RGA Ad: Iron Fist

The Republican Governors Association launched a new television advertisement in Georgia today comparing the governing style of former Governor Roy Barnes with that of President Barack Obama. The ad can be viewed by visiting www.Roybama.com.

“The leadership styles of Roy Barnes and Barack Obama are strikingly similar,” said RGA Executive Director Nick Ayers. “No wonder Roy wants a redux. He now has a President in Washington who thinks and acts just like him.”

“Both Governor Barnes and President Obama jam policies down voters’ throats, politick without end and blame others when their disastrous ideas fail,” Ayers continued. “Unfortunately for them, all apologies aside, Georgians have had enough of their arrogant leadership.”

New RGA Ad: Strickland a Hypocrite on Trade Issues

The Republican Governors Association today launched a new television ad highlighting Ohio Governor Ted Strickland’s hypocrisy on trade issues, China and outsourcing jobs to other countries. The ad can be found online at www.TedFailedOhio.com, along with previous RGA ads.

“Ted Strickland’s hypocrisy would be astounding if it weren’t so predictable,” said Mike Schrimpf, spokesman for the Republican Governors Association. “He is clearly just trying to divert attention from his own record.”

The ad features a kitchen conversation between a father and his daughter as they discuss Strickland’s latest television ad. The two observe that Strickland twice voted for favored nation status for China, and oversaw a state program that spent state stimulus money on a program that hired workers in El Salvador.

“Ted Strickland has failed Ohio over and over,” Schrimpf said. “Now he’s failed the credibility test as well.”

Gov. Haley Barbour Statement on Rick Scott

Florida voters have selected Rick Scott as the Republican candidate to face Democrat Alex Sink and independent Bud Chiles in the November election for governor.  Republican Governors Association Chairman Haley Barbour, Governor of Mississippi, today issued the following statement:

“I called Rick Scott this morning and committed the full resources of the RGA to his election as governor of Florida.  I encourage every Republican in Florida to unite behind the Scott campaign and put on their chin straps because the real battle has just begun. It is going to take all of us pulling together to win.

“As a former national party chairman, I know all too well that primaries are tough and can be costly, but they can also make us stronger.  The voters of Florida took a close look at Rick Scott and believe he is the candidate who can best revive the state’s economy and put Florida back to work.  Rick Scott’s profile as an outsider with years spent in the private sector creating jobs is the type of experience Florida voters are looking for.

“Alex Sink has failed to gain traction with the voters because her record as a banker and politician proves that she cannot be trusted to lead all of Florida.  As she competes for Democratic votes with Bud Chiles, we look forward to Rick Scott making the case that he is the clear choice for governor.”

RGA Statement on Alaska Primary Elections

Alaska voters have selected Democrat Ethan Berkowitz to face Republican Governor Sean Parnell in November’s election for governor of Alaska.  Republican Governors Association spokesman Tim Murtaugh today issued the following statement:

“Governor Parnell has earned the privilege of serving the people of Alaska for four more years.  Voters clearly support Governor Parnell’s work to bring Alaska’s natural gas to markets in Alaska and beyond.  He will continue to stand up to federal intrusions upon Alaska’s ability to develop its own natural resources.  Under Governor Parnell, Alaska’s economy is one of the top job creators in the nation.  We look forward to Governor Parnell’s election to a full term this November.

“Ethan Berkowitz is exactly what Alaska does not need.  He represents the injection of Washington, DC policies into Alaska, meaning higher taxes, runaway spending, and greater interference by government.  Voters will reject his policies in November.”