Romney vs. Santorum air war escalates in Illinois

The super PAC supporting Rick Santorum is spending $305,000 on a media buy in Illinois, with a new ad that hits Mitt Romney for his support of the Wall Street bailouts and the health care law he championed while governor of Massachusetts.

The commercial will begin running tonight, and the group is looking to increase the buy over the weekend. "Illinois is an important state to continue our momentum," said Stuart Roy, a spokesman for the Red, White and Blue Fund.

The pro-Santorum money spent in Illinois, however, is peanuts compared with Mitt Romney's ad buy there, which has topped $3 million.

The primary is on March 20.

Script:

ANNOUNCER: Meet the real Mitt Romney.

Supported the Wall Street bailout, putting America trillions in debt.

Raised job-killing taxes and fees by over $700 million, leaving Massachusetts over $1 billion in debt.

His healthcare takeover —was the blueprint for Obamacare.

Mitt Romney. More debt and taxes, less jobs. More of the same.

Rick Santorum.

The leader with a bold plan for the middle class.

Create dynamic jobs and cut wasteful spending.

Rick Santorum for President.

Red White & Blue Fund is responsible for the content of this ad.

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