Politics - what I see and what I do not understand: 08/02/12

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Time Line Stories by News Commentators 02/07 - 02/08/2012

This time line if from yesterday morning until 1:00 am this morning. I could not possibly cover all the stories, so I did a time line with links to all articles.

0:34 AM – Today

DNC Chair Hits Romney

@ DWStweets : Republicans are reluctant to get behind Romney. It's clear that the more people get to know Romney, the less they like him.

0:27 AM – Today

Huntsman: A Lot Of Stuff Is Made Up

@ mpoindc : "A lot of the stuff is made up in the media," Huntsman says when asked about tension with Romney, without ever denying it.

0:01 AM – Today

Ann Romney Sends Email To Mitt's Supporters Ann Romney sent an email to Mitt's supporters Tuesday night thanking them for their support:

Mitt and I have traveled thousands of miles on the road these last few months -- and we've got a whole lot more to go. At every campaign stop, we are greeted by overwhelming crowds of wonderful supporters like you as we journey across this beautiful country. We draw great motivation and energy from your support. Our day-to-day interactions with you at rallies, town halls, and other campaign events serve as a constant reminder of why Mitt is in this fight.

10:36 PM – 02/07/2012

Fleischer: Santorum Could Make Bank Thanks To Win

@ AriFleischer : Even tho no delegates awarded tonight, money will come in for Santorum tomorrow.

10:33 PM – 02/07/2012

Pawlenty: 'I'm Not Peeved'

@ jonathanwald : Pawlenty: "I'm not peeved, Rick Santorum won, he should be congratulated". Full interview w/@piersmorgan at Midnight.

10:33 PM – 02/07/2012

Blunt Congratulates Santorum.. Sort Of

@ ryanbeckwith : "I congratulate my friend Rick Santorum on his win tonight but the fact remains that this is a non-binding primary" - Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.)

10:32 PM – 02/07/2012

Sen. Blunt: Romney Could 'Go The Distance'

@ BuzzFeedBen : MO Sen Blunt stmt: "Mitt Romney has the organization and the resources to go the distance in this election". Just not tonight.

10:12 PM – 02/07/2012

Bachmann: I Miss One Thing

Michele Bachmann appeared on Fox News Tuesaday night to discuss the day's primary and caucuses. When host Greta Van Susteren asked her if she missed being a presidential candidate, Bachmann said there was one aspect of the race she wished she was still part of.
"I loved the debates, they were fascinating," Bachmann said.
-- Paige Lavender

9:38 PM – 02/07/2012

Herman Cain: Ease Up On The Nasty

Appearing on Fox News this evening, Herman Cain advised the remaining candidates in the Republican field to tone down the nastiness or risk an enthusiasm gap against Obama in the fall.

I don't like the infighting. And the people who say that it's going to make the eventual nominee stronger, I don't think so. Because what this infighting has done is it has diminished a lot of the voter enthusiasm. All you have got to do is look at what happened in some of these previous primaries. The voter turnout was down. And I think it's expected that the voter turnout is going to be down for some of the caucuses. The infighting, I believe, has a negative effect on enthusiasm which is why whoever gets the nomination, Sean [Hannity], is going to be an uphill battle to get people re-energized and reengaged for the Republican nominee. That is going to be the big uphill battle.

This would be a logical thing to say for an unaffiliated Republican figure. But Cain is, technically at least, a Gingrich supporter. And his call for civility kind of cuts down the former House speaker's argument that he's got to fight Romney's attacks with counter-attacks.
-- Sam Stein

9:13 PM – 02/07/2012

Herman Cain Confused About His Three Things

@ samsteinhp : Cain says there are THREE things that will "cause the average person" to be motivated: taxes, jobs, gasoline prices, and religion

9:03 PM – 02/07/2012

Howard Fineman On Last Word

@ howardfineman : That is -- Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell on MSNBC at 10 pm re Minn-Mo-Colo results. A Santorum semi-surge?

7:33 PM – 02/07/2012

Bachmann: 'It's Wide-Open Tonight'

@ michaelpfalcone : "I think that it's wide-open tonight," Michele Bachmann says of Minnesota's caucuses. "I do think it's a tossup"

7:32 PM – 02/07/2012

Bachmann Getting Romney Mailers

@ KellyO : From candidate to sought after voter. @MicheleBachmann says she's getting @MittRomney mailers at her MN home.

6:44 PM – 02/07/2012

Pawlenty In Kansas Tonight

@ jmartpolitico : This sez something about Mittworld hopes for MN - Tpaw is in Lawrence, KS tonite giving speech at KU's Dole Institute

4:02 PM – 02/07/2012

Trump: 'I Won't Risk Obama Benefitting' From Anti-Obama Split

@ realDonaldTrump : Many, many people are disappointed I didn't run third party--but I won't risk @BarackObama benefiting from a split in the anti-Obama vote.

3:02 PM – 02/07/2012

Pawlenty Continues Push Against Santorum

CNN reports:

Tim Pawlenty, former Republican presidential candidate and now Mitt Romney supporter, repeated his criticism of Rick Santorum Tuesday, claiming the former Pennsylvania senator once supported health care mandates. Santorum, meanwhile, defended the attacks on Monday.

Click here to read more.

2:21 PM – 02/07/2012

McCain: Russ Is Right About Obama

@ SenJohnMcCain : As usual, Russ is right! "Feingold: Obama super-PAC decision is 'dancing with the devil'" http://t.co/JBAdNej8

2:11 PM – 02/07/2012

Giuliani: Romney, Gingrich Are Acting Like Democrats

The Hill caught Rudy Giuliani on Fox criticizing two of the frontrunners for the Republican nomination:

The attacks that offended me the most was when Romney became a Democrat to attack Newt and when Newt became a Democrat to attack Romney. I think attacking Romney over Bain -- stupid, dumb, and you sound like a Democrat. And attacking Newt over what went on in Congress, which was a Democratic plot to get back at him because of what he did to Wright, was like acting like a Democrat. What the heck are we doing that for?

You can watch the video, starting at about 3:30, here.
-- Ariel Edwards-Levy

2:10 PM – 02/07/2012

Huntsman Makes First Appearance Since Dropping Out

@ JoNBCNews : Huntsman will appear on the Tonight Show w/Jay Leno tonight - 1st major appearance since dropping out Jan 16 #decision2012

1:50 PM – 02/07/2012

Perry Fails To Mention Gingrich In Today's Speech

@ michaelpfalcone : One name that didn't come up during Rick Perry's 1st speech since dropping out: Newt Gingrich http://t.co/YS7JkBlI (via @ArletteSaenz)

1:46 PM – 02/07/2012

Perry’s Adamant He Still Has the Fight

ABC News' Arlette Saenz reports:

Back on his home turf in the Lone Star State in his first public appearance since leaving the presidential race, Texas Gov. Rick Perry vowed he wouldn’t fade away into obscurity now that he’s off the presidential campaign trail and returning to his duties as governor. “I’m not slipping off in to the sunset. I’m not riding off into the West. We’ve got plenty of work to do right here in the state of Texas,” said Perry at a hotel ballroom just north of Austin, ”and I’ve got plenty of fight left in this 61-year-old body.”

Click here to read more.

12:19 PM – 02/07/2012

Pawlenty: Santorum Should Play 'Fair'

CNN reports:

Tim Pawlenty, former Republican presidential candidate and now Mitt Romney supporter, repeated his criticism of Rick Santorum Tuesday, the same day that Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri hold their nominating contests.

Click here to read more.

11:47 AM – 02/07/2012

Huntsman Rules Out Another Political Bid For Now

The Salt Lake Tribune's Thomas Burr reports:

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman says he’s ruling out another political bid this year but is leaving open the possibility of a future run. In his first public comments since abandoning his presidential race, Huntsman told The Salt Lake Tribune that he plans to serve on some corporation boards, do some volunteer work and go on a speaker circuit as well as possibly taking some yet-to-be-named news media gig. But, for now, he’s taking a break from the political scene.

Click here to read more.

11:06 AM – 02/07/2012

Anita Perry: I Hope Rick Runs Again

The Hill's GOP12 reports:

Rick Perry's wife, Anita, tells Fox News that she hopes Rick runs for president again, but not without "more debate prep."

Click here to read more.

10:46 AM – 02/07/2012

Palin: Obama 'Would Really Fear' Facing Newt

HuffPost reports:

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) continued to show her admiration for GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich on Monday, claiming that he was the one candidate President Barack Obama "would really fear having to debate."

Click here to read more.

9:48 AM – 02/07/2012

Perry Makes First Speech Since Abandoning Presidential Run

As the GOP candidates look for wins in Missouri, Colorado and Minnesota today, their former rival Rick Perry is stepping back into the spotlight with his first speech since abandoning his presidential run.
The AP reports:

Rick Perry acknowledged Monday that he's not used to losing but also vowed "I'm not slipping off into the sunset" while promising to battle federal energy and environmental policies he says would cost Texas jobs.

Click here to read more.

0:34 AM – Today

DNC Chair Hits Romney

@ DWStweets : Republicans are reluctant to get behind Romney. It's clear that the more people get to know Romney, the less they like him.

9:38 PM – 02/07/2012

Herman Cain: Ease Up On The Nasty

Appearing on Fox News this evening, Herman Cain advised the remaining candidates in the Republican field to tone down the nastiness or risk an enthusiasm gap against Obama in the fall.

I don't like the infighting. And the people who say that it's going to make the eventual nominee stronger, I don't think so. Because what this infighting has done is it has diminished a lot of the voter enthusiasm. All you have got to do is look at what happened in some of these previous primaries. The voter turnout was down. And I think it's expected that the voter turnout is going to be down for some of the caucuses. The infighting, I believe, has a negative effect on enthusiasm which is why whoever gets the nomination, Sean [Hannity], is going to be an uphill battle to get people re-energized and reengaged for the Republican nominee. That is going to be the big uphill battle.

2:11 PM – 02/07/2012

Giuliani: Romney, Gingrich Are Acting Like Democrats
The Hill caught Rudy Giuliani on Fox criticizing two of the frontrunners for the Republican nomination:

The attacks that offended me the most was when Romney became a Democrat to attack Newt and when Newt became a Democrat to attack Romney. I think attacking Romney over Bain -- stupid, dumb, and you sound like a Democrat. And attacking Newt over what went on in Congress, which was a Democratic plot to get back at him because of what he did to Wright, was like acting like a Democrat. What the heck are we doing that for?

You can watch the video, starting at about 3:30, here.
-- Ariel Edwards-Levy

Election 2012 Story Time Line 2/07 - 02/08/2012

This time line if from yesterday morning until 1:00 am this morning. I could not possibly cover all the stories, so I did a time line with links to all articles.

1:11 AM – Today

Winners & Losers Of The Night

Republican presidential candidates fought for momentum in three contests on Tuesday, in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri.
As with every competition, regardless of how they are formulated, there can be both winners and losers. HuffPost compiled a list of the biggest winners and losers from today's GOP races.
Click here to take a look and vote for the biggest in each category.

0:25 AM – Today

Democrats Debate State Issues In Minnesota Caucus

Hopkins Patch's James Warden's reports from an uncontested Democratic caucus in Minnesota.

Redistricting, voter ID and a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage were both big topics of conversation at the caucuses, said Eric Margolis, the Hopkins caucus organizer. Margolis said caucus-goers didn’t focus too much on the national issues that generated so much discussion at the Republican caucuses just across Highway 7.
"Really, people are just excited about taking back our legislative houses," he said.

0:19 AM – Today

70K Votes In '08 Trumps Votes Tonight

@ 2chambers : 70K votes were cast in '08 CO GOP caucuses. 2nite, fewer than 8K votes have been counted so far -- too early to read into current vote tally

0:16 AM – Today

2012 vs. 2008

@ 2chambers : Minnesota turnout, with 77 percent reporting, is at about 40,000. Four years ago, was at 62,000.

0:04 AM – Today

Minnesota Caucus Tests Voter ID Scanner

Republicans in Stillwater, Minn., used a voter ID scanner as part of a test during the caucuses tonight, Stillwater Patch reports.

GOP legislators are attempting to pass a constitutional amendment requiring a photo ID to vote in Minnesota, and caucus coordinator Joe Westrup purchased a pair of the $25 devices as part of an effort to demonstrate the practicality of such a requirement. Westrup wrote a simple program to scan the bar code of caucus-goers' driver's licenses and push the data into a spreadsheet. He said he was a certified financial planner with no technological background.
"If you can run Microsoft Excel, you can do this," he said. "The reason we're doing it is to move people through the line faster."

0:01 AM – Today

Colorado Will Be Close

@ philipaklein : Even if Romney wins CO, it now looks like it'll at least be very close. Which is amazing considering he won w/ 60% last time.

10:35 PM – 02/07/2012

Obama Writing Off Missouri

@ jeffzeleny : Speaking of Missouri: In the fall, Obama is essentially writing it off, even though he lost by 3,632 votes of 2.9 million cast in 2008.

9:03 PM – 02/07/2012

How 'Non-Binding' Are The Colorado and Minnesota Caucuses?

The ongoing discussion over the technically "non-binding" nature of the Colorado and Minnesota caucuses can be confusing. Technically, the straw votes we are reporting from those states do not directly determine the number of delegates each candidate wins the Republican convention in Tampa. However, the delegate selection process does begin tonight in those two states.
But will winning the straw vote translate into more delegates? Yes. One of the better explanations of how this works comes from political scientist Jonathan Bernstein:

Think of it this way. If the campaigns were perfectly organized, then every caucuser in each of these states would vote for a next-stage delegate who was loyal to the same candidate he or she voted for in the straw poll. That would produce county conventions that perfectly translated those precinct results up the line, and so on, with the result that the eventual delegation would simply reflect the original straw vote.

"Except," he continues, "the campaigns are not perfectly organized." Not everyone who votes in the straw vote will participate in selection of precinct delegates at tonight's caucuses. And some of the selected delegates may shift their preferences at the next level of the process. Ultimately, there are "no rules guaranteeing that anything that happens tonight will translate into eventual delegate numbers; it's all about actual people participating in the various stages of the process, and the ability of the candidate campaigns to organize."
Read more of Jonathan Bernstein's post here.
-- Mark Blumenthal

7:53 PM – 02/07/2012

High Attendance Expected At Minnesota Caucuses

Patch editors at caucus sites around the Minneapolis-St. Paul region report a steady flow of Republicans filing into caucus locations in the Twin Cities. In Northfield, Minn., local GOP officials told Patch that many first time caucus goers have been contacting local Republicans about participating in the caucuses. While in Roseville, local Republican officials are expecting between 200-300 attendees at the caucus. With Ron Paul speaking at caucuses in Maple Grove, over 1,000 Republicans are expected to attend.
Read more
- John Celock

7:32 PM – 02/07/2012

How Will Obama Do?

@ FixAaron : Pointless exercise of the night: See how Obama does in Missouri's beauty contest primary. He has three opponents (no Vermin Supreme, tho).

7:16 PM – 02/07/2012

Missouri Voters Upset At 'Beauty Contest' Primary

NPR reports:

Many are upset that the so-called beauty contest primary will cost the state and its counties $7 million to run. "It's a waste of taxpayers' money because it doesn't count," complains William Holt, a retired autoworker. Voter indifference to the primary is not something Eugene Dokes, the GOP chairman in St. Charles, is worried much about. His main concern is that, having held the primary, people won't show up at the caucuses next month.
"It's the caucus that we're really going to have to do some work to get people out to," Dokes says. "People are used to the primary counting, and the caucus not."

Read the rest here.

7:04 PM – 02/07/2012

Missouri Results MAP (REAL-TIME DATA)

HuffPost has maps featuring real-time data provided to HuffPost by the Associated Press showing county-by-county results for the 2012 Missouri primary, Minnesota caucus and Colorado caucus.
To see the returns for a specific county, simply click that area of the map. You'll also be able to see how Romney and Paul fared in each county in 2008.
The maps are updated every 10 seconds, so there's no need to refresh for the page for the latest results.
Click here to view the maps and follow along as results come in.

6:53 PM – 02/07/2012

Super Bowl Ad Raises Questions About Underlying Political Message

As the GOP race continues, another political fight is heating up in Detroit over a Super Bowl ad featuring Clint Eastwood.
HuffPost's Sharon Silke Carty reports:

On Monday, responding to a barrage of criticism from conservative pundits and some football fans, Chrysler chief executive Sergio Marchionne denied there had been any political message in the company's Super Bowl aired during Sunday's night's halftime show. "It had zero political content," Marchionne told a Detroit radio station. "It was not m

eant to be any type of a political overture on our part; we are as apolitical as you can make us." Click here to read more.

6:39 PM – 02/07/2012

No Major Networks Lead Nightly News With Caucus, Primary Coverage

@ markknoller : Leading the network news: CBS: same sex marriage ban struck down in CA. ABC: job openings go unfilled; NBC: sex scandal at L.A. school

6:13 PM – 02/07/2012

While GOP Hopefuls Bash Prop 8 Ruling, Bloomberg Shares Support

@ mpoppel : Bloomberg: Marriage equality has made New York stronger, more dynamic and more competitive

6:05 PM – 02/07/2012

Republican Candidates Spread Out

The Washington Post blog The Fix reports:

None of the four remaining Republican presidential candidates will be in the same state tonight. To recap: Mitt Romney is in Colorado, the one state he is projected to win.
Rick Santorum is in Missouri after stopping in all three states today.
Ron Paul is in Minnesota, the state where he apparently could finish second.
And Newt Gingrich is in ... Ohio (where the primary isn’t until Super Tuesday on March 6, but early voting begins tomorrow).

-- Ariel Edwards-Levy

5:52 PM – 02/07/2012

Minn. GOP Precinct To Test-Drive Photo ID Scanner

The AP reports:

Republicans who attend a party caucus gathering at one Stillwater precinct will get to try registering with a photo ID scanner. The GOP activists who organized the Rutherford Elementary School caucus on Tuesday purchased the device themselves The technology is similar to what would be the law of Minnesota if Republican legislators are successful in pushing a constitutional amendment to require a photo ID to vote in Minnesota.

Click here to read more.

5:45 PM – 02/07/2012

Any GOP Women Criticizing Obama?

@ mmurraypolitics : Just asking, but have we seen a female GOP pol criticize the Obama adm. on contraception? Today: Romney, Newt, McConnell, Boozman...

5:32 PM – 02/07/2012

Primaries Could Force Out One Of Romney’s Rivals

The Daily Beast's Ben Jacobs reports:

Today will see three crucial contests in the GOP presidential primary. Although these races will not award a single delegate, they will determine the fate of one of the remaining four candidates. Rick Santorum’s low-key campaign needs to be successful tonight in at least one of the three states where voters will be expressing preferences—Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri. The first two states, which are caucuses, will be crucial in determining if Santorum’s success organizing social conservatives and evangelicals in Iowa was a unique phenomenon or a sign of real appeal in Middle America. In Missouri, which is a nonbinding primary, Santorum will have his one opportunity to go head-to-head against Mitt Romney, as Newt Gingrich opted not to participate in this “beauty contest.”

Click here to read more.

5:17 PM – 02/07/2012

Colorado Republicans Win

The AP reports:

No matter who wins Tuesday, Colorado Republicans have a big victory on their hands. They moved their presidential caucuses up a month and crossed their fingers that the GOP contest would still be up for grabs. It worked. And Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum campaigned in-state Tuesday to ask for last-minute support.
"You've got a big caucus tonight," Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator, told a crowd in Colorado Springs.

Click here to read more.

5:03 PM – 02/07/2012

The Ides Of February

CNN reports:

Bob Walker has time to rest and talk with a visiting reporter at his Washington office. There's less need to be on the road for the Newt Gingrich backer, surrogate and national campaign chairman. A former congressman from Pennsylvania, Walker spent a lot of time in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida, helping his old friend.
"In the end, I think it will come down to neither Romney nor Gingrich will have good Februarys," Walker says in a wide ranging conversation with CNN Radio.

Click here to read more.

4:52 PM – 02/07/2012

GOP Rivals Pounce On Romney’s ‘Assault On Religion’ Line

ABC News' Emily Friedman reports:

Mitt Romney’s Republican rivals pounced today on his accusations that President Obama has an “assault on religion” by forcing Catholic institutions to provide contraceptives and abortion services, suggesting it was a hypocritical statement. Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum charged that Romney made the same demands on Catholic facilities when he was the governor of Massachusetts and implemented his health care plan.

Click here to read more.

4:50 PM – 02/07/2012

What's At Stake?

CNN reports:

Tuesday is the first multiple-state contest in the Republican presidential race, and there's more at stake than just delegates. A combined 70 delegates are up for grabs in Colorado and Minnesota, while none will be awarded in Missouri's non-binding primary. But more important than the delegate count is the momentum candidates could gain or lose.

Click here to read more.

4:45 PM – 02/07/2012

Obama Hit Again

@ nielslesniewski : Sen. McConnell says "the Obama administration has crossed a dangerous line" with respect to freedom of religion.

4:25 PM – 02/07/2012

Missouri House Endorses Voter Photo ID Requirement
As GOP hopefuls worked to win over voters in Missouri, the House endorsed a contentious voter ID requirement.
The AP reports:
The Missouri House on Tuesday endorsed a new attempt by the Legislature requiring people to show photo identification at the polls while voters across the state were casting ballots in a presidential primary. State lawmakers for years have debated whether Missouri should implement a photo ID requirement and generally have split along partisan lines. Republican supporters contend requiring people to show a photo ID is a common-sense guard against voter fraud. Democrats argue there have been no documented cases of voter impersonation in many decades and that the photo ID requirement could make voting harder for some, such as seniors and the disabled

3:32 PM – 02/07/2012

Cable Networks Scale Back Coverage

Media Bistro reports:

Voters in three states — Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri — will weigh in today on the 2012 GOP Presidential nominee. In a departure from recent political coverage, cable networks are scaling back for this round of voting — a primary in Missouri, which is non-binding in the first place, and caucuses in Colorado and Minnesota.

Click here to read more.

3:08 PM – 02/07/2012

What A Difference Two Weeks Makes

Today's update of Gallup's daily tracking poll of Republicans nationwide now shows Mitt Romney is leading Newt Gingrich by a 15 percentage point margin (37 percent to 22 percent) followed by Rick Santorum (16 percent) and Ron Paul (11 percent). Romney's 37 percent level of support now matches his previous high in Gallup's tracking in early January.
Just 11 days ago, on the eve of the Florida primary, Gingrich had surged ahead of Romney by 8 points (32 percent versus 24 percent). Romney's support has steadily increased ever since, however.

This latest twist in the national Republican vote preference may not be the last. As a Gallup report noted yesterday, "The lead switched seven times in Gallup's 2011 polling, and since January has switched twice more."
-- Mark Blumenthal

2:58 PM – 02/07/2012

Minnesota Caucuses Draw Significant Attention

The AP reports:

In presidential politics, Minnesota is as close to a Democratic fortress as states come. It has tantalized Republicans in recent presidential campaigns, but it's still wound up as general election fool's gold for the GOP ever since Richard Nixon last won it for the party in 1972.
So it's easy to understand why Minnesota Republicans are basking in the presidential glare now. For Tuesday's caucuses at least, they have the spotlight to themselves--and a genuine piece of the action.

Click here to read more.

2:40 PM – 02/07/2012

As He's Criticized By GOP Hopefuls, Obama Gets Dems' Support

@ toddzwillich : Reid on Administration contraception policy: "The caucus (Dems) totally supports the president. I do."

2:17 PM – 02/07/2012

GOP Field, Obama Call Out Romney's Hypocrisy

The Hill's Justin Sink reports:

Mitt Romney has been hammering President Obama's decision to mandate employers to provide health insurance for contraception, believing the issue can help him to appeal both to the religious right and moderate Catholic voters who supported Obama in the last election. But Romney's opponents on both sides of the aisle are turning the line of attack back on him Tuesday, pointing out that as governor of Massachusetts, he required all hospitals - including Catholic institutions - to provide the morning after pill.

Click here to read more.

2:14 PM – 02/07/2012

Obama A Certain Caucus Winner, DFL Will Focus On Organizing

MinnPost reports:

While Republicans passionately debate the virtues — or lack thereof — of GOP candidates Tuesday night, DFLers will be voting 100 percent for President Barack Obama. Some might quibble over the validity of that unanimity, given that the president’s name will be the only one on the DFL preferential poll ballot and that the party does not allow for write-ins.

Click here to read more.

2:10 PM – 02/07/2012

Obama Nabs Union Endorsement

@ rweingarten : .@AFTunion just endorsed @BarackObama in the 2012 election-the only choice for Americans to have a fair chance at Am dream. #Obama2012

1:52 PM – 02/07/2012

Obama Makes 'Special Plea' To Press

HuffPost's Jen Bendery reports:

President Barack Obama made a "special plea" to the press on Tuesday to give coverage to the winners of the White House Science Fair. "Pay attention to this. This is important," Obama said during remarks in the East Room, where this year's teenage winners sat all around him. "This doesn't just belong on the back pages of a newspaper. We've got to lift this up and emphasize how important this is and recognize these incredible young people. This is what inspires me and gets me up every day."

Click here to read more.

1:45 PM – 02/07/2012

Colorado GOP Hopes Caucus Will Re-Energize Party

CNN reports:

Ahead of the Tuesday night Republican caucus in the state, Colorado GOP leaders said they hope the event will not only pick a candidate but also help reunite and re-energize their base after a rough 2010 midterm election. In that race the GOP was able to flip several House seats but they lost a Senate race and a chaotic governors race in a year that heavily favored Republicans.

Click here to read more.

1:43 PM – 02/07/2012

Obama's Super PAC Support Materialized As GOP Groups Set Major Target

HuffPost's Paul Blumenthal reports:

Details are beginning to emerge about the Monday night announcement that President Barack Obama's reelection campaign would lend its support to a super PAC run by a former Obama aide. According to senior campaign officials, the president, who has been very critical of super PACs and the court decisions that helped to create them, signed off on his campaign lending support to Priorities USA Action. In a conference call with reporters on Tuesday, senior campaign officials explained that the move to support Priorities USA Action was made after watching super PAC spending flood into the Republican primary and hearing about the combined $500 million benchmark set by the Karl Rove-linked Crossroads groups and the Koch Brothers to defeat the president.

Click here to read more.

1:27 PM – 02/07/2012

Romney, Santorum Make Final Pitches

Fox News reports:

GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney and one of his three challengers, Rick Santorum, are hitting the pavement in Colorado hours before the state holds its caucus Tuesday night. Former U.S. Sen. Santorum of Pennsylvania and Romney, former Massachusetts governor, both had morning campaign events planned.

Click here to read more.

12:59 PM – 02/07/2012

In Colorado, Recovery Falls Along Party Lines

The New York Times' Kirk Johnson reports:

If economic frustration fuels fervor Tuesday in the Republican presidential caucuses in Colorado — or in the general election — the map might be one place to turn for answers. The state’s recovery from recession has been spotty and uneven, a pattern seen in many places. But the further wrinkle for both parties in Colorado is that some of the most heavily Republican areas have lagged the most, with stubbornly higher unemployment rates, while some of the most staunchly Democratic places have done better.

Click here to read more.

12:51 PM – 02/07/2012

Republicans, Democrats Not The Only Minnesotans Caucusing Tonight

Oakdale Patch's Patty Busse reports from Minnesota:

The Republicans and DFLers aren't the only ones holding caucuses tonight. Dave Hutcheson will be heading up the local Independence Party caucus at Skyview Middle School. A former professor and 20-year U.S. Army officer now living in North St. Paul, Hutcheson joined the independence party in the late '90s after hearing about Jesse Ventura’s win while overseas. In 2002, Hutcheson ran for state auditor on the Independence Party ticket. At the caucus, the party plans to take a vote on the marriage amendment and a publicly funded Vikings stadium. Caucus-goers will also get the chance to propose resolutions and volunteer to be delegates to the congressional district-level convention. Oakdale Patch talked with Hutcheson about his party involvement and caucus plans.

Gingrich Story Time Line from 02/07 - 02/08/2012

This time line if from yesterday morning until 1:00 am this morning. I could not possibly cover all the stories, so I did a time line with links to all articles.

8:25 PM – 02/07/2012

Newt Touts Nationwide Campaign

CNN reports:

Newt Gingrich batted away the notion he had given up on the three states casting votes Tuesday, saying he was focused on running a nationwide campaign that included Minnesota and Colorado. "I haven't given up on them," Gingrich said on CNN. "We were in Colorado yesterday and Minnesota last night. We had a huge crowd in Minnesota. Over 700 people showed up. We gave an energy speech at the College of Mines in Golden, Colorado and a town hall meeting and a rally."

Click here to read more.

8:12 PM – 02/07/2012

Gingrich: 'We're Trying To Look At The Whole Country' Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich spoke with CNN's Wolf Blitzer on Tuesday evening and said that his campaign is optimistically looking ahead to future primary contests.
"We're trying to look at the whole country," Gingrich said, picking out a number of events and saying that he expected to make a strong showing on "Super Tuesday," which will take place on March 6.
Asked to weigh in on the night's contests, in which he has invested little time or money, Gingrich predicted the results would make it "very hard for the elite media to portray Romney as the inevitable candidate after tonight."
"This is a wide open race," Gingrich said.
Gingrich also made a bold claim about his record in the previous GOP debates and posed a challenge to rival Mitt Romney.
"Most people think that I won 15 out of 17 debates," Gingrich said, before going on to claim that he'd be happy to partake in additional events, preferably head to head against Romney.

This time line if from yesterday morning until 1:00 am this morning. I could not possibly cover all the stories, so I did a time line with links to all articles.

7:41 PM – 02/07/2012

Gingrich Lacks People Power

@ ZekeJMiller : Gingrich email: "I Have Something They Don't Have" Answer: People Power!

7:23 PM – 02/07/2012

Gingrich Travels To Cleveland Tonight

@ EliciaDover : Gingrich wrapped third event in Ohio today. Travel to Cleveland tonight for event there in the a.m. Got to visit Wright bro's home today.

7:06 PM – 02/07/2012

Gingrich Hits GOP Establishment As 'Cheap'

@ KellyO : In Dayton, OH @newtgingrich refers to "Republican establishment which is the cheap version of the Democratic establishment."

7:02 PM – 02/07/2012

Newt Blasts Obama Over Foreign Countries

@ GingerGibson : Newt says Obama is encouraging foreign countries to take advantage of us.

6:59 PM – 02/07/2012

Ron Paul Backer Strikes During Newt's Speech

@ GingerGibson : Someone just yelled "Ron Paul" in the middle of Newt's stump speech.

6:47 PM – 02/07/2012

Newt Scheduled To Visit San Francisco 'Liberals' Soon

@ GingerGibson : Newt dings "liberals in San Francisco" Haven't heard that one in a while and he's scheduled to be there in the next couple of weeks.

6:35 PM – 02/07/2012

'Gingrich For Moon President'

@ GingerGibson : Guy in space suit outside Newt bus has sign that says "Gingrich for moon president" photo: http://t.co/4v1WkdNp

5:42 PM – 02/07/2012

Gingrich: Prop 8 Decision An 'Assault'

@ aterkel : Gingrich: Prop. 8 decision shows judges' "continued assault on the Judeo-Christian foundations of the United States."

5:36 PM – 02/07/2012Gingrich Releases Statement On Prop 8 Ruling

Newt Gingrich released the following statement on California's 9th Circuit Court decision regarding Proposition 8:

With today’s decision on marriage by the Ninth Circuit, and the likely appeal to the Supreme Court, more and more Americans are being exposed to the radical overreach of federal judges and their continued assault on the Judeo-Christian foundations of the United States. I was drawn back into public life by the Ninth Circuit’s 2002 decision that held that the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance were unconstitutional. Today’s decision is one more example that the American people cannot rest until we restore the proper rule of the judicial branch and bring judges and the Courts back under the Constitution. The Constitution of the United States begins with “We the People”; it does not begin with “We the Judges”. Federal judges need to take heed of that fact. Federal judges are substituting their own political views for the constitutional right of the people to make judgments about the definition of marriage. The country has been here before. In 1856, the Supreme Court thought it could settle the issue of slavery once and for all and impose a judicial solution on the country. In 1973, the issue was abortion and once again a Supreme Court thought that it could impose a judicial solution on the country once and for all. Judicial solutions don’t solve contentious social issues once and for all. Should the Supreme Court fail to heed the disastrous lessons if its own history and attempt to impose its will on the marriage debate in this country by affirming today’s Ninth Circuit decision, it will bear the burden of igniting a constitutional crisis of the first order. The political branches of the federal government, as well as the political branches of the several States, will surely not passively accept the dictates of the federal judiciary on this issue. An interventionist approach by the Court on marriage will lead to a crisis of legitimacy for the federal judiciary from which it may take generations to recover.

5:32 PM – 02/07/2012

Gingrich Hits 9th Circuit Over Prop 8 Ruling

@ samsteinhp : Gingrich: if the Supreme Court affirms the 9th Circuit "it will bear the burden of igniting a constitutional crisis of the first order"

4:53 PM – 02/07/2012

Flashback: Newt Calls Reagan Administration A Failure

@ AKaczynski1 : That time in 1986 Newt Gingrich gave a 8 minute speech on how the Reagan administration was a failure. http://t.co/dU3v66Go

3:44 PM – 02/07/2012

Newt Sparks Space Travel Argument

@ GingerGibson : There are two guys outside the Newt event in a heated argument about space travel.

Ex-NASA Exec: Gingrich Moon Colony Lost In The Laughter

Charles Miller, who once served as NASA's senior adviser for commercial space, writes:

Lost in the laughter over the past two weeks has been GOP presidential candidate and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's core point about America's future in space. We shouldn't just explore space, we should develop and even settle it, using the same enterprise-friendly approaches that helped open the West and the skies. As a former NASA executive, it is clear to me that most commentators don't understand this is now possible, let alone necessary.

Click here to read more on CNN.

3:34 PM – 02/07/2012

Newt Blasts Romney

@ jonward11 : Newt says Romney is "backed by almost every Wall Street group that used to back President Obama."

3:27 PM – 02/07/2012

Newt Gingrich: 'People Power' trumps 'Money Power' In an email to supporters, Newt Gingrich took a swipe at Mitt Romney and the Republican establishment, positing that "people power" will be more important in the upcoming nominating contests than "money power."
Read the full email:

In the past money has dominated national politics, but after the Tea Party erupted onto the scene in 2010, "People Power" trumps "Money Power." The Republican establishment has been building a Presidential campaign for their candidate for nearly a decade but, they have failed to build something irreplaceable for their candidate: People Power! In the States that their candidate has won, voter turnout in the Republican party has been down, but in the States and Counties that we have carried, the voter turnout has exceeded John McCain in 2008. Together we can rally the American people behind a campaign based on bold conservative ideas in a way that the establishment can't comprehend. While our opponents may have the big-dollar establishment support, we have something they don't: YOUR SUPPORT!
Between now and Super Tuesday, you are going to hear a lot of members of the chattering class talk about the impossibility of our campaign. They have already tried to write us off at least twice and we have persevered!
Our best chance of victory is to draw a stark contrast between our conservative ideas and President Obama's radical philosophy! We are competing against the powerful political establishment in both parties, but if you are willing to make a sacrifice to support this campaign financially, I know that 'We The People' will prevail!

3:24 PM – 02/07/2012

Newt Predicts Bullying

@ AKaczynski1 : Newt in Dayton: "The weaker Obama is, the more bullying there is going to be."

3:17 PM – 02/07/2012

Newt: 'Fundamentally Wrong' To Give People Money For 99 Weeks

@ AKaczynski1 : Newt on the stump in Dayton: "I think it's fundamentally wrong to give people money for 99 weeks of doing nothing."

3:14 PM – 02/07/2012

Newt Wants 'Springboard'

@ jonward11 : Newt said he wants a "springboard" instead of a safety net

3:14 PM – 02/07/2012

Newt: I Don't Agree With Mitt

@ jonward11 : Newt: "I don't agree with Gov. Romney. I'm not happy that there's a safety net."

2:53 PM – 02/07/2012

Newt: Romney, Santorum Made Fun

@ AlexNBCNews : Newt says Romney & Santorum made fun of his space speech & going to moon & they assumed we had to do it stupidly...says he didn't say that

2:52 PM – 02/07/2012

Newt Praises SNL Parody

@ AKaczynski1 : Newt in Dayton says SNL parody of his colony on the moon was "terrific."

2:52 PM – 02/07/2012

Gingrich Speaks Out On Space Criticism

@ aseitzwald : Gingrich on space criticism: "Several of my opponents seem to lack both vision and the ability to read.

2:51 PM – 02/07/2012

Newt Re-Tells Wright Story

@ GingerGibson : The press was all waiting for it, and Newt doesn't fail. He's telling the story he always tells about the Wright Brothers.

2:49 PM – 02/07/2012

Gingrich Attacks Romney As 'Avid Hunter Of Small Varmints'

The Hill's Alicia M. Cohn reports:

Newt Gingrich on Tuesday launched a fresh attack on fellow GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney over gun rights. Gingrich tweeted: "@MittRomney Do you still believe taking away 2nd amendment rights 'helps protect us'? romneyguns.com"
Gingrich's campaign launched a new website, RomneyGuns.com, as a showcase for Gingrich's offensive against Romney's position on the Second Amendment, or the right to bear arms. The website taunts Romney as an "Avid Hunter of 'Small Varmints.' "

Click here to read more.

2:47 PM – 02/07/2012

Newt Event Leaves Some In The Cold

@ AlexNBCNews : Best pic I can get of this @newtgingrich event in Dayton -- ppl forced to stay outside in the cold #decision http://t.co/PsGPeGFZ

2:43 PM – 02/07/2012

Two Protesters Escorted Out Of Newt Event

@ AlexNBCNews : have already watched two people get escorted out of @NewtGingrich rally in Dayton, OH by police -- one holding Occupy sign #decision2012

2:43 PM – 02/07/2012

Occupy Protesters Forced Out Of Newt Event

@ GingerGibson : They're making the Occupy folks holding signs in the back of the Newt event leave.

2:35 PM – 02/07/2012

People Packed Into Gingrich Event

@ AlexNBCNews : People overflowing out the door and upstairs in balconies for @newtgingrich event in Dayton, OH #decision2012

2:33 PM – 02/07/2012

Gingrich Hits Campaign Trail In Ohio

Cincinnati.com's Jane Prendergast reports:

Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich today brought his talk of family, jobs and God straight to where he hoped it would resonate - Cincinnati's West Side. And it did. The popular Price Hill Chili was packed with 200 people who cheered and clapped as Gingrich promised he'd put people on unemployment into job training and cut corporate taxes. "Large-scale" change is needed, he said, and he's the man to bring it.

Click here to read more.

2:15 PM – 02/07/2012

Gingrich Attacks GOP Front-Runner

The AP reports:

Newt Gingrich thrust the reproductive rights issue into the GOP campaign spotlight on Tuesday, criticizing both Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama's records on requiring Catholic organizations to provide contraceptive aids in some circumstances. Rick Santorum vowed to make the issue a central part of his struggling campaign.

Click here to read more.

2:07 PM – 02/07/2012

Gingrich, Others React To Prop 8 Ruling

Politicians -- including Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich -- took to Twitter to react to today's proposition 8 ruling.
Click here to see reactions from Gingrich and others.

1:56 PM – 02/07/2012

Newt Waving Off Press

@ AlexNBCNews : Press told no avail for @newtgingrich today... He use to do them every day #decision2012

1:55 PM – 02/07/2012

Newt Hits Romney, Obama On Catholic Rights Newt Gingrich hit Republican rival Mitt Romney as well as President Obama on Catholic rights Tuesday.
"There's been a lot of talk about the Obama administration's attack on the Catholic church," Gingrich said while campaigning in Ohio. "Well, the fact is, Gov. Romney insisted that Catholic hospitals give out abortion pills, against their religious beliefs, when he was governor."
The AP reports:
Gingrich, a Catholic, told GOP voters in swing-state Ohio that Obama had declared war on the Catholic Church. He and his GOP rivals have blasted the administration's new regulation requiring church-affiliated employers to cover birth control for their workers. Some Catholics say the rule would force Catholic institutions to violate their religious convictions. Romney also has criticized the Obama policy, but Gingrich said Romney was no better than Obama on the issu

1:49 PM – 02/07/2012

Newt Reacts To Prop 8 Ruling

@ newtgingrich : Court of Appeals overturning CA's Prop 8 another example of an out of control judiciary. Let's end judicial supremacy http://t.co/ObPRA3Y9

1:29 PM – 02/07/2012

Team Gingrich Encourages Voters To Caucus For 'Bold Reagan Conservative'

@ Newt2012HQ : Colorado: Caucus today for a bold Reagan conservative! http://t.co/LBIZDTzF Find your location: http://t.co/9VYdQjp1

1:02 PM – 02/07/2012

Newt Hits Romney On Twitter

@ newtgingrich : @MittRomney Do you still believe taking away 2nd amendment rights “helps protect us”? http://t.co/HtLCYkR8

12:42 PM – 02/07/2012

Gingrich Hits Romney, Obama

The Washington Post's Nia-Malika Henderson reports:

Newt Gingrich lobbed a joint attack on President Obama and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney over contraception mandates on Tuesday, saying Romney, as governor, supported forcing Catholic institutions to break from their church’s doctrine and provide emergency contraception.

Click here to read more.

11:44 AM – 02/07/2012

Gingrich: I Won’t Sing To Americans Because ‘Obama’s Already Punished Them Enough’

Mediaite reports:

GOP hopeful Newt Gingrich, campaigning in Ohio, was a guest on Fox & Friends Tuesday morning, and hit on topics ranging from his disdain for attack ads to a possible rise in the polls for Rick Santoum. Host Steve Doocy, however, started the segment off by asking if Gingrich would ever follow in the footsteps of Mitt Romney and belt out a pro-America tune anytime soon.

Click here to read more.

11:40 AM – 02/07/2012

State Lawmaker Jumps Ship From Gingrich To Romney

CNN reports:

A Georgia state lawmaker who had been backing Newt Gingrich for the Republican presidential nomination will announce Tuesday that he's now supporting Mitt Romney.

Click here to read more.

11:08 AM – 02/07/2012

Gingrich Pledges To Back Keystone XL

Sunshine State News reports:

Republican presidential hopeful former House Speaker Newt Gingrich released his draft of an executive order that he vows to enact, if elected, on the first day of his presidency allowing the Keystone XL Pipeline to be built. President Barack Obama opposes the pipeline which would send oil into the U.S. from Canada.

Click here to read more.

10:33 AM – 02/07/2012

Newt Interrupted By Gay Rights Protesters

CBS News reports:

Newt Gingrich's final event of the day on Monday was interrupted by two protestors who stood up and accused the former House speaker of discriminating against gays and lesbians.

Click here to read more.

10:15 AM – 02/07/2012

Gingrich Expects Santorum To Have A ‘Pretty Good Day’

ABC News' Elicia Dover reports:

Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich made a condensed stop in Colorado Monday attending two events in Golden, Col., which is the candidate’s only effort in the state this election cycle. Gingrich also held one event in Minnesota on the eve of the caucus primary day for the two states. The former speaker will not hold an election party Tuesday, a sign that he is hedging his bets on Super Tuesday.

Click here to read more.

10:13 AM – 02/07/2012

Gingrich Made The Call Not To Call

Yahoo! News reports:

Former House Speaker and presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich isn't conceding anything. Despite that, according to Fox News, Mitt Romney routed Gingrich in Tuesday's Florida Republican primary election, Gingrich isn't conceding the race. "We are going to contest every place, and we are going to win, and we will be in Tampa as the nominee in August," Gingrich said. Not only was the former Speaker not congratulatory in his speech following the polls closing in Florida, but according to CNN, he also didn't phone Romney to concede and congratulate him on his win, a long-standing tradition among rival candidates.

Click here to read more.

10:04 AM – 02/07/2012

Paul, Gingrich Visit Minnesota

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports:

Republican presidential hopefuls Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul made their pitches to supportive Minnesota crowds Monday, the eve of the state caucuses. Paul spoke at crowded convention center rallies in St. Cloud and Minneapolis. Gingrich, the former speaker of the House as a congressman from Georgia, filled a ballroom at a Bloomington hotel. Santorum spoke earlier in Rochester.

Click here to read more.

9:56 AM – 02/07/2012

Newt Packing On The 'Happiness'

@ GingerGibson : Newt just strung together about three of his favorite "pursuit of happiness" lines that I've never heard all in a row like that.

9:51 AM – 02/07/2012

Newt Hits Mitt

@ AlexNBCNews : Gingrich: "Gov. Romney insisted that Catholic hospitals give out abortion pills against their religious belief when he was governor."

9:50 AM – 02/07/2012

Newt Lashes Out At Washington

@ GingerGibson : Newt says people in Washington accuse him of talking about strange things but he is talking about things that work.

9:38 AM – 02/07/2012

Newt Attacking Obama On Caucus, Primary Day

@ AlexNBCNews : .@newtgingrich speaking at his first event in Ohio... Calls President Obama "an Illinois radical" #decision2012

9:38 AM – 02/07/2012

Gingrich Campaigning In Ohio

@ GingerGibson : Newt's introduction in Cincinnati includes "We love the Reds and there is a Catholic church on every corner."

9:34 AM – 02/07/2012

It's Gingrich Day In Boston

@ ZekeJMiller : apparently it's Gingrich day in Boston. Romney releases attacking Newt today after targeting Santorum yesterday.

9:32 AM – 02/07/2012

Newt's Prediction: 'Bad Day For Romney'

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich shared his outlook for the day's contests on Tuesday morning.
Politico reports that Gingrich said during a television appearance, "I think it’s going to be a good day for Santorum and a relatively bad day for Romney."
Click here to read more.

8:43 AM – 02/07/2012

Cold Reality

HuffPost's Jon Ward reports:

Newt Gingrich might not get to debate again until Feb. 22, but he won't be totally deprived of high-profile opportunities before then to break out and create some badly needed momentum. Gingrich's speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday afternoon will give the former U.S. House speaker from Georgia the kind of platform that he has previously used to his advantage in the Republican primary. The conference is an annual three-day gathering of roughly 10,000 devoted conservative activists in the nation's capital.
"Next to a debate, CPAC is the best opportunity that Newt would have to make a mark in February," said Al Cardenas, the chairman of the American Conservative Union that organizes the conference, in an interview.
Gingrich is likely to need a boost since he is expected to finish behind both GOP front-runner Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, and former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) in the three primary contests on Tuesday. Santorum has a chance to win the Minnesota caucuses, according to the one recent voter survey of that state, and is polling in second place behind Romney in Colorado ahead of the caucuses there Tuesday.
Missouri is holding a nonbinding primary that is purely symbolic on Tuesday, but Gingrich is not on the ballot there and so Santorum will likely point to his absence to argue that he is the true conservative alternative to Romney.

Click here to read more.

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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Time Line Stories by News Commentators 02/07 - 02/08/2012

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