First Romney campaign ad promises tax cuts for the rich on ‘Day One’

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WASHINGTON — Republican Mitt Romney unveiled Friday his first TV ad focused on the general election campaign, saying he’d repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law, cut taxes and approve a key oil pipeline.

The 30-second, upbeat advertisement is the Romney campaign’s first since he became the presumptive Republican nominee in the battle to oust Obama in November, and it is accompanied by a fundraising pitch.

Called “Day One,” the ad begins with a voiceover asking “What would a Romney presidency be like?”

“Day one, President Romney immediately approves the Keystone pipeline, creating thousands of jobs that Obama blocked,” the announcer says, referring to a multibillion-dollar oil pipeline linking Canada and the United States whose first proposal was rejected over environmental concerns.

Republicans have savaged Obama over the decision, saying it is costing thousands of jobs and shows he is not committed to the energy sector.

“President Romney introduces tax cuts and reforms that reward job creators, not punish them,” the announcer adds. “President Romney issues order to begin replacing ‘Obamacare’ with commonsense health care reform.”

The campaign rolled out a Spanish-language version of the spot as well.

Romney, a former governor of liberal-leaning Massachusetts, has caught flak from conservatives skeptical over his intentions with health care.

While governor, he laid out a health care overhaul used as a model for Obama’s sweeping overhaul. His one-time rivals for the Republican nomination roundly criticized him for enacting such reforms, particularly over a mandate for individuals to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty.

Despite such skepticism, Republicans appear to be coalescing around their candidate.

In April, Romney raked in $40.1 million in his first month as the presumptive nominee, more than three times what he generated in March and nearly matching Obama’s April haul.

The ability to raise millions is a necessary part of the expensive American campaign system, and the candidate with bigger campaign coffers has a decided advantage in getting his message out to voters.

Photo by Matt Johnson via Flickr