In last pitches to Hispanics, Mitt Romney's 'conviction' and Newt Gingrich's 'iron fist'

In a final bid to court Hispanic voters, the Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney campaigns dominated the Spanish-language talk show airwaves Tuesday morning during drive time. Their messages were similar: Vote for the candidate most likely to beat President Barack Obama.

Some of the ads were attacks -- Romney mocking Gingrich for the ties to former President Ronald Reagan that Gingrich plays up, a super PAC backing Gingrich saying Romney is not really pro-life. But some of the ads were positive, too. For a taste, click after the jump.

Below are our translations of two of the ads, one for Gingrich, the other for Romney. The first is noteworthy because, while similar to this Gingrich Spanish-language TV ad, it softens the phrase "socialized medicine" to "government-run health care" -- and it makes reference to Gingrich being the kind of leader with mano dura, a Spanish phrase akin to saying "iron fist."

The second ad features three well-known voices among reliable, older Cuban-American voters: Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario and Lincoln Diaz-Balart, who have been Romney's most enthusiastic cheerleaders on the Hispanic airwaves.

My family arrived in the United States looking for liberty and a dream. They worked very hard to achieve their success. But I have realized that every day, the United States starts resembling the country my parents fled. Things like government-run health care and taxes that make business owners lose their businesses. Newt Gingrich wants to rebuild the United States we so love. He is the iron-fisted leader we need during these difficult times. When he was speaker of the House, Newt cut taxes, balanced budgets and created 11 million jobs. He for years has worked with the Latino community and has always defended our liberty. Let there be no doubt: Newt Gingrich is the only leader who can defeat Obama. My family knows what it's like to lose the country you so love. That's why we have to fight together to defend our country. Newt Gingrich knows us and will work with us to rebuild the country we so love, and that is why my vote is for Newt Gingrich./'m Newt Gingrich and I approve this message.

I'm Mario Diaz-Balart. Republicans must choose the best candidate to face President Obama. The candidate who has a plan to direct the economy and create jobs. I am convinced that Mitt Romney is that candidate. That is why I am with Romney./I'm Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Mitt Romney will fight against the despotic efforts of Castro and Chávez. He understands the urgency of slowing them down and increasing our support for the brave heroes who fight for democracy in Cuba. Obama's policies have failed. We need the leadership and conviction of Romney to change the course of the hemisphere. That's why I'm with Romney./I'm Lincoln Diaz-Balart. The presidential election this year will be decisive for the cause of liberty. We have the obligation to confront Barack Obama with the candidate who has the most opportunity of winning. That's why I'm with Romney./I'm Mitt Romney, I am running for president, and I approve this message.

Below are our translations of two of the ads, one for Gingrich, the other for Romney. The first is noteworthy because, while similar to this Gingrich Spanish-language TV ad, it softens the phrase "socialized medicine" to "government-run health care" -- and it makes reference to Gingrich being the kind of leader with mano dura, a Spanish phrase akin to saying "iron fist."

The second ad features three well-known voices among reliable, older Cuban-American voters: Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario and Lincoln Diaz-Balart, who have been Romney's most enthusiastic cheerleaders on the Hispanic airwaves.

My family arrived in the United States looking for liberty and a dream. They worked very hard to achieve their success. But I have realized that every day, the United States starts resembling the country my parents fled. Things like government-run health care and taxes that make business owners lose their businesses. Newt Gingrich wants to rebuild the United States we so love. He is the iron-fisted leader we need during these difficult times. When he was speaker of the House, Newt cut taxes, balanced budgets and created 11 million jobs. He for years has worked with the Latino community and has always defended our liberty. Let there be no doubt: Newt Gingrich is the only leader who can defeat Obama. My family knows what it's like to lose the country you so love. That's why we have to fight together to defend our country. Newt Gingrich knows us and will work with us to rebuild the country we so love, and that is why my vote is for Newt Gingrich./'m Newt Gingrich and I approve this message.

I'm Mario Diaz-Balart. Republicans must choose the best candidate to face President Obama. The candidate who has a plan to direct the economy and create jobs. I am convinced that Mitt Romney is that candidate. That is why I am with Romney./I'm Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Mitt Romney will fight against the despotic efforts of Castro and Chávez. He understands the urgency of slowing them down and increasing our support for the brave heroes who fight for democracy in Cuba. Obama's policies have failed. We need the leadership and conviction of Romney to change the course of the hemisphere. That's why I'm with Romney./I'm Lincoln Diaz-Balart. The presidential election this year will be decisive for the cause of liberty. We have the obligation to confront Barack Obama with the candidate who has the most opportunity of winning. That's why I'm with Romney./I'm Mitt Romney, I am running for president, and I approve this message.