Thompson hits Giuliani and Romney on social issues

By Michael Kranish, Globe Staff

Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson is running an ad on some conservative websites that attacks rivals Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney for not being "real" conservatives. The advertisement is brief, but signals a significant uptick in Thompson's effort to portray his rivals negatively.

The ad starts with a picture of Romney, quoting him as saying in 1994, "I do not take the position of a pro-life candidate." Romney once supported abortion rights but says he is now anti-abortion.

The second frame of the ad shows a picture of Giuliani, quoting him as saying in 1999, "I'm pro-choice. I'm pro-gay rights."

The third and final frame show a picture of Thompson saying, "I was a proud conservative yesterday, I remain one today, and I will be one tomorrow."

The ad does not mention Senator John McCain, who is a rival but also a longtime friend of Thompson.

The advertisement comes at the start of a much-watched Washington meeting of religious conservatives today through Saturday, featuring speeches by the leading GOP candidates and a straw poll of attendees. The ad also follows a comment by Romney last week that he represents the "Republican wing of the Republican Party." Romney's statement has drawn a rebuke from his rivals, coming as the candidates continue to lay the groundwork for a classic primary battle for the party's conservative base.

Romney's spokesman, Kevin Madden, responded this way: “Interesting how the candidate who was the last one to enter the race is the first one to run a negative ad. But, that’s what happens to candidates who are without any new ideas of their own.”