New Obama, Romney ads focus on women, jobs
(CBS News) In three new ads out Sunday, Mitt Romney and President Obama launched offensives against their opponent's campaigns on issues ranging from Israel to women's health. Here's a look at the ads, airing primarily in battleground states:
Obama ad: "Important"
Coming four days after the mandate requiring health insurance companies to provide free contraception coverage went into effect, this ad from the Obama campaign features women expressing their doubts that presumptive GOP nominee Romney "can even understand the mindset of someone who has to go to Planned Parenthood." Romney, as shown in the ad, has steadfastly maintained his desire to cut off government funding to the reproductive health resource center.
"I don't remember anyone as extreme as Romney," one woman says in the ad, adding that the former Massachusetts governor "would definitely drag us back." Another woman adds, "This is not the 1950s. Contraception is so important to women. It's about a woman being able to make decisions."
During a campaign stop in Oregon last week, the president called Romney's position on Planned Parenthood "a bad idea," and said he wants his daughters Malia and Sasha, 14 and 11, "to control their own health care choices."
Romney ad: "It's Just Not Getting Better"
Drawing from another topic in the news, the Romney campaign in this ad cites July's jobs report, which, out Friday, showed an uptick in unemployment to 8.3 percent - a number Republicans across the board have seized on.
"The president is running out of time," a voiceover says as images of wire headlines announce a June spike in jobless rates in most U.S. cities, and July's unemployment climb. "Under Obama's economy, it's just not getting better."
Challenging a recent study concluding Romney's tax plan would benefit the wealthiest Americans at the expense of the middle class, the voiceover continues, "Mitt Romney has a plan for a stronger middle class. Under the Romney plan: more jobs, and more take-home pay. It's a plan that works for America."
Romney ad: "Cherished Relationship"
Capitalizing on Romney's highly publicized trip to Israel last week, this ad from the Republican's campaign knocks Mr. Obama for never having visited the Jewish state during his time as president, and for refusing to acknowledge Jerusalem as its capital.
"Mitt Romney will be a different kind of president: a strong leader who stands by our allies," a voice says. "He knows America holds a deep and cherished relationship with Israel." Fresh footage of Romney wearing a yarmulke, visiting Jerusalem's Western "Wailing" Wall, and meeting with his longtime friend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, rolls in the background.
Praising Israel for respecting "the rights of people of all religions," the ad ends with a clip from Romney's speech last week at the Old City's Tower of David, during which he explicitly stated Jerusalem as "the capital of Israel." Citing potential security problems, the past three presidents have chosen to waive a 1995 law which designated Jerusalem as Israel's capital city.
