Texas Gov. Rick Perry is out with a new scathing attack ad linking former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney to President Barack Obama on the issue of health care.
In the slick 60-second spot, text flashes across the screen that reads, "America's Most Damaging Prescription: Obamacare." The last word then dissolves to "Romneycare." The ad highlights footage of the president praising the health care reform package signed into law by Romney in Massachusetts and the former governor defending the measure.
The attack also hits Romney on changes made to his book, No Apology, on the health care issue. The ad asserts, "Even the richest man can't buy back his past" and closes with footage of Romney saying, "there are a lot of reasons not to elect me."
A Republican source tells ABC News that the Perry campaign plans to pour $20 million into attack ads targeting Romney ahead of the early primary contests.
Perry trails Romney by nine points nationally, according to a Washington Post/ABC poll released last week. Perry has stumbled in recent debates in the wake of formally announcing his candidacy in August. Candidates vying for the GOP presidential nomination will face off in a primary debate on Tuesday in New Hampshire.
