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"Ready"

 

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, "Ready." The ad highlights the very important choice voters will have to make when it comes to electing a candidate ready to make tough decisions. In Arkansas, Governor Mike Huckabee increased state spending, backed in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrants and granted over 1,000 pardons and commutations. Governor Huckabee's attacks on the Bush administration's foreign policy has been called "ludicrous." In Massachusetts, Governor Romney took a different course. He held spending down and granted zero pardons. There is a clear difference in leadership.

 

The ad will begin airing today as part of the campaign's rotation in Iowa. Script and viewing links are below.

 

Script For "Ready" (TV:30):

 

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message."

 

ANNOUNCER: "Two good men.

 

"But who is ready to make tough decisions?

 

"Mike Huckabee? Soft on government spending. He grew a $6 billion government into a $16 billion government.

 

"Backed in-state tuition benefits for illegals, and granted 1,033 pardons and commutations, including 12 murderers.

 

"His foreign policy? 'Ludicrous,' says Condoleezza Rice.

 

"Mitt Romney held spending down below inflation. Cut taxes. Zero pardons.

 

"The difference? Strong leadership."

 

To watch "Ready," please see: http://tv.mittromney.com/?showid=728418

 

AD FACTS: Script For "Ready" (TV:30):

 

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message." ANNOUNCER: "Two good men. But who is ready to make tough decisions? Mike Huckabee? Soft on government spending. He grew a $6 billion government into a $16 billion government."

 

• Under Governor Huckabee, State Spending More Than Doubled From $6.6 Billion To $16.1 Billion. "During Huckabee's 10 years as governor, state spending more than doubled, from $6.6 billion to $16.1 billion in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006. Higher education and public schools got big increases, as did social services." (Daniel Nasaw, "Home Turf Not Rock Solid For Huckabee," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 10/4/07)

 

ANNOUNCER: "Backed in-state tuition benefits for illegals, and granted 1,033 pardons and commutations, including 12 murderers."

 

• Governor Huckabee Fought For A Bill Which Granted In-State Tuition Breaks For Illegals. "Other than the highway plan, the only bill in the governor's 21-bill legislative package that failed to win legislative approval was a proposal to make the children of illegal immigrants eligible for state-funded scholarships and in-state tuition to Arkansas colleges. After passing the House relatively early in the session, the bill faltered in the Senate where it was amended to remove the scholarship provision but fell just short of passage Tuesday and Wednesday. Huckabee said his office worked throughout the day Wednesday for the two Senate votes needed to pass the bill. 'I don't understand the opposition to it, I just honestly don't,' Huckabee said. 'It hurts me on a personal as well as a policy level to think that we are still debating issues that I kind of hoped we had put aside in the 1960s, maybe at the latest the 70s, and yet I understand people have deep passions about things usually they don't fully understand.'" (Melissa Nelson, "Governor Touts Successful End To Legislative Session," The Associated Press, 4/13/05)

 

• Governor Huckabee Granted 1,033 Pardons And Commutations, More Than Twice As Many As His Three Predecessors COMBINED. "As governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee had a hand in twice as many pardons and commutations as his three predecessors combined. ... Huckabee granted 1,033 pardons and commutations in his 10 1/2 years as governor of Arkansas. The acts of clemency benefited the stepson of a staff member, murderers who worked at the governor's mansion, a rock star and inmates who received good words from their pastors. ... During his years as governor, Huckabee granted clemency an average of about once every four days. Huckabee's successor, Mike Beebe, has issued 40 so far this year, fewer than one a week. Bill Clinton, Frank White and Tucker granted 507 clemencies in the 17 1/2 years they served as governor." (Andrew DeMillo, "Huckabee Pardons Under Scrutiny," The Associated Press, 12/10/07)

 

• Governor Huckabee Commuted 12 Sentences For Murderers. "During his tenure, Huckabee has been criticized for his use of the clemency powers. Through April, the total sentence commutations issued by Huckabee were 146, including 12 for murderers, according to records at the secretary of state's office. A clemency can be either a sentence commutation or a pardon for someone who has already discharged his sentence, such as in Richards' situation." (Seth Blomeley, "It's A Gas, Gas, Gas: Rocker Seeks Pardon For '75 Fordyce Arrest," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 7/19/06)

 

ANNOUNCER: "His foreign policy? 'Ludicrous,' says Condoleezza Rice."

 

• Secretary Of State Condoleezza Rice Said Huckabee's Criticism Of Bush Foreign Policy Was "Ludicrous." "After first saying 'I don't have time to comment on other people's comments', Rice took on Huckabee, head-on during an end-of-year State Department press briefing. 'The idea that this is a go-it-alone policy is just simply ludicrous. And one would only have to be not observing the facts, let me say that, to say that this is now a go-it-alone foreign policy,' Rice said." ("Rice: Huckabee Foreign Policy Criticism 'Ludicrous'," ABC News' Political Radar Blog, http://blogs.abcnews.com/, Posted 12/21/07)

 

ANNOUNCER: "Mitt Romney held spending down below inflation. Cut taxes. Zero pardons. The difference? Strong leadership."

 

• Club For Growth: Governor Romney "Imposed Some Much-Needed Fiscal Discipline On A Very Liberal Massachusetts Legislature." "On balance, he imposed some much-needed fiscal discipline on a very liberal Massachusetts Legislature." (The Club For Growth, "Mitt Romney's Record On Economic Issues," Press Release, 8/21/07)

 

• Governor Romney "Attempted To Cut Down On Government Spending By Streamlining Many Duplicative And Wasteful Elements On Beacon Hill." "To his credit, Romney attempted to cut down on government spending by streamlining many duplicative and wasteful elements of Beacon Hill. ... Governor Romney successfully consolidated the social service and public health bureaucracy and restructured the Metropolitan District Commission. Romney even eliminated half of the executive branch's press positions, saving $1.2 million." (The Club For Growth, "Mitt Romney's Record On Economic Issues," Press Release, 8/21/07)

 

• Governor Romney Turned The Legislature's Proposed Capital Gains Tax Hike Into A Tax Refund Instead. "Romney was more successful when he took on the State Legislature for imposing a retroactive tax on capital gains earnings. After a bloody fight, Romney succeeded in passing a bill preventing the capital gains tax from being applied retroactively, resulting in a rebate of $275 million for capital gains taxes collected in 2002. Governor Romney also signed legislation that provided property tax relief to seniors and legislation establishing a two-day tax-free shopping holiday in 2005." (The Club For Growth, "Mitt Romney's Record On Economic Issues," Press Release, 8/21/07)

 

• As Governor, Romney Denied All Requests For Pardon And Commutation. "During the four years Romney was in office, 100 requests for commutations and 172 requests for pardons were filed in the state. All were denied. 'Governor Romney's view is that it would take a compelling set of circumstances to set aside the punishment and guilt resulting from a criminal trial,' said Romney aide Eric Fehrnstrom, who added he was not familiar with Circosta's case. 'The power to pardon should only be used in extraordinary circumstances.'" ("Romney Touts Record Of Never Granting Pardons," The Associated Press, 6/12/07)

 

To watch "Ready," please see: http://tv.mittromney.com/?showid=728418

 

"Choice: The Record"

 

 

The ad will begin airing tomorrow as part of the campaign's rotation in Iowa. Script and viewing links are below.

 

Script For "Choice: The Record" (TV:30):

 

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message."

 

ANNOUNCER: "Two former governors, two good family men.

 

"Both pro-life, both support a Constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage.

 

"The difference?

 

"Mitt Romney stood up, and vetoed in-state tuition for illegal aliens, opposed driver's licenses for illegals.

 

"Mike Huckabee? Supported in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrants.

 

"Huckabee even supported taxpayer-funded scholarships for illegal aliens.

 

"On immigration, the choice matters."

 

To watch "Choice: The Record," please see: http://tv.mittromney.com/?showid=718462

 

AD FACTS: Script For "Choice: The Record" (TV:30):

 

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message." ANNOUNCER: "Two former governors, two good family men. Both pro-life, both support a Constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage."

 

 

ANNOUNCER: "The difference? Mitt Romney stood up, and vetoed in-state tuition for illegal aliens, opposed driver's licenses for illegals."

 

 

ANNOUNCER: "Mike Huckabee? Supported in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrants. Huckabee even supported taxpayer-funded scholarships for illegal aliens. On immigration, the choice matters."

 

• Huckabee Fought To Pass A Bill Which Granted In-State Tuition Breaks For Illegals. "Other than the highway plan, the only bill in the governor's 21-bill legislative package that failed to win legislative approval was a proposal to make the children of illegal immigrants eligible for state-funded scholarships and in-state tuition to Arkansas colleges. After passing the House relatively early in the session, the bill faltered in the Senate where it was amended to remove the scholarship provision but fell just short of passage Tuesday and Wednesday. Huckabee said his office worked throughout the day Wednesday for the two Senate votes needed to pass the bill." (Melissa Nelson, "Governor Touts Successful End To Legislative Session," The Associated Press, 4/13/05)

 

• "'I Don't Understand The Opposition To It, I Just Honestly Don't,' Huckabee Said." (Melissa Nelson, "Governor Touts Successful End To Legislative Session," The Associated Press, 4/13/05)

 

• Huckabee Proposed Extending Taxpayer-Funded College Scholarships To Illegal Aliens. "Gov. Mike Huckabee is proposing extending eligibility for state-funded college scholarships to illegal aliens who graduate from Arkansas high schools - an idea that several legislators predicted will go nowhere" (Laura Kellams, "Huckabee Plan Would Aid Illegal Aliens," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1/12/05)

 

• Huckabee Said It Was "Terribly Unjust" That Illegal Aliens Couldn't Have Taxpayer-Funded College Scholarships. "Huckabee said it's 'terribly unjust' for a child who arrived in Arkansas at a young age and graduated from high school to be denied state-funded college scholarships because of a 'a status that he had no control over.'" (Laura Kellams, "Huckabee Plan Would Aid Illegal Aliens," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1/12/05)

 

To watch "Choice: The Record," please see: http://tv.mittromney.com/?showid=718462

 

 

Choice: Judgment

 

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, "Choice: Judgment." The ad highlights the very important choice voters will have to make when it comes to fighting crime in the United States. While Governors Romney and Huckabee both believe in protecting life and traditional marriage, they have very different crime records. In Massachusetts, Governor Romney fought for tougher penalties to combat methamphetamines and respected juries' decisions by not pardoning a single criminal. In Arkansas, Governor Huckabee granted 1,033 pardons and commutations, including 12 convicted murderers. This was more clemencies than the previous three governors combined. Governor Huckabee also reduced penalties for manufacturing methamphetamines.

 

The ad will begin airing tomorrow as part of the campaign's rotation in Iowa. Script and viewing links are below.

 

Script For "Choice: Judgment" (TV:30):

 

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message."

 

ANNOUNCER: "Two pro-life Governors. Both support a constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage.

 

"The difference?

 

"Romney got tough on drugs like meth.

 

"He never pardoned a single criminal.

 

"And Mike Huckabee?

 

"He granted 1,033 pardons and commutations, including 12 convicted murderers.

 

"Huckabee granted more clemencies than the previous three governors combined.

 

"Even reduced penalties for manufacturing methamphetamine.

 

"On crime. The difference is judgment."

 

To watch "Choice: Judgment," please click here .

 

AD FACTS: Script For "Choice: Judgment" (TV:30):

 

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY: "I'm Mitt Romney and I approve this message." ANNOUNCER: "Two pro-life Governors. Both support a Constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage."

• Governor Romney Has Been Recognized For His Pro-Life Leadership In Massachusetts. "Mitt Romney was a great Governor, who served with honor and distinction. But most importantly, he was a pro-life Governor. He vetoed a number of pro-abortion pieces of legislation and made many pro-life appointments. He was always there for us. He's a busy man these days and we are extra fortunate that he and his wife Ann could be with us. Governor, you have been an inspirational leader in many ways. And if I may say so, Mitt, you're looking very presidential. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming our friend, Governor Mitt Romney, to the podium as our 2007 Mullins Award Winner for Outstanding Political Leadership." (Kevin Jourdain, Remarks, Agawam, MA, 5/10/07)

 

• Governor Romney Supports A Constitutional Amendment Defending Traditional Marriage. "While Romney is willing to generally leave it to states to decide how to set up health care coverage plans, he said it shouldn't be left to states to decide same-sex marriage issues. 'It's a status that lasts a lifetime. And so, if somebody is married in one state and they move to another state, that status travels with them. And so, if you have gay marriage in one state, whether you want it or not, you have gay marriage in all states,' Romney told reporters after speaking at a Greenville, S.C., restaurant." (Amy Lorentzen, "Iowa Gay Marriage Ruling Stirs 2008 Race," The Associated Press, 9/1/07)

ANNOUNCER: "The difference? Romney got tough on drugs like meth."

• Gov. Romney Worked To Prevent Methamphetamine Abuse From Becoming A Problem In Massachusetts. "As the use of the illicit drug methamphetamine continues to sweep through the Midwest and the West Coast, the Romney administration is taking steps to prevent the drug from becoming a crisis in Massachusetts. Legislation filed by Gov. Mitt Romney would heighten the penalties for the possession of methamphetamine as well as toughen penalties for the possession of the chemicals used to produce it. It also would allow the state to improve its tracking system of the sale of those chemicals." (Erik Arvidson, "Romney Acts To Boost Meth Penalties," The Pittsfield, MA Berkshire Eagle, 8/15/05)

 

• Gov. Romney's Legislation Included Treatment For Addicts And Tougher Penalties For Dealers. "The first step called for in the blueprint is the creation of a new council to bring together the 13 state agencies that provide substance-abuse services. Each receives a portion of the $250 million the state spends each year on treatment and services, but there is no coordination among them, Healey said. Gov. Mitt Romney yesterday signed an executive order creating the council, of which Healey will be chairwoman. Among other recommendations, the plan calls for passage of $9.1 million in supplemental spending to expand detox and treatment services, passage of a bill to crack down on the manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine, and real-time tracking of heroin overdoses to help identify regions with the greatest need." (Julie Mehegan, "State Tackles Drug Abuse," The Pittsfield, MA Berkshire Eagle, 5/16/05)

 

• The Legislation Toughened Sentencing For Meth Manufactures. "As with heroin, methamphetamine is cheap to produce and easy to purchase. The bill would criminalize the possession of 45 kinds of drugs considered 'precursor' drugs if the person has the intent to produce methamphetamine. The punishment would be either 2 1/2 years in jail or five years in prison." (Erik Arvidson, "Romney Acts To Boost Meth Penalties," The Pittsfield, MA Berkshire Eagle, 8/15/05)

ANNOUNCER: "He never pardoned a single criminal."

• As Governor, Romney Denied All Requests For Pardon And Commutation. "During the four years Romney was in office, 100 requests for commutations and 172 requests for pardons were filed in the state. All were denied. 'Governor Romney's view is that it would take a compelling set of circumstances to set aside the punishment and guilt resulting from a criminal trial,' said Romney aide Eric Fehrnstrom, who added he was not familiar with Circosta's case. 'The power to pardon should only be used in extraordinary circumstances.'" ("Romney Touts Record Of Never Granting Pardons," The Associated Press, 6/12/07)

ANNOUNCER: "And Mike Huckabee? He granted 1,033 pardons and commutations, including 12 convicted murderers. Huckabee granted more clemencies than the previous three governors combined."

• Huckabee Granted 1,033 Pardons And Commutations, More Than Twice As Many As His Three Predecessors COMBINED. "As governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee had a hand in twice as many pardons and commutations as his three predecessors combined. ... Huckabee granted 1,033 pardons and commutations in his 10 1/2 years as governor of Arkansas. The acts of clemency benefited the stepson of a staff member, murderers who worked at the governor's mansion, a rock star and inmates who received good words from their pastors. ... During his years as governor, Huckabee granted clemency an average of about once every four days. Huckabee's successor, Mike Beebe, has issued 40 so far this year, fewer than one a week. Bill Clinton, Frank White and Jim Guy Tucker granted 507 clemencies in the 17 1/2 years they served as governor." (Andrew DeMillo, "Huckabee Pardons Under Scrutiny," The Associated Press, 12/10/07)

 

• Huckabee Commuted 12 Sentences For Murderers. "During his tenure, Huckabee has been criticized for his use of the clemency powers. Through April, the total sentence commutations issued by Huckabee were 146, including 12 for murderers, according to records at the secretary of state's office. A clemency can be either a sentence commutation or a pardon for someone who has already discharged his sentence, such as in Richards' situation." (Seth Blomeley, "It's A Gas, Gas, Gas: Rocker Seeks Pardon For '75 Fordyce Arrest," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 7/19/06)

ANNOUNCER: "Even reduced penalties for manufacturing methamphetamine. On crime. The difference is judgment."

• Huckabee Supported A Measure To Reduce Mandatory Minimums For Methamphetamine Makers. "Methamphetamine makers could shorten their mandatory time in prison with good behavior under legislation approved Tuesday by the Arkansas House. The bill, by Sen. Jim Luker, D-Wynne, is part of a legislative package intended to help control the state's burgeoning prison population and is supported by state prison officials, the state prosecutors' association and Gov. Mike Huckabee." (Melissa Nelson, "Arkansas House Approves Bill To Reduce Mandatory Prison Time Of Meth Offenders," The Associated Press, 3/8/05)

 

• March 21, 2005: Huckabee Signed SB 387 Into Law. "Also Monday, Gov. Mike Huckabee signed into law legislation allowing imprisoned methamphetamine abusers serving time under the state's mandatory 70-percent rule to shorten their sentences with good behavior." (Melissa Nelson, "Senate OKs Higher Ed Funding Formulas," The Associated Press, 3/21/05)

 

• Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Editorial: "Call It The Relief Bill For Meth Manufacturers." (Editorial, "A Perk For Drug Dealers," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 3/16/05)

To watch "Choice: Judgment," please click here .

 

 

 

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