MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is turning President Barack Obama’s own words against him in the Republican hopeful’s TV first ad of his 2012 White House bid.

Romney said Monday that his first television ad would start airing in New Hampshire when the president visits the state Tuesday. He said the commercial would compare Obama’s message as a candidate with Romney’s credentials as a businessman.

“The contrast between what he said and what he did is so stark, people will recognise we really do need to have someone new lead this country,” Romney said in an interview with Fox News Channel.

Romney’s 60-second ad features clips of an Obama campaign stop in New Hampshire four years ago and fresh footage from Romney events from recent days. The ad is slated to run through the Thanksgiving holiday weekend at a cost of $134,000.

Romney, who is at the top of state polls and is sitting on a mound of campaign cash, has kept his focus on Obama over the past year and largely has shied from criticising his GOP rivals.

“I want people to remember that when he was candidate Obama, that he said he was going to get this economy going, he was going to bring people together, be a real leader for change in America,” Romney said.