Perry launches first TV ad in Iowa, focuses on jobs, energy production
Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry is launching his first television ad in Iowa today, focusing on his record in job creation as governor of Texas.
In the ad, Perry promises to create at least 2.5 million new jobs as president, adding, "and I know something about that." He smiles into the camera as upbeat music plays, before the ad cuts to images of him visiting construction sites and factories.
The ad puts renewed focus on Perry's strength as a job creator, at a time when poor debate performances and questions about other aspects of his record as governor have led to his decline in the polls. In the latest CBS News/New York Times poll, Perry came in fifth with 6 percent support. In mid-September, Perry topped the CBS News/New York Times poll at 23 percent.
Along with launching his ad in Iowa this week, Perry is attempting to revive his campaign with new additions to his staff who bring valuable national political experience to the job.
Perry's ad will run on broadcast and cable stations in Iowa, where the nation's first nominating contest will take place in just over two months. Voters there are likely to hear a great deal more from Perry on his job creating record, as well as his economic agenda. The candidate this week unveiled a sweeping economic plan, and he's cited domestic energy production as a key element in his plan to create jobs.
"In Texas we've created over one million new jobs while the rest of the nation lost over two million," Perry says in his new ad. He promises to create jobs nationally, starting "by opening American oil and gas fields."
