Perry starts NH ads, pro-Perry PAC airs Iowa ads

[November 02, 2011]  EXETER, N.H. (AP) -- Republican presidential contender Rick Perry is launching his first television ads in New Hampshire this week.

The 30-second spot features a relaxed Perry calling himself a "doer," not a "talker" and keys off a similar ad he launched in Iowa last week, touting his economic record as Texas governor.

Campaign spokesman Paul Young confirmed the campaign had purchased time for the ad, which begins running on cable stations and a broadcast station in Manchester Wednesday. It's the same ad that began airing Tuesday in Iowa.

Perry's ad roll-out, two months before Iowa's caucuses and New Hampshire's primary begin the 2012 nominating contests, reflects a sense of urgency for the candidate who trails former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney in both states and has faded in national polls in recent weeks.

And Perry is getting additional help in Iowa, where the leadoff nominating caucuses are Jan. 3.

A political action committee set up to support Perry is beginning to air a television advertisement Wednesday in Iowa. The ad is sponsored by Make Us Great Again PAC. The group was set up by a former Perry chief of staff and other Perry allies unaffiliated with his presidential campaign. The PAC began airing an identical ad in South Carolina Tuesday.

"His dad was a tenant farmer. His wife, a nurse. Rick Perry served in the Air Force, then came home to farm cotton," the 30-second spot begins. It describes Perry as a conservative who helped Texas become a leading manufacturing exporter, created jobs and won lawsuit limits.

South Carolina holds the first Southern primary on Jan. 21.

Altogether, the PAC is spending more than $380,000 on ads in Iowa and South Carolina over the next 10 days.

It's the first significant amount spent on ads in South Carolina to support a presidential candidate.

Perry is struggling to win over voters in New Hampshire and elsewhere, following recent weak debate performances.

His campaign is betting the television commercials will help redefine his image in New Hampshire. With $15 million in campaign cash, he has the money to run more.

Perry becomes only the second candidate to air campaign ads in New Hampshire, after Texas Rep. Ron Paul.

[Associated Press; By STEVE PEOPLES and THOMAS BEAUMONT]

Beaumont reported from Des Moines, Iowa.

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