Romney team slams Gingrich for criticizing Ryan Medicare plan

Mitt Romney's presidential campaign on Friday released a scathing web ad attacking the new Republican frontrunner, Newt Gingrich, for characterizing the House Republican Medicare reform plan as "right-wing social engineering."

"Last May, leading Republicans praised Congressman Paul Ryan for his plan to reform Medicare," the 60-second video says. The words in the video are accompanied by audio of Republicans like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell commending Ryan.

That praise is contrasted with footage of Gingrich saying with respect to the Ryan plan, "I don't think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering." The video caps off with a series of prominent conservatives, including Charles Krauthammer and Bill Bennett, castigating Gingrich for his comments.

The ad is the latest element of the Romney campaign's aggressive targeting of the new leader in the polls. On Thursday, Romney Communications Director Gail Gitcho emailed reporters to attack Gingrich's criticism of the Ryan plan, saying, "Lifelong Washington insiders can't fix the mess they helped create." Romney backers continued the assault on a conference call Thursday, calling Gingrich "not a reliable or trustworthy leader."

For much of the Republican primary season, Romney appeared to the favorite to win the nomination, but Gingrich has taken a clear lead in recent weeks, beating Romney by 14 points in Iowa in the latest CBS News/New York Times poll.

A pro-Romney super PAC is also preparing an ad attacking Gingrich for having "a ton of baggage."

The group Restore Our Future produced the ad, which slams the former House speaker for being fined for ethics violations, his work for Freddie Mac, as well as his positions on issues like immigration and climate change. The ad even hits Gingrich for supporting a health insurance mandate, "the centerpiece of Obamacare" (a critique that easily applies to Romney as well).

"Why is this man smiling?" a narrator says in the ad, as a picture of President Obama is shown. "Because his plan is working: Brutally attack Mitt Romney, and hope Newt Gingrich is his opponent. Why? Newt has a ton of baggage.'"

Restore Our Future told Politico that the ad isn't quite finished and it shouldn't have been released, but the ad is still viewable online. The group is spending $3.1 million to support Romney in Iowa.

[Carly_EngageAmerica]

Ryan's Plan ensures current and soon-to-be seniors will have unaffected access to existing Medicare programs, while those under 55 will receive quality health care benefits under a sustainable Medicare structure. Under this budget proposal younger Americans will qualify for the same health benefit program that current federal employees receive. It would subsidize seniors' purchase of private health insurance, forcing competition among insurance providers and leading them to provide the best possible options and the most affordable price for future Medicare recipients (http://eng.am/pdYDVX).

[euge005]

Why would Romney's goons complain about that? It is one of the few responsible things to ever come out of the Lizard's mouth. But while their coice of a target was off the mark, they are right in saying Gingirk is not reliable or trustworthy. Ask his first 2 wives. And why did he change his name anyway? Sound too german or something? He is s uscessful gold sdigger and the wanna bes like Palin and Bachman use himm as a role modle.

[JulianAlien]

I cannot believe Newt is leading the polls?

Newt delivered a speech to the Center for Strategic and International
Affairs in which he said, "The American challenge in leading the world
is compounded by our Constitution... either we are going to have to
rethink our Constitution, or we are going to have to rethink our process
of making decisions." This is a direct quote from Newt Gingrich.
These are his own words! Ron
Paul 2012!

[shurch4truth]

Newt deserves better treatment than this...he's right, lots of Republicans are a bunch of cannibals!

Give the guy some credit. He's made millions and now he wants to give back and be president of the USA so he can use his abilities to set things straight.

IT'S OUTRAGEOUS HOW THEY ARE TREATING NEWT!!!

STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT!!!!!!!

[noloyalisti]

Well what Gingrinch said is true even if he is a slimy, anti-American worker operative for the Top 1%. Like the rest of the obsolete Republicon Party of big government.

All you need to know is what Boner said in a closed-door meeting He told the Republican House caucus that extending the payroll tax cut and helping Americans pay their bills is "chicken shi--."

[devinesara]

I hope America sees through these two clowns. I hope we're finally sick of this stuff. And Romney and Gingrich are out there, battling it out, thinking they've got it in the bag while no one but the media takes notes. Meanwhile, Americans are quietly resolved to take back their own country and vote for Ron Paul.

[Zann-Zel]

That add isn't trying to take down Gingrich! Its trying to get independent voters to vote for Gingrich!

[meandeanKK]

as obama steals the money earmarked for Social Security in the FICA 'taxcut' the democrats still demogue Rep Paul Ryan for looking for answers to our growing deficits.

Romney is a Wall Street Insider. Just what we need, Obama and Immelt and his Goldman Sacs buddies are bleeding the Fed dry.

[DavidInMaine]

please Soc Sec is fine, but glad to see you got your talking point memo

[meandeanKK]

$15 Trillion in National Debt.
Obama is an anti-american Radical.
Just listen to him.

NewtGingrich 2012

[Notabillionaire]

Romney has already won, among Billionaires.
http://www.billionairechronicles.net/romney-beats-newt-wide-margin-billionaires