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Subscribe to RSSAfter last night’s sweep, the writing’s on the wall: Romney, unless the extraordinary occurs, is going to be the GOP nominee… And Santorum isn’t going to win… Updated delegate count: Romney 573, Santorum 212, Gingrich 137, Paul 34… Santorum’s no-win situation heading into Pennsylvania… Obama’s speech yesterday achieved one thing: It drove the conservative intelligentsia crowd nuts… Romney, at 11:45 am ET, gets chance to respond to Obama at the very same venue… And Scott Brown embraces Obama.
Jason Cohn / Reuters
Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum addresses supporters at his Wisconsin and Maryland primary night rally in Mars, Pennsylvania, April 3, 2012.
*** The writing is on the wall: Last night’s GOP primary contests didn’t contain any new revelations: Mitt Romney won a contested state in Wisconsin, but it wasn’t pretty (the margin was just five points, 43%-38%, despite his endorsements and clear financial edge); he racked up a HUGE proportion of the delegates (so far picking up 83 to Rick Santorum’s nine -- that’s right, Santorum couldn’t even win 10% of avail delegates last night); and the demographics told the big story (about 40% in Wisconsin were evangelicals, below the 50% of higher mark in contests that Santorum has won). Given that we didn’t learn anything new in Wisconsin -- or in Maryland or DC -- the writing is on the wall: Romney, unless the extraordinary occurs, is going to be the Republican presidential nominee. And Santorum, unless there’s a miracle, cannot win. Here’s NBC’s delegate count: Romney 573, Santorum 212, Gingrich 137, Paul 34.
The Daily Rundown's Chuck Todd recaps Tuesday's primaries and Maryland, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.
*** Santorum’s no-win situation: So the question is no longer IF Romney is going to be the nominee; rather, it’s WHEN Santorum will bow out. And in his speech last week, the former Pennsylvania senator made it clear that he’s still in this race. “Pennsylvania and half the other people in this country have yet to be heard,” he said in his concession speech last night, per NBC’s Morgan Parmet. “And we're going to go out and campaign here and across this nation to make sure that their voices are heard in the next few months.” Even Romney, in his victory address, acknowledged that the GOP race was moving to Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New York (on April 24). Here’s the thing: Had Romney won Wisconsin by 10 points -- instead of five -- Santorum right now might be more open to exiting the race. Nevertheless, in the next 72 hours, he will hear plenty of voices telling him to get out. After all, demographically, Pennsylvania is a state that Santorum should lose if it weren’t his home state: It’s a combination of Illinois (Philly suburbs = Chicago ‘burbs) and Ohio. And even if he does win it, pundits will dismiss the victory because he won his home state. It’s a no-win situation.
*** He drives me crazy … and I can’t help myself: President Obama’s speech assailing the Ryan budget plan achieved one thing for certain yesterday: It drove the conservative intelligentsia crowd nuts. Townhall.com wrote: "Today we witnessed something truly remarkable. Barack Obama managed to out-do himself by uncorking what very well may have been the most dishonest, demagogic, and bitterly partisan speech of his presidency." The responses from the elected Republicans, while not QUITE as vitriolic, were similarly worded and focused. Bottom line: Their reaction seemed to be: How dare the president campaign against us!!!! And as we pointed out yesterday, Obama isn’t necessarily running against Mitt Romney; he’s running against the Republican Party brand -- and making sure that Romney owns that brand. In fact, Romney’s biggest challenge over the next two or three months will be for him to differentiate himself from the brand. There’s been a lot of focus of late on how damaged Romney has become in this process (his high negatives with indies, etc). But we’ve noticed a larger trend: The brand of the GOP is what’s been damaged; Romney may simply be collateral damage. And this is why he has to figure out a way to either improve the GOP’s brand or differentiate himself. Which can he achieve?
*** Romney’s chance to respond: Speaking of Obama’s speech yesterday, Romney today gets to deliver an address at the very same venue -- before newspaper editors in DC -- at 11:45 am ET. And while Romney hit the president during his victory speech last night (“Under this president's watch, more Americans have lost their jobs than during any other period since the Depression”), many political observers will be closely watching to see how he responds to Obama’s remarks from yesterday, as well as how responds to the three questions he’ll get from the audience. Remember, the day after primary wins haven’t always been kind to Romney and his campaign, and this speech before America’s newspaper editors has taken on more importance because of how the president chose to use the venue yesterday…
*** Yesterday’s two extraordinary speeches: Yet as we begin turning to the general election, yesterday was a pretty remarkable day. We saw Obama lay out his party’s indictment of the GOP and its governing philosophy: “Ronald Reagan, who, as I recall, is not accused of being a tax-and-spend socialist, understood repeatedly that when the deficit started to get out of control, that for him to make a deal he would have to propose both spending cuts and tax increases. Did it multiple times. He could not get through a Republican primary today.” And also yesterday, we saw Romney lay out his indictment of Obama and the Democrats: “In Barack Obama’s government-centered society, government spending will always increase because…there’s no reason to stop it. There’s always someone who is entitled to something more, and who will vote for anyone who will give them something more.” So yesterday was a day that people will be able to look back on and see what the two distinct economic visions are for the country.
*** On the trail, per NBC’s Adam Perez: After his speech in DC today, Romney campaigns in Pennsylvania… Santorum also is in the Keystone State, hitting Carnegie, Holidaysburg, and Mechanicsburg… Gingrich is in North Carolina… And Paul remains out in California.
*** Scott Brown embraces Obama: It’s not every day you see this kind of press release from a Republican senator: “Two major pieces of legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Scott Brown (R-MA) will be signed into law by President Obama at White House ceremonies this week. As the first to introduce both the STOCK Act and crowdfunding legislation in the Senate, Senator Brown was invited and will attend both signing ceremonies. ‘I’m honored to receive these invitations from President Obama and I look forward to standing next to him as he signs these bills into law.’” So we’ve seen likely Democratic opponent Elizabeth Warren star in Obama’s campaign documentary. And now Brown is shouting from the mountain top that he’ll be standing next to Obama at signing ceremonies this week. Brown has two major hurdles to overcome if he’s going to win a full term: One, he’s trying to win as a Republican in a blue state during a presidential year. And two, how does he avoid getting defined by Romney? Well, we see what Brown is TRYING to do, have photo-ops with Romney’s opponent. Here’s betting we see Brown use his appearances at these signing ceremonies in TV ads while trying like mad to avoid appearances with Romney.
Countdown to the CT, DE, NY, PA, and RI primaries: 20 days
Countdown to Election Day: 216 days
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To Mitt the Citizens United ruling was a dream come true. Now he is able to buy the GOP Presidential nomination. Now can he also buy the Presidency? That's another situation and the November Election will be very telling. The United States was founded on the principles of democracy not libertarianism. We will use as much power people to fight against the money of the wealthy like the Koch brothers, Karl Rove and Bob Perry to name a few who will use deceptive and scary ads to try to persuade us to buy into the best interest of large corporations and wealthy self-interest, egotistical individuals. The Paul Ryan Plan, which Mitt supports, it a typical example of what this group is up to. To me the only entitlement costs are those we give corporations and wealthy through unnecessary tax breaks. Why do the oil companies need subsidies when they have had record profits and we pay higher gas prices? Something is wrong with this and Mitt would provide us with more of the same. I laugh when I hear the lies he is trying to get us to believe. Mitt is an empty vessel ready to be filled with more and more lies and definitely shows NO leadership skills.
Amen!
Never elect a politician that takes his 'marching orders' from Jerusalem
NEVER VOTE FOR A POLITICIAN THAT TAKES ANY CACA FROM A KOSHER PIG JEW LIKE NATANYAHU.
Never vote for a politician funded by AIPAC.
Never vote for a politician that sends weapons and rockets to that 1/2 acre of Zionist hell called Eretz Ysriol.
Never vote for a policiticain that's against abortion 'Because its takes a life.' (And then OK's the murder of 1.4m Iraqi's and some 300,000 innocent AF/PAK civilians that have never done any harm to America).
Never vote for a policiticain that comes home with a trillion barrels of stolen oil in his back pocket and 'swears' that he 'found it' while walking home from the gold club with his NATO pals.
Never vote for a politician that murders innocent children and their parents with Predator drones and sez they were 'suspected' terrorists.
Never support a dual loyalty Jew that helps AIPAC spy on America while working for the American people in the House or Senate. (Eric Cantor, Jew Lieberam, Jane Harmon, Ackerman) and a slew of less known ZioNazi rats we have seen come and go - a few of them now doing the 'Cumbia' in ZioHell.
Vote for RON PAUL, no one owns Good 'ol Ronnie!
VOT FOR NO ONE!
or ANYONE BUT OBAMA!!!
What will happen to Obama's outlandish spending when China cuts off credit to us. We will be in the same situation as Greece. It is one thing to have a safety net, it is another to make governemnt the solution to every problem.
When we lose our credit rating because no one will lend to us any more, everyone will be cut off and there may not be any safety net left for the poor. We cannot continue spending 12% more than the government takes (as a portion of the GNP/it is over 40% of the federal budget that is deficit spending) in a sustained basis. We need to make some cuts now to maintain essential services.
We need a presidentl that will encourage policies that will create jobs and the income from these jobs add tax revenues to the government. Increasing taxes does not add jobs.
Our local congressman spoke to a group of us today. He put everything into prospect the governemt takes in $2.2 trillion in revenue, just four items on the budget use $2.3 trillion. They are Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and interest on debt. The federal budget of $3.4 trillion adds in other items. This is a 48.7% decificit. If the $1.2 trillion deficit was sent to private sector and created jobs at $50,000 each for wages and benefits we would have 24 million new jobs. We would lower medicare costs and increase tax revenues.
We need to maybe continue moving out the age to receive full Social Security benefits for those below age 50. We need to means test Medicare. We need to look new ways to provide care to those on Medicaid. The government has to be smarter than it has been over the last 3 1/2 years.
your local congressman, needs to run for president and see how that theory works. they have been giving corporation's money, in the form of tax breaks for years, is this working for you? their investing there tax breaks, and still no jobs. this guy either hasn't done his homework or he is a rep. i have seen many, many charts, on how well this is working and it doesn't add up. not only that, it's just common sense that supply and demand create jobs, not the government.
i think that any of the republican candidates would be a far cry better that what we have had in the whitehouse for the last 3-1/2 years.
to start with at least they would be American.
I would hope that Mr Romney will now let his staff do the mudslinging, so he, himself, can concentrate more on convincing the American voters to vote for him rather than espousing his opinion of President Obama's many shortcomings and failed policies.
i think that any of the republican candidates would be a far cry better that what we have had in the whitehouse for the last 3-1/2 years.
How so?
Good question Tom! I don't think a Repub would have added 5+Trillion to the debt, continued to push "stimulus bills" that didn't work, pushed through an "Obama care" fiasco, and practiced fiscal restraint at home (not having hundreds of tzars, "green companies", etc). Got the picture? Just askin'
The stimulus was one third tax cuts. You just said that tax cuts don't work. Thank you.
Thermen
If Obama's Tax cuts worked why did Bush's tax cuts work??
Now that Obama has signed HR 347 into law...
Remember SOPA?
It gets worse.
Obama is now pushing hard to get CISPA passed:
rt.com/usa/news/cispa-bill-sopa-internet-175/
Vote Ron Paul for Freedom!
the writing on the wall is simple and easy to understand.....ANYONE BUT obama IN NOVEMBER!
Why is it that every time I check in on this site all I see is the same old delusional rhetoric, hatred, vapid comments and bigotry from the right? Could it be that it's because Obama is black and small minds just can't deal with that? Could it be that blind racism can't or won't acknowledge that a black man not only inherited the worst possible circumstances that ANY president has inherited plus had to be the Jackie Robinson of presidents at the same time and has lead with dignity and courage without losing his cool? Could it be that despite all that plus battling the party of NO he has things moving forward again? Could it be that THAT is what just eats at the craw of of these simpletons?
Just asking... and by the way, for the record, I am a white male living in Arizona where I know for a fact that many hate him for his color and can't get past that simple fact no matter what he does.
One other point I question... does the GOP really expect success in running the guy who lost to McClain who lost to Obama four years ago? Now that is true stupidity.
"Does the GOP really expect success in running the guy who lost to McCain who lost to Obama four years ago? Now that is true stupidity." - no sh%t
I do not think President Obama has done a good job and I will not vote for him but the GOP nominee will not win.
And I know this bothers people but I still believe Ron Paul is the best man for the job and I will be voting for him when he runs as a third party candidate. (assuming he does still run - if he does not I seriously doubt I will vote in the upcoming election. I plan on voting for who I want in office, not just vote to be voting against someone, especially when that person might end up being worse than the previous. The last time I voted against a nominee, we ended up with Bush Jr.... Oy).
Sorry GOP if you want to win, you need to pick a candidate the independents will support. Romney, Santorum and Gingrich are not such candidates so I hope no one like kills themselves or anything over Obama serving another term because that appears to be what is going to happen.
Brent,
Clue up. Ron Paul ain't got a chance.
NEXT?
Santorum has way too much ground to make up He has become a non-factor. "Yaaaaawwn".
What a creepy evangelical zealot. If we were starting a cult,...Santorum would be in like flint.
At the same time,...Romney is just UNELECTABLE. Such a phony, out-of-touch elitist.
The GOP field has been SUPER weak this time around.
Welcome to Barack Obama's second term.
Serfdom101: Didn't Reagan lose in 1976 to Ford?
Who cares? There both dead.
Politics is not a blood sport, it is the future of our nation, so vote with your head not your "neither regions".
.
The failed leadership of Willard Mitt Romney while governor of Massachusetts is stunning. His state ranked 47th out of 50 in job creation, 4 straight years of manufacturing sector job losses, what few jobs that were created, public sector outpaced private sector 6 to 1 and the state's debt increased 16.5%. With a failed leadership record like that, it is no wonder that Willard won't talk about his record as governor.
The only thing that kept the unemployment rate down was that people left the state in droves to seek employment in one of the 46 states that were doing better, thus decreasing the size of the workforce.
One of a kind Mr. President...
The minute that the Miami Cuban gets on a national ticket and the National news media start to investigate him without the miami mafia covering his past,Romney and Rubio will have to resign. Rubio.s past [besides his family using up benefits for Exhiles when they actually were not exhiles just Immigrants even before Castro his Miami playground will be outed. This guys history in Miami will make the Mafia look like angels. Wonder how much Supposed Exhile money he took for education and medical expenses his family used under false pretenses. Wonder how much of the illegal funds he paid back now that they are out in the open . The national Media will be relentless on this Fairy tail.
FIRST THING HE WOULD DO IS LEGALIZE '' POLYGAMY '' ; you know i'm starting to give this guy a second thought here !!!!!!!!!!!! i'm sure the women would love to share their husbands too.
Hit 'em hard with their own words, their own outlandish brand of social Darwinism - make Romney defend a Party that has lost its moral compass, its compassion for anything except entrepreneurs and racism.
For all of you Romney supporters:
Learn all about the evolution of the Mormon religion by reading this non-fiction book from award winning author Jon Krakauer, who wrote "Into The Wild" ,which was made into a movie, http://www.amazon.com/Into-Wild-Jon-Krakauer/dp/0307387178/ref=pd_sim_b_2
and "IntoThin Air", about climbing Mt. Everest. http://www.amazon.com/Into-Thin-Air-Personal-Disaster/dp/0385494785/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b
The book is called "Under The Banner of Heaven", and will scare the CRAP out of you by page 40.
http://www.amazon.com/Under-Banner-Heaven-Story-Violent/dp/1400032806
This from Amazon on "Under The Banner Of Heaven"....
Jon Krakauer’s literary reputation rests on insightful chronicles of lives conducted at the outer limits. He now shifts his focus from extremes of physical adventure to extremes of religious belief within our own borders, taking readers inside American communities where some 400,000 Mormon Fundamentalists skidnapped by one of thesetill practice polygamy. Defying both civil authorities and the Mormon establishment in Salt Lake City, the renegade leaders of these Taliban-like theocracies are zealots who answer only to God.
Anybody remember the saga of Elizabeth Smart? Kinnapped and raped by one of these so-called godly people??
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Smart_kidnapping
Romney is not a likable guy , that filthy rich crook has no personality. he is just a pair of dirty jeans , filled with jealousy for president Obama. no matter how much money he has , he cannot buy class. which is something he doesn't possess at 65 yrs. old , he never will !!!!!!!