Mitt Romney is taking on Mike Huckabee with a new television ad in Iowa.

His shot at the Republican presidential nomination in jeopardy, Mitt Romney will begin running a TV ad against Iowa front-runner Mike Huckabee on illegal immigration starting Tuesday while weighing how much negative campaigning he can add to the methodical plan he's followed all year.

The ad says the former governors have a lot in common — but not on illegal immigration, an important issue in Iowa, which will lead off nomination voting with its caucuses on Jan. 3.

"Mitt Romney stood up, and vetoed in-state tuition for illegal aliens, opposed driver's licenses for illegals," the ad says. "Mike Huckabee? Supported in-state tuition benefits for illegal immigrants. Huckabee even supported taxpayer-funded college scholarships for illegal aliens."

"On immigration, the choice matters," the ad ends.

With Huckabee surging in Iowa — and showing strength nationally as well — Romney offers positive as well as negative words on his rival.

"Two former governors. Two good family men. Both pro-life. Both support a constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage," the ad says — then it focuses on what it says are stark differences on illegal immigration.

Romney's campaign characterized the "contrast ad" — the first in which he names a rival — as a reaction to Huckabee's own new TV commercial in which he touts his immigration proposal.

Some will call this a negative ad. But if contrasting your position on an issue with those of your opponent constitutes negativity, I say bring on even more. After all, what are we supposed to be talking about if not the issues? On what basis should we decide our candidate if not upon their records and proposed policies?

Let's face it -- this ad is not destructive, is not insulting, and is in the best tradition of American political debate and dialogue. Romney should be applauded for taking the high here, rather than criticized for "going negative".

Posted by: Greg at 11:29 PM | Comments (24) | Add Comment
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