”
Also see:
Bachmann says NBC president should have apologized for rude song
Bill Clinton says Gingrich surge a result of thoughtful positions
Huntsman says Union Leader endorsement highlights 'fluidity' of race
From CNN Politics
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I'd take Romney over Obama anyday of the week!!!
King Flip vs. King Flop
I think he is the GOP's only hope, so they will never pick him to run. A party wrapped up in self importance and single idealism.
Hey friends, time to wake up and realize that "Progressivism" and the Democrat's policies really do oppress the poor, minorities, and women; look at ANY major city like New York City, Chicago, St. Louis, etc., and you'll realize, as David Horowitz has pointed out, that they've been run by Democrats for generations and that they ironically are oppressing those who most support the liberals. Wake up and find the courage to stand up against Progressivism. Romney's agenda, although not perfect, will help women, blacks, and the poor FAR more than the other side. Look at the inner-city evidence all over the country! Wake up, friends.
At this point in time I'll vote for Romney. I wish there were a better GOP candidate who reflected my Major Government Spending Cuts AND Everyone pays their share. I don't believe a so-called 39% tax rate should become 0% with right-offs. Also I believe the current Unemployment Benefit system is WELFARE. It was intended to be 16 weeks. What will it be 4 years if Obama has his new stimulus?
How long will whomever is elected president get to fix it? Obama has only been given 2-3 and wasn't allowed to blame Bush, so when the next person comes in and it still isn't fixed, how long will republicans blame Obama, I mean I'd like to blame him for lower gas right now, because he was getting blame for the low prices........
Authencity matters and the public gets it. Who will Independents & Latinos trust to govern for the next 4 years? Between Mitt and the House & Senate Republican leadership, they will do & say anything if they think it will help them win. Conventional wisdom is that a balanced approach is the way to go. However, the Tea Party, Grover Norquist, Mitch McConnell, Eric Cantor, Rush Limbaugh, Dobson and Fox News want an extreme right agenda, which will cause them to lose the 2012 Presidential election. Their message is incongruent with Latinos & Independents, who will decide.
"what seem like inconsistencies in Romney's record"
No, they ARE inconsistencies! Romney is pulling a McCain: selling his soul and jettisoning his integrity in his quest for the GOP nomination. Tells you VOLUMES about the (lack of ) character of this man.
The TRUTH and NOTHING but the TRUTH
Mitt – will never get more that 23% of repubs given his religion – it is too bad but he is running for the wrong party – boy is he stupid to think he can get a repub majority- so thete is no need to waste any time in him – he will likely run again in the next four elections with the same results
The Gig (Newt) is too fat an when people find out where hie gets his money – he is dead in the water
Perry – has nice hair but he is just plain stupid – bad reflection on Texas – are they all that stupid?
Cain – keeps shooting himself in the foot – his biggest problem is himself – he is gone from the race
the rest are spinning their wheels – going no where FAST!!!
CommonRaven claims that Romney will help blacks, women and the poor ... be kept down!
"Gingrich is gaining ground at the moment. He's really the only plausible alternative to Romney."
And isn't that pathetic. Gingrich is a would-be dictator (promising to enact 200 executive orders his first day in office if elected), liar, adulterer, bad checker writer who shut down the government because he didn't get the seat he wanted on a plane.
Romney made his millions off of breaking up American companies, laying off American workers and shipping American jobs overseas.
The GOP should change its acronym to BOB: Bottom of the Barrel (as in they are really scraping it looking for a presidential candidate).
My fellow Democrats are so desperate, they don't know which Republican presidential candidate to go after. It's obvious they don't want to (are afraid) confront our clueless president. America, lets ensure this election is not bought by the president's minions and his millions.
Stand tal and be unafraid!
I'm waiting to see the ad where Mitt explains how "corporations are people, my friend" by first telling us the gender of Bain Capitol (his company) and then whether the Mormon Church has baptised any deceased corporations lately.
HAHAHAHAHAHA! I needed that good laugh. Romney's a joke and he will NOT will the nomination....wait, which Mitt am I talking about it? See, he confuses even the ones above Mensa level......
Come on, Mitt! You can't have it both ways!!! Even your own party knows that!
"I wonder how Mitt is going to save the economy?"
Mitt Rommey has no interest in saving the economy. Mitt Romney has no interest in America, period. His team of former GW advisers do want to take us back to the same policies which brought us to the brink of disaster, though.
Romney, who thinks corperations are people. Mitt, who whose state was the 48th out 50 in job creation. Mitt Romney who is incapable of telling you what day it is. This man does'nt even know himself.
This is a great ad simply because it is honest-the republicans knows it, demoncrate knows it, yes, independents knows it. This man cannot be trusted to tell the truth-he has no core, none what so ever.
Seriously....I can't imagine voting in somebody who understands BOTH sides of an issue. Its almost like he could make an informed decision and weigh both sides of an argument...What HORROR! Also, I have never changed my opinion on anything....I have a stick up my butt so that even truth can't change my mind.
I think Mitt is just a symptom of the GOP party itself. First they were for something now they are against it. The GOP does not appear to stand for anything other than lower taxes for corporations and wealthy. If they vote for Gingrich, then family values goes out the window (adulterer). If they vote for Romney it nullifies the Christian Value voters since he is a Mormon. Half the party is interventionist and half are isolationist (Paul). Some were for healthcare reform or womens rights and some are not. The whole party seems like a bunch of flip floppers. Not sure they stand for anything except $$$.
Lets see Mr Obama made quite a few promises that he did not have any intention of keeping, like getting my brother in law out of IRAQ. Mr Obama also gets MORE contributions from WALL STREET than any other while Ron Paul gets more contributions from active military than any other including the current Pres which is unheard of. The dollar is about to crash. Our debt is over 15 TRILLION. Yeah Obama2012! get real. MITT is a schill as is newt as is anyone else beside Ron Paul 2012. get off of your politics and show your kids you actually care! Ron paul 2012. The ONLY one with integrity.
too bat Newt will be the nominee. But if they want to waist their cash have at it.
Romney's camp has already lied about an Obama statement in a recent TV ad. The statement was a very short part of a speech that actually talked about Senator McCain's statement not his own. Then Romney's camp said it was not done intentionally. Ya buddy!
The Democrats are obviously scared of Romney. Trust me they know he's the only Republican candidate that can beat them in 2012.
Sounds a lot like the President want Newt as the republican nominee
parkmore says regarding President Obama "We taught [thought] that he would improve the economy but unfortunately it just got worse."
President Obama's policies kept our country from going into a full-blown depression; the economic recovery would be stronger and quicker if the Republicans weren't doing everything they can to slow it down.
This is the mistake: Believing that the GOP has any interest beyond their party regaining power. They have sworn their #1 goal is to make Obama a one-term president and have shown through word and action that they are willing to destroy our country to do this.
The GOP has no record of accomplishment to run on; all of its economic, military and foreign policies are PROVEN FAILURES. So what do they do? Do everything they can to make the American people suffer and blame the President, hoping that voters out of desperation and fear will vote Republican.
Newsflash, GOP and parkmore: We're not that stupid.