A woman shot a young mother several times today in the parking lot of a
Spring, Texas, pediatrician's office, then snatched the mom's 3-day-old
son and fled with the infant, police said.
Police said the victim was standing by her pickup truck outside the pediatrician's office at around 2:40 p.m., when a car with a man and woman inside pulled up.
The woman got out and shot the mother repeatedly, then took the baby,
who was in his car seat, from the mother's pickup truck, police and
witnesses said.
The mother was rushed to a hospital, but died there, police said.
The baby boy who was kidnapped was wearing a green and white one-piece outfit with the word "Handsome" on the front.
The suspect was described as a black female wearing a gray sweatshirt
and blue jeans, and carrying a small caliber pistol, possibly a 9mm.
She was reportedly last seen driving an ice blue Lexus four-door with an unknown license plate.
Police issued an Amber Alert and are searching for the child.
Abducted Baby's Father: Wife Was 'Excellent' Mom
Apr. 18, 2012 - Little
Keegan Golden, snatched from his mother's truck has been returned to his
family, according to his father, Keith Schuchardt. Kala Golden,
Schuchardt's wife was shot and killed outside of a pediatric center
Tuesday.(Associated Press)
Nurse accused in baby abduction miscarried
Apr. 18, 2012 - Authorities
say a woman accused of killing a young mother and abducting a 3-day-old
boy had suffered a recent miscarriage. Verna McClain now faces a capital
murder charge and is being held without bail.(Associated Press)
Switching to a battery-powered vehicle will yield measurable savings in a motorist’s energybills, according to a new study, while also reducing global warming emissions.
But
the report by the Union of Concerned Scientists, or UCS, finds that the
advantages vary widely depending upon where you live. In the best
regions, savings on energy can add up to more than $1,000 annually –
with battery cars cleaner than anything else on the road. But even in
the worst regions, those heavily dependent upon coal to generate
electricity, the UCS report says battery vehicles retain a significant
advantage over traditional automotive powertrain technology.
“No matter where you live in the United States, electric vehicles are good choice for reducing globalwarming emissions and saving moneyon fueling up,” said Don Anair, the report’s author and senior engineer for UCS’s Clean Vehicles Program.
The organization bills the new study
as a first-of-its-kind, and unlike some more limited reports, it
tracked total energy use on a wells-to-wheels basis. In other words, it
measures everything from the energy actually used to pump and then
refine oil to the energy used to run an internal combustion engine. For
electric vehicles, the study also considered such things as the energy
used and pollution created while mining coal. Chevy Sees No Impact on Volt Sales from Battery Lab Explosion
But the advantage, reports the UCS, is clearly in favor of pure battery-electric vehicles, or BEVs, as well as plug-in hybrids.
The study shows that 45% of Americans live in what are categorized as “Best” regions, where battery vehicles result in reduced energycosts
and lower greenhouse gas emissions than even the best hybrids or
internal combustion-powered automobiles – those now getting at least 50
miles per gallon.
In fact, in
California and New York State, a hybrid or conventional gas vehicle
would need to yield at least 80 mpg to keep up with the likes of a
Nissan Leaf or Chevrolet Volt (the latter operating two-thirds of the
time on battery power).
About
37% of Americans live in “Better” regions, according to the new study,
where a battery car still is likely to meet or exceed the emissions
performance of a 40 mpg hybrid. And in “Good” regions, like Midwest
states heavily dependent upon coal power, battery car emissions are
equal to the best non-hybrids, such as a Ford Fiesta or Chevrolet Cruze,
Anair said.
States in the “Best” category are
located primarily along the East and West Coasts and include:
California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho and Arizona, New York, Massachusetts
and Virginia;
“Better” states include Texas, New Mexico, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee;
“Good” states are largely
concentrated in the Midwest and Plains states and include Michigan,
Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, Kansas and Minnesota.
“No matter where you live,”
he added, “electric vehicles save you on fuel costs.” With the Chevy
Volt, for example, the annual savings are likely to range between $580
and $890 annually. The fully electric Nissan Leaf should bump that to
anywhere from $770 to $1220 annually, according to the UCS. Your Best – and Worst – High-Mileage Car Deals
The
UCS study acknowledged significant differences in the nationwide
electric grid that need be addressed, said Anair, but he added that with
such efforts already underway, “The good news is that as the nation’s
electric grids get cleaner, consumers who buy an EV today can expect to
see their car’s emissions go down over the lifetime of the vehicle.”
Consumers
have a fair degree of control over how much they save on energy by
choosing rate plans – as well as when they actually charge up their
vehicles, noted the UCS. Many utilities now have or are planning to
offer interruptible or time-sensitive rates.
And early adopters appear to be taking advantage of these. The study
found the majority of current electric vehicle owners charge up
overnight.
That not only means
lower-cost power but also reduces the strain on the electric grid as
there is less overall demand. This could permit a significant increase
in the number of electric vehicles on the road without forcing the
addition of more generators, the UCS report suggested. BMW Stretches the 3-Series
Whether
that will continue to be the case is far from clear. Some industry
analysts warn that as more battery cars get on the road – and as the
number of public charging stations increases – it will become more
common for vehicles to power up during daytime. This could be
especially true with the addition of high-speed “Level III” charging
systems that could permit a vehicle like the Leaf to get an 80% recharge
in as little as 15 to 20 minutes.
That,
experts are betting, will enhance the appeal of battery technology
beyond the relatively marginal audience now turning to the technology.
So far, plug-ins and battery-electric vehicles are capturing barely a
tenth of a percent of overall U.S. new vehicle sales.
But
Anair said the UCS is betting that demand will also increase as new
models roll out, giving consumers greater choice. Before the end of
this year, a wide variety of makers will enter the market, including
Toyota, with its RAV4-EV and Plius Plug-in; Ford with its C-Max plug-in
and Focus Electric, and Honda, with its first battery-electric vehicle
since the early 1990s, a version of the subcompact Fit.
President Obama and his allies want Mitt Romney to come clean on everything from his tax returns to his plans for the U.S. economy.
They say — or at least want to create the impression — that Romney is hiding something, and Team Obama got a big gift last night when a few intrepid reporters overheard Romney’s remarks to a well-heeled crowd of south Floridians at a private fundraiser in Palm Beach.
There, as the Wall Street Journal’s Sara Murray reports, the presumptive Republican nominee, “offered the first details of deductions he would eliminate or limit in order to offset the income tax cut he has proposed for all taxpayers.” http://on.wsj.com/JmBs8B
Those details included cutting the budget of the Department of Education and the Department of Housing and Urban Development as well as eliminating or lowering tax deductions for Americans who own second homes. Is this a joke. Eliminate HUD, cutting the budget for Dept of Ed, and lowering /eliminating deductions for second homes, well that would give Mr. Romney a very nice deduction, would it not.They are talking about sending Education back to the states, good God, the states can not do their budgets now, or maintain help for the people, and they want to do away with welfare(food stamps, medicaid, and monetary help for those who need and deserve it). What is happening to our country. Liar Liar Republican pants are ablaze.
A spokesman for the Obama re-election effort, Ben LaBolt, sent news clips of the fundraiser around with the message: “Apparently Gov. Romney believes only high dollar donors have a right to know what programs he will cut.”
And, as many Americans spent the weekend putting the finishing touches on their tax returns, two Democratic-allied super PACS, American Bridge 21st Century, and Priorities USA Action, have jointly released a new website: http://releaseyourreturns.com/
The site, with a headline that reads, “What’s Mitt Hiding?” invites users to sign a petition demanding that Romney release his returns. Last week his campaign announced the Romneys had filed an extension on their taxes, allowing them to file anytime over the next six months.
So far, the Romney campaign’s response has been to announce a conference call on what they are calling “President Obama’s tax and spend culture” with former senator Jim Talent, a senior economic adviser to Romney.
But we’ll get a chance to hear a much fuller response from Romney when ABC’s Diane Sawyer sits down for an exclusive interview with the former Massachusetts governor at Fenway Park in Boston today.
In addition, Ann Romney, who has been at the center of the two parties’ so-called “war over women,” will join her husband for this conversation with Sawyer. It marks the couple’s first joint network interview of the election year.
TUNE IN: ABC’S EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE ROMNEYS: The exclusive network interview will air Monday on “World News with Diane Sawyer” with the extended interview airing on “Nightline.” Portions of the interview will also be featured across ABC News broadcasts and platforms including “Good Morning America,” ABCNews.com, the Newsmakers series on Yahoo!, OTUSNews.com and ABC News radio.
TODAY ON THE HILL. Yahoo News’ Phil Pruitt notes that Congress is back in session and has a few items of business to take care of. http://abcn.ws/IG288R
–The Senate is scheduled to take up the “Buffett rule” proposal to increases taxes on millionaires. Republicans, who call the “Buffett rule” a political distraction and a job killer, are expected to block the bill. But Democrats are eager to hold repeated votes on it this election year in an effort to demonstrate that they favor economic equality while Republicans prefer coddling the wealthy. We know that the senate did not proceed with this bill, they slammed it.
–Over in the House, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will hold a hearing titled “Addressing GSA’s Culture of Wasteful Spending.” Witnesses include General Services Administration Inspector General Brian Miller and former GSA Administrator Martha Johnson. Johnson fired two of her deputies and then resigned earlier this month after an inspector general’s report revealed excessive spending for a 2010 Public Buildings Service regional training conference in Las Vegas.
–There’s nothing scheduled in Washington regarding the Secret Service scandal in Colombia, but, with Congress back, there is bound to be talk on Capitol Hill and more could come out of the White House. Obama said Sunday said he will be “angry” if allegations prove true that Secret Service personnel and military service members cavorted with prostitutes and engaged in excessive drinking ahead of his trip to Colombia this weekend.
GOP COUNTER-PROGRAMMING. The Republican National Committee this morning released a new video and research piece focusing on what they say are the excuses for the slow economic recovery we’ve heard from President Obama even after he promised to be held accountable. From the RNC: These Obama Promises: “I will be held accountable… I’m not going to make any excuses.” Don’t Mesh With These Obama Excuses: “Recession deeper than anyone realized…worst recession since Great Depression…string of bad luck…earthquake in Japan…Arab Spring…European headwinds…automation…globalization…’not his program.’” VIDEO: “From Hope to Hypocrisy: Excuses, Excuses”
VIDEO OF THE DAY: WELCOME TO OBAMAHA: ABC’s senior White House correspondent Jake Tapper explains why Obama is doing well in reliably red Omaha, Neb. It’s one sliver of the country that could tip the scales for Obama in the 2012 election. WATCH:
With recent polls showing Obama and presumed Republican nominee Mitt Romney neck-and-neck, the Obama campaign isn't taking any chances, even sending money and staff to the reliably red state Nebraska.
Why Nebraska? Wouldn't that just be wasting money? After all, the state has voted for the Republican presidential candidate in every election since the Lyndon B. Johnson landslide of 1964.
Well, not exactly. A sliver of Nebraska actually voted for Obama in 2008, and that's why the Obama campaign is zeroing in on Omaha, because Nebraska is one of two states -- the other is Maine -- that awards electoral votes according to congressional district.
In 2008 winning one district was enough to garner one of Nebraska's five electoral college votes.
"President Obama won the second congressional district in Omaha by about 3,400 votes," said Vic Covalt, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party.
Covalt says that district -- and hence that one electoral college vote -- is winnable for Obama this time around, too. It's a vote that could tip the scales for the president, because a 269-269 electoral vote split is not as unlikely as you might think.
"It's mathematically possible that that'd be the deciding vote," said Covalt.
We break down the math for you in this week's Political Punch.
And as for Obama's presumptive competition, current front runner Mitt Romney?
"I haven't seen a sign of him," said Covalt, "I don't think he knows we exist."
“THIS WEEK” REPLAY: TIM GEITHNER CALLS ROMNEY’S CLAIMS ON OUT OF WORK WOMEN ‘RIDICULOUS’ Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner verbally smacked GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney Sunday morning on ”This Week” – calling his assertion that the policies of the Obama administration have hurt women and resulted in major job losses for them — fiction. “It’s a ridiculous argument. Ridiculous. It’s been largely debunked this week by the people who have looked at it,” Geithner told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. “It’s a ridiculous way to look at the problem. And this is a political moment and you’re going to be seeing — just to borrow a line from Mario Cuomo — ‘you’re going to see a lot of politicians choose to campaign in fiction. But we have to govern in fact.’” Geithner was responding to recent allegations by Romney that the Obama administration had waged a “war” on women. Romney said earlier this week that the “real war on women has been waged by the policies of the Obama administration…did you know that of all the jobs lost during the Obama years, 92.3 percent of them are women. During the Obama years, women have suffered.” George asked Geithner about the technical accuracy of the Romney claim and he explained “this crisis was a very damaging crisis, hurt everybody. And it began in, as you know, in early 2008. And a lot of the early job losses in 2008 affected men, because they affected construction and manufacturing. And as the crisis spread and state and local governments were forced to cut back on services and fire a lot of teachers, that caused a lot of damage to women, too.” http://abcn.ws/HHCpxc Watch the full interview
THE BUZZ OBAMA RAISED $53 MILLION IN MARCH. As the money race for the general election heats up, President Obama’s re-election campaign reports raising $53 million in March, picking up pace from the month before, ABC’s Devin Dwyer notes. The total reflects funds collected by OFA, DNC and two joint fundraising accounts. In February, they reported $45 million combined. Obama raised $42 million on his own in March 2008. “People are building this organization five and ten bucks at a time to take on Mitt Romney,” says Obama campaign manager Jim Messina in a campaign video announcing the total. The video showcases Obama’s grassroots volunteers and donors, who the campaign says are what set it apart from their Republican rival.
The stats, per the campaign:
–190,000 first time donors in March
–567,000 total donations in March
–97 percent of donation $250 or less
–Average donation $50.78
ROMNEY COURTS HILL REPUBLICANS. “Mitt Romney and Congressional Republicans moved last week to jump-start the coordination of political and policy messaging after Rick Santorum’s exit from the GOP presidential primary crowned the former Massachusetts governor the presumptive GOP nominee,” Roll Call’s David Drucker reports. “Senior Romney campaign officials are expected to be in constant communication with Speaker John Boehner (Ohio), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) and their staffs, as well as with other GOP leaders and key rank-and-file Members who supported the governor early on in the primary campaign. … Sen. Roy Blunt (Mo.), who led Romney’s Member-endorsement whip operation, said the goal now includes building relationships between Congressional Republicans and the nominee and his team so that the two groups are prepared to collaborate effectively beginning in January 2013 — if the governor defeats President Barack Obama in November. Blunt, the GOP Conference vice chairman, is expected to serve as a major conduit between Members and the Romney campaign. … From Romney’s Boston campaign headquarters, Policy Director Lanhee Chen and Political Director Rich Beeson are expected to play crucial roles with Congressional Republicans. Chen, who met with House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) and Republican Study Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (Ohio) during a recent visit to Capitol Hill, is expected to handle policy outreach. Beeson is likely to handle political outreach, particularly to Members running in swing districts and states targeted by Romney.” http://bit.ly/HYVky9
SHELDON ADELSON TURNS AWAY FROM NEWT, TO HOUSE RACES. “Sheldon Adelson, a wealthy casino owner who has spent millions to boost the presidential campaign of Newt Gingrich, has donated $5 million with his wife to a super PAC for House Republican candidates, according to campaign filings released Sunday,” according to the National Journal’s Shane Goldmacher. “The Adelsons made their donations in February to the Congressional Leadership Fund, which was formed last year to be “focused solely and exclusively” on maintaining the GOP majority in the House. The super PAC has the backing of the top GOP brass in the House. Speaker John Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy were each among the 60 GOP lawmakers who attended the super PAC’s inaugural event last fall. The financial infusion immediately makes the Congressional Leadership Fund, which is chaired by former GOP Sen. Norm Coleman, among the biggest players in the congressional landscape this year.” http://bit.ly/IQYm9s
OBAMA CALLS FREE TRADE DEAL A ‘WIN-WIN’ President Obama announced today that a free trade deal with Colombia will be fully enforced next month, declaring the agreement a win-win for both countries, notes ABC’s Mary Bruce. “We’re moving ahead with our landmark trade agreement,” Obama announced, standing alongside Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos at the Summit of the Americas. The announcement, which was largely expected, comes after Colombia enacted a series of protections for workers and labor unions. “Given the actions taken by President Santos and the Colombian legislature I can announce that the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement will enter into force next month on May 15,” Obama said at a joint press conference with Santos. http://abcn.ws/HBne5b
ABC POLL: WITHER THE TEA PARTY? From ABC News Pollster Gary Langer: “A major force in the 2010 midterm elections, the movement has stalled in public popularity, its support well below a majority and decidedly lukewarm. And Americans by a broad 23-point margin say the more they hear about the Tea Party movement, the less they like it, rather than liking it more. That negative buzz has worsened from a 9-point gap in an ABC News/Washington Post poll as the movement was gathering speed two years ago. And its avenues for resurgence may be limited: Interest in learning more about Tea Party is down 7 points from spring 2010. This poll, produced for ABC by Langer Research Associates, finds that six in 10 Americans aren’t particularly interested in additional information about the Tea Party, and 41 percent aren’t interested “at all.” Thirty-nine percent have at least some interest, but just 9 percent are very interested. Among those with interest, moreover, more than six in 10 already support it.” http://abcn.ws/HKbj7F
Chris Cillizza is the managing editor
of PostPolitics and he writes "The Fix," a politics blog for The
Washington Post. He also covers the White House for the newspaper and
website. Chris has appeared as a guest on NBC, CBS, ABC, MSNBC, Fox News
Channel and CNN to talk politics. He lives in Virginia with his wife
and son.
Good morning to everyone! Sorry for missing last week's chat, I was
working on my book. What's that you say? How can you pre-order it?
Well, twist my arm.
Coffee consumed this morning: One au lait, one chai tea latte.
Springsteen playing on the earbuds. Let's find the darkness on the
edge of town.
After reading Rosen's full comment, it seems to be less about Ann Romney
not having a job and more about the fact that the Romneys' wealth put
her in a position that she did have the same worries that most mothers
do about paying the mortgage, affording college, etc. And I think that
point is very hard to disagree with; the Romneys don't have the same
concerns as the rest of us in that regard. But at this point, the whole
thing has taken on a life of its own as 'working' v. 'stay at home'
moms.
–April 13, 2012 10:32 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
I agree that's what she meant but it's not what she said. She said
that Ann Romney had never worked a day in her life, a statement that is
very easily construed as a slap at what stay at home moms do.
For those people saying this is a nothing burger, I would say this:
The president and the first lady have come out with statement distancing
themselves from Rosen's comments and praising stay at home moms.
So, they must be at least a little concerned...
Hillary Rosen does not serve in the Obama Administration or its
reelection campaign, and the President has separated himself from her
recent comment about Ann Romney. The Republican assault on women
reproductive rights and equal pay for equal work continues unabated. It
seems what Ms. Rosen was trying to say in her clumsy choice of words is
that Ms. Romney was born of privilege and never had to face the daily
struggles of so many American mothers who face double duty in raising
children, often by themselves, AND going off to work each day to provide
shelter and basic subsistence for their families.
It does not seem to me this manufactured dust up does anything to alter
the gender gap. Be interested in your take?
–April 13, 2012 10:37 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
I don't think this one episode alters the gender gap at all. What I
do think it does is give Romney a chance to play offense on an issue
where has played only defense for months.
For a longer explanation of what this all means, read what I wrote yesterday.
It's just out of control, isn't it. Really, anyone get on TV, say
anything at all, and generate a firestorm that requires a response from
the President of the United States? Really? Hilary Rosen represents the
administration and Democratic Party in no way whatsoever. She spoke for
herself. Now let the kubuki theater begin!
What a profession of morons! What a national joke, our political
commentariat...
–April 13, 2012 8:28 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
"The Media Monster" would be a great bad name. "Political Commentariat" wouldn't be bad either.
I feel like isn't Republicans who are excited about Hilary Rosen's
comment, but the press who LOVE "both sides are wrong so let us in the
press be the forum to sort it out."
Hilary Rosen isn't a congressional committee hearing about birth control
or that Mitt Romney himself doesn't know where he stands on this year.
Plus the whole issue of whether or not a "homemaker" is a real job isn't
the same as reproductive health and birth control so why the press
feels the need to bunch them up is pretty awful.
Now that we have our distraction, when does Mitt Romney need to start providing details around his plans and ideas.
–April 13, 2012 10:24 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
Well, the Obama team is trying to re-capture the narrative by
releasing their tax returns today. Democrats think Romney's reluctance
to release tax returns reinforces his uncomfortableness talking about
his wealth. And they are going to push it like crazy.
I was quite pleased with the championship matchup in your 2016 contest.
Is it safe to say that a Cuomo-Rubio race would be the dream matchup of
2016? 2 rising stars duking it out. That would be a heck of a race in my
opinion.
–April 13, 2012 3:13 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
It would be a totally fascinating race. I think Cuomo is the clear
2016 frontrunner right now with Martin O'Malley in the second slot...
Do you think if the ticket is Romney-Portman, that the Republicans can
put Ohio away? Portman won overwhelmingly in 2010, and has a strong base
in the greater Cincinnati area.
–April 12, 2012 11:08 PM
A. Chris Cillizza :
I don't think anyone -- including Portman -- can "put Ohio away" for
either side. Yes, he is popular and yes his base in Cincy is real. But,
people vote for the presidential candidate not the vice presidential
candidate. Portman could help at the margins but he is not going to win
Ohio for Romney.
How does anyone, let alone the guy who goes out of his way to talk about
the "New Jersey Giants," Chris Christie, fall asleep during a
Springsteen concert?
They may not be in Washington, but are those Rocket Scientists in North Korea going to have a Wost Week?
–April 13, 2012 10:59 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
Good one. Allen West and Bobby Petrino also had strong cases to make.
My Bobby Petrino question: Do you REALLY think people aren't going to find out? And , if so, do you live in the real world?
It seems like we have so many faux wars going on right now (women,
religion, drugs, etc.) that it's a scandal. This being Washington, is it
time for War Gate?
–April 13, 2012 11:00 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
There are very few molehills anymore. Everything is a mountain (or at least people act like it is).
While this could have been the perfect time for all of Obama's People to
show up with their Etch-a-Sketches, it got killed by this one
consultant who isn't even afiliated with their campaign.
Does this portent of a summer of immediate and heavy reaction to every
possible misstep by a possible supporter, even if its from Jim the
Plumber from Springfield, OR?
–April 13, 2012 10:58 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
I fear it might. It could b a very long next seven months.
Still taking in the glow... What were Rick Santorum's Polls telling
him about the possibility of losing his "home" state of Pennsylvania?
(He lives in NOVA now)
–April 13, 2012 11:02 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
Well done. Bashing Duke is a sure fire way to get me to answer your question.
I think Santorum recognized that while polling was basically tied, he
had no money and Romney had lots left. And that meant he was going to
endure a two week assault that would mean he would lose -- and possibly
lose badly.
Do you think Cory Booker has a bigger political future after being mayor of Newark?
–April 13, 2012 11:04 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
Yes. Options:
1. Gov 2013 against Christie
2. Senate 2014 if Lautenberg retires
3. Presidential 2016.
The third option might be a little too big a lift for him. But who knows?
How much of a surprise to you? How much driven by his daughter's
illness? (It sounded as though she was actually getting better -- let's
hope so, no matter what we think of her father -- but might that not be
the case?) How much driven by ominous poll numbers in Pa.?
–April 13, 2012 9:32 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
Not that much of a surprise because there was a) no way he could win
the nomination and b) a real possibility he would lose in PA.
In politics, it's always better to go out on your own terms. That's what Santorum did.
Hi Chris -- thanks for taking questions today. It seems to me that,
regarding the Rosen flap, the point she was trying to make (before she
went too far) was this -- when it comes to understanding issues related
to women, Romney has to outsource that to his wife, which only
reinforces his inability to connect to real people. In other words, she
was trying to show a pattern of behavior that shows him once again as
inauthentic and out of touch. Why she felt the need to take a swipe at
Mrs. Romney, who knows, but if she hadn't gone there she made have
scored some points. What do you think?
How does Romney attract independent voters without losing his base? Seems like he can't really win without independents.
–April 13, 2012 10:25 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
Let's see. He just became the GOP nominee on Tuesday.
I think he can win them by focusing relentlessly on the economy and trying to paint Obama as ineffectual on it.
HA! He won't actually sign them. Just hold the books open for me to
sign. I AM KIDDING! Everyone knows Fix Aaron and Fix Rachel are the
brains of the operation. I am, of course, the looks.
Do you think Obama will end up with pretty much the same map as 08 or do
you think it's going to be more so a Gore/Kerry map? Btw, huge fan!
Follow me? @Smere89
–April 13, 2012 11:08 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
Think this map will look a lot more like Bush-Kerry 04 than
Obama-McCain 08. Two exceptions: VA and NC will be genuinely competitive
this time ... and they weren't eight years ago.
What can you as the media and we as the public do to force these
politicians and Super Pacs to be honest. I am not referring to the
regular spin, but to the out and out lies that are told. Lying is an
epidemic with some of these people. Probably the main reason I will not
vote for Romney. He and the truth are very distant cousins.
I know you're not into Jessica Sanchez, but how the heck does she end up
with the fewest votes? More importantly, is there a political analogy
where a bad turnout for a talented candidate shocked the pundits?
–April 12, 2012 11:22 PM
A. Chris Cillizza :
BB Chez has become my least favorite person on Idol. She is a ROBOT.
And that's why people don't vote for her. It's like a presidential race
-- it's who you are as much as what you say tha matters. And she is just
not relateable at all.
Also, while I think she might last a few more shows, she ain't going
to win. Has anyone who had to be saved ever won before? I don't think
so.
Re Rosen's comment: When we said "the press" 30 years ago, we meant
broadsheet newspapers, Time and Newsweek and the news departments at the
3 broadcast networks. But now there's a ravening maw of cable outlets,
web sites, blogs and talk radio that demands fresh meat every single
day. What used to be a stupid thing somebody said that no one remembered
in a week, now gets blown up into something that earnest partisans
debate endlessly until the next stupid thing is said by someone named
Khardashian, then we run off to fight about that. All stupidity is now
equal in the 24 hour news universe.
Obama has numerous paths to get to 270 (I think Virginia will be the
important one this year) but Romney has a very limited path to win. Do
you think he even has a chance, just based on that?
–April 13, 2012 11:16 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
Yes, he has a chance. And, yes, Obama has more paths to 270.
One thing to remember: Obama got 365 electoral votes in 2008. That means he can lose 95 electoral votes in 2012 and still win.
I think an Ann Romney-Natalie Portman ticket is just what this country needs right now.
–April 13, 2012 11:21 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
HA! I did love Natalie Portman in that movie with the Shins music
and the dude from the hospital comedy. (And yes I just sounded a lot
like my mom. Oh lord.)
Why is it only a "distraction" when the democrats are the ones under
fire? I can literally find you 30 so-called journalists that have
tweeted their discontent over this "manufactured" gaffe (Rosengate).
Funny that NOBODY outside of conservative commentators said the same
with the Rush/Fluke story. Dems sure love to dish it out and the media
sure likes to gleefully cover it, but when the roles are reversed, all
of a sudden we should only talk "substance." Bull.
–April 13, 2012 11:23 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
Also, caterpillar.
And, yes, the media is evil and everything -- including the North
Korea missile test -- is our fault. This is an indisputable fact.
Your colleague Jen Rubin is reporting that Hilary Rosen is going to be
on Meet the Press this weekend, which, Rubin correctly notes, will only
serve to keep her inane comments in the public's eye. So much for her
as a PR strategist!
–April 13, 2012 11:25 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
She is not going on MTP. She apologized again on Twitter today and said she isn't going on.
Though I haven't lived in Indiana for 40 years, I still have a certain
interest in politics there. I'm wondering what are the prospects for
the Senate and Governor's races. Will Lugar get knocked off by a Tea
Party candidate? Will the Dems have viable candidates for either race?
What sayest thou?
–April 13, 2012 11:26 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
I think Lugar is 50-50 at best against Richard Mourdock in the
primary. And, if Mourdock wins, I think he is a very likely winner in
the fall.
Who SHOULD go on Idol? Hollie has been subpar lately but the precious
PhiPhil is channeling his inner Scotty McCreery by delivering the same
performance week after week.
–April 13, 2012 11:29 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
Phil's "I don't need to ever change anything because that's not true to who I am as an artist" schtick is wearing thin.
I now believe Colton is the likeliest winner. Maybe Schyler.
How much do members of the press and officials, staffers, etc. socialize
in DC? Do they hang out with people just in their own groups, just with
people in politics, or do they hang out with people in law, business,
etc.?
–April 13, 2012 11:31 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
I socialize with Mrs Fix, Fix Jr and the guys I play pickup basketball with. And that's it.
The primary should be interesting, but def. advantage Barrett. Falk's
basic problem is that no one really likes her--her previous run at
statewide office was notably lukewarm in every way and she hasn't
exactly lit the world on fire since then.
In order to not be crushed in the press like Gore in 2000, Romney has to
pick someone personable as VP. Two stiff politicians barnstorming
America, awkwardly interacting with voters while Obama and Biden smile,
will not work. Start from there and someone whose resume isn't thin like
Rubio. In other words, Thune.
–April 13, 2012 11:35 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
Interesting theory. What about Christie? He's personable.
Your willingness to admit this makes you WAY COOL!
–April 13, 2012 11:38 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
Yes, nerd sheek is my only option as a backdoor into coolness. That
and the fact that Mrs. Fix is WAY cooler than me. It's a Julia
Roberts-Lyle Lovett setup.
The Simpsons is based on the West Coast. Family Guy is East Coast. This
definitely calls for a crossover episode where Homer and Peter have a
violent feud like Tupac and Biggie.
Will George Allen EVER live down his "macaca moment" from 2006? Or will
it become the permanent albatross of his electoral career?
–April 13, 2012 11:38 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
He has a chance to make good if he can win this fall. If he loses to
Kaine in the Senate race, I think we will be talking about macaca as the
thing that destroyed a once promising career.
Cillizza AND Squirrel. If he's truly from DC, that squirrel undoubtedly
has opinions on the political news of the day. And if he truly lives
in the DMV, Cillizza undoubtedly has opinions on squirrels...
–April 13, 2012 11:41 AM
A. Chris Cillizza :
Oooh. That has possibilities.
I am thinking a joint Fix-Hax chat. We could call it Fax. She could
give good relationship advice and I could give bad relationship advice.
Nothing but readers!
Ok folks. I have to run a little bit early to finish up my rankings
-- from worst to best -- of the nine Republican presidential candidates.
Stay tuned. Shouyld be posted on the Fix shortly. Thanks as always for joining the chat!
Our favorite part of the general election campaign is fiddling with the electoral map to puzzle out the paths to 270 electoral votes for each of the candidates. (And, yes, there’s an app for that.)
Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., second from left, points toward a map of the US during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 21, 2012, to urge the House to pass a bipartisan transportation bill. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
We did a fair amount of noodling on the map over the weekend for our Monday Fix newspaper column — yes, we write in the newspaper occasionally too! — and came up with our initial analysis of the playing field.
To our mind, there are nine truly swing states — Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin — where the election will be decided. Those states will hand out 110 electoral votes in November, roughly 41 percent of the 270 votes President Obama or former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney need to win.
Obama starts with the edge in these swing states. He carried all nine in 2008 with an average margin of victory of 7.6 percentage points. But, six of the nine states went for George W. Bush in both 2000 and 2004.
Our quick take on each of the nine states is after the jump. We will be revisiting our swing states — and the broader electoral map — lots between now and November so stay tuned!
* Colorado: One of the six of our swing states that Bush carried twice, Colorado seemed relatively immune to the Republican wave that swept the country in 2010. While two House Democrats fell, Democrats won the governor’s race (due, at least in part, to a Republican candidate disaster) and a very contested Senate race. The battle, as it always is in Colorado, will come down to the Denver suburbs.
* Florida: President Obama’s three-point victory in 2008 was quickly erased in 2010 when Republicans won the governorship, the open seat Senate race and four U.S. House seats. Gov. Rick Scott (R) is not at all popular but if Romney puts Florida Sen. Marco Rubio on the ticket it could be the tipping point that Republicans need to win.
* Iowa: If there was a single adopted home state for Obama in 2008 it was Iowa where he won the caucuses in January and then swept to a convincing nine-point win in the fall. But, like much of the upper Midwest, Republicans made major gains in Iowa in 2010 — including defeating a Democratic incumbent governor and easily reelecting Sen. Chuck Grassley (R). Obama’s convincing victory in 2008 also belies the inherent competitiveness of the Hawkeye State. Bush carried it in 2004 and then Vice President Al Gore eked out a .3 percentage point win in 2000.
* Nevada: This is the most competitive small (by population) state in the country. Obama’s 12-point margin in 2008 obscured an incredibly competitive state where Bush won in 2004 and 2000. The collapse of the housing market (and the general economic struggle) has its epicenter in the state where the February unemployment was at 12.3 percent, the highest in the country.
* New Hampshire: New Hampshire has a very interesting electoral past. It was the only state that Gore lost in 2000 that Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry won in 2004. (Much of that has to do with regional loyalty, wethinks.) Obama carried the state by nine points in 2008 but Republicans won both House seats and an open Senate seat in 2010.
* North Carolina: Of our nine swing states, Obama’s winning margin was narrowest in the Tar Heel State. (He won by .4 percentage points.) The Obama team clearly signaled that they believe they can win again in 2012 by putting the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte. The central question is likely to be whether Obama can turn out as many young people in this college-heavy state as he did in 2008. With massive 18-29 turnout, North Carolina looks doable for Obama. Without it, probably not.
* Ohio: Of the larger (population) swing states, Ohio may be the toughest for Obama. Why? It’s an older and whiter population than, say, Florida, and those two constituencies have long been Obama’s weakest. And, while he won in 2008, it wasn’t by the overwhelming margin with which he carried other swing states. (Obama won Ohio by four.)
* Virginia: If you are looking for the swingiest state in the country, the Commonwealth has a very good case to make. On the one hand, Obama was the first Democrat to win it since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. On the other, the massive growth of northern Virginia population-wise has changed the electoral calculus for the better for Democrats. If Romney puts Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell on the national ticket, that tells you all you need to know about the importance of Virginia.
* Wisconsin: The Badger State will play host to not one but two major national elections this year. The first will the recall election of Gov. Scott Walker (R) in June; the second will be the presidential race in November. Democrats rightly note that they have carried Wisconsin in each of the last five elections and that Obama won it by a whopping 14 points in 2008. But, if you believe 2012 will look a lot like 2004 when it comes to the electoral map — and we do — then there is reason for Republican optimism. That year, Bush lost Wisconsin by just .4 percentage points to Kerry.
