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Romney defends use of footage

Ad’s Obama quote is from McCain aide

Romney
Seema Mehta Tribune Washington bureau

DES MOINES, Iowa – Mitt Romney on Wednesday defended his new campaign ad that takes President Barack Obama’s words out of context, saying there was “no hidden effort” to mislead voters.

The Romney campaign ad, which began airing in New Hampshire on Tuesday, uses footage from an Obama campaign event in Londonderry, N.H., in the final weeks of the 2008 race, when the Illinois senator and Democratic nominee was making his case to voters on the economy.

At issue is this sound bite that the Romney campaign used from Obama: “If we keep talking about the economy, we’re going to lose.”

In fact, Obama that day was quoting an unnamed campaign adviser for Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee. The full quote: “Sen. McCain’s campaign actually said, and I quote, if we keep talking about the economy, we’re going to lose.”

Romney’s campaign did provide the full context of the quote in a release announcing the new ad Monday night, he pointed out Wednesday. But for the viewers watching, there is no such disclaimer.

Still, Romney defended the spot.

“It was instead to point out what’s sauce for the goose is now sauce for the gander,” Romney told reporters. “He spoke about the economy being a huge burden for John McCain. This ad points out, guess what, it’s now your turn. The same lines you used on John McCain are now going to be used on you, which is that this economy is going to be your albatross.”

The Obama campaign called Romney’s ad “deceitful and dishonest.” Democratic National Committee spokesman Brad Woodhouse said: “Mitt Romney is a serial deceiver – and his deceptions know no bounds.” The committee released a video rounding up some of the critical reaction to Romney’s ad.