A new television ad from President Barack Obama’s campaign is another attempt to frame the debate with Republican Mitt Romney over taxes. Obama said this week that he wants Congress to extend the George W. Bush-era tax cuts for middle-class families, but wants the tax cuts to expire on incomes of $250,000 and greater. Expect to hear more of this when the president comes to Roanoke on Friday on his two-day Virginia campaign swing.

The ad accuses Romney of wanting to cut taxes for the rich and raise them for 18 million “working families”  The tax increase  would come from Romney allowing certain tax provisions in the 2009 stimulus package to expire, according to Obama’s campaign.

This ad debuts today and is airing in Virginia, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Romney campaign spokesman Curt Cashour said in response: “Over the past four years, it’s become clear that President Obama doesn’t have a clue how to get America working again or help the middle class. President Obama’s tax increase will hit families, job creators, and small businesses all over the country. Governor Romney understands that the last thing we need to do in this weak economy is raise taxes on anyone. He has a plan to permanently lower marginal rates, help middle-class Americans save and invest, and jump-start economic growth and job creation.”

– Michael Sluss