Can we all agree that the Tea Party brand is effectively kaput for the 2012 Republican primary? That’s not to say that you won’t hear it repeated over and over again, in polls, newspaper headlines and in advertisements for …
mitt romney
Where The Money Is: Michele Bachmann Tops Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney has one of the best Rolodex’s of rich people in Republican politics. Michele Bachmann says stuff that makes people love her or hate her. In our modern age, which one of the two prospective presidential contenders do you think raised more money in the first quarter of 2011?
Bachmann, of course. She pulled in $2.2 million, …
Gambling on 2012: How the GOP Hopefuls Handle Casino Cash
The Center for Public Integrity came out swinging Fridaywith a blistering story alleging that “Newt Gingrich is straddling a fine line” by taking millions of dollars from a Las Vegas Casino boss, while at the same time trying to court evangelical voters for the 2012 nomination. But I would not put all my chips on that claim.
There …
On Global Warming, No Clear Skies For Most 2012 GOP Contenders
When news broke of Jon Huntsman’s serious consideration of a run for president last month, several conservative pundits, including the Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin, dismissed the former Utah governor’s chances by pointing to his moderate record on global warming, which they predicted would play poorly among the GOP’s conservative …
Today In Twitter Wars: David Axelrod vs. Eric Fehrnstrom
Twitter wasn’t even a factor in the 2008 election. But that won’t be the case in 2012.
Exhibit A: Today’s impromptu tweet battle between President Obama’s top message adviser David Axelrod and Mitt Romney’s top communications adviser Eric Fehrnstrom.
It started when Fehrnstrom baited Axelrod with a tweet referring to Romney’s …
Nevermind Tim Pawlenty’s Announcement Of A Future Announcement, Let’s Look At The 2012 GOP Maps
At 3 p.m. today, anyone with a working Facebook account can get exclusive access to an announcement that has already been announced, setting the stage for further announcements about Tim Pawlenty’s desire to be President of the United States. Such is the absurdity of modern presidential politics that candidates create news events out of …
Sarah Palin Wins On National Security, Mitt Romney Hurts On Social Issues
Gallup keeps bringing the hits. Today it has a breakdown of early Republican primary polls by the top issues among potential voters. First the qualification: Primary polls this early are poor indicators of results. At this point in 2007, Rudy Giuliani led the GOP field and Hillary Clinton had a virtual lock on the Democratic nomination. …
As Egypt Sidelines CPAC, Potential 2012 GOP Candidates Don’t Respond
The press areas of CPAC are filled with idle cable news producers and correspondents. In normal times, they would be busy filing updates on the coming 2012 campaign. But the nation, and the cable news bookers, are distracted these days by Egypt, where people are cheering in the streets, fireworks are exploding, and the 30-year rule of an …
Pawlenty’s Health Care Accomplishments – Real or Imagined?
For presumed GOP presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty, health care is a signature cause. The former Minnesota governor hopes to use the topic against opponent Mitt Romney, who supported health reform in Massachusetts similar to the national plan. Pawlenty has also garnered attention by spearheading the effort to resist the Affordable Care …
The Pragmatic Republican Primary
Will Mitt Romney Praise President Obama’s Handling Of Egypt At CPAC?
A week from today, Mitt Romney will speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference. He won’t be the only potential 2012 candidate at the conference, but it is clear that he hopes to distinguish himself. If he does not announce his 2012 campaign in the speech–at CPAC in 2008 he officially left his quest for the presidency–I …
The Political Subtext Of Obama’s National Prayer Breakfast Address
President Obama has spoken three times at the National Prayer Breakfast, and there has been a pattern to his speeches. He thanks his guests, speaks briefly about the history of the National Prayer Breakfast, and then delivers what amounts to a essay on faith in light of current events. In 2009, he quoted Jesus, the Torah and the Koran, …
Romney Relieved at Health Care Ruling?
Ben Smith makes a good point today about how yesterday’s health care ruling might affect 2012 presidential election landscape. Mitt Romney is leading the field, but is believed to be highly vulnerable in the primary season because he ushered in health care reform in Massachusetts while he was governor. That reform plan is extremely …