Newt goes Fidel on Mitt

Ah, Florida, where the "Latino" vote is very different from elsewhere. Mitt Romney already started Spanish-language ads there, and now Newt Gingrich has a Spanish-language radio attack ad that veers well into the insane. He says Mitt is soft on Fidel.

The ad opens with the phrase "Fatherland or Death, we will prevail," which uttered by Castro in Spanish said: "Patria o muerte, venceremos!" 

"Unlike Romney, who uses statements from Castro, Newt Gingrich has fought against the regime with Lincoln and Ileana to approve Helms-Burton," the ad says in Spanish, referring to two Florida GOP Cuban-American members of Congress. "He supported the formation of Radio and TV Marti; and is in favor of holding the Castro brothers accountable for the shooting down of the Brothers to the Rescue airplanes."

Yes, Mitt screwed up the reference back in 2007. Obviously, though, he did not intend to somehow endorse Fidel Castro.

There is a long tradition of Fidel-baiting for presidential candidates visiting Florida, though it has become more muted in the general election. For a primary, however, you want as much red meat as possible. The major problem with this particular attack is that "Lincoln and Ileana" already endorsed Mitt in his ad.