Mitt Romney's campaign targeted Hispanic voters by showcasing the presumptive GOP nominee's immigrant roots in a Spanish-language television ad released Wednesday.
The ad titled,"País de Inmigrantes," or "Country of Immigrants," features Romney's son Craig touting his father's understanding of immigrant issues.
"I would like to tell you how my father, Mitt Romney, thinks. He values very much that we are a nation of immigrants. My grandfather George was born in Mexico. For our family the greatness of the United States is how we respect and help each other, regardless of where we come from. As president, my father will work on a permanent solution to the immigration system, working with leaders of both parties," says Craig Romney in Spanish in the ad.
The 30-second spot is the ninth Spanish-language ad aired by the Romney campaign since January and will run in "target states" across the country, according to the campaign.
Craig Romney appeared in the previous Spanish ad for the Romney team, where he praised the GOP candidate's family values and dedication to job creation.
Pro-Obama super-PAC Priorities USA Action responded to the new ad in a
statement, accusing Romney of appealing to the "worst elements of the
far-right on immigration" throughout his career.
“He [Romney]
called the DREAM Act a 'handout,’ made 'self-deportation' the
center-piece of his immigration policy, and repeated the sentiment
that immigrants come to America "looking for a free deal."
One disingenuous and deceptive political ad will not change the fact
that Mitt Romney has consistently tried to benefit politically from
attacking the character and motives of hardworking people who come to
the United States hoping to live the American Dream," said Priorities
USA senior strategist and former White House aide Bill Burton.
President Obama has held a huge lead over Hispanic voters, which received an even bigger boost when he announced last month that his administration would not deport certain illegal immigrants who came to the United States at a young age.
At the time, Romney argued that the policy shift was an election ploy. He offered support for easing deportations for young people, but said the matter should be solved on a "long-term basis."
The presumptive GOP nominee has focused on the economy and employment in the Hispanic community rather than immigration in his attempts to win over voters.
“This Obama economy has been hard particularly on Hispanic businesses and Hispanic businessmen,” said Romney at an office-supply business owned by two Mexican-American businessmen last month. “I can tell you if I’m the next president of the United States, I’ll be the president for all Americans and make sure this economy is good for all Americans, Hispanic and otherwise.”
—This story was updated at 11:50 a.m.
