Newt Advisor says Mitt's ‘My family is better than your family’ ad is going to backfire.

[jefferson_dem]

Hahaha... :popcorn: anyone?



Mitt Happens

To some observers, Mitt Romney’s new ad, aimed at Iowa Republicans, seems to be saying, “Yes, I’m Mormon. But at least I’m not a philanderer. Like Newt.”

As such, it carries considerable risks. Not only by reminding conservative evangelicals that he belongs to a religion many do not approve of, but also by taking on Gingrich – subtly, perhaps, but unmistakably -on his three marriages and past person indiscretions.

One Gingrich adviser told ABC News that the ad “is basically Romney saying ‘My family is better than your family.’ It’s going to backfire.”

The Gingrich adviser says that as long as Gingrich is honest about his past failings, voters will focus more on candidate attributes dealing with leadership and the economy. Around 50%of American marriages end in divorce, the adviser pointed out.

But the issue could have resonance with the Iowa conservative base, because Gingrich has not just a failed couple marriages under his belt; there are and have been myriad allegations of behavior that these voters would view as immoral.

<SNIP>

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/12/mitt-happens/

Here's the ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SvxDzS7B774

[Enrique]

1. presidential candidates have been showing off their families since forever

has it ever "backfired"?

[Brother Buzz]

9. let's ask Santorum

[JoePhilly]

2. Its going to be fun watching conservative pundits pretend adultery doesn't matter.

[emulatorloo]

3. Yep, so much for " the importance of family values."

[JoePhilly]

5. Staying with your wife will now be called Socialism!!

[Blue_Tires]

13. Especially since most of them were on their high horse during the Starr investigation

[Cigar11]

4. F’ing Hypocrites

I wonder how many of their Young Family Members worked as Assistant Janitors to learn the value of MONEY.

[karynnj]

6. The Gingrich adviser protests too much, but what can he say?

The fact is that Gingrich's personal life is not a plus. It is also true that this is something Gingrich can not counter in kind - his life does not fit this - unlike nearly any politician you can name - adjusting the content to fit the family. (Seriously - what candidate has NOT to some degree used his family for a humanizing backdrop and validation.) Poor Newt - Calista really does not compare to this family, which looks like it was created by an ad agency.

In less extreme cases, I think it would have backfired. The only Democratic precedent I remember is the Edwards attack on HRC. I think it hurt Edwards' favorability when the campaign pushed Elizabeth to say her life (presumably at home with her young kids) was happier than Hillary's choice to work as a lawyer. It was seen as uncalled for - and mean spirited. But, Hillary had done nothing wrong here and raised a lovely young woman - very different than Newt. In addition, the Romney ad just speaks of himself and lets people make the mental comparison from known facts.

The ad seems good and powerful for the target audience - especially as he uses the momentary flub where he says the number of years with Bain (25) rather than the larger number he was married. He also has a very attractive family. (He also does not say Mormon, he says the same church - either people already know he is Mormon or they still won't after seeing the ad.

[yellowcanine]

7. I don't know about how it will play - it seems "blowhardy to me."

To me it says "Look at me and what a great guy and patriot I am." That often doesn't go down well with a lot of people, particularly in the general election. I suspect we won't see this ad if Romney gets the nomination.

[Ikonoklast]

8. Aimed directly at Iowa Caucus Evangelicals.

They have a shit sandwich to eat, conmprised of either a Mormon Cultists, or a serial philanderer who is also a Papist.




HAHAHAHHAAAAAaaaaaa!!!



Sorry, but they are truly screwn.

[boppers]

10. Mormons don't marry for life. Or for "when it's convenient".

They marry for "time and eternity", i.e. forever, now and heaven.

Basically the same kind of marriage that Christ taught.

[Jello Biafra]

11. So Mitt is saying that it's not ok to have three wives....

unless they are concurrent.........I get it now.....tnx.....

[Retrograde]

12. According to the ad, Romney's values are "Family, Faith and Country"

Interesting that he puts country third.