Perry Ad Hits Newt, Mitt on Health Care Mandate
Gov. Rick Perry is attacking his Republican opponents in a TV ad for the first time in the presidential race, going after the top two front-runners in an increasingly aggressive effort to get his campaign back on track.
The ad names both former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and focuses on their previous statements and actions in support of health insurance mandates.
Requiring people to get insurance is the most controversial piece of the sweeping health care legislation that Republicans call Obamacare.
“Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, and President Obama all support government health care mandates," Perry spokesman Ray Sullivan said in a written statement. “Gov. Perry opposes government-mandated health coverage and is firmly committed to repealing the job-killing Obamacare to protect families and job creators from the burden it imposes on them.”
While Perry has not been shy about attacking Romney in debates and media interviews, the governor has taken it easy on Gingrich — who had written a foreword to Perry's Washington-bashing book, Fed Up! In one recent debate, Gingrich suggested the relationship was still warm, calling Perry a “mentor” on 10th Amendment issues.
The fuzzy feelings appear to have lasted only as long as Gingrich was not seen as a serious contender for the White House. Now it is Perry who is on the ropes, and he has a huge bank account to finance a blitz of TV ads.
In the latest ad, Gingrich — who has opened up a big lead in the GOP race — is the first in the crosshairs.
“We don’t want government-mandated health care,” says an ominous-sounding voice as the ad opens. “Yet Newt Gingrich supports it.” The ad shows a photo of Gingrich with a banner that reads, “Supporter of health care mandates.”
“And Mitt Romney?” the ad continues. “He put it into law in Massachusetts.”
Romney has said he still believes his approach was right for Massachusetts but favors allowing states to adopt their own reforms. Gingrich has said he made a mistake by supporting government-mandated health insurance.
Comments (12)
Sally Perez-Ramos via Texas Tribune on Facebook
-le vomit-
Robert Adams via Texas Tribune on Facebook
It's a bad thing to want Americans to be healthy. Granny can just die, she's old anyway. Past her usefulness to the corporations. The weak and poor, who needs them? Just a drag on the people who can afford to live. - The Republican platform for 2012 -
Tammy Fairbanks Williamson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Way to go Rick!!
David Huang via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Good thing you're never going to be in the White House then, innit?
Steven Kite via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Amusing. (Scary thing... a geologist friend has taken to using the phrase "dumber than a box of Republicans...")
Suzy Hagar via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I bet Newt would not written an 8 page foreward for Rick's FED UP book. Newt will ask Rick to run with him.
Bambi Clark via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Rick sure has a boat-load of money to spend...
Ken Shanaberger via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I don't have a problem with mandated insurance premiums. Right now, if you don't have coverage, you're still taken care of in the emergency room. The hospital is paid by our taxes and/or increased premiums. The other alternative is to tell uninsured people that they just won't be seen. Somehow, I don't see that happening. So...either we pay for uninsured people's care, or we make them pay for it.
jpt51
Let's see, the governor with the most uninsured of any state in the country has the nerve to point fingers at others. Last Sunday the sermon was about our responsiblity for caring for the least of our brothers. Guess Rick was on the road or playing golf and missed that one....
David Starkey
Has he been paying attention?
First, it isn't Obamacare, if you MUST put a name on it, it's Romneycare.
But Romney is such a hypocrite that he said it was good for a state, but not the country.
Anyway, people are ALREADY BENEFITTING SIGNIFIGANTLY FROM the Affordable Health Care Act.
There don't seem to be any death panels, preexisting conditions are no longer a factor, annual checkups are free, and there's more to come!
So, if it's working, why tear it down?
Say Rick, you supported limiting our right to punish companies who harm us.
Are you also AGAINST THE AGENCIES WHO HELP HEAL US WHEN THEY DO?
Who's votes are you trying to get, anyway?
Dale Curry
Tribune you do a great job, however, I fail to see the merit of another article about another GOP/tparty lie about healthcare reform. From death panels to government takeover of healthcare the right has lobbed one lie after another in an attempt to stop this President. However, if you choose to "report" these misrepresentations, it is only fair to point out that Texas has the largest uninsured population of the nation and that if anyone should be discredited for attacking this issue, it is Perry.
Nancy Rodriquez
I don't think health care is the top issue anyway for most voters. The economy and jobs are. Perry is desperately grasping at straws here, and I am sure it is way too late for him in this race. This is his way of trying to go out in a blaze, with 15 minutes of fame. I don't think people take him seriously. He could not even get election age or election day correct, and his gaffs have made him a clown of the bunch.