Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour announced Monday that he will NOT run for president in 2012, saying that he cannot offer the "absolute fire in the belly" needed for the job with the "total certainty" he would owe his supporters.

Here's Barbour's full statement:

"I will not be a candidate for president next year. This has been a difficult, personal decision, and I am very grateful to my family for their total support of my going forward, had that been what I decided.

"Hundreds of people have encouraged me to run and offered both to give and raise money for a presidential campaign. Many volunteers have organized events in support of my pursuing the race. Some have dedicated virtually full time to setting up preliminary organizations in critical, early states and to helping plan what has been several months of intensive activity.

"I greatly appreciate each and every one of them and all their outstanding efforts. If I have disappointed any of them in this decision, I sincerely regret it.

"A candidate for president today is embracing a ten-year commitment to an all-consuming effort, to the virtual exclusion of all else. His (or her) supporters expect and deserve no less than absolute fire in the belly from their candidate. I cannot offer that with certainty, and total certainty is required.

"This decision means I will continue my job as Governor Mississippi, my role in the Republican Governors Association and my efforts to elect a new Republican president in 2012, as the stakes for the nation require that effort to be successful."

Earlier today, we briefly mentioned Mitt Romney's op-ed in the Union Leader, which criticized President Obama on the economy.

But this paragraph won't bolster the one-term governor's foreign-policy or national-security credentials. (Emphasis below is ours.)

Barack Obama is facing a financial emergency on a grander scale. Yet his approach has been to engage in one of the biggest peacetime spending binges in American history. With its failed stimulus package, its grandiose new social programs, its fervor for more taxes and government regulations, and its hostility toward business, the administration has made the debt problem worse, hindered economic recovery and needlessly cost American workers countless jobs.

As Steve Benen points out, the U.S. is currently engaged in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and is involved in a multinational effort in Libya.

First Read has reached out to Romney's campaign team for a response. We've yet to hear back. 

*** UPDATE *** A Romney spokeswoman tells us, "He meant to say since World War II."

In the latest issue of the New Yorker, Ryan Lizza examines the Obama administration's handling of foreign policy over the past two-plus years. "Obama’s aides often insist that he is an anti-ideological politician interested only in what actually works. He is, one says, a 'consequentialist,'" Lizza writes.

Regarding the administration's soft intervention in Egypt and hard invention in Libya:

In 2009 and early 2010, Obama was sometimes criticized for not acting at all. He was cautious during Iran’s Green Revolution and deferential to his generals during the review of Afghanistan strategy. But his response to the Arab Spring has been bolder. He broke with Mubarak at a point when some of the older establishment advised against it. In Libya, he overruled Gates and his military advisers and pushed our allies to adopt a broad and risky intervention. It is too early to know the consequences of these decisions. Libya appears to be entering a protracted civil war; American policy toward Mubarak frightened—and irritated—Saudi Arabia, where instability could send oil prices soaring. The U.S. keeps getting stuck in the Middle East.

Nonetheless, Obama may be moving toward something resembling a doctrine. One of his advisers described the President’s actions in Libya as “leading from behind.” That’s not a slogan designed for signs at the 2012 Democratic Convention, but it does accurately describe the balance that Obama now seems to be finding. It’s a different definition of leadership than America is known for, and it comes from two unspoken beliefs: that the relative power of the U.S. is declining, as rivals like China rise, and that the U.S. is reviled in many parts of the world. Pursuing our interests and spreading our ideals thus requires stealth and modesty as well as military strength. “It’s so at odds with the John Wayne expectation for what America is in the world,” the adviser said. “But it’s necessary for shepherding us through this phase.”

From NBC's Shawna Thomas and Carrie Dann
The law firm hired by the House of Representatives to defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court has decided it will drop its defense of the federal statute, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

The firm, King and Spalding, had faced protests from gay rights groups after its contract with the House Administration Committee and General Counsel - along with its attached price tag of up to $500,000 -- was reported. The Human Rights Campaign announced a national campaign last week to urge the group to withdraw from the agreement.

The firm had agreed to work on behalf of the GOP-led House after the Obama administration announced earlier this year that the Department of Justice would no longer defend the law, which it says is unconstitutional.

Paul Clement, a former Solicitor General under President George W. Bush and the lead lawyer on the legal team hired to defend DOMA in court, has also resigned from King and Spalding.

In his resignation letter, Clement wrote that his decision was a result of his "firmly-held belief that a representation should not be abandoned because the client's legal position is extremely unpopular in certain quarters."

Clement has joined a new firm, Bancroft PLLC.

House Speaker John Boehner’s office clarified that Clement and his new firm will still defend DOMA for the House of Representatives. 

Boehner’s spokesman said today, “The Speaker is disappointed in the firm’s decision and its careless disregard for its responsibilities to the House in this constitutional matter.  At the same time, Mr. Clement has demonstrated legal integrity, and we are grateful for his decision to continue representing the House.”

The firm's chairman, Robert Hayes, Jr released the following statement earlier Monday:

"Today the firm filed a motion to withdraw from its engagement to represent the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group of the House of Representatives on the constitutional issues regarding Section III of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act. Last week we worked diligently through the process required for withdrawal.

"In reviewing this assignment further, I determined that the process used for vetting this engagement was inadequate. Ultimately I am responsible for any mistakes that occurred and apologize for the challenges this may have created."

In his resignation letter, Clement argued, "if there were problems with the firm's vetting process, we should fix the vetting process, not drop the representation."

King and Spalding had just filed a motion to intervene as a defendant on behalf of the House of Representatives on Monday, April 18th.

In a statement, a spokesman for Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi praised the firm's decision to drop its defense of the law.

"Leader Pelosi shares Mr. Hays' apparent concerns with the lack of transparency and accountability in the way this contract was signed. She also vigorously opposes using half a million taxpayer dollars or any taxpayer resources to defend discrimination, at a time when Republicans in Congress are cutting critical initiatives like education and infrastructure. It is now more critical than ever that Speaker Boehner fully account for his decision to sign this half million dollar contract to defend this indefensible statue."

*** UPDATE *** In a statement, House Adminstration Committee Chairman Dan Lungren, R-Calif., praised Clement and called King and Spalding's decision to withdraw from its defense of DOMA "an insult to the legal profession."

"I want to express my gratitude to former Solicitor General Clement. I admire his unwavering commitment to his clients and his dedication to uphold the law - qualities that appear to be inconsequential at King and Spalding where politics and profit now appear to come first.

"King and Spalding's cut and run approach is inexcusable and an insult to the legal profession. Less than one week after the contract was approved engaging the firm, they buckled under political pressure and bailed with little regard for their ethical and legal obligations. Fortunately, Clement does not share the same principles. I'm confident that with him at the helm, we will fight to ensure the courts - not the President - determine DOMA's constitutionality."

Former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey, who resigned the office in 2004 after he revealed he was having an affair with a man, has been trying to become a priest in the Episcopal Church.

But the New York Post reports that despite receiving a master’s degree in divinity four years ago, the church is not exactly warm to his effort at redemption.

"It was not being gay but for being a jackass,” a source with the Episcopal Diocese of Newark told the Post, adding that McGreevey “didn't come out of the whole divorce looking good."

McGreevey was raised Catholic, was an altar boy, attended Catholic schools, and had described himself as a devout Catholic.

More from the story:

“Some leaders also were wary of McGreevey's sudden embrace of their faith after his scandal and feared the church was being used, the source added.

“After resigning as governor, ‘he was sort of looking for every angle to make a complete redo of his professional life,’ said another church source. ‘He ran to the church for some kind of cover, which isn't fully appropriate. Even if he's a good guy, he should wait five to 10 years to get over his issues.’” …

“Reached by telephone, McGreevey, citing the confidentiality of the priesthood process, declined to comment. … After the rejection, McGreevey, 53, told friends he was counseled that he ‘needs more seasoning,’ a source said.”

From NBC's Pete Williams
The Supreme Court has rejected a request from the state of Virginia to take up a challenge to the Obama health care law on a fast track.

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli asked the court to let the state bypass the normal federal appeals process and take the case directly to the justices. While the court's rules allow for this, such a rapid review is granted only very rarely. The Justice Department opposed the request to put the case on a fast track.

The court's decision means the issue will continue working its way through the federal appeals courts. Several cases are pending, including challenges to the law from Virginia, Florida, and 25 other states.

They claim that the centerpiece of the law -- requiring virtually all Americans to buy health insurance -- is unconstitutional. Two federal judges, in Virginia and Florida, have agreed with the states.

Three other judges, also in Virginia and in Michigan and Washington, DC, have found the law constitutional.

The cases are moving quickly through the appeals courts. The two Virginia cases will be heard by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals on May 10th. The Michigan case will be heard by the 6th Circuit on June 1st, and the case from Florida, with the challenges from over half the states, will be argued before the 11th Circuit appeals court on June 8th.

*** UPDATE ***  In today's brief one-sentence order rejecting the Virginia request, there's no indication that any justices were recused.

When the issue reaches the Supreme Court, as it is expected to during the term that starts in the fall, it appears that all nine justices will hear it. (Some conservative groups were calling on Elena Kagan to bow out, claiming she was involved in some early calls when she was solicitor general about who in her office should handle the issue.)

*** UPDATE II *** In a staetment, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell said he is "disappointed" that the case will not be expedited.

"The court's refusal to hear this case now will force states and businesses to incur increased costs and expend significant effort to begin preparations necessary to ensure compliance with this law, which ultimately may be ruled unconstitutional," he said.

2012 field comes into sharper focus this week… Important reminder: November 2012 is a LONG time away… Gang of Six could reveal its budget plan soon, and it will include tax reform (though not actual tax hikes)… Obama attends the annual White House Easter Egg Roll at 10:15 am ET… Romney hits Obama in Union Leader op-ed… Santorum’s big (and busy) week… An update on Nevada… And an update on Gabby Giffords.

From Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Ali Weinberg
*** 2012 field comes into focus: So far in the early 2012 presidential race, President Obama, Mitt Romney, and Tim Pawlenty have formed their presidential committees. Herman Cain, Buddy Roemer, and Gary Johnson are in, too. And Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum are “testing the waters,” so to speak. But by the end of this week, the 2012 field will come into sharper focus. Haley Barbour has repeatedly said that he’ll announce his intentions by the end of April -- which is this Saturday. Also at the end of this month, Jon Huntsman’s ambassadorship to China ends and he returns to the United States. And Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, with his state’s legislative session ending, told the Washington Post’s Balz that he’ll be making his decision soon. “It’s time to cut bait,” he said. Two other things to keep an eye on: 1) Romney, T-Paw, Santorum, Cain, and Michele Bachmann will attend an Americans for Prosperity confab in Manchester, NH on Friday; and 2) the first GOP debate takes place on May 5 in South Carolina. As Politico noted late last week, "The hazy Republican presidential primary is about to get some clarity" in the next two weeks.

*** Slow ride, take it easy: Yet as we examine every presidential move, pore over every state and national poll, and fixate on the unemployment rate and gas prices, it’s important to remember that it’s VERY EARLY. Election Day 2012 is still a year and a half away. Consider: About this time two years ago, President Obama was nearing his 100^th day in office; the GOP had just lost the special congressional election in NY-20; Arlen Specter was about to switch parties; and Bill Clinton was stumping for Terry McAuliffe in Virginia’s gubernatorial contest. And a year ago today, Washington was speculating on whom Obama would name to replace John Paul Stevens on the Supreme Court; Blanche Lincoln was debating Bill Halter in Arkansas’ Democratic primary; and Charlie Crist was about to launch his indie Senate bid. Bottom line: It’s likely that so much will change a year and a half from now.

*** Gang of Six could reveal its plan soon: On "Meet the Press" yesterday, Sens. Tom Coburn (R) and Kent Conrad (D) -- two members of the so-called bipartisan "Gang of Six" working to forge a long-term solution to the nation's debt -- suggested that they could reveal their plan soon. "We've agreed not to discuss the status of our negotiations," Conrad said. "But if we don't have an agreement soon, we won't be relevant to this discussion." When NBC's David Gregory asked if they intend to be relevant, Conrad added, "We intend to be relevant, and I would say this: We have made enormous progress in this group, and it is the only bipartisan effort that is under way. And at the end of the day, it has to be bipartisan or nothing is going to happen."

*** Pledging allegiance -- to the United States or Grover Norquist? On the thorny subject of raising taxes, both senators said that their plan would produce more revenues by reforming the tax code, though not by hiking individual tax rates. Said Conrad: “Revenue has to be part of this, because revenue as a share of our national income is the lowest it has been in 60 years. Spending as a share of our national income is the highest it has been in 60 years. So you got to work both sides of the equation.” When Coburn was asked if such reform would break the promise he and other Republicans have made to Grover Norquist’s Americans for Tax Reform not to raise taxes, he responded, “Which pledge is most important … the pledge to uphold your oath to the Constitution of the United States, or a pledge from a special interest group?” 

*** Walk’n roll: At 10:15 am ET, President Obama attends the annual White House Easter Egg Roll and delivers remarks. At 11:30 am, he meets with his national security team to discuss Afghanistan and Pakistan.

*** Romney hits Obama in another op-ed: Continuing his selective media strategy, Romney pens an op-ed in the Union Leader -- in advance of his attendance at Friday’s Americans for Prosperity confab in New Hampshire. Romney’s target, of course, is the president. “With its failed stimulus package, its grandiose new social programs, its fervor for more taxes and government regulations, and its hostility toward business, the administration has made the debt problem worse, hindered economic recovery and needlessly cost American workers countless jobs.” More: “The Obama administration may not be serious about addressing the problems that have caused the S&P downgrade, but in less than two years the voters will tell us whether they will issue a decisive downgrade of their own.”

*** Santorum’s big week: As we pointed out earlier, Rick Santorum this week is embarking on a major campaign swing that makes it seem like it’s 20 days until the Iowa caucuses, instead of the actual 287 days away. Today, Santorum heads to Goose Lake, IA. On Tuesday, it’s to Dubuque, IA, Dyersville, IA, and Cedar Rapids, IA. On Wednesday, he goes to Marshalltown, IA. On Thursday, it’s to DC for a foreign-policy speech. On Friday, he speaks at the NRA’s annual meeting in Pittsburgh and then heads to Manchester, NH. And on Saturday, he delivers remarks at another event in New Hampshire. That’s nine events in six days in three states (plus DC).

***An update on Nevada: On Friday, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) announced that he would appoint someone to fill John Ensign’s Senate seat by May 3, and it’s still expected that person will be GOP Congressman Dean Heller (who is already running for the seat in ’12). Yet it’s unclear how the special election to succeed Heller would proceed. Last week, it was widely assumed that the political parties would get to pick their nominees, which would probably keep Sharron Angle out of the race. But the Las Vegas Review Journal reports that the state law “regarding House special elections is open to interpretation. That thrusts the process into unchartered territory and possible litigation by the political parties and the candidates, including … Angle… Ultimately, Secretary of State Ross Miller, a Democrat who has a reputation for fairness, will rule on how to apply special election law.”

*** And an update on Giffords: With Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords expected to attend her husband’s shuttle launch later this week, the Arizona Republic takes a peak at her recovery so far. “Giffords speaks most often in a single word or declarative phrase: ‘love you,’ ‘awesome,’ even ‘get out’ to doctors... Longer sentences frustrate Giffords. She must search her brain for the words she wants, which feels like trying to pull out the name of a familiar face you can't quite place." The paper also notes that she's left-handed now.

Countdown to NY-26 special election: 29 days
Countdown to Iowa GOP straw poll: 109 days
Countdown to Election Day 2011: 197 days
Countdown to the Iowa caucuses: 287 days
* Note: When the IA caucuses take place depends on whether other states move up

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“Any lawmaker in a swing district can expect to take criticism from his right flank at a town hall meeting. But at an American Veterans outpost tucked deep in the Pocono Mountains this week, freshman Republican Rep. Lou Barletta took heat from every direction — from Democrats angry with the tax cuts in the GOP budget, to conservatives who thought he caved on the last continuing resolution vote, to a precocious 16-year-old critical of the lawmaker’s environmental record,” Politico writes.

More: “Barletta’s district is one of a handful that Democrats have zeroed in on this spring break... The town halls in Pennsylvania showed deep concern about the national debt but extreme wariness of cuts to entitlements, and constituents are starting to vent their frustrations with the new House GOP majority.”

“If video of angry constituents haranguing members of Congress over healthcare reform captured the tone of that policy debate, Democrats and their allies hope that similar clips will emerge in 2011 to define the coming battle over Medicare and entitlement reform,” The Hill adds.

The liberal group Americans United for Change is launching $35,000 in TV ads in four Republican-held House districts for backing the Rep. Paul Ryan budget proposal – WI-1 (Ryan), MN-8 (Chip Cravaack, freshman), WI-7 (Sean Duffy, freshman), IA-5 (Steve King). The ads will run on local broadcast TV from today through Thursday. The group is also running robo-calls in 23 Republican-held districts, targeting those 45 and older. (The Ryan plan would phase out Medicare and be unavailable for those who are currently 54 and younger.)

Here’s part of that script: “On April 15th, your Congressman [insert name] voted to end Medicare and its guaranteed health care benefits. Instead, he wants to give seniors a voucher forcing them to go out and find coverage from private insurance companies. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates this proposal will increase senior’s out of pocket costs by $6,000 each year – and Congressman [insert name] is using the savings to give corporations and millionaires another tax break. Congressman [insert name] even voted to slash Medicaid funds that pay nursing home care for seniors and the disabled. Call Congressman [insert name] at [insert number]. Tell him (her) that cutting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security to pay for tax cuts for corporations and millionaires is just wrong. Tell him/her to keep his/her  – hands off our Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.”

Meanwhile, the DCCC has released a video hitting House Republicans for their vote to phase out Medicare. “House Republicans promised they would protect Medicare,” the video goes. “They lied.” 

Gang of 12? “The deficit negotiators being brought together by Vice President Biden on May 5 have strong opposing views on how to deal with the national debt and have each hurled a lot of rhetoric on the issue. This has led many to conclude the ‘Biden Commission’ talks face an uphill climb,” The Hill writes. “The contrast between the new commission, made up of three senators and three House members, and the existing Gang of Six senators, who have emphasized a need to embrace compromises on spending cuts, entitlement reforms and tax policy changes, is strong.”

The New York Times: "Hoping to unclog the Senate and spare scores of presidential appointees from what is often a grueling confirmation process, leading lawmakers in both parties are moving to cut the number of administration posts that are subject to Senate approval."

Spring is fundraising season, the AP writes, as Republican candidates scramble to raise money, “eschewing wall-to-wall public appearances with campaign speeches and interaction with voters. Instead, they're scurrying between private meetings and dialing phone lists to persuade donors to come aboard in hopes of meeting closely kept fundraising goals for the three-month period that ends June 30.”

“None of the best-known potential Republican presidential contenders has yet to formally declare his candidacy, but when they do, it's clear it'll be a two-fer,” The Boston Globe’s Johnson writes. Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Haley Barbour, and especially Newt Gingrich all highlight their wives, almost to the point of them being on the ticket as well.

The NRA’s annual meeting will be held next week in Pittsburgh and will feature appearances by Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee, the Beaver County Times writes.

BARBOUR: The University of Minnesota’s Smart Politics blog writes: “The fact that Mississippi has not yet produced a U.S. President to date is not so unusual - the Magnolia State is one of 32 states to fail to do so. In fact, 28 presidents in U.S. history have come from just six states: Ohio, New York, Virginia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Texas. But not only has a Mississippian never won the White House, the state has not produced a competitive candidate who has been even close to winning a major party nomination across four-dozen presidential elections since statehood in 1817. A Haley Barbour candidacy would make him the first serious GOP presidential candidate from Mississippi, after a small handful of failed attempts coming on the Democratic side.”

More: “Though not a candidate, in 1860 at the first Democratic National Convention in Charleston, South Carolina, Mississippi U.S. Senator Jefferson Davis consistently received 1 to 1.5 votes across the nearly 60 ballots that were conducted before the convention dissolved….” Davis did, however, go on to serve as president of the CONFEDERATE States of America.

Roll Call goes to New Hampshire and writes: “He is not like them. And the breakfast crowd at Chez Vachon knows it the instant Haley Barbour opens his mouth.” And: “[T]he question is whether Barbour’s profound drawl will hurt his campaign to win over voters in the nation’s first presidential primary. The consensus on the trail this month was that the Mississippi native could be a hard sell in a Northern city set nearly 1,500 miles -— and a world away, culturally — from the governor’s mansion in Jackson.”

DANIELS: Mitch Daniels’ constant warnings of debt as the “new red menace” and calls for revamping entitlements mean that his entry into the race “could ensure that a debate between President Barack Obama and [Rep. Paul] Ryan becomes a central issue of the 2012 campaign. More than any other potential candidate, Daniels would test whether voters are ready for the kind of stiff medicine he prescribes,” the Indianapolis Star writes.

PALIN: Sarah Palin will visit California on May 1 to speak at the grand opening celebration of a new arena for the West Hills Community College, The State Column writes.

Rev. Franklin Graham said on ABC’s “This Week” that he doesn’t see Palin running for President, Politico points out. 

PAWLENTY: Tim Pawlenty wrote a statement on Friday urging the U.S. to recall its ambassador in Syria and seek economic sanctions to send “a clear and strong signal" opposing the nation's violent crackdown on demonstrators, the AP reports.

ROMNEY: A new Dartmouth College survey shows Mitt Romney leading President Obama 47% to 39%, The State Column writes.

SANTORUM: “Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum (R) called his 2006 vote for the Medicare prescription drug benefit a mistake on ‘Fox News Sunday,’ The Hill writes.

TRUMP: Welcome to the New York media scrutiny: “Donald Trump's bankruptcies whittle away at his reputation as a great businessman” is the headline in the New York Daily News.

The New York City Board of Elections found that Donald Trump has skipped voting in at least three presidential primaries and two mayoral primaries over the past 25 years and also skipped the 2002 general election, according to CNN. When asked by NY1 about his record, he maintained that he’s “voted in every general election” and said, “You're going to pay a big price because you're wrong."

Franklin Graham says Donald Trump is his candidate of choice.

“Mayor Bloomberg scolded Donald Trump Sunday, saying the ‘New York icon’ and his fellow Republicans need to let the ‘birther’ issue die and ‘focus on the main issues,’” the New York Daily News writes.

FLORIDA: The Sunshine State’s early presidential straw poll, to be held Sept. 23-25, will help bolster its influence as a decisive state in the 2012 Republican primary, the Tampa Tribune writes. 

NEVADA: “Sen. John Ensign's (R) resignation announcement last week again stirred Nevada's political world into a frenzy, setting off a likely domino effect that led to the secretary of state and both parties feverishly poring over state law to decipher what the special election process is. It's so complicated that a decision is not expected to come until this week,” Roll Call reports.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Independent voters, who make up nearly 42 percent of registered voters in the Granite State, can participate in either party’s primary in the state, the AP points out, meaning Republicans who have thus far been campaigning far to the right will have to branch out “beyond talking about things like the Declaration of Independence and conservative Republican talking points. They'll also have to talk to New Hampshire independents.”

NEW MEXICO: What’s that about Democrats not having the NRSC’s primary problems? “State Auditor Hector Balderas filed his statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission last week and is expected to formally announce this week that he is running for Senate, according to a source close to him,” Roll Call reports. “His entrance sets up a competitive Democratic primary with Rep. Martin Heinrich, who announced his candidacy earlier this month.”

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) today announced that he would announce a replacement for Sen. John Ensign (R) before May 3, which is the day when Ensign's resignation effectively takes place.

“Pursuant to the relevant law, I expect to announce an appointment before the resignation effective date of May 3," Sandoval said in a statement.

While Sandoval is expected to appoint GOP Congressman Dean Heller -- who is already running for Ensign's seat in 2012 -- the governor said such speculation is "premature."

"I take very seriously the importance of this appointment, so to speculate on potential candidates for appointment before then would be premature.”

As most Americans have probably noticed by now, Donald Trump has a lot of strong opinions.

The TV host/ real estate tycoon/ interminable bombast generator has done scores of media interviews throughout his years in the spotlight, building – along with something in the ballpark of 95 percent national name recognition -- a Google-ready quote trove for journalists and political opponents to mine.

News outlets, including First Read, have already noted Trump’s potentially problematic statements about his onetime support for universal health care, his praise for the stimulus plan, and his flip-flop on abortion.

Digging through those transcripts, we also found some instances of Trump opining on famous folks, from a former president of the United States to, um, K-Fed.

Here’s a few of them.

On Paris Hilton:
“Paris said she wants to build a brand just like Donald Trump and I don't know if she's done it the same way but she is smart like a fox … I also happen to think that I believe she's very beautiful. A lot of people don't agree with me, you know. Some people say ‘Oh, she's really not.’ I happen to think she's very beautiful.”   (CNN/ October 9, 2006) 

On Angelina Jolie:
“She's been with so many guys she makes me look like a baby, OK, with the other side. And I just don't even find her attractive.”  (CNN/ October 9, 2006) 

On former Rep. Mark Foley:
“And, you know, if I were gay, which is perhaps a well-known story that I'm not, I would admit that I'm gay. But he would come in with magnificent-looking women. It was like torture to me watching this.”   (CNN/ October 9, 2006) 

On former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich:
“I don't say he’s a rocket scientist.”   (Fox News, May 24, 2010) 

On onetime presidential candidate Pat Buchanan:
“He's a Hitler lover. I guess he's an anti-Semite. He doesn't like the blacks, he doesn't like the gays. It's just incredible that anybody could embrace this guy. And maybe he'll get 4 or 5 percent of the vote and it'll be a really staunch right wacko vote.”  (NBC, October 24, 1999)

On O.J. Simpson:
“This is probably the least innocent person I`ve ever seen.”  (CNN, September 19, 2007)

On Kevin Federline, ex-husband of Britney Spears:
“You know when somebody likes you, you say ‘Hey.’ So, I totally changed my mind. I think Kevin Federline is fantastic.”  (CNN/ October 9, 2006)

On former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice:
“Condoleezza Rice, who's a lovely woman but she never makes a deal. She doesn't make deals. She waves. She gets off the plane. She waves. She sits down with some dictator, 45-degree angle. They do the camera shot. She waves again. She gets back on the plane. She waves. No deal ever happens.”   (CNN/ March 16 2007)

On the cast of 'The View':
“Barbara Walters is a person that I know very well. I mean, she picked me last year as one of her top 10 people of whatever it's called. So, it's not like I dislike Barbara, but I'm disappointed in Barbara.”
And: “I don't even know Joy Behar. I just think she has no talent whatsoever.”
And: “Elisabeth Hasselbeck is not, as I said, is not the brightest light on the planet.”  (Fox, May 31, 2007)

On Rosie O’Donnell:
“She went to my wedding. She had lots and lots of cake, and I'll tell you what, she is a terrible human being.”  (FOX, May 29, 2007)

On God:
Caller: “Number one, where is the best real estate to buy right now? And number two, what do you think about God?”
Trump: I love God. I believe in God, much more important question. And number two, real estate is good all over depending on if you know the location.”  (CNN, March 9, 2006)

On Michael Jackson
“Yes, he's a friend of mine. I mean, he's a good guy. You know, he's a little different.”  (CNN, May 17, 2005)

On Sir Richard Branson, billionaire founder of the Virgin brand

“I'm not a man of the people, right? He is. But the fact is that, you know, as far as Branson's concerned, I doubt -- I personally don't see how he could be a billionaire. He's in the airline business. Who's a billionaire in the airline business?” (CNN, November 24, 2004) 

On President Bill Clinton
“Why do they keep revealing the details? He had sex, but now they talk about the kind of sex, the--where it took place, where it was, on the desk, off the desk--I mean, it's--it's so out-of-control. I've never seen anything like it.” (CNBC, August  27, 1998)

On Clinton’s accusers
Trump: These people are just, I don't know, where he met them - where he found them … The whole group, Paula Jones, Lewinsky, it's just a really unattractive group. I'm not just talking about physical.
Interviewer: Would it be any different if it were a supermodel crowd?
Trump: I think at least it would be more pleasant to watch.  (FOX, August 19, 1998)

On President Bill Clinton vs. President Trump?
“Can you imagine how controversial I'd be? You think about him with the women. How about me with the women? Can you imagine?” (CNBC, August  27, 1998)

The most important thing we learned this week: Pessimism has returned… The good news and bad news for Obama… The importance of Nevada, and Ensign’s resignation likely makes the Silver State even more important for 2011… The resignation’s effect on Heller vs. Berkley… Profiling this year’s likely ballot measure in Ohio… And “Meet the Press” this Sunday has Coburn, Conrad, Robinson, Brooks, Dunn, and Castellanos.

From Mark Murray, Ali Weinberg, and Carrie Dann
*** Pessimism returns: As President Obama returns today from his first multi-state events since filing for re-election, we learned several things this week. One, Obama will raise A LOT of money (he hit six different fundraisers in California, raking in millions for his campaign and the DNC). Two, he’s trying to wake up his Democratic base (“I don’t want you to lose sight of how much we’ve gotten done,” he said last night. “What we’ve done here has been historic, and we’re only a quarter of the way through”). Three, the power of the presidency is strong (given that Obama was able to fly to the West Coast on Air Force One and hold a town hall at Facebook). But the most important thing we learned this week was this: The country has become increasingly pessimistic.

*** Good news and bad news for Obama: Even though the stock market is up, unemployment is down, and economic growth continues, here are the results from the latest New York Times/CBS poll: “Capturing what appears to be an abrupt change in attitude, the survey shows that the number of Americans who think the economy is getting worse has jumped 13 percentage points in just one month… The dour public mood is dragging down ratings for both parties in Congress and for President Obama.” (Obama’s approval is at 46%-45%, at Congress’ disapproval is 75%.) Those pessimistic findings are similar to this week’s earlier Washington Post/ABC poll. Is all about rising gas prices? Did the news of S&P’s warning contribute? The good news if you’re Obama: Gas prices can quickly change, and he’s lucky that his re-election is still a year and a half away. The bad news: After plenty of signs of economic improvement over the past few months, the country remains in a sour mood.

*** Nevada, Nevada, Nevada: Nevada was already shaping up to be a must-watch state in 2012. After last year’s epic Reid-vs.-Angle Senate contest, Nevada remains a key presidential battleground (Obama winning NV, CO, and NM allows him to lose OH, VA, and NC and still win the presidency). It also could very well decide control of the Senate next year (if Dems win the race, it gives them a MUCH better chance of holding on to the chamber). But Sen. John Ensign’s (R) announcement that he was resigning his Senate seat, effective May 3, makes things even more interesting in the Silver State -- this year.

*** An important special election to watch: If Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R), as expected, appoints GOP Congressman Dean Heller (who’s already running for Ensign’s seat) to fill the vacancy, that would trigger a special congressional election this year. And the race -- in a district that McCain narrowly won in 2008 -- would become an important messaging laboratory and possible bellwether for 2012. How is the Ryan budget plan playing with seniors? Is the Latino vote still strong for Democrats? By the way, Roll Call reports that Angle, who had already announced her intention to run for Heller’s congressional seat next year, would probably not be the GOP’s candidate in this special election. The reason: There would be no primaries for the special election, and the parties would be able to pick their nominees. “If the parties are ultimately allowed to choose their nominees, a high-ranking Nevada GOP source said there is ‘no way’ Angle would be tapped to be the party’s standard-bearer.”

*** And the effect on Heller vs. Berkley: As for the important 2012 contest for Ensign’s Senate seat, Heller being appointed fill the vacancy is probably a net-plus for him in a general-election race against Shelley Berkley (D). It would remove any danger of Heller receiving a credible primary challenge, and it would keep him away from casting more problematic House votes (like last week’s vote on Ryan’s budget). But as Kirsten Gillibrand and Michael Bennet know, getting appointed to the Senate isn’t without its political problems, though both Gillibrand and Bennet won their Senate contests last year. And the history of appointees winning or losing Senate races is mixed. However, the Heller-Berkley Senate race will probably hinge more than anything else on the outcome of the presidential contest. If Obama wins Nevada -- especially if he wins it as decisively as he did in ’08 -- that benefits Berkley. And if Obama loses, it helps Heller. 

*** The races of 2011: The battle in Ohio: So the best race of 2011 would probably be the special congressional election to fill Heller’s seat. And perhaps the second-best race of ‘11 -- better than the gubernatorial contests in West Virginia, Kentucky, Mississippi, and certainly Louisiana – will be the likely ballot measure trying to overturn the anti-union legislation that Gov. John Kasich (R) signed into law last month. Today, the group trying to repeal the law, We are Ohio, begins its campaign to collect the 230,000-plus valid signatures (by June 30) needed to bring the measure to the ballot in November. Whether or not the law is overturned will be a good gauge of Ohio’s political environment and voter enthusiasm heading into next year’s presidential election.

*** Meet’s Sunday lineup: “Meet the Press” this Sunday interviews Sens. Tom Coburn (R) and Kent Conrad (D) -- both of whom are part of the so-called “Gang of Six” trying to find a bipartisan deficit solution -- as well as a roundtable consisting of Eugene Robinson, David Brooks, former Obama White House Communications Director Anita Dunn, and GOP strategist Alex Castellanos.  

Countdown to NY-26 special election: 32 days
Countdown to Iowa GOP straw poll: 112 days
Countdown to Election Day 2011: 200 days
Countdown to the Iowa caucuses: 290 days
* Note: When the IA caucuses take place depends on whether other states move up

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The Las Vegas Sun: “At first he stood firm: the embattled Sen. John Ensign saying that, despite investigations into his conduct, he would stand for re-election. And then, just last month, he said he would complete his term, but not seek re-election.”

“And Thursday he packed it in. Saying the personal cost of staying in office was too much to bear, the man who once was considered possible presidential material announced his resignation, effective May 3.”

The New York Times adds that Ensign’s resignation "will allow Nevada’s governor, Brian Sandoval, to appoint a Republican to fill out the rest of the Senate term, thereby increasing the chances that the party would hold on to what may be a hotly contested seat next year. One likely candidate is Representative Dean Heller, a Republican House member already running for the job. Mr. Ensign had not been planning to run for re-election."

The Washington Post says the resignation comes “amid an ethics investigation into his conduct… The Senate Ethics Committee is investigating Ensign’s handling of an affair with a former political aide whose husband was also a top legislative aide to the senator. Earlier this year, the committee hired outside counsel to begin a more formal phase, which probably would have led to a public hearing on formal allegations against the senator or the public release of its allegations.”

What next for Heller's seat, if he's appointed? "On Thursday evening, officials in the secretary of state’s office pointed reporters to a Nevada law that stated there would be no primary in the case of a House special election… Secretary of state officials also said state law might allow the state party committees to pick nominees for the special election."

The battle over federal funding for Planned Parenthood was not cheap for the women's health group. Roll Call: "For the first quarter of 2011, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America reported spending $400,000 on federal lobbying, up more than 256 percent from the same quarter just one year ago, when it spent $111,000."

The Hill points out what the budget negotiations have demonstrated about Obama's relationships with House leaders. "This year’s budget battles have forged a loose bond between President Obama and Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) while revealing some distance between the White House and Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)."

BUT the president also predicted at a fundraiser yesterday that Pelosi will get her old job as Speaker of the House back.

Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah won't support any Gang of Six deficit reduction plan that includes tax increases.

The Los Angeles Times wraps up Obama's fundraising swing yesterday. "President Obama sought to bolster California supporters Thursday by arguing that his administration has achieved a number of key goals, from healthcare reform to tax cuts, while acknowledging that delivering on the promises he made in 2008 has been more difficult than he had expected... The trip was part of an effort by Obama to recharge a political base whose grass-roots supporters helped him win in an initially improbable run for the presidency in 2008. A segment of that base has since grown disenchanted by some of the president's actions, such as supporting increased domestic oil drilling, extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, and declining to close prison facilities at Guantanamo Bay."

A separate LA Times piece notes, "There's a method behind this message: Obama wants to show he understands that core supporters are disillusioned with compromises he's made. He needs to reenergize them for the campaign. Along his motorcade route to the studio lot, a knot of protesters held signs expressing left-wing disenchantment with the president, such as '$ for Jobs & Schools not War.'"

The Las Vegas Sun explains why Nevada -- where the president visited yesterday -- could be difficult for Obama in 2012. "[T]he unemployment rate is higher in Nevada than anywhere else, foreclosures top the charts and state lawmakers are dealing with a $2.5 billion budget hole opened in part by the evaporation of the stimulus money that had helped Nevada limp through the last two years."

"The fact is, the nascent recovery that is taking hold in other parts of the country has yet to sprout here. And that makes this presidential battleground state, which Obama won by 12 points in 2008, difficult terrain to traverse in his newly launched re-election bid."

Where did 'birtherism' come from? Politico delves into the origins of the conspiracy theory.

National Journal's Ron Brownstein writes of the 2012 presidential contest, "The debate will revolve around a big question more often dodged than confronted: How much government are Americans willing to pay for? Before the conversation is over, the answer could produce uncomfortable moments for President Obama and Republicans alike, not to mention voters themselves."

Politico notes that the next two weeks will finally shine more light on the GOP nomination race: who's in, who's out, and who steps up when some of the contenders finally share a stage.

So far not one Republican presidential candidate – not even the ones who’ve said they’ll participate – actually fit all the criteria for the May 5^th presidential debate in Greenville, South Carolina, the Spartanburg Herald Journal writes. While some have already met part of the criteria, none of the candidates have filed paperwork to be on the ballot in the state. 

BARBOUR: There are eight days left until all of Haley Barbour’s self-imposed deadlines for a presidential announcement have past, the Jackson Clarion Ledger points out: the legislative session is over, and the month of April has only eight days left. Barbour’s ambivalence has left some Mississippians miffed: “Let us know instead of running from state to state. If he's not going to run, we need him home in Mississippi," retired school nutritionist Lola Ducksworth said.

GINGRICH: Gingrich moved away from Paul Ryan’s budget this week, writing in a Facebook post on Wednesday that he would embrace “a voluntary plan that would give seniors the option to choose private plans without explicitly abolishing Medicare as we know it. That is in line with a Medicare proposal by former Democratic Congressional Budget Office director Alice Rivlin and former Republican Sen. Pete Domenici, once embraced, then rejected by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan,” the Wall Street Journal writes.

HUCKABEE: “Mike Huckabee on Thursday criticized fellow Fox News Channel host Glenn Beck for calling the former governor and potential White House hopeful a ‘progressive’ for supporting first lady Michelle Obama’s anti-obesity efforts,” the AP says. Huckabee said Beck’s statement was an attempt to “create yet another ‘bogey man’ and said the first lady’s program “is about personal responsibility, not the government literally taking candy from a baby’s mouth.”

PAWLENTY: One of Pawlenty's New Hampshire steering committee members is a convicted felon who served jail time after his third drunk driving arrest.

ROMNEY: Romney dinged Obama over Libya policy yesterday on National Review Online: "It is apparent that our military is engaged in much more than enforcing a no-fly zone. What we are watching in real time is another example of mission creep and mission muddle."

SANTORUM: Rick Santorum has hired Cody Brown, the campaign manager for a “hard-fought but unsuccessful” congressional campaign last fall, to manage his testing-the-waters effort in Iowa, the Des Moines Register reports.

TRUMP: The Donald's media blitz doesn't appear to be boosting ratings for 'The Apprentice.'

Conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer fielded a call from Trump, and now he says the tycoon sounds serious about a run.

Several news organizations are reporting that Nevada Sen. John Ensign (R) -- who has already announced he's not running for re-election next year -- will resign his seat as soon as tomorrow. NBC News, however, has yet to independently confirm the news.

GOP Gov. Brian Sandoval would appoint Ensign's replacement.

The Las Vegas Sun's Jon Ralston broke the story, and said the resignation is "likely tied to the ethics invesigation involving the senator."

*** UPDATE *** NBC's Kelly O'Donnell confirms the news. Per O'Donnell's report:

In a letter to Vice President Biden tomorrow, Sen. Ensign will state that his resignation from office is effective as of May 3, 2011.

"It is with tremendous sadness that I officially hand over the Senate seat that I have held for 11," said Ensign. "The turbulence of these last few years is greatly surpassed by the incredible privilege that I feel to have been entrusted to serve the people of Nevada. I can honestly say that being a United States senator has been the honor of my life.

"I know that my staff has been devoted to helping those in our state when they needed our assistance the most, and I hope that this will be the enduring legacy that we leave behind. As I close the door to this chapter of my life, I am left with memories that I will forever treasure. Traveling across our state during the years, I have heard incredible stories of strength, of struggle, and of compassion. I have met people who have forever changed me, and I can say that I will go through life a better person because of the struggle that I have been through and the support that I have received.

"While I stand behind my firm belief that I have not violated any law, rule, or standard of conduct of the Senate, and I have fought to prove this publicly, I will not continue to subject my family, my constituents, or the Senate to any further rounds of investigation, depositions, drawn out proceedings, or especially public hearings. For my family and me, this continued personal cost is simply too great.

"I am gratified that, after extended investigations, both the Department of Justice and the Federal Election Commission saw no grounds on which to charge me with improper conduct. I was hopeful that, with the closure of these investigations against me the wear and tear on my family and me would soon be over. This was not the case.

"As is its right, the Senate Ethics Committee is continuing its investigation of issues into which it has been inquiring for the past year and a half. Indeed, the Committee even decided recently to devote more resources to its investigation by hiring an outside counsel even though the issues have been viewed and reviewed by so many others.

"I came to office with the pledge to make this country a better place, but that pledge does not end with my resignation. I will continue to fight for a better country and for a future that our children deserve. I cannot fully express what serving the people of Nevada has meant to me, but I will try to repay them for their trust for the rest of my life.

"To the people of Nevada, I humbly say thank you for what you have given to me through the years. To my family, thank you for the support and love that you have shown me. To my staff, thank you for coming on this incredible journey with me and for standing by me despite the obstacles."

From NBC's Catherine Chomiak and Chris D'Alessio
This morning in Concord, NH, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson (R) said something he hadn't uttered before.

“I’m running for president of the United States,” he told a couple of supporters and cameramen gathered for his announcement outside the New Hampshire State Capitol. Skipping the exploratory committee phase, Johnson jumped right into the slow-to-start 2012 race. 

A New Hampshire announcement is fitting, seeing as Johnson’s strategy hangs on his success in the first-in-the-nation primary state. “New Hampshire is really key in this whole process for me. I have to do and want to do really well in New Hampshire, so I’m gonna spend a lot of time in New Hampshire where you can go from obscurity to prominence overnight with a good showing in New Hampshire,” he said.  This was Johnson’s fourth visit to the Granite State this year.

Johnson, a libertarian, differs with much of the Republican Party’s base on several issues. He supports a guest-worker program. “I’m not talking about citizenship. I’m not talking about a green card, permit of non-residential status. I’m talking about a work visa,” he said. He also favors legalizing marijuana, because he thinks if you legalize the drug “75% of the border violence with Mexico goes away because that’s the estimate of the drug cartels’ activities that are engaged in the trade of marijuana.” And opposed to both the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Johnson wants America out of both countries now.

Where he and the GOP don’t differ is on the scope of the government. “I really do believe in smaller government. I really believe that there are consequences of legislation that get passed and maybe it isn’t in our best interests to pass all the legislation that we pass,” he told the small audience.

RENO, Nev. -- President Barack Obama chose a clean energy company here in the economically hard-hit state of Nevada -- certain to be an important battleground in the 2012 election -- as the backdrop for his third town hall this week focused on deficit reduction and the economy.

At nearly every stop in recent days, Obama has mentioned rising gas prices that are hitting drivers' pocketbooks -- a bid to show he understands the kitchen table issues facing ordinary Americans.

Noting that he asked Attorney General Eric Holder last month to investigate cases of price gouging, he announced Thursday that he is going a step further to keep gas prices from being inflated.

"The Attorney General's putting together a team whose job it is to root out any cases of fraud or manipulation in the oil markets that might affect gas prices - and that includes the role of traders and speculators," the president said to applause. "We're going to make sure that no one is taking advantage of American consumers." 

As he often does, Obama again called for an end to subsidies for oil and gas companies that are already highly profitable. The argument is in line with Obama's call for an end to the Bush-era tax rates for wealthy Americans as part of his approach to lowering the deficit.

Obama's West Coast swing is focused on selling his "balanced" approach to getting the nation's fiscal house in order, which he says will be better for the economy than the plan passed by the Republican-controlled House. The GOP plan, he argues, cuts spending too deeply and benefits the wealthy at the expense of seniors, the poor and the middle class.

"We can't ignore our future deficits, but just as ignoring deficits would mortgage our future, failing to invest in our kids, in our infrastructure, in basic research, in clean energy, that would be mortgaging our future as well," Obama told the audience at ElectraTherm Inc., a company whose Green Machine creates fuel-free, emissions-free power by capturing readily-available waste heat. "I'm not willing to do that and that's at the core of the debate we're having right now."

Concerns about the debt and deficit, especially among Tea Party members and other conservatives, helped Republicans win big in the midterm elections. The White House is eager to drive home the point that both rank among the president's top concerns, along with job creation.

Obama has proposed a plan that he says would reduce the deficit by $4 trillion in the next 12 years, without sacrificing investments in the areas he believes are key to job growth and to America's ability to compete globally. After his opening remarks, the president took questions on topics ranging from federal support for renewable energy production to the importance of scientific and medical research and investing in education.

After the town hall here, Obama was headed to Los Angeles for three more fundraisers. He held three events to raise money for his campaign in San Francisco, including one this morning at the St. Regis hotel that was interrupted by a small group of supporters who sang a song in protest of the detention of Bradley Manning, the Army private accused of leaking classified documents to WikiLeaks.

The lyrics to the song included the following: "I paid my dues, where's our change? We'll vote for you in 2012, yes that's true. Look at the Republicans - what else can we do?"

As the woman who led the tune was escorted out, she said "Free Bradley manning. I'm leaving. I hope I don't get tortured in jail."

The president carried on with his remarks, quipping "That didn't break my flow."

A Democratic official said ticket prices for the event, which approximately 200 people attended, went as high as $35,800, but would not reveal the cost of the lowest tickets or share how much the party expected to raise there.

Protesters interrupted President Barack Obama’s remarks at a breakfast fundraiser in San Francisco early Thursday, urging the president to “free” Bradley Manning, the Army intelligence specialist accused of releasing hundreds of thousands of diplomatic cables to the website WikiLeaks.

According to a pool reporter in the room, a woman in the crowd of about 200 guests began singing and humming as Obama was speaking, removing her blazer to reveal a T-shirt with picture of Manning.

From the pool reporter:

She started singing and humming and then everyone at her table, in coordination,  held up tiny signs - yellow and white that said "Free Bradley Manning."

Some of the lyrics of her song - which the people at the table hummed along too, "Each of you brought you $5,000 - we'll vote for you in 2012, yes that's true, Look at the  Republicans, what else can we do."

"We payed our dues, where's our change?" the group at the table sang.

Manning was moved Wednesday from solitary confinement at a Virginia marine jail to a new shared accommodation at a facility in Fort Leavenworth.  The move came after reports that Manning was kept in a one-man cell at the Quantico prison and forced to strip before going to bed. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley became a hero of liberal activists after he criticized Manning’s treatment as “ridiculous” and was later forced to resign.

The woman was escorted out of the room by two White House aides, with Obama commenting “that was a nice song,” as she finished singing.

As she was being led out, she said: "Free Bradley Manning. I'm leaving. I hope I don't get tortured in jail."

"Where was I?" Obama said after her departure, continuing his speech. “That didn't break my flow." 

In First Thoughts, we noted President Obama's observation yesterday that -- after the U.S. housing crisis -- there are some Americans “who are probably better off renting” homes than buying them.

Our NBC/WSJ pollsters have reminded us about a recent survey they conducted for CNBC showing a declining preference for owning a home. In 1992, a whopping 79% said people are better off owning a home, and 89% said that in 1996.

But in March of this year, the poll found the number dropping to 63%, with 24% saying it's better to rent.

Of course, if you have the money to afford mortgage payments, owning a home is beneficial -- due to the built-in tax breaks a homeowner receives.

But if you can't afford them (as well as a sizable downpayment), or if you live paycheck to paycheck, some economists believe that renting is preferable -- because there isn't the danger of foreclosure, and because it gives workers more geographical mobility (if you're renting, you are more likely to be able to move where the jobs are). 

Obama once again criticizes Ryan, but the tone was softer… And Ryan himself says he’s seeking more “mutual respect”… Three other things that struck us from Obama’s day in California yesterday… Reno 911: Obama holds a town hall on reducing the deficit in Reno, NV at 2:50 pm ET… On Libya… The races of 2011: MS GOV… And King vs. Vilsack. 

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Carrie Dann
*** Obama on Ryan: At his Facebook town hall yesterday, President Obama didn’t back away from his criticism of House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s budget plan, which almost all House Republicans voted for last week. But the president’s tone, like Tuesday in Northern Virginia, was again softer than it was last week. Asked by an attendee if Ryan’s plan was bold, Obama answered, “The Republican budget that was put forward I would say is fairly radical. I wouldn’t call it particularly courageous. I do think Mr. Ryan is sincere. I think he’s a patriot. I think he wants to solve a real problem, which is our long-term deficit. But I think that what he and the other Republicans in the House of Representatives also want to do is change our social compact in a pretty fundamental way.”

*** And Ryan on Obama: For his part, Ryan has taken his budget plan to Wisconsin voters and says he’s seeking more “mutual respect,” the New York Times writes. “I’m trying not to get into some partisan bickering war with the president,” Mr. Ryan told a Wisconsin audience. “I don’t see what purpose it serves to do that.” The Republican also said this about Obama, per the Times: “He’s got the bully pulpit. But I think he’s bigger than this. I think he’s bigger than this moment, I think he’s bigger than his speech last week. I think he’ll come to realize that — at least that’s my hope.”  One can sense both sides really want to have a partisan campaign fight, but every time either gets too far out there on the rhetoric, they pull back. A difference between 2011 and 2012?

*** Three other things that struck us: Three other things from Obama’s day in California yesterday struck us. One was his admission that there are some Americans “who are probably better off renting” homes than buying them. (He's hinted at this before but given all of the cheerleading for home ownership the last two presidents did, striking to hear this one talk about "renting" again.). Second, was how he used the final question at the Facebook town hall -- what would have you done differently -- to discuss gas prices, which hadn’t yet been mentioned. (On the president's Facebook page, much of the discussion was about gas prices, so it probably was welcome to some that he finally talked about it despite NOT being asked.) And third was his remark at one of the fundraisers how everyone has become a political consultant. "I know there are times where you're sitting there and you're thinking, ‘You know, Obama's made some compromise with the Republicans on this or that. You know he should have done it this way.’ You know everybody's a political consultant. ‘This seemed to be a subtle jab at those on the left (lots of them on the West Coast) who have done the most backseat driving of his presidency.

*** Reno 911: On the second day of the president’s Western swing, he hits another fundraiser in San Francisco at 12:40 pm ET, holds another town hall on the deficit and debt reduction in Reno, NV at 2:50 pm ET, and then hits a trio of fundraisers in Los Angeles in the evening.

*** On Libya: One note about Libya: While the situation there could resolve itself in the next few weeks or months, the stalemate we see there now is the reason why it has the POTENTIAL to be a political problem for President Obama. The longer this drags out with no apparent progress (but horrible headlines like yesterday regarding the two heroic journalists), the harder it will be for an already war-weary American public to have patience.

*** The races of 2011: MS GOV: A day after profiling Kentucky’s gubernatorial contest, where Democrats have the advantage (at least for now), we look at a race where the GOP has the clear edge: Mississippi GOV. Incumbent Gov. Haley Barbour (R) is term-limited -- and probably running for president – and a handful of Republicans are vying to succeed him. They include Lt. Gov Phil Bryant and businessman Dave Dennis. The top Democratic contenders, meanwhile, are Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny DuPree and attorney Bill Luckett. Either of them would have “their hands full in the general election,” says Nathan Gonzales of the Rothenberg Political Report. The Dem and GOP primaries are set for Aug. 2.

*** King vs. Vilsack: It’s only the spring of 2011, we might already have our best House race for 2012, at least when it comes to cable TV: conservative Rep. Steve King (R) vs. Christie Vilsack (D), the wife of the former Democratic governor and current U.S. Agriculture secretary. Presidential battleground state? Check. A difference of opinion, especially on social issues? (Husband Tom Vilsack said the race would be a “holy war”). Check. A potential first (Iowa, as Jill Lawrence writes, has never elected a woman to the House, Senate, or governor’s mansion)? Check. And get this: King vs. Vilsack won’t be the only competitive House race in the Hawkeye State next year. The best member vs. member redistricting matchup is set for Iowa -- Tom Latham vs. Leonard Boswell. America, if you want to have competitive House races, move to Iowa, where they actually redistrict in a logical way.

Countdown to NY-26 special election: 33 days
Countdown to Iowa GOP straw poll: 113 days
Countdown to Election Day 2011: 201 days
Countdown to the Iowa caucuses: 291 days
* Note: When the IA caucuses take place depends on whether other states move up

FILE - In this April 5, 2011 file photo, Donald Trump attends the 'Dressed To Kilt' fashion show to benefit the Friends of Scotland Organization at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York. (AP)

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Carrie Dann
*** What Donald Trump says about the GOP: As Donald Trump’s 15 minutes extend to 15 days -- and possibly 15 weeks, if he does end up running for president -- the inevitable question is getting asked: Why is someone who’ll probably never be president, let alone the GOP nominee, receiving so much attention? Part of it is Trump’s celebrity (remember that Warren Beatty attracted a considerable amount of buzz when he was mulling a White House bid). Part of it is the media (that have zeroed in on him the same way they did to Sarah Palin and even Christine O’Donnell). But most of it has to do with the Republican Party. As Politico’s Martin writes, Trump is filling an appetite of a particularly vocal part of the GOP base that wants a presidential candidate who will offer "who will offer no-holds-barred criticism of Obama." Martin adds, "With no other Republican hopefuls gaining traction, Trump has become a blinking neon stand-in for a candidate who will go beyond mainstream boundaries and make the case for why Obama isn’t just a bad president presiding over a declining America but perhaps an illegitimate one."

*** “No one in the field excites me right now”: Conservative writer David Frum makes a similar point, describing the type of Republican voter who would find Trump appealing. “What you want is a candidate who will take the fight to Obama. Really fight him. Mitt Romney? He’s no fighter. He’s a CEO, and you’ve had it with CEOs. Mike Huckabee? Seems like a nice guy, but if you want a sermon, you’ll go to church. Now this guy Donald Trump, he’s kind of a blowhard. But he hates Obama just as much as you do. You don’t take the birth certificate thing seriously, but if it annoys the liberals, what the hell.” (By the way, the latest New York Times/CBS poll finds that 47% of Republican voters believe, incorrectly, that Obama was born in an another country.)  Another component fueling Trump right now: a lack of enthusiasm for the entire GOP field right now. South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) summed it up in an interview with the AP: "I'll tell you, right now: No one in the field excites me right now."

*** Santorum’s big swing: Next week, Rick Santorum embarks a major campaign swing that makes it seem like it’s 20 days until the Iowa caucuses, instead of the actual 290-plus days. On Monday, it’s to Goose Lake, IA. On Tuesday, it’s Dubuque, IA, Dyersville, IA, and Cedar Rapids, IA. On Wednesday, Santorum heads to Marshalltown, IA. On Thursday, it’s to DC for a foreign-policy speech. On Friday, he speaks at the NRA’s annual meeting in Pittsburgh and then heads to Manchester, NH. And on Saturday, he delivers remarks at another event in New Hampshire. That’s nine events in six days in three states (plus DC).

*** Johnson enters the ring: At 9:00 am ET in Concord, NH, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson is expected to announce that he'll be the latest Republican to enter the presidential race. He holds a media avail in Concord at 10:00 am, another media avail in Manchester, NH at 2:00 pm, and a kick-off event in Manchester at 7:00 pm. At best, the libertarian Johnson will be the 2012 version of Ron Paul. At worst, he'll be Mike Gravel. Johnson favors the legalization of marijuana and a guest-worker program for illegal immigrants, and he opposes the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq -- all of which puts him at odds with much of the GOP base. Where he isn't at odds: Johnson supports lower taxes and limited government.

Other clips...

“With less than a year to go before the Iowa caucuses, Republican voters have yet to form strong opinions about most of their potential candidates for president in 2012, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll. Only those possible contenders who regularly appear on television — or have made bids before — are well known enough to elicit significant views from their fellow Republicans. And of that group, only one, former Gov. Mike Huckabee of Arkansas, is viewed favorably by more than half of the Republican electorate.

Also: “A plurality of Republican voters, 47 percent, said they believed Mr. Obama, who was born in Hawaii, was born in another country; 22 percent said they did not know where he was born, and 32 percent said they believed he was born in the United States.”

National Journal’s Reid Wilson notes that there are substantive policy differences between the potential GOP candidates -- more so than there were in 2008 -- but most of those significant debates have been ignored so far as shiny political objects dominate much of the media coverage of the race.

(However, in 2008, you had one top-tier candidate who supported abortion rights -- Giuliani -- another who supported comprehensive immigration reform -- McCain -- and another who had previously supported abortion rights and stem-cell research -- Romney. That seems to us like more ideological diversity than we’ll see from the GOP field in 2012.)

Donald Trump may say he's looking forward to showing the world his "huge" financials, but no one else in the field is really all that jazzed about shining a light on their tax returns. "A POLITICO survey of the major GOP hopefuls found that none are promising to making their tax returns public, as then-candidate Obama did in 2007 and 2008 — as well as during his Senate campaign in 2004 and later in 2006."

PAWLENTY: The S&P's negative warning about the U.S. credit rating is highlighting each potential GOP candidate's own track record, and it's not great news for former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. "Almost all of the GOP presidential hopefuls with gubernatorial experience can boast upgraded credit ratings for their respective states during their tenure in office, with the exception of former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty," writes The Hill.

ROMNEY: The former Massachusetts governor accused the White House of "laughing off" the news from S&P and urged Obama to meet with the ratings agency himself. "In my own view, this is not something to be laughed off as the president’s people seem to be doing. The president really ought to personally sit down and meet with S&P."

President Obama addresses the crowd during a town hall meeting at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, Calif. on Wednesday. (AP)

From NBC's Athena Jones
PALO ALTO, Calif. -- President Barack Obama continued his push to sell what he calls his 'balanced' approach to deficit-cutting with an event at Facebook headquarters on Wednesday.

The town hall, which was moderated by the company's co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, was the second one this week meant to highlight the president's plan to cut $4 trillion from the deficit over the next 12 years without making the kind of deep budget cuts Republicans have proposed. The president is set to hold a similar town hall tomorrow in Reno, NV.

Calling the plan passed by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives not "bold" or courageous, but "fairly radical" and "short-sighted", the president also argued it would be bad for the economy.

"The deficit could actually get worse, because we could slip back into another recession," Obama told the crowd, explaining what would happen if deficit reduction leads to cuts in economically vital areas like education, infrastructure and clean energy.

The event streamed live online and included questions from the audience and the web.

While the president's remarks broke no new ground -- with most of the questions and all of the answers fitting in nicely with the president's usual talking points -- it did offer the administration a chance to connect with people using technology and the cache of a web site that is wildly popular among young people and increasingly popular among older web users.

It's all part of the administration's effort to show voters -- many of whom are concerned about the nation's growing deficit -- that putting the country's fiscal house in order is among the president's top concerns. Obama said he did not want to leave getting the deficit and debt under control to the next president.

The White House took issue earlier Wednesday with the suggestion that the Obama camp had made great use of Facebook as part of its messaging strategy and that today's event could be construed as an effort to promote the social networking site in thanks.

"We get our message out in a variety of ways and the President appears in a variety of private enterprises to have events," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters aboard Air Force One. "This is not about endorsing a specific company; it’s about accepting an invitation for a forum to speak to the American people.  This is an excellent opportunity to do that."

Carney noted the site, with some 'half a billion users' reached 'more people than you can possibly imagine.'

Obama has met with Facebook executives several times, visiting with Zuckerberg in recent months and including COO Sheryl Sandberg in a strategy meeting at the White House yesterday on how to tackle comprehensive immigration reform.

The president answered questions about deficit, home mortgages and the Dream Act, among other topics, and closed by asking the mostly young crowd to 'double down' and remain engaged in the political process.

There were some light moments, like when Zuckerberg admitted to being a little nervous during his brief introduction at the top of the meeting and a short while later when Obama joked that he had gotten the young computer whiz to don a suit -- more accurately a shirt, tie, blazer and jeans.

Zuckerberg gave Obama a Facebook hoodie at the events close, telling the president "in case you want to dress like me."

President Obama and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg take off their jackets before the start of their town hall meeting today at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto to discuss reducing the national debt , Calif. (AP)

From NBC's Kevin Hurd
With President Obama holding an online town hall at Facebook headquarters this afternoon, some are questioning how close the administration is -- and should be getting -- to the social media giant.
 
Two big headlines shine a light on the issue today. From the LA Times political blog, Politics Now: "With town hall, Obama-Facebook friendship continues." And in this morning's Politico, "Are Barack Obama and Facebook getting too friendly?"
 
It's easy to see why the Obama administration wants to get a jump on using this tool again with the presidential election gearing up. Today, the site is home to more than 500 million active users -- 30% of whom live in the United States. And for Facebook, it's another moment for the company to shine. In today's Politico, Peter Sealey, a business consultant who has served on Facebook’s advisory board, called it a "win-win" for both the president and Facebook. 
 
But some say mixing politics and business doesn't always make a good finish. “Large companies try to appeal to a mass audience, and it’s smart of them to be nonpartisan," said Aaron McLear, GOP political consultant and former spokesman for then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, in today's Politico. "Administrations change. You want to have relationships and dialog with anyone in power. The better relationships you have with people in power, the better chance you have in getting things done for your company.”
 
In a phone interview this morning, First Read talked with officials at the Center for Technology in Government at the University at Albany (SUNY) about this issue.
 
Anthony Cresswell, the center’s deputy director, pointed out the risk runs deeper than being associated with the company. "There is a risk of potential ammunition for critics of [the president] being associated with Mark Zuckerberg." Essentially, past or future actions by the company's young CEO could bring with it Obama's name into the spotlight. "The president could be accused of endorsing that [action]."
 
Another question: Is today's online town hall a presidential function or a campaigning event? With Obama announcing his re-election bid earlier this month, it could be one or a little bit of both. As Theresa Pardo, the center’s director, explains, the answer may not be clear. "Facebook ensures communication flows between parties and information should flow two ways in a campaign. But how does that change as president? Does it change the expectation that he will always be there or does it threaten the expectation of accessibility with the audience?" Basically, should we expect President Obama to be conducting online town halls like Candidate Obama would? 

Whether it's a presidential move or a campaigning move, Facebook does provide the president a way to clearly send a message to those listening. University of Albany professor Theresa Harrison went on to comment about the open microphone that Facebook provides, saying, "The president is using Facebook as his broadcast platform. He doesn't have third channels to go through."

But that is only initially. Cresswell points out that a town hall on Facebook does not stop networks from analyzing and criticizing his comments.
 
How about other social media? According to these University at Albany officials, it is tough to judge the impact social media will play in this election. "There is no definitive research but we learned ordinary citizens don't follow candidates or government officials on sites like Twitter," said Natalie Helbig, the center’s program associate. That could sound like a blow to two GOP presidential hopefuls -- Tim Pawlenty and Mitt Romney -- who both announced their exploratory committees on Facebook and Twitter. But there is hope. While things are changing rapidly, the candidate who can adapt well and is on their game, may do well.

Cresswell says, "Things change rapidly. We need to look at social media overall and ask, where do we invest our limited time and energy?"
 
Campaign event or presidential event, Cresswell explains that Obama has a good start on that idea with today's town hall. "He gets it. He understands it. He knows how to get his message out to people. It's clear he'll use the strategy from last time around.”