The race for the White House is heating up, and Democrats and Republicans are releasing new ads. Mitt Romney's latest ad campaign uses President Obama's own words against him.
A montage of news anchors reporting on the May jobs numbers is the introduction to the newest ad blitz. It is followed by a quote from President Obama: "The private sector is doing fine…"
"I think this ad is very effective, because it's going to amplify on the fact that the president made a mistake," says Brian Darling, a senior fellow of government studies at the conservative think-tank The Heritage Foundation.
Darling says 500,000 private sector jobs have been lost since Obama took office.
"It probably makes a lot of sense for Mitt Romney to put out ads now pointing out his vision for the future," says Darling. "He's pointing out that there are problems in the economy right now that President Obama doesn't seem to recognize."
The president later tried to clarify his statement. "It's absolutely clear the economy is not doing fine," he said in a statement.
The Obama campaign's chief strategist, David Axelrod, defended the president's words.
"The first quarter of this year was the best in terms of private sector job creation, was the best in six years," he said. "We've had a slowdown in the last three months, largely because of global events. What the president has said is that we need to take some urgent action, and he's called on Congress to do that. They've sat on their hands thus far."
It's not the first time a political candidate has made a gaffe his opponent has tried to use against him.
Remember this line from Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry in 2004? "I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it."
How about this one from GOP candidate John McCain in 2008 at the height of the economic crisis? "The fundamentals of our economy are strong."
"President Obama and Mitt Romney are under a microscope. Every word they utter is going to be studied by the media, by blogs, by talk radio," says Darling.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:12:46 GMT
We often report stories on the Ohio State Highway Patrol's K-9 unit. The dogs help Troopers find huge quantities of illegal drugs in our region every year. But between the big hits is a lot of hard work,
Ride along as an elite group of four legged crime fighters and their handlers take drugs off Northwest Ohio roads.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:32 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:32:13 GMT
Some of Rossford's oldest school buildings need major repairs. District leaders now have five potential renovation plans, but they're looking for voter input before they move forward.
Some of Rossford's oldest school buildings need major repairs. District leaders now have five potential renovation plans, but they're looking for voter input before they move forward.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:07:04 GMT
Kassy Widman is a Woodmore High School graduate. She's been living in Moore, Oklahoma for several years with her kids and husband. Monday her world was turned upside down after an EF 5 tornado nearly
A Woodmore High School graduate loses everything in the Moore, Oklahoma tornado. Her sister tells 13abc, her twin nephews were among the survivors at Plaza Towers Elementary school where 7 children died.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:18:14 GMT
Sylvania Township Police are investigating a Missing Person case. 25-year-old Jennifer Webster was last seen Monday in Sylvania Township.Jennifer is 5'1", 150 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. She was
Sylvania Township say a 25-year-old woman was was reported missing by her mother has been found.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:13 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:13:59 GMT
A cardboard competition was held Wednesday at the Maritime Academy of Toledo! Students were challenged to build boats made with just cardboard, duct tape and glue. Four teams put their vessels to the
A cardboard competition was held Wednesday at the Maritime Academy of Toledo! Students were challenged to build boats made with just cardboard, duct tape and glue.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:27 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:27:36 GMT
K.C. Collete submitted his resignation as a member of Findlay City Council Wednesday.He did not specify a reason for his departure in his resignation letter, reports 13abc media partner The Toledo Blade.
K.C. Collete submitted his resignation as a member of Findlay City Council Wednesday. Collete was arrested on a petty theft charge over the weekend for allegedly attempting to steal two bottles of vitamins.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:42 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:42:15 GMT
A Toledo woman needs your help tonight. Her service dog disappeared late Monday night and is still missing. Robin Reau, 60, has uncontrollable seizures. Seven years ago she got Kaden- a specially trained
A Central Toledo woman is looking for her missing service dog. The dog is a black and white Lhaso Apso name Kamden. The dog disappeared from a home near Ashland and Bancroft Monday. The dog is trained to detect seizures before they happen and alert the owner. If you have any information about the dog call 13ABC.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:07 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:07:58 GMT
A grandma in Fostoria fights off a man who tried to kidnap her grandson. 13 ABC's Christine Long spoke with the grandmother who battled for the boy kicking and screaming. Anyone you talk to in town
"I'm grateful that God gave me the strength to fight the man off," says Paulette Barchus who kicked and screamed on Wednesday to protect her grandson.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:22 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:22:54 GMT
Toledo Police are on the scene of a rollover accident on I-475 between Corey Road and Talmadge Road after a vehicle lost control and flipped over into a ditch. Police are still trying to piece together
Toledo Police were called to the scene of a rollover accident on I-475 between Corey Road and Talmadge Road after a vehicle lost control and flipped over into a ditch Wednesday afternoon.
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