The Republican National Committee on Wednesday unveileda new ad running in Florida and other battleground states in the 2012 presidential election.
The fourth "Change Direction" ad is a 30-second clip that depicts a dire economic situation in January 2017, which would be the end of President Barack Obama's second term in office provided he wins the 2012 election.
Besides running in Florida, the ad is also being shown in North Carolina, Virginia, Indiana, Ohio and Iowa -- all states Obama won in 2008, which the RNC believes will be close in 2012.
We know that President Obama has failed to lead our economy back to recovery, and people in Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana, Ohio and Iowa are all well aware of his abysmal record, said Reince Priebus, chairman of the RNC. These are states Obama carried in 2008 that he must hold in 2012. The risk of continuing Barack Obamas failed stewardship of our economy is too great. The American people know its time to change direction away from his out-of-control spending and high unemployment to get this economy on a path to prosperity.
Democrats quickly fired back at the ad Wednesday.
While President Obama looks to find sensible solutions to getting our fiscal house in order, the RNC continues to show theyd rather run negative ads than work in good faith to create jobs, said Brad Woodhouse, the communications director of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The Republican Party continues to play politics and hold the American economy hostage with their unwillingness to compromise. Their support for the 'cut, cap, and balance' plan shows how out of touch with reality they really are.
"Republicans want to slash Social Security and Medicare benefits to protect budget-busting tax breaks for corporate jet owners, hedge fund managers, and oil companies. The American people are calling out for their leaders in Washington to work together to reduce the deficit and create jobs, but the Republican Party has shown repeatedly theyre more interested in ideological purity than doing what is right for the country.
Priebus weighed in on Floridas role in the 2012 elections and the new television commercial aSpanish language radio ad hitting the Sunshine State. During a call with the media Wednesday,Preibus called Florida a massively important battleground state for 2012 and dismissed suggestions that Gov. Rick Scotts continuing poor polling will impact the general election in 2012.
The election is going to be all about Barack Obama, said Preibus.
The RNC chairman pointed to a poll released by Sunshine State News earlier in the month and noted that Obamas numbers were weak in the Sunshine State.
Priebus also insisted that the sluggish economy will help the GOP appeal to Hispanic voters in the state and across the nation in 2012.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com. Reach Gray Rohrer at grohrer@sunshinestatenews.com. They both can be contacted at (850) 727-0859.
