Pro-Romney Group Buys $500,000 In Michigan TV Ads (Newt Targeted)

NY Times ^ | February 13, 2012 | Jeremy W. Peters

[red flanker]

Mitt Romney is getting some heavy air support in Michigan — the state where he was born and raised — as the “super PAC” supporting him invests almost $500,000 on television ads there.

According to someone who tracks Republican media spending, Restore Our Future has committed just over $470,000 for commercials starting Tuesday and set to run through Feb. 20. That marks the group’s largest purchase yet in Michigan, where it will have spent more than $700,000 on ads by next week.

The group said Monday that it would continue for now to run an ad called “Risk” that targets Newt Gingrich using images and attacks that have by now become familiar advertising fodder. It cites the proliferation of earmarks during his tenure as House speaker and shows a shot of him sitting with Nancy Pelosi on a couch in front of the Capitol, a shot taken from a public service announcement on global warming.

[cripplecreek]

Not to mention that this story is based on the say so of “someone who tracks Republican media spending”. If Romney does run anti Gingrich ads in Michigan it just proves that he’s an idiot, nothing more.

It cracks me up that people who seem intent on making sure Romney wins in Michigan claim Santorum is secretly working for Romney (Like every other candidate has been accused of).

[Logical me]

Another buying votes by peppering the voters with lies and distortion. This ass hat is extreme dangerous.

[Engraved-on-His-hands]

As others have hypothesized previously, the actions by Romney and Santorum to target Newt is because it is acceptable to the GOP establishment to destroy the true reformer

I think a couple of more likely suggestions would be:

1. The Santorum surge caught Mitt's folks off-guard, and they don't yet have the anti-Rick ads ready. Look for anti-Rick ads in a week or so.

2. They decided that attacking Rick might be counterproductive, and that attacking Newt might sway enough Newt voters (or non-voters) to put Mitt over the top in a close election with Rick.

I think that suggestion #1 is the most likely.

[Steelfish]

Why would Romney target Gingrich?

This from Public Policy Polling. See what happens if Gingrich drops off: It would be worse for Romney if Gingrich pulls out.

“Rick Santorum has all the momentum in Michigan right now,” Dean Debnam, president of Public Policy Polling, said in a press release. “But it’s important to note that more than 50 percent of voters say they could change their minds in the next two weeks. There’s a lot of room for this race to shift back toward Romney in the coming days.”

“Voters were more likely to have a favorable opinion of Santorum (67 percent) than Romney (49 percent) in the PPP poll.”

“If Gingrich dropped out of the GOP presidential nomination race, his support is more likely to flow to Santorum than Romney, the poll indicates. If just Romney, Santorum and Paul were in the race, Santorum would get 48 percent (up from 39 percent if Gingrich were in) and Romney 27 (up from 24 percent).”

[CAluvdubya]

Seems pretty dumb to target Newt when Santorum is the one closest now, unless.......they already have a little partnership going.

[napscoordinator]

Who the heck cares. Santorum was running for Senate and he was given a donation from Romney like quite a few other politicians. It probably turned out to be a bold faced lie and were forced to remove it. Santorum is going to be our next President of the United States PERIOD. It has been destined. There is ZERO to bash Santorum on.

[Lazlo in PA]

It cracks me up that people who seem intent on making sure Romney wins in Michigan claim Santorum is secretly working for Romney

It's the same old story this whole election cycle. People who were "Stalking Horses" for Milt:

Bachmann

Cain

Perry

If anyone bothers to notice, there is only one candidate running who is close friends with Milt. Ron Paul.

[Christie at the beach]

Your nose is so close to rick when he stops, say hello, hand soap...

[Mountain Mary]

I think Mittens going after Newt shows his true intentions. He wants to finish the job of completely destroying him. Then he can move on to Rick or whomever else he sets his crosshairs on.
Nice guy!

[Happy Rain]

Romney uses Ron Paul as his attack dog against Santorum—he can keep his hands clean that way—their love affair was exposed a couple of weeks ago by Rush Limbaugh...

... oh,and speaking of elRushbo he said this today:

“I agree with you (talking to a caller), I think conservatism is in Santorum’s bodily fluids, and because of that he's able to articulate it without thinking about it.”

thwap!

[Rome2000]

The cultist from planet KOLOB can't afford to lose any more contests, much less the one in the state which his dad with three grandmas from Mexico used to be Governor.

Notice how the cultists bypass their patsy Santorum, the degenerate lawyer that votes to force workers to belong to unions and pay dues against their will or be fired, in order to attack Leroy Gingrich.

Only thing I am completely sure of is that BISHOP MYTH SLICK WILLARD ROMNEY WILL NEVER BE POTUS.

On the other hand, he is still running for GOD.

[Mountain Mary]

I love your optimism, naps.

We could use more of that on this site.

[napscoordinator]

Thanks. It certainly has been interesting this primary season, but I notice that people are coming to the realization that Santorum is our nominee. Some have to be brought dragging but they will get there.

[FresnoRobert]

Hurling insults ( calling people clueless) is the refuge of people who lack facts to support their argument or the ability to articulate their point of view.

[presently no screen name]

My wagon is hitched onto AMERICA not a man, loser. The one who represents America and not a con man. And watch yourself on who you are calling dumb - this article is enough to see who the dumb one is.

[Mariner]

This is Romney betting that all of Newt's support will flow to him. He might be right.

I believe Santorum's support in the GOP electorate tops out at about 50% and his core constituency of Values Voters First is closer to the 30-40% range.

If it comes down to Romney and Santorum only I believe Romney will win the nomination.

The wild card is Ron Paul...he may make it a 33% race all around. I believe 1/2 of Newts' supporters will go to Paul.

Either way we're likely looking at a brokered convention and a M A D race to find a unifying candidate.

Under that scenario I can see only Palin and Gingrich being able to win a majority of free delegates...maybe not even Gingrich.

[Tennessee Nana]

Gollies

Willie Mitty has to spend money in his own Daddy’s state ???

The native son doesnt get the key to the state ???

and here I was thinking that the adoring peon MittWitts in MI would pay Willie Mitty for gracing their ballot...

Oh swoonie swoon swoon...

[Mariner]

"You are just going to have to admit that Rick has ZERO negatives to do a commercial about."

There are enough quotes in Rick's book to relegate him to political obscurity in the general election.

Thing is, nobody can attack that flank in the primaries.

I believe it's time to vet that side of Rick.

Better now than September.

[napscoordinator]

Your nose is so close to rick when he stops, say hello, hand soap...

You are disgusting. You are a complete and utter piece of trash. I can’t wait for the day you are banned. How you could be so gross and nasty is beyond me. I pray they you do not have children. If you do, I feel for them. I have never seen a more revolting person than you. You need to take your repulsive post and go to where you belong. You are obviously a liberal because conservatives don’t talk like you do. You should be completely ashamed of yourself. Your post is one of the worst I have seen on Free Republic in 6 years. You need to clean up your act.

[Happy Rain]

Lets see, make sure we get this one right—my candidate is ahead and yours is in the toilet yet you call me the loser...uh uh, uh uh—ok FRiend, got you pegged good now so no need to say more;)