Dems' TV ad in Iowa attacks Romney

Democrats went on-air Saturday in Iowa with a television ad attacking former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R).

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) launched an ad seizing on Romney's controversial comment Thursday at the Iowa State Fair that "corporations are people," synthesizing it into a television ad attacking the tentative frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination.

The ad is running on broadcast networks in Des Moines beginning on Saturday, and airing on cable networks, too. The DNC didn't immediately disclose the dollar amount behind the spot, which runs from tomorrow into the first part of next week.

The ad, "People," says "Mitt Romney stands with the Tea Party," and includes a clip of Romney's exchange with hecklers during a soapbox speech on Thursday. Romney explained to an aggressive, liberal questioner that "Corporations are people, my friend," in defense of low tax rates for businesses.

Democrats saw opportunity in the remark, and pounced Thursday and Friday. The ad they've now created as a result looks to capitalize on that comment.

In a way, it's an unusual decision to run an ad attacking Romney in Iowa the same day as the state's voters head to Ames to cast their votes in an influential straw poll in which Romney isn't participating.

While Romney's made clear that he wants to perform well in next year's caucuses — and he's said he doesn't think President Obama will win there in 2012 — Romney isn't the focal point of today's activities. Iowa voters will likely be looking more closely, for instance, at Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), or former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R).

At the same time, the ad is a testament to Iowa's status as a swing state that Democrats would like to keep in their column in 2012, especially with a number of crucial races downballot next fall.