Romney begins national TV ad campaign

CNN.com ^ | April 25, 2007 | Robert Yoon

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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney began his national presidential television ad campaign Wednesday, the same day fellow Republican candidate Sen. John McCain officially launched his White House bid.

Two Romney ads, which previously have run in several local markets in Iowa, New Hampshire and other key primary states, began running Wednesday morning on national cable networks including CNN and Fox News. The campaign says the ad buy will last several months, though different spots are likely to be rotated in during that time.

"The fact that he's on national cable on the day that one of his chief rivals is relaunching his campaign I don't think is any coincidence," says Evan Tracey, CEO of TNS Media Intelligence/Campaign Media Analysis Group (CMAG), CNN's consultant on television ad spending. "In between that coverage of McCain's announcement tonight will be Romney commericals."

Though Romney is the first 2008 presidential candidate to air television ads on a national level, CMAG records show that he is not the first presidential candidate to go up this early with a national television ad campaign. Publisher and former GOP candidate Steve Forbes ran ads on national cable slightly earlier than this point in 1999.

Tracey said that the timing of this ad buy reflects the historically fast pace at which this campaign is unfolding and the growing significance of February 5, 2008, when up to 25 states might hold presidential primaries and caucuses.

"Clearly, this is a move to extend the Romney brand beyond just Iowa and New Hampshire," said Tracey. "It's reaching the February 5th states, but it's also reaching a national audience. It shows you that February 5th is not being taken for granted by even the top-tier candidates."

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Two ads are running now on Fox News and CNN.

Unplugged • The first ad in this new buy features Romney and his wife, Ann, and describes the former governor as "business legend, rescued the Olympics, the Republican governor who turned around the Democratic state."

I Like Vetoes • The second ad features a clip from Romney's speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference in March where he declared "I like vetoes" and vowed to block unnecessary spending in Washington.

These ads first aired in local TV markets in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Michigan and Florida.

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[Neu Pragmatist]

I still think Romney is the best man for the job. I believe he will institute true reforms that the people have only been given lip service to in the past .

[ellery]

Nice job — they look good. I’ve never seen his wife before — she’s gorgeous!

[WFTR]

Both of these are very good ads. I like the fact that he's talking about cutting government spending. I've often said that tax policy is irrelevant if we spend too much money in the wrong places. It doesn't matter which arm bleeds, if someone loses too much blood, he's going to be weaker. In the same way, if we have too much money being spent by the government, the country will be weaker.

While it's not an ad, I think this video (This is the story) is also very effective for him. I love videos that use nice scenery and patriotic scenes.

Another appealing thing about the videos is that he refers to our enemies as "jihadists" and not "terrorists." While I'd like to hear "Muslim jihadists," using just "jihadists" sends the right message. Our enemies are not just any terrorists but are followers of a particular religious and political ideology.

I still prefer Mr. Hunter because he's been a consistent conservative throughout his political life. I'd likely support Jim Gilmore for the same reason. However, if I can be certain that his actions as president would match his words as a candidate, I'd be very happy to have Mr. Romney as president.

Bill

[Jeff Fuller]

Plus he's not the "liberal turned conservative flip-flopper" that the MSM keeps playing up. Check out his campaign flyers from '94 . . . Front and Back Below is a portion of the flyer with some of the specific issue stances: Looks like he ran a pretty conservative campaign back then to me! (obvious exception of abortion . . . which he's cleared the air on and has an actual pro-life record to point to as governor).

[TheBridge]

What a sad waste of money that Hunter or Fred could really use. Even Rudy could benefit.
I don't think Romney has a chance at all.

[Rameumptom]

>>>What a sad waste of money that Hunter or Fred could really use.

In the larger context, think about the liberal MSM. Getting the conservative message out even in commercial form is something that should be applauded. While I am rooting for Mitt It is definitely not a waste of money in reminding our country the values they are apt to forget in the mountain of liberal lies.

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"Nice job — they look good. I’ve never seen his wife before — she’s gorgeous!"

Ann Romney would be a wonderful First Lady; lovely in both character and countenance.

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The Washington Post is reporting a few more details not included in this article:

Besides Fox, Romney's ad [I like Vetoes] also will run on CNBC, MSNBC and CNN. The total cost of airing the ads is expected to be about $2 million and they will run for more than a month.

[TheLion]

"I believe he will institute true reforms that the people have only been given lip service to in the past"

I think this is one of the strong underlying reasons I like Romney. He will actually get things accompolished that might be good for the country.