PDF Questionable statements:
“Obama’s reckless agenda must be stopped.”
What is the president’s reckless agenda and why must it be stopped? The ad doesn’t say.
And there’s only one principled candidate with the courage to do it.
Images of Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney and Santorum appear on the screen. The ad suggests Santorum, of course, is the only principled candidate in the Republican primary race. But it leaves it up to the viewer to decide why Romney and Gingrich lack integrity. The ad likely is counting on viewers to recall criticism of Gingrich for being married three times and Romney for flip-flopping on issues such as abortion and universal health care.
“The leader with the bold plan to restore America’s greatness, create dynamic jobs, cut wasteful spending and reform Washington.”
It’s nearly impossible for a candidate to elaborate on the issues in a 30-second television spot. The ad refers views to issue statements Santorum has written on his campaign website.
The major points in Santorum’s economic plan are bedrock Republican material, including cutting taxes and reducing non-defense spending, drilling for more domestic oil and natural gas, promoting free markets and protecting religious freedoms.
“Rick Santorum. Proven. Conservative.”
Santorum is a social conservative whose views on issues such as abortion, gay marriage and contraception reflect his Catholic faith.
But Santorum’s fiscal conservative chops have faced occasional criticism. While he usually supported tax-cut legislation as a U.S. senator, he outraged conservatives with his votes to approve Medicare prescription drug coverage and a highway bill that contained the Alaskan “Bridge to Nowhere” earmark.
Overall impression:
The Red White and Blue Fund, a super PAC bankrolled in part by billionaire Foster Friess, produced this ad. Super PACs are political action committees that can take unlimited contributions from donors, but cannot coordinate with candidate campaigns.
Records show the Red White and Blue Fund has raised $729,935 in the current election cycle. Friess has donated $331,000 to the fund.
The ad makes inflammatory claims about President Barack Obama’s “reckless agenda,” and personally attacks Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich without providing any specifics.
Santorum’s “bold plan” to restore America, referred to in the ad, is pretty much Republican boilerplate shared by Romney and Gingrich, Santorum’s two top opponents.
Foul or no foul:
Foul for personal attacks on Santorum’s rivals and for not supporting the claim of a “reckless agenda” by the president.
