Sample Script (POLITICS)
Tips: Politics scripts can be easy to write but difficult to write well. Democrats will almost always disagree with Republicans- and vise-versa, so what makes political ping-pong newsworthy? This story is a smart analysis featuring thoughtful perspectives that go beyond the "You're wrong, I'm right" talking points.
0412Romney
HED: He’s Back! Romney Takes First 2012 Step
Summary: Mitt Romney lost the Republican nomination to John McCain in 2008. This time around, he's trying to brand himself as Mr. Job Creator.
IMAGE: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:January_2008_Mitt_Romney_Campaign_Rally.jpg
BY CHRISTINA HARTMAN
(AOC)
He brought Dominoes back from the dead -- and now he says he wants to resurrect the economy.
(SWV- 0412Romney_romney) (:21-:35)
MITT ROMNEY, FMR. MASS. GOV: “Across the nation over 20 million Americans can’t find a job or have given up looking. How is this happened in a nation that leads the world in innovation and productivity? The answer is that President Obama’s policies have failed.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAcxwfkAdDY&feature=player_embedded
(AOC)
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney lost the Republican nomination in 2008 to Arizona Senator John McCain. Then - he was the economy candidate. POLITICO’S Molly Ball tells CBS - he’s still trying to be.
(SWV- 0412Romney_cbs) (:16-:29)
MOLLY BALL, POLITICO: “If you look at his video, it's very easy. It's all business. He mentions he was the governor of Massachusetts but it's very much an aside. He says he spent his whole career in the private sector. So it's very clear that that's the profile he wants. He wants to be Mr. Job Creator.”
(AOC)
With an 8.2 percent jobless rate -- running as “Mr. Job Creator” might not be a bad idea.
(VO- 0412Romney_msnbc2)
MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell spent more than half an hour of his show discussing Romney’s announcement. He and guest contributor Dana Milbank argue -- the economy is already rebounding.
(SWV- 0412Romney_msnbc2) (1:28-1:36)
DANA MILBANK, THE WASHINGTON POST: “That had been looking good. So if things continue to turn up in the economy as it has been before, you lose that sort of an issue as well.”
(AOC)
Economy aside -- most analysts agree - Romney has another problem that could be difficult to shake.
(SWV- 0412Romney_kdvr) (:23-:29)
“Tomorrow marks the fifth anniversary of the creation of the Massachusetts state health care plan that Romney helped create.”
(CUBE/SWV- 0412Romney_cbs) (2:05-2:12)
“His critics say that's strikingly similar to President Obama’s health care law. That's the one that Republicans have all got in their targets right now.”
(AOC)
Republican strategist Karl Rove acknowledges the “RomneyCare equals ObamaCare” concern - but argues - the former governor has already addressed that.
(SWV- 0412Romney_fox) (1:56-2:06)
KARL ROVE: “So far he has a tenth amendment defense. Look, Massachusetts and each state has a right to experiment on its own. The federal government shouldn't be coming into a one size fits all for all of the country.”
(AOC)
But Romney’s got other weaknesses -- according to The Washington Post’s Karen Tumulty. He’s drawn the ire of social conservatives for saying the gay and lesbian community - quote - “needs more support from the Republican party” when he ran for Senate in 1994.
(GFX- 0412Romney_wapo)
“...his history of shifting from liberal to conservative positions on social issues, could be a liability with some of the GOP base. His Mormon faith also could be a tough sell with some on the religious right.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-takes-first-formal-step-toward-running-for-president-in-2012/2011/04/11/AFhxfAND_story.html
(AOC)
Finally - The New York Times’ Michael Shearer suggests - all the criticism can only mean one thing... He’s got a good shot - and he’s learned some lessons from 2008.
(GFX- 0412Romney_nyt)
“The political barbs ... have come from all sides and confirm one thing: his front-runner status. … Mr. Romney’s top advisers have clearly decided not to embrace the front-runner status... And the rapid response to attacks that became a staple of Mr. Romney’s first try for the presidency is nowhere to be found.”
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/attacks-on-romney-confirm-front-runner-status/
(SOC)
HED: He’s Back! Romney Takes First 2012 Step
Summary: Mitt Romney lost the Republican nomination to John McCain in 2008. This time around, he's trying to brand himself as Mr. Job Creator.
IMAGE: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:January_2008_Mitt_Romney_Campaign_Rally.jpg
BY CHRISTINA HARTMAN
(AOC)
He brought Dominoes back from the dead -- and now he says he wants to resurrect the economy.
(SWV- 0412Romney_romney) (:21-:35)
MITT ROMNEY, FMR. MASS. GOV: “Across the nation over 20 million Americans can’t find a job or have given up looking. How is this happened in a nation that leads the world in innovation and productivity? The answer is that President Obama’s policies have failed.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAcxwfkAdDY&feature=player_embedded
(AOC)
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney lost the Republican nomination in 2008 to Arizona Senator John McCain. Then - he was the economy candidate. POLITICO’S Molly Ball tells CBS - he’s still trying to be.
(SWV- 0412Romney_cbs) (:16-:29)
MOLLY BALL, POLITICO: “If you look at his video, it's very easy. It's all business. He mentions he was the governor of Massachusetts but it's very much an aside. He says he spent his whole career in the private sector. So it's very clear that that's the profile he wants. He wants to be Mr. Job Creator.”
(AOC)
With an 8.2 percent jobless rate -- running as “Mr. Job Creator” might not be a bad idea.
(VO- 0412Romney_msnbc2)
MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell spent more than half an hour of his show discussing Romney’s announcement. He and guest contributor Dana Milbank argue -- the economy is already rebounding.
(SWV- 0412Romney_msnbc2) (1:28-1:36)
DANA MILBANK, THE WASHINGTON POST: “That had been looking good. So if things continue to turn up in the economy as it has been before, you lose that sort of an issue as well.”
(AOC)
Economy aside -- most analysts agree - Romney has another problem that could be difficult to shake.
(SWV- 0412Romney_kdvr) (:23-:29)
“Tomorrow marks the fifth anniversary of the creation of the Massachusetts state health care plan that Romney helped create.”
(CUBE/SWV- 0412Romney_cbs) (2:05-2:12)
“His critics say that's strikingly similar to President Obama’s health care law. That's the one that Republicans have all got in their targets right now.”
(AOC)
Republican strategist Karl Rove acknowledges the “RomneyCare equals ObamaCare” concern - but argues - the former governor has already addressed that.
(SWV- 0412Romney_fox) (1:56-2:06)
KARL ROVE: “So far he has a tenth amendment defense. Look, Massachusetts and each state has a right to experiment on its own. The federal government shouldn't be coming into a one size fits all for all of the country.”
(AOC)
But Romney’s got other weaknesses -- according to The Washington Post’s Karen Tumulty. He’s drawn the ire of social conservatives for saying the gay and lesbian community - quote - “needs more support from the Republican party” when he ran for Senate in 1994.
(GFX- 0412Romney_wapo)
“...his history of shifting from liberal to conservative positions on social issues, could be a liability with some of the GOP base. His Mormon faith also could be a tough sell with some on the religious right.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-takes-first-formal-step-toward-running-for-president-in-2012/2011/04/11/AFhxfAND_story.html
(AOC)
Finally - The New York Times’ Michael Shearer suggests - all the criticism can only mean one thing... He’s got a good shot - and he’s learned some lessons from 2008.
(GFX- 0412Romney_nyt)
“The political barbs ... have come from all sides and confirm one thing: his front-runner status. … Mr. Romney’s top advisers have clearly decided not to embrace the front-runner status... And the rapid response to attacks that became a staple of Mr. Romney’s first try for the presidency is nowhere to be found.”
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/12/attacks-on-romney-confirm-front-runner-status/
(SOC)