A new anti-Mitt Romney ad seeks to call attention to GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney's political career by reminding viewers of what was going on in 1994, the year that he first ran for Senate in Massachusetts. The ad, produced by American Bridge 21st Century, a progressive PAC that has launched a variety of negative campaigns against the Republican field, is not hesitant to highlight some of the gloomier news stories of the year.
The spot begins with clips of Romney rejecting the political insider mantle, then flashes back to some clips from 1994 to argue that the one-time Massachusetts governor is actually a "17-year career politician."
While the ad notes some less controversial memorable moments of the year, such as the nation's novel fascination over the internet and the beginning of the TV show "Friends," it also makes a prominent note of the O.J. Simpson murder trial, showing clips of the notorious car chase and newscast of the fallout.
Apart from the unfavorable juxtaposition, the ad also takes shots at Romney's infamous awkward interactions with voters and closes with a clip of Romney from 1994 announcing his support for abortion rights.
Mitt Romney ended up losing his first Senate election to Democrat Ted Kennedy.
This video is just part of a rapidly intensifying ad war now hitting some primary states especially hard.
But it's not just ads that are doing the attacking. Romney continued to jab his newest rival, former House speaker Newt Gingrich, on Friday, taking to Fox News to paint him as Washington insider with debilitating baggage.
"I must admit that Newt has had a very extensive, long record of working in Washington with various governmental and non-governmental agencies, and I just don't think that's the background that's ideally suited, one, to replace (President) Barack Obama, and number two, to lead the country," Romney said. "This is not a matter of that America needs better lobbyists, or better deal-makers, better insiders -- I think America needs a leader."