Pro-Romney group accidentally leaks ad attacking Gingrich

A well-funded group backing Mitt Romney accidentally posted a campaign ad that harshly attacks Newt Gingrich.

The ad said Democrats are hoping Gingrich wins the nomination because of all his “baggage,” including ethics violations while he was House Speaker and earlier support of climate-change legislation, “amnesty” for undocumented immigrants and a requirement that everyone buy health insurance.

The group, Restore Our Future, announced a $3.1 million ad buy in Iowa earlier Thursday and released an ad praising Romney’s record in the private sector.

The anti-Gingrich ad broadcast live Thursday night on YouTube but was quickly taken down. Brittany Gross, a spokeswoman for the group, said that “it’s an unfinished ad” and the group would not comment further on it at this time.

The ad, if it becomes an official part of the campaign, would be considered a direct assault on Gingrich. 

Romney’s campaign went on the attack for the first time Thursday morning, criticizing Gingrich for opposing House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) plan to privatize Medicare and for being “irrational” and “self-serving,” in the words of two campaign surrogates.

Romney has slipped behind Gingrich in the polls in Iowa, South Carolina and Florida, three early-voting states. The former Massachusetts governor’s campaign is moving quickly to an all-out attack on Gingrich.

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