Labor union to launch ad seeking to link Romney to Medicare fraud

Jan 23 2012

Voters in South Carolina go to the polls today, but meanwhile, The Los Angeles Times reports that AFSCME has purchased airtime for an ad that raises questions about the Republican presidential contender's work as a member of the board of directors of a medical testing company that paid a fine to Medicare.

Los Angeles Times: Labor Group Launching Ads In Florida Targeting Mitt Romney
Now a Democratic labor union is about to fill the void, attacking Romney's business record in a new ad, accusing him of what it calls "corporate greed" and linking him to Medicare fraud at a company where he once sat on the board of directors. ... AFSCME has purchased airtime in Florida for the 30-second spot, which bends the facts to link Romney to Florida's Republican Gov. Rick Scott, another businessman-turned-politician who once ran a company that paid $1.7 billion in fines, penalties and damages for Medicare fraud (still a record) (West, 1/20).

The Hill: Late Polls Show Support For Gingrich Peaking On Primary Day
Newt Gingrich is peaking at the right time, according to a pair of primary day polls. Both polls show the former House Speaker with at least a nine-point advantage over the rest of the Republican presidential field in South Carolina (Sink and Strauss, 1/21).

Politico: During South Carolina Primary, Candidates Make Final Pushes
South Carolina voters headed to the polls here Saturday after a thrill-a-minute final stretch of campaigning that appears to have given Newt Gingrich a very real chance to win his first primary contest and jolt Mitt Romney's seemingly unstoppable march to the Republican nomination (Nichols, 1/21).

The Washington Post: In South Carolina, A Sharply Tightened Race
The South Carolina race always matters: Since 1980, its winner has gone on to win the GOP nomination. But this year, it has taken on special importance, as Romney -; who had seemed like the inevitable choice a week ago -; now faces an unexpected challenge from Gingrich. Gingrich's comeback was fueled by his two aggressive performances in South Carolina debates, and by Romney's own fumbling of questions about his wealth and tax returns (Rucker, Fahrenthold and Henderson, 1/21).

The Wall Street Journal: Carolina Race Down To Wire
Regardless of the outcome here, Mr. Romney remains the candidate positioned best for a long nominating fight. He has more money and a larger organization than his rivals, some of whom have failed to place full slates of delegates on some state ballots-;and in the case of Virginia, to get onto the ballot at all  (Murray, Yadron and Bauerlein, 1/21).