Former Obama aides release TV ad trashing Mitt Romney

An outside political group launched by two former White House aides to boost President Obama's 2012 re-election has taken aim at its first target.

Priorities USA Action--launched last month by Bill Burton, a former deputy press secretary to Obama and Sean Sweeney, a former aide to ex-chief of staff Rahm Emanuel--released its first TV ad of the 2012 cycle Friday, a 30-second ad lambasting Mitt Romney on health care.

The spot, released to coincide with Romney's first visit to South Carolina this weekend as a 2012 hopeful, links the ex-Massachusetts governor to Rep. Paul Ryan's controversial proposal to overhaul Medicare.

"Mitt Romney says he's on the 'same page' as Paul Ryan," a voiceover says. "But with Mitt Romney, you have to wonder ... which page is he on today?"

The ad also slams comments on the issue from former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

A Romney spokeswoman called the ad a "smear."

You can watch the ad here, via YouTube:

The group, modeled after shadow GOP groups like American Crossroads, looks to raise upwards of $100 million to influence the 2012 campaign.

In an interview with MSNBC's "Daily Rundown," Burton said the group plans to target other 2012 GOP hopefuls in coming months.

(Screenshot of Romney via YouTube)