Dems' ad about Romney 'flip flops' triggers analysis, campaign reaction

Mitt Romney's campaign is rebutting the Democratic National Committee's claims about his record on health reform and abortion rights. 

NPR: Mitt Romney's Evolution On Abortion
And when it comes to abortion, the former governor of Massachusetts appears to have changed his position from being in favor of abortion rights to being opposed. ... During [his] 2002 run, Romney insisted in a debate, "I will preserve and protect a woman's right to choose, and am devoted and dedicated to honoring my word in that regard." ... But today's Romney is clearly anti-abortion (Rovner, 11/29).

Des Moines Register: Iowa Dems On Anti-Romney Campaign: We're Educating Voters That He'll Say Anything To Get Elected
The Democratic National Committee Monday released a nearly four-minute video and Web site highlighting the former Massachusetts governor's positions on such issues as health care and abortion (Clayworth, 11/28).

Boston Globe: Mitt Romney Focus Of Democrats' New Ad
The ads, which are being paid for by the Democratic National Committee, will air on broadcast and cable stations in six markets that cover several key swing states: Albuquerque, N.M.; Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; Columbus, Ohio; Pittsburgh; Washington, DC; and Milwaukee. ... The new 30-second spot is put together like a movie trailer, with a deep-voiced narrator intoning that it's "the story of two men trapped in one body." It highlights contradictory statements Romney has made on abortion and health care (Viser, 11/28).

The Associated Press: Romney Campaign Hits Back After Dem 'Flip' Charges
In a career that includes an unsuccessful Senate race and one term as governor in Massachusetts, plus a 2008 presidential bid, Romney at times has favored legalized abortion, a ban on assault weapons and a pathway to legal status for some illegal immigrants. He since has rejected those views. ... Over the years, Romney has minimized the significance of some of his policy shifts. He attributes others to heart-felt changes of opinion (Babington, 11/28).

The Associated Press/MSN: Adwatch: DNC Ad Targets Romney Over Flip-Flops
On health care, Romney has said he will try to repeal the federal health care law that was based in part on his health care plan in Massachusetts. He says that states, not Washington, should push health care policies to help the uninsured (Thomas, 11/28).