Romney To Air His First Campaign Ad
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BOSTON — Republican Mitt Romney, flush with cash from early fund-raising, this week will air his first presidential campaign ad to introduce himself to voters in several early voting states.
The 60-second spot describes the former Massachusetts governor as a “business legend” who “rescued the Olympics” and “turned around a Democratic state.”
The ad is set to air starting today. It will rotate between Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Michigan, and Florida.
It is the first ad by a top-tier contender in a campaign that experts believe will cost more than $1 billion by the time it ends in November 2008.
A fellow Republican, Rep. Duncan Hunter of a California, who is staging a long-shot bid for the presidency, aired the first ad of either major party in December with a limited buy in South Carolina, North Carolina, and South Dakota.
Recent national polls have shown Mr. Romney behind two other leading Republicans, Senator McCain of Arizona and Mayor Giuliani.
Mr. Romney, who was a venture capitalist before he helped Salt Lake City restore the 2002 Winter Olympics after a bid-rigging scandal, has conceded that he has ground to make up as he competes against candidates with near 100% name identification among voters.
