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Subscribe to RSSHere come the attacks on Romney… McCain’s revealing answer on Arizona and if it’s in play in the general election… Perry’s decision to stay in the race helps Romney… Obama’s recess appointments -- a fight he wants to have with Congress… Santorum raises $1 million after Iowa… Don’t forget about the pro-Santorum Super PAC… Update on the ad spending in NH, SC, and FL… And lots of campaigning in the Granite State today.
*** Here come the attacks on Romney: Unlike past presidential-primary front-runners, Mitt Romney has enjoyed this advantage over the past year: His GOP rivals have largely attacked each other, and have left him alone. Just last week in the lead up to Iowa, Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann were blasting Rick Santorum; Perry also went after Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, and Santorum for their previous service in Congress; and Jon Huntsman hit Paul over those racially charged newsletters -- all leaving Romney unscathed. (The equivalent would be, in late 2007, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Joe Biden, and Chris Dodd all beating up each other instead of Hillary Clinton, which never happened.) But after Romney’s narrow win in Iowa, and now that Gingrich is looking for revenge, Romney has now become the target of attacks for the first time this campaign season. In fact, the Gingrich camp is now up with this TV ad hitting Romney in New Hampshire and South Carolina. The question becomes: How does Romney handle it?
*** McCain’s revealing answer on Arizona and immigration: Yesterday, one of us interviewed John McCain after he endorsed Romney at an event in New Hampshire. Toward the end of the interview, we asked McCain this question: Is Arizona in play in the general election? And his reaction was especially telling. He paused for a few moments and replied, “I think that if not this election cycle, the demographics are that Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, even Texas will all be in play.” McCain, who was once a principal architect of comprehensive immigration reform but who no longer supports it until the border is secured, added: “We have to fix our problems with the Hispanics.” Where does it start? “It starts with a way to address the issue of immigration in a humane and caring fashion -- at the same time emphasize the need to secure our borders.”
*** Perry’s decision helps Romney: Make no mistake: Rick Perry’s decision to stay in the presidential contest and campaign in South Carolina -- despite his fifth-place finish in Iowa (where he spent more than $4 million on TV ads) -- greatly helps Romney’s campaign. Why? Because it potentially splits up the conservative/Tea Party/evangelical vote. If both Bachmann and Perry had bowed out, that vote would probably go to either Santorum or Gingrich. In addition, it's -- shall we say -- interesting that Perry's decision surprised many of his own staff. Why the change of heart? Did Bachmann's withdrawal do it?
*** The fight Obama wants: As far as President Obama’s recess appointments yesterday, it is absolutely clear that he and his team want a fight with Congress -- and any legal challenge that comes with it. And they've made it clear if they don't currently HAVE a dispute with Congress, they are happy to pick a fight. And this fight, over the Consumer Protection board, has the added benefit of creating an "us vs. them" middle class narrative. After Obama made his recess appointment of Richard Cordray official, the Romney campaign fired off this press release: “This action represents Chicago-style politics at its worst and is precisely what then-Senator Obama claimed would be ‘the wrong thing to do.’ Sadly, instead of focusing on economic growth, he is once again focusing on creating more regulation, more government, and more Washington gridlock.” But the Obama campaign fired back with this: “By opposing the appointment of Richard Cordray to run the first-ever consumer watchdog bureau, Mitt Romney today stood with predatory lenders and Republicans in Congress over the middle class.” By the way, given the speed of the Obama campaign response, it's another sign that the Obama campaign is already focusing on the person they believe will be their general election opponent.
*** Santorum raises $1 million after Iowa: Turning back to the GOP presidential contest, Santorum has raised $1 million since his narrow second-place finish in Iowa, a campaign staffer confirmed to NBC’s Andrew Rafferty last night. Can they keep it up?
*** Don’t forget about the pro-Santorum Super PAC: While the pro-Romney Super PAC Restore Our Future has received much attention -- and deservedly so -- for the impact that it played in Iowa, it’s worth pointing out the role that the pro-Santorum Red, White, and Blue Fund had as well. Although Santorum spent a mere $23,000 in advertising in the Hawkeye State, the Red, White, and Blue Fund spent $530,000 there. That’s not a small chunk of change. And organizers say it’s planning to start advertising in South Carolina. Meanwhile, NBC’s Michael Isikoff reports that the conservative investor Foster Freiss, is one of the principal backers of this pro-Santorum Super PAC. He declined to give precise figures on how much he has donated (“I don't dare let my wife know that," he joked), but said he wouldn’t object to a report that he was the major financial backer of the political action committee.
*** Update on the ad spending: By the way, here’s where things currently stand in the early-state advertising battle:
New Hampshire: Our Destiny PAC (pro-Huntsman) $1.8 million, Paul $1.5 million, Romney $1 million, Perry $234,000, Santorum $30,000.
South Carolina: Make Us Great Again $1.8 million, Romney $555,000, Perry $220,000, Paul $219,000, Restore Our Future $147,000, Santorum $12,000
Florida: Romney $823,000, Restore Our Future $790,000
*** On the trail: With five days to go until the New Hampshire primary, most of the action is in the Granite State: Santorum has events in Manchester, Northfield, Tilton, and Windham… Gingrich hits Plymouth, Littleton, Lancaster, and Meredith… Huntsman is in Hampton, Durham, Portsmouth, and Newport… And Romney begins his day in Salem before heading to Charleston, SC, where he holds an event with Gov. Nikki Haley and brand-new endorser John McCain.
*** DNC hits Romney: And with McCain once again stumping with Romney, the DNC has a new web video cataloging all of the instances from the 2008 when McCain criticized Romney for being a flip-flopper. The video asks, “Which Mitt is he endorsing?
Countdown to New Hampshire primary: 5 days
Countdown to South Carolina primary: 16 days
Countdown to Florida primary: 26 days
Countdown to Nevada caucuses: 30 days
Countdown to Super Tuesday: 61 days
Countdown to Election Day: 306 days
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As far as the GOP is concerned, if it werent for Ron Paul, they would have been stomped out and ended right after 2008. They stole Ron Paul's idea's and marketed as their own on Fox. Liberals, Democrats and Independents were flocking to the guy and they have the nerve to feed into the "he's a your crazy old uncle" routine. Even after he predicted everything. The GOP doesnt understand that it just marginalized itself by marginalizing Ron Paul. We are going to write him in during the national elections because its Paul or no one. Which means one thing, 4 more years of Obama. Yea he is a liar and wrecking the economy but thats better than 4 years of crony capitalist. THE ROAD ENDED IN IOWA GOP.
These are possibly the 5 best sentences you'll ever read and all applicable to this experiment:
1. You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.
2. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.
3. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.
4. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it!
5. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of any nation.
I would vote for Anyone who would overturn the part of the new defense authorizatin bill that allows the military to hold American citizens indefinitly, without a trial or legal representation. and re-instate Article IV through VIII of the Bill of Rights which have been decimated.
Article IV The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses and papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath and affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the person or things to be seized.
Article V No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury... nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Article VI In ALL criminal prosecutions the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury ... and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
Article VII In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved ....
Article VIII Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
I don't think we can find this in any present political party but the Democrats may offer a tiny ray of hope, very few Rupublicans voted against this assault against our rights (63 Democrats and 9 Republicans in the House and Senate including Rand Paul R-KY and Bernie Sanders I-VT)
The attacks on Romney by the Obama machine are contradictory. The mealy mouthed Debbie Wasserman Schultz, whoin a gift to Republicans has been designated spokesperson for the DNC, couldnt keep her story straight in one sentence.
Claiming Romney has no 'core" and is a flip flopper...followed by a claim he is a hard core Tea Party extremist.
Core or no core? Get your vapid talking points straight.
Maybe the DNC could hire the equally witless Feisty to ramble on and call Romney "Willard", which she thinks is still hilarious after the 500th time...
BREAKING (old) NEWS: Every top Republican is missing the key ingredient necessary to be taken seriously as a human being and as a candidate for prez; integrity. They are all saying (now) what right leaning voters want to hear even though the history of their positions on the same issues exposes them as major flip-floppers. It's called "say whatever I need to to get elected".
Lack of iintegrity; it is epidemic in the ranks of almost every Republican nationwide, and certainly at a critical stage in DC. How else can Mitch McConnell explain why he would be so adamently opposed to a watch-dog director and org that will protect all Americans from unscrupulous financial business dealings? He say it's because the position and org has too much uncontrolled authority. What a bunch of bull and a typical right-wing smoke screen. Nice try Mitch. Your arrogance is widely known, but this tops everything. What unmitigated gaul and arrogance; you would rather protect dishonest, misleading, unscrupulous cheaters before you would protect Americans who are at their mercy. Where is your integrity Mr. McConnell??? Did you sell it to the devil like you sold your soul???
SILLY THINGS ARE SAID AND SILLY THINGS HAPPEN around those silly people. What a huge waste of millions of dollars on ads and campaigns in these stupid fights to be president.
WHAT A WASTE!! The donors should have given the money to me and SPCA for more meaningful usage that save people and animals.
NOT PRESIDENT FOR ALL AMERICANS. These candidates trying to win some groups of Americans ie. the consevertive, the Evilganlical, the white blue collars, the Republicans flocks etc etc. What about the rest of Americans?? Are they not important and matter??
CHAIN OF SILLY PEOPLE. I worry about America when silly people follow the lead by silly party ie. Republicans and their leaders and candidates. These leaders such as McConnels, Cantor, Boehner, Romney, Gingrich, Perry, Santorum, all are too silly and evil, they dont make sense, they should be fired from politics.
LMAO Do you stupid Liberals really believe it matters who is elected President, whether it be Obama or a Republican, the fact will remain that the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer, that is the way of life and it will never change.
To bad the American people don't have the money that has poured into these people's pockets. No jobs and how many jobs could have been created. If we are all doing so bad, why do they need money, let them campaign using their own funds.
Denise. . . . . .Same thing I think when I found out how much money is used on every trip realized by the First Lady, meantime, poor people is going to bed without a piece of bread.
Did you think about it the same way?.
And the money comes from the same pot : contribuyents, not their pockets.
Emilia M. Who payed for Laura Bush's Safari with her entourage?
Newt said that the advertising in Iowa was negative and that's why he lost. He had plenty of free air time to point out which parts of the advertising was not accurate or in his words were lies in his mind. He had plenty of free opportunities to point out the errors to all the masses. He was given the microphone many times to say something for FREE. Why didn't he ? Problem with the points made about his record and his history in comparison advertising are true and it's hard for Newt to face himself in the mirror and respond to what everyone knows is the case. What's he going to say? I wasn't sanctioned and kicked out? Also, funny how most of the media let Newt get away with blaming all the ads in Iowa on Romney, where in fact Ron Paul paid for equal or more airtime pointing out Newt's same flawed record and the history as Newt loves so much as an historian.
Still not sure I grasp the significance of Iowa, NH, SC in determining nominee. You have a bunch of bible banging farmers, geriatric hippies, and southern inbreds, making selection here. Other then press hyping to attract attention, it is really insignificant what these people think. I cannot imagine they represent what mainstream Republicans think. There certainly is a new element to deal with, maybe even a new party, but certainly not representative of Republican thinking as a rule.
EMIL
Really? REALLY?
Is name calling part of the Dem stratagy because they have no facts to base an argument and the last 80 years has showen thier policies have failed?
Romney deserves what he's going to get, others using his own tactics against him! His ads/commercials here in Iowa were hateful, distasteful, & clearly displayed his bullying skills. I was ashamed of our state for caving in & apparently believing him. They used to call Bill Clinton, 'Slick Willy,' but I'll bet he couldn't hold a candle to Romney.
Please God save us from these evil crazy republicans! They know not what they do.
For all of you squealing little republican pigs out there I have three words for you: "We The People". We the people applaud President Obama for his courage in protecting American citizens from predatory banks and lending practices. We the people applaud President Obama for protecting American citizens from corrupt corporations and their bought and paid for republican puppets. We the people applaud President Obama for standing up in the face of republican obstructionism to do whats right for the American people. We the people will clean congress of the republican infestation that has proven they are enemies of the American people. We the people support President Obama and will insure his re-election and together we will restore this country and her citizens to the greatness we enjoyed when this country was "Of the People, By the People and For the People".
useful liberal id10t?
after seeing how douchy the rethuglicans have been im voting yet again democrat dont care who it is just get rethuglican scum ousted
These attacks are just part of campaigning. These are nothing. Just wait till the attacks start on Obama. He has provided the esteemed GOP with so much heavy ammunition, he won't even be able to respond. Americans are feeling the pain of the Great Obama Depression, and will vote their pocketbooks.
Americans see Obama plunging us deeper, and deeper into a hell-hole of National debt, that will take a century to re-pay.
Americans see trillions wasted on crackpot, libbie, "stimulus" plans that only benefit the unions, while the rest of America starves.
America tries gamely to have some semblance of a Charlie Brown Christmas, with their very limited resources, while watching Barrack, and Moochelle sucking up their mai-tais on the beaches of Hawaii.
If ever a political tsunami was seen brewing, this is it. Good bye Barrack, and good riddance.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Just FYI:
Recess Appointments Per annum
Reagan: 30.375
Bush I 19.75
Clinton 17.375
Bush II 21.5
Obama 9.67
Also, Mitt can call this Chicago-Style politics, but Chicago is also known as "The City that Works".
Also, Mitt can call this Chicago-Style politics, but Chicago is also known as "The City that Works". You left out a word "The City that Works, corruptly ".
3togetReady,
So this whole debate hinges on the word recess. Was the Senate actually in recess or not. Let's let the Supreme Court decide this.
A constitutional question for sure.
Question remains where has the Republican Party gone???? I am a Eisenhower Republican and have been all my life, but there is no way I will ever vote for a Republican again if this is all my party has to offer.
How sad that the party of the people has actually adopted most of Goldwater's and the far right agenda.
If you are old enough to remember Eisenhower, he often said that if we allow corporations to flourish and create a large military industrialized complex this country is doomed. How right he was.
Also if you study writings of our founding fathers, they likewise warned of Religious zealots having a negative effect on the form of government they envisioned.
Too right Ed. Problem is that people don't read history and the talking heads do a great disservice to all of us by creating more division.
Very true. Liberals (including the media) choose to ignore the fact that the "Willie Horton issue" of 1988 was originally used by AGore against Dukakis in the primaries. The Bush campaign wisely used it later to hammer Dukakis with the "soft on crime" label which of course, being a Massachusetts liberal, he was.
It was not even the biggest issue of the 1988 campaign but liberals in the years since, have claimed that's the reason Bush won the election. Not true but, when have liberals ever let the facts get in the way of a good race-baiting whinefest?
So Damage, I guess you're a Republican.
All this will do is give Obama fodder for his campaign...wrap it up fast folks! Do not speak ill of your fellow Republican. Just talk about what you will do.
Politcal mud slinging ? If you believe that Romney doesn't get as involved with this as any other politican, I've got some nice beach front property for sale in Arizona. Already sold my bridge in Brooklyn!
Can't believe that John Boenher has the nerve to say that President Obama's recess appointment is unconstituional all because they could not stop it, when in fact Bush Jr did the same thing when he was in office and no one said a word about it. As a matter of fact the republicans were so quiet that you could hear a mouse piss on cotton in a field. What does John Boenher and Congress think holding the middle class hostage for the 1% is constituional? You read comments from White Collar Auto and J. Merle Stanley about the republicans they support and it is very apparent that these two do not care about a candidates past history of flip-flopping, getting caught up in sex scandals like Santorum trying to save ensign by snitching to him about getting caught sleeping with one of his staffers wife. Or about Mitt Romney lying about being at a Martin Luther King rally in michigan when in fact he was on his mormon mission in france at the time of the rally? Or the news media still trying to cover up Newt Gingrich first marriage when he was 19 because he did not want to go fight in cambodia? White Collar Auto And J. Merle Stanley are not right wing they are way over there by themselfves right wing, and both need a intellect check in Realism. To insinuate that White Collar Auto is a racist is not true by no means, he is just a plain old undercover tea party redneck that needs some attention because Glover Norquist will not allow him to have any.
President Obama seems to have put the Republic party on the defensive, only reacting to what he says and does.
Romney may not be America's best, but he is the best of the bunch running.
If the Republicans go with Santorum, Obama could stay in his swm trunks in Hawaii til November and still win by 10 points. I'd like to believe that there is a sane wing left in the Republican party...but if there isn't, it's time for a new party, and let the Republicans go the way of the Whigs.
if you really look at the Iowa numbers. I don't think everybody thinks Romney is a given. Considering he really did not win in Iowa by any kind of a landslide.