Romney makes closing argument with new positive ad in Iowa

Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign is up with a new positive ad in Iowa focusing on his economic message that sounds like a closing argument for why he should be the nominee — or an opening message against President Obama.

“In the campaign to come, the American ideals of economic freedom and opportunity need a clear and unapologetic defense. And I intend to make it because I have lived it,” Romney says in a speech recorded in Iowa, as footage of him meeting with Iowans across the state flash by. “We stand for freedom and opportunity and hope. The principles that made this nation a great and powerful leader of the world have not lost their meaning — they never will.”

{mosads}Romney led the field in the latest Iowa poll, conducted by Time and CNN, with 25 percent of the vote to Ron Paul’s 22 percent. His campaign has focused mostly on positive ads, letting the outside group Restore Our Future, which backs the former Massachusetts governor, go on the attack against his foes.

His campaign has shifted its focus to the state in recent weeks after long downplaying expectations there: Romney has spent more time in Iowa in December than he did the rest of the year combined. The ad shows him at some of his earlier appearances, giving the impression that he has spent more time in the state.

Watch the ad here: