“An unrelenting President Barack Obama jabbed at Mitt Romney’s record with a private equity firm in an ad Saturday that aimed to keep his rival on the defensive just as the Republican challenger’s campaign hoped to take advantage of poor economic data to gain an edge on the incumbent,” the AP writes. Obama met Romney’s plea for an apology for the attacks with a mocking ad that charged that the firm shipped American jobs to China and Mexico, that Romney has personal wealth in investments in Switzerland, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, and that as Massachusetts governor, he sent state jobs to India. ‘Mitt Romney’s not the solution. He’s the problem,’ the ads says as Romney is heard singing ‘America the Beautiful.’”

(Here’s the ad.)

Bloomberg calls the ad: “Bermuda the Beautiful.”

More Bloomberg: “President Barack Obama is trying to hold the once-solidly Republican state of Virginia by appealing to middle-income voters who he says Republican candidate Mitt Romney would sacrifice to help the wealthiest Americans.”

To CBS’s Sunday Morning, President Obama said, “I think there’s no doubt that I underestimated the degree to which in this town politics trump problem solving.”

“A week after President Obama came under fire for another disappointing unemployment report, his team has succeeded in turning the focus of the 2012 campaign from jobs in general to a particular job: the one Mitt Romney was or wasn't doing for Bain Capital from 1999 to 2002,” USA Today’s Susan Page writes.

“President Barack Obama is preparing to tell Ohio voters that Republican Mitt Romney's tax proposals would spur job growth in foreign countries including China,” the AP writes. “The president also plans Monday to highlight his administration's 2009 bailout of the auto industry, which saved thousands of jobs in Ohio, according to Democrats.”

“Hamilton County is in play,” the Cincinnati Enquirer writes. “After going Democratic in 2008 for the first time in a presidential race since 1964, Democrats hope to build on Barack Obama’s historic win here while Republicans hope to prove it was an anomaly. Obama visits today for the first time in 10 months, but it certainly won’t be the last time he’ll be here before Election Day on Nov. 6, said county Democratic Chairman Tim Burke.”

The AP: On FOX this morning, Romney charged “that President Barack Obama's attacks on his business record at Bain Capital are ‘misdirected’ and ‘dishonest.’” Romney: "What does it say about a president whose record is so poor that all he can do in this campaign is attack me? … I'd say to the president, wouldn't it be interesting, Mr. President, if you spent time speaking about your record."

“The Romney campaign is out with a new ad that takes President Obama to task for his campaign’s attacks against Mitt Romney, suggesting that they contrast sharply with the ‘hope and change’ theme of Mr. Obama’s 2008 campaign,” the New York Times writes.

The New York Daily News’ DeFrank: “Condi Rice as Mitt Romney’s running mate? About as inconceivable as a second Mormon on the ticket. The breathless leak of Rice as a short-list candidate for Romney’s No. 2 was as cynical as it was transparent — a clumsy head fake hoping to change the subject from another bad Romney week. Two key Romney advisers confirmed the phony boomlet was, as one of them told the Daily News, ‘all BS.’”

PAWLENTY: The New York Times’ Zeleny profiles the former Minnesota governor. The country received only an abbreviated introduction to Mr. Pawlenty, 51, a former two-term governor of Minnesota, whose working-class roots, experience outside Washington and evangelical faith have formed the core of his appeal to a broad spectrum of Republicans. 

President Obama heads to Texas, the Romney Veepstakes Heat Up, more Campaigning in the Midwest and what's with all the booing? 

Some of Mitt Romney's fiercest old foes are now coming out to support the presumptive Republican presidential nominee in key battle ground states.

Over the course of three days, the three Republican presidential candidates who at different times posed the biggest threat to Romney's chances of squaring off one-on-one against President Obama will be out on the campaign trail to show their support. 

First up was Newt Gingrich, who on Thursday attended a question-and-answer session at a Romney Victory office in Jacksonville, FL. Today, Texas Gov. Rick Perry will travel to Elko, NV to open a campaign field office for the former Massachusetts governor. And on Saturday, Rick Santorum will attend a Romney victory office opening in Greensburg, PA. 

It is the first time that either Perry or Santorum will appear publicly at a campaign event for Romney. Perry exited the race in January and immediately backed Gingrich, but has since supported Romney. 

But Santorum's show of support this weekend might be the most interesting. The former Pennsylvania senator's embrace of Romney has been largely tepid since ending his presidential bid in April. Santorum's endorsement of Romney came in a late night e-mail to supporters nearly a month after his own campaign ended, and during the race he called Romney “the worst Republican in the country to put up against Barack Obama.”

The surrogate work by these three former rivals comes as part of a larger rally from the GOP to back their nominee. In the battleground state of Virginia, Rudy Giuliani will attend a Romney Victory office opening today, and this morning Govs. Scott Walker and Bob McDonnell held a press conference ahead of the president's trip to the state.

And some potential vice presidential picks will also be in the mix in the coming days. Ohio Sen. Rob Portman will help open an office outside of Cincinnati on Saturday, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal with be with Romney on Monday in Baton Rouge to help raise cash, and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie goes on a fundraising swing for the presumptive GOP nominee beginning next week.

And Rep. Paul Ryan is headlining two Romney Victory events today in Illinois.

Bill Tiernan / AP

A person holds a sign along S. Independence Boulevard on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, in Virginia Beach, Va., as people wait in line for tickets to see the president Friday at Green Run High School.

The importance of Virginia in Obama getting to 270… Playing defense on defense spending?... The back-and-forth over Bain… And the larger point about Romney and Bain: It’s hard to extricate the two… Condi for VP? Don’t bet on it… Team Romney unveils newest TV ad… RNC goes up with its own ad buy… And “Meet” has Durbin and Kyl.

*** The importance of Virginia: Earlier this week, we looked into the electoral-vote importance of Colorado and Iowa. And now, we turn our attention to Virginia, where President Obama stumps today and tomorrow. Here’s why Virginia -- with its 13 electoral votes -- is so important for Obama: A win there, plus in Colorado, enables him to surpass 270 electoral votes without winning Florida, Iowa, Ohio, and Nevada. But a loss there forces the president to MUST win either: 1) Florida; 2) Ohio; or 3) both of Iowa and Nevada to get to 270. And that’s assuming, of course, that Obama holds on to all the states John Kerry won in ’04. Obama begins his day in Virginia with a campaign event in Virginia Beach at 12:45 pm ET. He then heads to Hampton at 4:25 pm, and concludes his day with a stop in Roanoke at 7:05 pm. Meanwhile, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) hold a press conference in Williamsburg, VA (where the National Governors Association is meeting) to pre-but the president’s travel throughout the state. And don’t forget: In 2008, the vote margin in Virginia (53%-46%) identically matched the national margin (53%-46%).

*** Playing defense on defense spending? In advance of Obama’s swing through Virginia today -- especially its military-heavy presence near Virginia Beach -- the Romney campaign and Republicans are trying to make Obama play defense over the looming defense cuts as part of last year’s budget deal. (Remember, of course, that Republicans insisted that defense cuts -- and not increased taxes -- be part of the “trigger” if the so-called Super Committee didn’t reach a deal on comprehensive deficit reduction.) So yesterday, the Romney camp released this statement from Virginia AG Ken Cuccinelli: “For President Obama to play budgetary Russian roulette with national defense is shameful. The damage to our local economy here in Virginia will be enormous.” Added Gov. McDonnell: “The President has put our defense budget on course for radical cuts that even his own Secretary of Defense says will be ‘devastating’ to U.S. national security.”

*** The back-and-forth over Bain: Yesterday, the Obama and Romney campaigns waged a furious back-and-forth over this question: When did Romney really leave Bain Capital? In 1999? Or later? But largely lost in all of the scrutiny -- over SEC filings showing Romney still listed as Bain’s CEO after 1999, or a Fortune report on documents showing that Romney didn’t manage Bain’s investments after that date -- is this larger point about Romney and Bain: It’s very hard to extricate the two. In other words, there isn't a simple line of demarcation to say, "Romney left Bain Capital in 1999, end of story." Indeed, as the Boston Globe reports, Romney didn't "finalize a severance agreement with Bain until 2002." And it also notes that Romney classified his separation from Bain in 1999 as a "leave of absence" and not a final departure. As Romney adviser Matt McDonald told Politico, "[Romney] was on the SEC filings because he was still technically the owner, but hadn't transferred ownership to other partners.” Technically the owner? What’s more, according to the Globe, "state financial disclosure forms indicate he earned at least $100,000 as a Bain 'executive' in 2001 and 2002." (A campaign official says that payment was part of his retirement compensation agreement.)

*** And the larger point here: The bottom line: Yes, Romney may very well have given up day-to-day operations of Bain Capital in 1999; as the Romney campaign puts it, he was devoted full-time to the Olympics. And that's the contention of fact-checking sites like the Washington Post and FactCheck.org. But the evidence also suggests that Romney's complete -- and official -- departure from Bain isn't as clear cut.

*** Condi for VP? Don’t bet on it: Well, we learned last night that the Drudge Report -- with its close ties to the Romney campaign -- still has the power to change the subject, at least for several hours. Its provocative headline: “Romney narrows VP choices; Condi emerges as front-runner.” But if you believe that Rice (who has never held elective office, who is closely tied to George W. Bush’s unpopular foreign-policy decisions, and who supports abortion rights) is going to be Romney’s VP pick, we have some oceanfront property in Nebraska to sell you. In fact, this tweet from prominent conservative Erick Erickson should settle things for everyone: “Multiple assurances from Team Romney tonight that Condi is not happening for Veep.” Meanwhile, a fundraising pitch from Romney Campaign Manager Matt Rhoades seemed to suggest that Romney’s VP choice isn’t happening soon. “Sometime between now and the Republican convention, Mitt will be announcing his choice for VP,” Rhoades writes. “Know what's even more exciting? Every week until the VP announcement is made, one lucky supporter will win the chance to meet Mitt and his choice for VP.” If Romney is announcing his pick next week, then this contest doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

*** Team Romney’s newest TV ad: The Romney campaign is up with another TV ad this morning fighting back on the negative attacks it’s receiving from the Obama campaign. The ad quotes Obama during his 2008 nomination acceptance speech in Denver. “Because if you don’t have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare voters. If you don’t have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from… You make a big election about small things.” The ad concludes with this screen shot: “We expect more from a president.” But remember this little rule in politics: If someone is complaining about negative TV ads, that usually means they’re working…

*** And the RNC purchases its own ad buy: And speaking of TV ads, we learned yesterday that the Republican National Committee is going up with a $5.1 million ad buy in the battleground states of Colorado, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia. This is the RNC’s first TV buy of the general election. Why is the RNC getting into the act? Remember we told you earlier this week that the Romney campaign is being outspent right now because it can’t use general-election funds until after the GOP convention? Well, don’t be surprised if the RNC is now hitting the airwaves to help make up the difference -- and more.

*** On the trail: In addition to Obama campaigning in Virginia today, Marco Rubio and Paul Ryan attend fundraising events for Romney… Rick Perry stumps for Romney in Nevada… And Rudy Giuliani attends the opening of a Romney campaign office in Virginia.

*** On Meet the Press: On Sunday, NBC’s David Gregory interviews Dem Sen. Dick Durbin and GOP Sen. Jon Kyl. 

Countdown to GOP convention: 45 days
Countdown to Dem convention: 52 days
Countdown to Election Day: 116 days

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*** Friday’s “Daily Rundown” line-up: RNC spokesman Sean Spicer and DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse debate the Bain battle… One of us (!!!) with the day’s top political headlines… NBC’s Ayman Mohyeldin with the latest on Syria… NBC’s Mike Viqueira with a preview of the president’s Virginia jaunt… The Daily Beast’s Meghan McCain on her new book “America, You Sexy Bitch”… More 2012 news with former Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), AP’s Liz Sidoti, and Michelle Bernard of the Bernard Center for Women, Politics and Public Policy.

*** Friday’s “Jansing & Co.” line-up: MSNBC’s Chris Jansing interviews Romney adviser Kerry Healey, the Washington Post’s Nia-Malika Henderson, MSNBC Political Analyst Richard Wolffe, Politico’s Jonathan Allen, Dem Strategist Chris Kofinis, GOP Strategist Susan Del Percio, and Drexel Univ. William Rosenberg.

*** Friday’s “MSNBC Live with Thomas Roberts” line-up: MSNBC’s Craig Melvin, filling in for Thomas Roberts, talks with Obama spokesman. Ben LaBolt, Romney adviser Barbara Comstock, MSNBC Host Melissa Harris-Perry and hosts of MSNBC’S The Cycle, S.E. Cupp, Krystal Ball, Toure and Steve Kornacki.

*** Friday’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports” line-up: NBC’s Andrea Mitchell interviews the Washington Post’s Jonathan Capehart, National Journal’s Major Garrett, USA Today’s Susan Page, NBC’s Lester Holt and Amnesty International’s Donatella Rovera.

*** Friday’s “News Nation with Tamron Hall” line-up: MSNBC’s Tamron Hall The Hill’s AB Stoddard, Republican strategist Chip Saltsman, Democratic strategist Jimmy Williams, and Salon.com’s Alex Seitz-Wald

*** Saturday’s and Sunday’s “Weekends with Alex Witt” line-up: As part of her weekly “Office Politics” series, MSNBC’s Alex Witt interviews Melissa Harris-Perry.

*** Saturday’s and Sunday’s “UP with Chris Hayes” line-up: On Saturday, Chris Hayes interviews (among others) James Carville and The Nation’s Katrina vanden Heuvel. On Sunday, he interviews Yale’s Stephen Carter and former Bain managing director Ed Conard.

*** Saturday’s and Sunday’s “Melissa Harris-Perry” line-up: On Saturday, MSNBC’s Melissa Harris-Perry interviews (among others) Bob Herbert and Rep. Jackie Speier. And on Sunday, she interviews The Grio’s Joy Reid and former Olympian Dominique Dawes.

The Romney campaign has aggressively pushed back on today's Boston Globe report, which revealed that SEC filings show Mitt Romney listed as Bain Capital's CEO after he left to run the Olympics in Feb. 1999.

Why this matters, at least politically: Many of the job losses due to Bain decisions and investments -- as well as allegations of outsourcing -- took place after 1999.

The Romney campaign has called the Globe article "inaccurate," and a Romney official told First Read, "The fact is that Mitt Romney was not involved in investment decisions or management decisions" after 1999.

Bain Capital issued a statement confirming that.

"Mitt Romney left Bain Capital in February 1999 to run the Olympics and has had absolutely no involvement with the management or investment activities of the firm or with any of its portfolio companies since the day of his departure," it said. "Due to the sudden nature of Mr. Romney's departure, he remained the sole stockholder for a time while formal ownership was being documented and transferred to the group of partners who took over management of the firm in 1999. Accordingly, Mr. Romney was reported in various capacities on SEC filings during this period."

But today's Globe article -- as well as earlier reporting by Mother Jones and Talking Points Memo -- reveals a larger truth about Romney and Bain: It's very hard to extricate the two.

In other words, there isn't a simple line of demarcation to say, "Romney left Bain Capital in 1999, end of story."

Indeed, as the Globe reports -- and as the statement by Bain Capital implies -- Romney didn't "finalize a severance agreement with Bain until 2002." And it also notes that Romney classified his separation from Bain in 1999 as a "leave of absence" and not a final departure.

As Romney adviser Matt McDonald told Politico, "[Romney] was on the SEC filings because he was still technically the owner, but hadn't transferred ownership to other partners." Technically the owner?

What's more, according to the Globe, "state financial disclosure forms indicate he earned at least $100,000 as a Bain 'executive' in 2001 and 2002." (A campaign official says that payment was part of his retirement compensation agreement.) And, in one way or another, he continues to earn money from his time at Bain. 

And even after he left, Bain Capital remains his creation and has his clear imprint on the organization. Think of Bill Gates and Microsoft: He may no longer be the CEO of the company, but the culture there obviously shares some of his DNA. And this is relevant, politically, because Romney argues that his previous work at Bain Capital is his chief credential in this presidential contest. 

Yes, Romney may very well have given up day-to-day operations of Bain Capital in 1999; as the Romney campaign puts it, he was devoted full-time to the Olympics.

And that's the contention of fact-checking sites like the Washington Post and FactCheck.org.

But today's reporting also suggests that Romney's complete -- and official -- departure from Bain isn't as clear cut.

HOUSTON -- The same audience that booed Mitt Romney yesterday chided Vice President Joe Biden today, but only for ending a laundry list of the Obama administration's accomplishments.

When Biden said he was wrapping up these accomplishments, the audience of a few thousand delegates at the NAACP's annual convention shouted "No!" -- capping off a warmly received address, which warned that a Romney presidency would mean voter suppression, health care "controlled by the insurance companies," and tax hikes on millions of African American families.

Pat Sullivan / AP

Vice President Joe Biden addresses the NAACP annual convention, Thursday, July 12, 2012, in Houston.

Biden, who spoke in lieu of an address from the first black president himself, urged delegates to envision the Justice Department under a Romney administration and warned that advances in civil rights would be erased if Republicans prevail in November.

"Imagine what the Romney Justice Department will look like. Imagine when his senior adviser on constitutional issues is Robert Bork," Biden said, invoking the conservative Supreme Court nominee he famously battled against in the Senate. "Imagine the recommendations for who is likely to be picked as attorney general."

"Did you think we'd be fighting these battles again?" Biden asked.

Eric Holder, the first African American to hold the position as the nation's top law enforcement officer, spoke to the group earlier this week. Biden said that Holder and the president - unlike Republicans - want voting rights to be "expanded not diminished."

Citing Romney's proposed elimination of some tax breaks as a part of his fiscal plan, Biden claimed that a Romney presidency would result in bigger checks to the IRS out of African Americans' wallets.

"He eliminates college tuition tax credit. The earned income tax credit and the child tax credit are cut," Biden said. "The result: 2.2 million African Americans working families will see a tax increase if he succeeds. That's a fact."

Obama did not address the group due to scheduling concerns, according to the campaign, although he has no public events today. The president did appear in the form of a taped video before Biden's speech.

The large convention center ballroom was only about two-thirds full for Biden's speech. Organizers blamed the empty seats on early morning flash flooding that affected delegates' transportation to the event venue.

Attendees praised both Biden and Romney for addressing the mostly Democratic-leaning organization.

"It was a family affair, a family connection," said community development officer Alan Watkins of Houston, who said he did not fault Obama for not appearing in person. "I completely understand that the president is busy, The fact that he sent his next person in line was great."

Charles Warfield, an NAACP chapter president for Kalamazoo, Mich., said that Biden served as an effective emissary precisely because he is not African-American.

"He probably was a better choice for this convention because it would have made Barack look like, because he's black and we're black that we are in sync with everything," Warfield said. "But Vice President Biden hit every nail on the head."

Warfield lauded Romney for speaking to the group yesterday, despite broadly disagreeing with the GOP presidential nominee's agenda.

That sentiment was echoed by Marcus Barnum, a Houston financial adviser.

"I applaud his effort coming to an event such as this, because we need to hear from him," Barnum said. "I think it's important for him to try to win our vote as well."

Edited by NBC's Natalie Cucchiara.

Romney’s counterpunch: New TV ad responds to Obama Bain/outsourcing charge… “Rapid” response? But ad comes out more than a week after the Obama camp released its latest Bain/outsourcing ad… Romney: “If you’re responding, you’re losing”… It’s Biden’s turn before the NAACP… Meanwhile, Romney received boos there, but also got praise for showing up… Where the Obama camp is advertising uncontested (versus the Romney camp)… And Romney raises money with Dick Cheney in Wyoming.

Pat Sullivan / AP

Republican presidential candidate,former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney gestures during a speech to the NAACP annual convention, Wednesday, July 11, 2012, in Houston.

*** Romney’s counterpunch: Outside of last Friday’s jobs report, Mitt Romney and his campaign team have found themselves on the defensive over the past four weeks. On immigration. On health care (whether the mandate is a penalty or tax). On Bain Capital. On outsourcing. And now on his offshore accounts in places like Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. As the New York Times front-pages today, supporters are starting to get antsy. “Conservatives have lit up talk radio programs across the country, worrying whether Mr. Romney’s business record has been ‘Swift Boated,’ referring to attacks waged against Senator John Kerry’s military record in 2004. The Romney campaign headquarters in Boston has been inundated with advice and criticism from donors and supporters who worry that Mr. Romney has lost an opportunity to introduce himself on his own terms.” Well today, the Romney camp is responding to the Bain/outsourcing charge with a new TV ad. The ad’s message: Obama isn’t telling the truth. 

*** Truth in advertising: “When a president doesn’t tell the truth, how can we trust him to lead?” the narrator asks in the ad. “The Obama outsourcing attacks: ‘misleading, unfair and untrue,’” the narrator continues, citing the Washington Post’s fact-checker on June 21. But there are two potential problems here for Team Romney. One, the very first Romney TV ad of the entire campaign -- which was released back in November -- was criticized for being misleading and false. That ad quoted Obama, back in ’08, as saying, “If we keep talking about the economy, we’re going to lose.” But Obama in that line was actually quoting a McCain adviser. Two, one of the Romney camp’s main arguments against the Obama outsourcing charge -- that Romney had left control of Bain’s day-to-day operations when that outsourcing occurred -- is undercut by a Boston Globe piece (following reporting by Mother Jones) noting that “[g]overnment documents … say Romney remained chief executive and chairman of the firm three years beyond the date he said he ceded control, even creating five new investment partnerships during that time.” But perhaps the biggest problem for Team Romney is that this response ad comes MORE THAN A WEEK after the Obama camp released its Bain/outsourcing ad. That’s not quite rapid response.

*** “If you’re responding, you’re losing”: Yesterday on FOX, Romney was asked about this assault on his business record. “Well, I of course respond to the attacks which come. But you know, they say in politics, if you’re responding, you’re losing,” he said, per Politico. Romney added, “[E]very day I go out and give a speech, I talk about the issue people care about, and that is the failure of the president’s policies to reignite this economy.” But if you’re laser-focused on the economy -- which is the top issue in this election -- then you are susceptible to being blind-sided by other issues.

*** As Woody Allen said, 80% of success is simply showing up: Today, it’s Vice President Joe Biden’s turn to address the NAACP conference in Houston, and he does so at 10:30 am ET. As for Romney’s appearance there yesterday, the reaction to him was -- shall we say -- mixed. He received boos (for saying he’d repeal the federal health-care law), but he also received some applause, as well as credit for showing up, NBC’s Garrett Haake reports. "I give him kudos for coming here, I really do. He had nerves," said attendee Betty Bush, even though she didn’t agree with anything in Romney’s remarks. And to Romney’s credit, showing up is something that President Obama isn’t doing; he sent Biden instead.

*** Where Obama is advertising uncontested (versus the Romney campaign): Yesterday we noted that while the Obama camp is outspending the Romney camp on the airwaves, the Romney folks are actually outspending the Obama folks in some of the hottest advertising markets. What’s going on here? Well, it’s simply that the Obama campaign is spending in markets that the Romney campaign -- for now -- isn’t contesting. And here’s the list of all of these markets: Charlottesville, VA; Burlington, VT (for the NH market); Portland, ME (NH); Harrisburg, PA; Erie, PA; Gainesville, FL; Mason City, IA; Greenville-Spartanburg (for NC); Harrisonburg, VA; Wilmington, NC; Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA; Miami, FL; Johnstown-Altoona, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Zanesville, OH; Lima, OH; Tri-Cities (VA); Quincy-Hannibal, MO (for IA); Parkersburg, WV (for OH); Tallahassee, FL; Panama City, FL; Wheeling, WV (for OH); Ottumwa, IA; and Charleston, WV (for OH).

*** On the trail: Romney, in Wyoming, raises money with former Vice President Dick Cheney… Biden, as mentioned above, speaks to the NAACP in Houston, TX… And Rudy Giuliani stumps for Romney in Virginia Beach, VA.

Countdown to GOP convention: 46 days
Countdown to Dem convention: 53 days
Countdown to Election Day: 117 days

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*** Thursday’s “Jansing & Co.” line-up: MSNBC’s Chris Jansing interviews Scranton, PA Mayor Christopher Doherty; Dem Strategist Steve McMahon, former Santorum Sr. Adviser John Brabender; Washington Post’s Anne Kornblut; USA Today’s Jackie Kucinich; fmr Federal Prosecutor Kendall Coffey.

*** Thursday’s “MSNBC Live with Thomas Roberts” line-up: NBC’S Craig Melvin fills in, and he talks with NAACP President Ben Jealous, former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, MSNBC Political Analyst David Corn, Grio.Com, MSNBC Contributor Jim Warren, and Diane Derzis who runs Mississippi’s only abortion clinic.

*** Thursday’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports” line-up: NBC’s Andrea Mitchell interviews James Carville, Stan Greenberg, Steven Rattner, Time’s Mark Thompson, The Washington Post’s Jonathan Capehart and NBC’s Kate Snow.

The Hill: “A new urgency has swept into President Obama’s campaign as disappointing fundraising numbers have emerged alongside the shaky economy as a major threat to his prospects for reelection. While the president’s aides originally maintained they wouldn’t be moving from “zero to 60” when they launched their campaign in May, now, with less than four months until Election Day, it appears they’re pushing down harder on the pedal.”

Karl Rove in the Wall Street Journal: “Elections are about numbers, and right now the president's are bad.”

Fact Check: The Washington Post fact checks the GOP’s charges on President Obama’s outsourcing record.

The New York Times: “Mitt Romney and his team of advisers built a reputation during the Republican primaries as tough street fighters skilled in the tactics of political warfare. They quietly took pride in tearing apart Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and the rest of their rivals. The aggressive posture ultimately became one of Mr. Romney’s selling points, particularly among conservative voters who were searching for the candidate tenacious enough to take out President Obama in the general election. But now, even with polls suggesting he is battling Mr. Obama to a draw at this stage of the race, Mr. Romney finds himself confronting concern that he is not nimble and aggressive enough to withstand the Democratic assault against him.”

“Former Vice President Dick Cheney will open his Wyoming home Thursday for a Mitt Romney fundraiser, underscoring the complex relationship the presumptive Republican presidential nominee has with the last GOP administration,” The Wall Street Journal writes. “Both Mr. Cheney and former President George W. Bush are frequent targets of Democratic barbs and elicit mixed emotions in the political center. However, among Republicans, though some conservatives criticize the Bush administration for not doing more to curb government spending, polls show Mr. Bush remains broadly popular with the party base. That is why Mr. Romney and his campaign have faced a complicated task, saying little about the former president on the stump while quietly working to shore up support and contributions from the politically important Bush network.”

The Boston Globe: “Government documents filed by Mitt Romney and Bain Capital say Romney remained chief executive and chairman of the firm three years beyond the date he said he ceded control, even creating five new investment partnerships during that time. Romney has said he left Bain in 1999 to lead the winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, ending his role in the company. But public Securities and Exchange Commission documents filed later by Bain Capital state he remained the firm’s “sole stockholder, chairman of the board, chief executive officer, and president.””

“Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney depends on a wide network of venture capitalists, hedge-fund managers and other Wall Street bankers to raise the hundreds of millions he has amassed in his bid to oust President Obama, a USA TODAY analysis of his fundraising operation shows. More than 300 people — or nearly a quarter of the roughly 1,200 individuals USA TODAY has identified as Romney fundraisers — come from the world of finance, more than any other sector. More than a dozen come from the ranks of a single company, investment powerhouse Goldman Sachs, which spent nearly $4.4 million to influence Washington policymakers last year.”

As NBC’s Garrett Haake first reported on First Read: “Mitt Romney likely didn't win any votes at the national NAACP convention on Wednesday, but the African American atendees gave the presumptive GOP nominee credit nonetheless for trying.”

PAWLENTY: “As a presidential hopeful, Tim Pawlenty won respect among GOP insiders, social conservatives and the tea party movement. Far from the first love of any faction, he quickly washed out as a candidate. Almost a year after he abandoned his White House bid, Pawlenty’s reputation as being suitable but not a standout is actually fueling the speculation that the former Minnesota governor is a serious contender in Republican Mitt Romney’s search for a running mate,” AP reports.

RUBIO: “Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) issued a harsh statement on Wednesday condemning comments that President Barack Obama made about Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez as “alarmingly naïve,”” Politico writes.

“The Republican-led House of Representatives, on a near party-line vote of 244-185, on Wednesday once again passed a bill to repeal President Barack Obama's overhaul of the healthcare system. Just like previous House efforts to end the two-year-old healthcare law, the bill is certain to be stopped by Obama's fellow Democrats who control the Senate. Regardless, the fight over the landmark law, which has divided Americans and rallied the Democratic and Republican political bases, will likely rage on into the November 6 elections. Five Democrats joined all Republicans in voting to repeal the law, which requires nearly all Americans to obtain insurance or pay a penalty tax.” Reuters reports. 

Businessweek: “Senate Democrats rejected a Republican offer for a quick vote on President Barack Obama’s tax plan in part because they haven’t turned Obama’s idea into a bill or made clear how they want to handle the tax rate on dividends, the estate tax and the alternative minimum tax. Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois, the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat, said yesterday that Democrats are focused on language extending expiring tax cuts for income up to $250,000, adding that they still must figure out whether to include -- and how to treat -- the estate tax and AMT extensions in the measure.”

HOUSTON -- Mitt Romney likely didn't win any votes at the national NAACP convention on Wednesday, but the African American atendees gave the presumptive GOP nominee credit nonetheless for trying.

The crowd gathered in Texas for the civil rights group's annual meeting booed Romney for vowing to repeal President Obama's health care reform law.

Evan Vucci / AP

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks before the NAACP annual convention July 11 in Houston, Texas.

"I'm going to eliminate every non-essential, expensive program I can find. That includes Obamacare," Romney told the overwhelmingly African American membership gathered for his address, as a chorus of boos forced the candidate to stop his speech for fifteen seconds, then veer off script to defend his position.

But this audience was never likely to be a friendly crowd for the presumptive GOP nominee, with African American voters supporting President Obama over John McCain 95 to 4 percent in 2008, and with current polls showing a similar split in this election cycle. Romney made note of the tough room with a joke at the start of his remarks.

"I appreciate the chance to speak first – even before Vice President Biden gets his turn tomorrow," Romney said. "I just hope the Obama campaign won’t think you’re playing favorites." 

Several attendees said after the speech that while they appreciated Romney appearing here, he would never win their support.

"I give him kudos for coming here, I really do. He had nerves," said Betty Bush, a retired auto worker from Alabama, who then added she could think of "nothing," that she agreed with in Romney's remarks.

"I thought it was courageous for him and gracious of him to come, and we really appreciate that," said Steven Goings, who traveled to Texas from Monterrey, California for the convention. "Certainly I disagree with most of what he says, but that's to be expected."

The candidate made several attempts to reach out to the black community specifically in his speech: highlighting his father's work on civil rights in the 1960's, pledging to improve the job market for blacks, who suffer from a disproportionately high 14.4 percent unemployment rate, and highlighting his education reform work as Massachusetts governor.

Romney's comments on education -- specifically his often-told story of protecting charter schools in Massachusetts with the help of the black caucus in the Massachusetts legislature -- appeared to be the most popular element of his speech today, here in the home city of the successful KIPP charter school system.

"We need Obamacare," said Liz Cotton, a grandmother from Virginia, when asked what she thought of Romney's speech, adding:"I agree with him on Charter schools. I think charter schools are really good."

Campaign officials said they were pleased with the reception Romney received overall, noting many of his positions -- including pushing back against China on trade issues -- earned notable applause. Several political analysts also noted today that Romney's audience today was broader than just those in the room if he could appeal to moderates and independents just by showing up at the convention. (As the Republican nominee in 2008 John McCain also spoke to the group, as did then-Senator Obama, who begged off this year citing scheduling conflicts)

But on the economic argument that he could be a better president for people of all colors in America -- the core of Romney's campaign message -- Romney appeared to make little headway with this audience.

"I wouldn't say there was nothing to his argument," said Goings, offering faint praise, and adding that he would "certainly" be voting for Obama again this year.

Romney was interrupted with boos twice more for criticizing the president in the course of a twenty five minute address to an audience that was likely the least-supportive one he has spoken to all campaign season. He earned only smatterings of applause for his policy positions, but ultimately receiving a brief, cordial standing ovation from the several hundred attendees as he wrapped up his remarks.

Mitt Romney found himself on the receiving end of a loud chorus of boos when he promised to repeal health care reform during a speech before the NAACP.

"If our goal is jobs, we have to stop spending over a trillion dollars more than we take in every year. So to do that, I'm going to eliminate every non-essential, expensive program I can find. That includes Obamacare, and I'm going to work to reform and save -- " Romney said, being interrupted by boos.

Romney otherwise encountered polite applause in his speech, which hit on themes of jobs and the economy -- mainstays of the presumptive Republican presidential nominee's overall stump speech -- as well as education reform.

The former Massachusetts governor faced an uphill task politically in speaking before the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), one of the most historic and well-established civil rights groups. President Barack Obama, as the nation's first black president, enjoys tremendous levels of support and enthusiasm from black voters, who helped propel Obama to office in 2008 in key swing states.

Romney joked about the fact that he's unlikely to win over many African American voters. "I appreciate the chance to speak first -- even before Vice President Biden gets his turn tomorrow," he said. "I just hope the Obama campaign won’t think you’re playing favorites."

But the speech, overall, was intended to portray his candidacy as one for all Americans, unified by a theme of improving the economy. Romney pledged to return to speak before the NAACP at its convention next year, should he be elected.

Romney also spoke with reverence toward the legacy of his father, Michigan Gov. George Romney, a Republican who broke with his party at times over the issue of civil rights.

"For every one of us a particular person comes to mind, someone who set a standard of conduct and made us better by their example. For me, that man is my father, George Romney," he said, detailing some of his father's work to advance civil rights.

Edited by NBC's Natalie Cucchiara.

Nicholas Kamm / AFP - Getty Images

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, surrounded by volunteers, speaks during a tour of the Care and Share food bank in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on July 10, 2012.

The battle to define Romney… Obama camp outspending Romney on the airwaves, but total pro-Romney groups outspending Team Obama… An example where TV ad spending can move the needle: Michigan… This week’s 10 hottest advertising markets… Veepstakes alert!!!… Should Democrats be nervous about Scranton?... Drumbeat for Romney to release more tax returns gets louder… Today’s health-care theatrics on the Hill… And Cornyn’s memo on November.

*** The battle to define Romney: The Obama campaign and its allies argue that their work to define Romney -- through TV ads like this and this -- is working. The Romney camp counters, however, that the race remains close and Obama is still below 50%, despite all the money the Obama camp is spending on ads (and it’s only July). Both statements seem to be true. Let's take a look at the numbers. According to new polling conducted for the pro-Obama Super PAC Priorities USA in the states of Colorado, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia (among likely voters from June 25-July 3), 37% say that Romney’s past business experience makes them LESS likely to vote for him, versus 27% who say it makes them MORE likely to vote for him. That's not too dissimilar from the recent NBC/WSJ poll, which found an 18%-33% ratio in the battlegrounds (and 23%-28% overall). And the Priorities polling also shows Obama leading in Colorado (49%-42%), Florida (48%-44%), Ohio (48%-41%), Pennsylvania (49%-40%), and Virginia (46%-43%). Again, that’s pretty close to what our NBC/WSJ poll found for 12 battleground states -- Obama 50%, Romney 42%. As Charlie Cook recently wrote, “If President Obama’s campaign machine can define Mitt Romney before his own campaign even tries, my bet is Obama wins reelection.”

*** Obama outspending Romney, but pro-GOP groups outspending pro-Dem groups: As we noted yesterday, Romney is being outspent by Obama in the battleground states -- due in large part to the fact that Romney can't use general election funds until after the GOP convention. According to ad-spending data from NBC/SMG Delta, the Obama camp has purchased $7.5 million in ads this week, versus $4.7 million for the Romney campaign. And for the entire general election, it's $99.4 million vs. $27.4 million. That said, total pro-Romney spending this week (campaign, Crossroads, Americans for Prosperity, etc) is outpacing total pro-Obama spending, $11.9 million vs. $8.4 million. And overall, it’s $163.4 to $114.7 million. So what's going on here? How could Romney be negatively defined when Republicans are spending more in ads? Here are a couple of explanations: 1) Obama, because he's the incumbent president, is simply more defined than Romney and thus negative advertising is likely to have a bigger impact on Romney than Obama; and 2) the message from the GOP advertising entities (Romney camp, Crossroads, Restore, etc.) is more dispersed, while the two Obama entities (campaign, Priorities USA) is more concentrated.  By the way, there is growing chatter among some Romney allies wondering aloud if the TV ads from the GOP Super PACs could be better. And given this data, do they have a point?

*** An example where ad spending can move the needle: But you want a clear example of how advertising -- especially when it's uncontested -- can move the needle? Look no further than in Michigan, where pro-Romney groups have spent a combined $4.7 million so far during the general election, versus just $10,000 by pro-Obama groups. That’s why the race has tightened in Michigan, per our recent NBC-Marist poll. This is the potential threat all the outside GOP spending could have on this race: If uncontested, it could open up states where Team Obama doesn't want to advertise. If you want to know one of the things that keeps Jim Messina and David Plouffe up some nights, it’s THIS issue…

*** This week’s 10 hottest advertising markets: Given this discussion of ad-spending numbers, here’s our weekly look at the 10 hottest advertising markets (in terms of advertising points from July 9-July 15). The big story here: Three of the top four markets are in Colorado, including top-ranked Colorado Springs, which holds on to its No.1 slot from last week. In addition, two markets are in Florida, two in Virginia, two in North Carolina, and one in Ohio. One other thing worth noting: Check out how Romney is outspending Obama in some of these 10 hottest markets, even as Obama is outspending Romney nearly 2-1 for the week. So what has to be occurring is that Obama is outspending in markets that the Romney campaign really isn’t contesting -- for now.

1. Colorado Springs, CO (Romney 1,000, Obama 985, Crossroads 430, AFP 200, Priorities 155)
2. Grand Junction, CO (Obama 975, Romney 820, Crossroads 450, AFP 330)
3. Tampa, FL (Romney 920, Obama 765, Crossroads 430, AFP 223. Priorities 185)
4. Denver, CO (Obama 1,000, Romney 860, Crossroads 300, Priorities 150, AFP 140)
5. Orlando, FL (Romney 900, Obama 860, Crossroads 340, AFP 170, Priorities 150)
6. Richmond-Petersburg, VA (Obama 900, Romney 800, Crossroads 200, AFP 180, Priorities 155)
7. Roanoke-Lynchburg, VA (Obama 975, Romney 450, Crossroads 490, AFP 395)
8. Greenville-New Bern, NC (Romney 850, Obama 600, Crossroads 415, AFP 300)
9. Charlotte, NC (Romney 830, Obama 800, Crossroads 275, AFP 200)
10. Cleveland (Obama 915, Romney 650, Crossroads 200, AFP 150, Priorities 120)

*** Veepstakes alert: Reuters reported last night that Romney could be naming his VP earlier than expected. While that might be overstating things a bit (Romney’s actual quote yesterday was, "I can't give you the timeline for that. That's a decision we'll make down the road. Nor can I give you the individual"), we all might want to be on high alert between now and Monday. One would assume the Romney campaign wants the TICKET to tour the country for a week together. So, given the schedule for his foreign trip, if the pick isn’t announced by Monday… we can probably stand down until August.

*** Should Democrats be nervous about Scranton? If you’re the Obama campaign, you might be a tad nervous about the Scranton story -- that the city is making all of its municipal employees work for minimum wage to stay afloat budget-wise. After all, this is a narrative that the GOP has been pushing for the past two years (governments are going broke), and it’s Joe Biden’s hometown. Oh, and did we mention that Scranton’s DEMOCRATIC mayor is the one making these budget cuts? If you are in the GOP trying to push this government is too big and unsustainable issue, you couldn’t script the Scranton story any better. Then again, there’s another story out there -- wealthy Denise Rich is revoking her U.S. citizenship ostensibly so she can avoid paying taxes -- suggesting one of the reasons why governments are struggling right now: There isn’t enough tax revenue. Which story will have more pull with swing voters?

*** Drumbeat for Romney to release more tax returns gets louder: The drumbeat by the Obama campaign, Democrats, and liberals for Mitt Romney to release his tax returns (beyond 2010 and 2011) is getting louder and louder. The latest example is this editorial by the New York Times: “Mr. Romney has resisted all demands for more disclosure, leading to growing criticism from Democrats that he is trying to hide his fortune and his tax schemes from the public. Given the troubling suspicions about his finances, he needs to release many more returns and quickly open his books to full scrutiny.” Ask yourself this question: Which story has received more attention this week – Friday’s jobs numbers, or Romney and his taxes/offshore accounts.

*** On the trail: At 10:30 am ET from Houston, TX, Romney addresses the NAACP’s convention. We know he’ll spend a good deal of time talking about the economy. But here’s a question we have: Does he address the Mormon Church’s history concerning African Americans? Meanwhile, the Romney camp is up with this new Spanish-language TV ad featuring Romney son Craig.

*** Health care theatrics on the Hill: And over on Capitol Hill, if you missed House Speaker John Boehner and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi giving passionate speeches about health care, you’re in luck. Today, the House will hold a symbolic vote to repeal the federal health-care law -- again. Per NBC’s Luke Russert, the GOP-controlled House has already held 32 votes trying to repeal or rescind parts of the health-care law. And today makes 33. This particular legislation has no chance of clearing the Senate or of reaching President Obama’s desk.

*** Cornyn’s new memo: Finally, NRSC Chairman John Cornyn is up with a new memo, arguing that the past two weeks have created an opportunity for Republicans to “define the choice before voters this November.” Writes Cornyn, “In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision on ObamaCare, every Democratic Senate candidate in the country will now have to explain why at a time of such great economic uncertainty they voted to ram into law a massive tax hike on middle class families and small businesses, instead of focusing on jobs.”

Countdown to GOP convention: 47 days
Countdown to Dem convention: 54 days
Countdown to Election Day: 118 days

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*** Wednesday’s “Daily Rundown” line-up: NRSC Chairman Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) on tax cut and health care fights as well as the fight for Senate control… NBC’s Luke Russert with a preview of today’s repeal vote… Latest battleground ad spending information… More 2012 headlines with Bloomberg News’ Jeanne Cummings, National Review’s Jim Geraghty and former Obama White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton of Priorities USA Action Fund.

*** Wednesday’s “Jansing & Co.” line-up: MSNBC’s Chris Jansing interviews Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), Romney campaign Hispanic steering cmte co-chair Carlos Gutierrez, SEIU President Mary Kay Henry, the New York Times’ Charles Blow, the Atlantic’s Molly Ball, La Raza’s Clarissa Martinez de Castro, former DNC Communications Director Karen Finney, and GOP Strategist Joe Watkins.

*** Wednesday’s “MSNBC Live with Thomas Roberts” line-up: MSNBC’s Richard Lui, filling in for Thomas Roberts, talks with Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver, Ron Reagan, Washington Post/Bloomberg Columnist Ezra Klein, Urban Radio Network WH Correspondent April Ryan, Republican Strategist Chip Saltsman, and Democratic Strategist Chris Kofinis.

*** Wednesday’s “NOW with Alex Wagner” line-up: Alex Wagner’s guests include New York Times Magazine Editor Hugo Lindgren, Georgetown professor Michael Eric Dyson, TheGrio.com Managing Editor Joy Reid, Mother Jones DC Bureau Chief David Corn, MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell, and Fredrick Harris, author of “The Price of the Ticket.”

*** Wednesday’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports” line-up: NBC’s Andrea Mitchell interviews NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell and Luke Russert, Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI), Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the Washington Post’s Steven Pearlstein and Jonathan Capehart, Romney Adviser Vin Weber and Tracy Keil, spouse of a wounded veteran who will testify today on the V.A.’s fertility services.

*** Wednesday’s “News Nation with Tamron Hall” line-up: MSNBC’s Tamron Hall interviews political analyst Earl Ofari Hutchinson & The Grio’s Joy Reid (about Romney at NAACP), Roll Call’s Shira Toeplitz (on how First Lady Michelle Obama is in demand on the campaign trail), Democratic strategist Doug Thornell & Republican strategist and msnbc contributor Susan Del Percio. And Kelly O’Donnell covers the latest on the Health Care Vote in the House today.