The 2012 Presidential race is expected to be dominated by which candidate has the best plan to create jobs and to improve the economy. Check back often for the latest news on candidates, issues and events surrounding the election of the country’s next President.
A new Rasmussen poll finds that 54% of likely voters in the U.S. want the health care law repealed.
President Barack Obama said if the supreme court overturns the healthcare law, chalk it up to judicial activism.
Senate minority leader Mitch McConell says Obama's tactic is to try to intimidate the Supreme Court of the United States.
Neither presidents' or supreme court justices' tend to tread in political waters of this nature.
Texas Rep. Ron Paul has drawn a capacity crowd at the University of Maryland, College Park's Ritchie Coliseum. Paul, who is seeking the GOP's nomination to challenge President Barack Obama, spoke Wednesday evening.
Roughly 1,500 people were inside the venue. Scores of students lined up outside were turned away. Supporters chanted "President Paul" before the congressman spoke.
Paul is in last place in delegates of the four candidates who are still in the race for the GOP nomination. Maryland is drawing candidates this week, because the state's primary will be on April 3.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was in Annapolis on Tuesday. Mitt Romney was in Arbutus last week.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich says his campaign will have to stay on a tight budget to make it to the convention.
Gingrich says he has enough to keep going, but his campaign must stay on "a fairly tight budget" to reach the Republican convention in Tampa, Fla. Gingrich was campaigning Tuesday in Annapolis.
He is criticizing Gov. Martin O'Malley's proposal to raise taxes on gasoline.
Maryland's primary, with 37 delegates at stake is set for next Tuesday. Rep.
Ron Paul is scheduled to be at the University of Maryland, College Park, on Wednesday.
Mitt Romney was in Arbutus last week.
The Republican primary in Maryland takes on a new meaning this year.
The GOP makes an appearance in this state today.. knowing republican voters will have a significant voice in the upcoming presidential contest.
One of the first things Romney did when he arrived Wednesday was tell the crowd about the sterling endorsement he had just received from former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.
He wants that same endorsement from Maryland Republicans in the State's party primary.
Tuesday was the last day to register to vote for the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary.
The NAACP and the Wednesday Breakfast Morning Ministry taught high school students the importance of voting.
The group talked about the sacrifices made during the civil rights movement.
They signed up 700 students to become new voters.
Baltimore City is in need of Election Judges for the upcoming April primary.
City Elections Chief Armistead Jones says the city is short 200 Republican Judges, he is urging Republicans to sign up.
Volunteers will be paid by the Board of Elections $150-$200 for working at a poll.
If you would like additional information concerning Election Judges, please call the Election Judge Recruiters at (410)396-5580.
President Barack Obama came into office promising transparency in the White House.
Four years later critics say Mr. Obama has failed to live up to his pledge. Critics cite thwarted attempts to obtain documents through the Freedom of Information Act. The online site Politico, found in some instances, white house lawyers fighting FOIA requests at the agency level and in court, occasionally on Obama's direct orders.
White House Spokesperson Eric Schultz told Politico, federal agencies have gone to great efforts to make Government more transparent.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rick Santorum has won the Republican presidential primary in Oklahoma.
He's also won Tennessee and is locked in a tight battle with Mitt Romney in Ohio. Romney earlier won primaries in Massachusetts, Vermont and Virginia as voters went to the polls in 10 states.
Newt Gingrich has won in his home state of Georgia.
Mitt Romney is trying to convince conservatives he's one of them, and that he deserves the Republican presidential nomination.
Today Romney spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference. He was 0 for 3 last Tuesday night , losing all of that night's contests to Rick Santorum. And he's facing increasing questions about why he can't seal the deal with conservatives.
Romney asks, "I'm here to ask you today to stand with me shoulder and shoulder as we go forward to fight for America."
His competitor, Rick Santorum received a rock star welcome when he addressed the group earlier today.
Still, Romney's the frontrunner to win the nomination.
Former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney, wins the Republican Presidential Primary in Florida.
He was projected the winner early on.
Tonight is a big win for Romney, the biggest prize yet in the GOP presidential race.
The 10-day campaign sprint here in Florida grew more nasty and more personal every day.
Both candidates held speeches earlier tonight..
Mitt Romney delivered remarks in Tampa.
Newt Gingrich in Orlando.
Romney:
"I will make America the most attractive place in the world for entrepreneurs and innovators. And unlike everyone else running for President I know how to do that because I've done it before."
Gingrich:
"I promise you, if I become your president, I pledge to you my life, my fortune and my sacred honor. This is about America. Thank you. Good luck and God bless you."
Mitt Romney's victory gives him more than three times as many convention delegates as his closest rival, Newt Gingrich.
Romney won all 50 delegates in Florida, giving him a total of 87.
But the race is far from over.
Political rivals Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul have each vowed to soldier on.
Next up: Nevada, which has 28 delegates at stake in it caucuses on Saturday.
The top two GOP candidates spent a lot of money trying to convince Florida voters they are the man to beat President Obama in November.
All the candidates combined spent more than $20 million in Florida over just the last ten days.
Mitt Romney and the Political Action Committee that supports him spent $16 million alone.
Newt Gingrich spent $4 million.
The rest came from Rick Santorum's campaign.
Ron Paul did not even campaign in Florida but polls have him in a virtual tie with Santorum for 3rd place in Florida.
Voters across Florida flocked to the polls today for the presidential primary.
How turnout has been in Escambia County.
But still a couple hours to go before the polls close.
And often right after work, they see a rush of last minute voters.
County election supervisors say turnout has been relatively low.
Throughout the afternoon, a slow trickle of voters went in and out of polling places marking their ballots in a matter of minutes.
It was not crowded but it worked out real smoothly
It was very easy in there, no lines, just walk right up and got it done
They say one reason for that is many people early voted or marked absentee ballots.
Across Florida, more than 635,000 people had already cast their vote leading up to election day.
But some voters we caught up with waited until the last moment to choose.
Bill Hinkle
I came to the ballot, I didn't know which one I was gonna vote for Romney or Newt, but I ended up voting for Romney
Bob Clevland
It was a tough choice...
Bob Clevland wouldn't tell us who ended up winning his vote only that he hopes after today all the negative ads will end.
I think the biggest thing that stirred me up is all the crap flying around
Gingrich/Romney
It goes right back to Mitt Romney's inability to tell the truth
This last one Speaker Gingrich said he didn't do so well cause the audience was too loud...
And though many voters have grown frustrated with the attacks in the end they voted for the man they feel can compete against President Barack Obama come November..
Florida has a closed primary, meaning only republicans can vote on a presidential candidate.
But in both Escambia and Santa Rosa County there are other issues on the ballot for all parties to vote on.
Lauren Carlton
Well I'm a democrat but I had to vote on the amendment for the tax exemption.
The polls close at seven tonight.
Results will start coming out shortly after that around 7:15pm
Governor Rick Scott cast his vote in Florida's primary this morning.
The republican did not publicly endorsed any candidate.
But he did defend Mitt Romney last week in critical remarks about political attack ads.
When asked who he voted for the governor had a little fun with reporters.
"It's a secret ballot fortunately. I told somebody already this morning, hint, hint, I think it had less than ten letters in the last name. I was trying to think of some way to say it where everybody would be in."
Up to two million voters are expected to be cast in Florida today.
More than a half million of those were cast before the first poll even opened this morning.
Newt Gingrich is being sued over the music he plays at campaign events.
The lawsuit involves the 1982 song... "Eye of the Tiger."
It claims Gingrich has been using the song at events since 2009 without permission.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction to block him from using it again, plus damages and legal fees.
The Gingrich Campaign has not yet responded.
"Eye of the Tiger" graced the "Rocky Three" soundtrack became a #1 hit earned a Grammy and was nominated for an Oscar.
The Presidential Primary is -not- the only item on local ballots today.
In Escambia County voters will decide whether county commissioners can continue to give tax breaks to new or expanding businesses.
And people who live in Midway in South Santa Rosa County will decide whether to raise the ad valorem tax rate to pay for fire rescue services.
Voters in Destin, Mary Esther and Valparaiso will also select city council and city commission positions.
You can find sample ballots and other voting information on your county Supervisor of Elections website.
To get there go to weartv.com and click on Newslinks.
One day before the Florida Primary vote.
The Sunshine State moved up their election to bring more candidates to town.
One of those candidates Newt Gingrich made a stop in Pensacola today.
Former House Speaker and Republican Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich has a lot riding on what our state decides to do.
He won South Carolina almost 10 days ago but has said before that a Florida win by rival Mitt Romney would seal the nomination.
Today he flew into Pensacola Aviation with friends like Michael Reagan, son of Former President Ronald Reagan.
Flanked by his wife Callista, he asked Florida voters to keep his momentum going by voting against the "establishment".
Then he touted his experience in Washington as a reason to vote for him saying he won't have a learning curve in office.
Next he hit a topic popular among conservatives the media.
As the nominee, I will not accept a debate in the fall in which a reporter is the moderator because you don't need to have a second Obama person in the debate
Gingrich also ran down a list of Executive Orders he plans to sign his first day in office if he's successful in his attempt to win the presidency.
He told supporters he wants to repeal Health Care Reform within hours of his Inauguration as well as reinstate the Keystone Pipeline shot down by President Obama.
He saved a lot of his criticism though for what he called the president's attack on Christianity.
I want you to know that on the very first day, one of the Executive Orders will repeal every aspect of anti-religion in the federal government
Another Executive Order in that first day will instruct the State Department to open an American Embassy in Jerusalem that day.
Other big issues Gingrich brought up making businesses pay a 12.5% tax and keeping a zero percent capital gains tax that is typically applied to the wealthiest Americans.
He says both plans would create jobs.
Gingrich also addressed the F-35 program.
Reminder: Polls open tomorrow at 7 am for the GOP Presidential Primary.
Some candidates are making a stop here in Pensacola. Here's a look at the republican schedule before the January 31st primary.
Mitt Romney will be at the Fish House Restaurant in downtown for a veterans rally tomorrow morning, starting at 8:15.
It is open to the public.
After that he'll head over to Panama City.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will touch down at the Pensacola Aviation Center on Monday as he canvasses the state.
The time for that visit has yet to be announced.
Florida's popular former Gov. Jeb Bush says the presidential candidates must earn his endorsement.
Bush told reporters at the Hispanic Leadership Network's conference Thursday he wants the candidates to work hard to get to know Florida before he lends his support.
Bush allowed that after Tuesday's primary he might reconsider. Bush also refused to rule out the possibility of the vice presidential spot on the 2012 GOP ticket, but he likened the chances to those of joining "Dancing with the Stars."
Bush is a conservative with a Mexican wife. He speaks Spanish and supports comprehensive immigration reform. That makes him particularly popular with Florida's diverse Hispanic communities.
Presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich will speak Friday, as will Marco Rubio. The conference covers immigration, industry and grassroots organizing.
A new poll says President Obama would beat Newt Gingrich in Florida.
But it would be a different story if he took on Mitt Romney.
The Quinnipiac Poll has the President and Romney in a virtual tie at 45 % of all voters.
It also showed they were split evenly among independent voters.
The poll also says the president has an edge over Ron Paul and Rick Santorum as well.
The Escambia County Republican Party was just notified that because of a tornado advisory in effect in the area, Senator Rick Santorum's flight cannot land.
The Santorum Grassroots Rally at 12:00noon (Central time) today, Thursday, January 26, 2012, at New World Landing at 600 South Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola has been cancelled.
Cedar Rapids (KGAN) - President Barack Obama delivered a message touting his need for Congress to support his economic recovery plan to get the nation's financial engine going again.
The president arrived about 11:10 Wednesday morning at the Eastern Iowa Regional Airport, the morning after delivering his State of the Union address to Congress.
He took a quick tour of Conveyor Engineering & Manufacturing, a family-owned business which he says is a classic example of the development of small businesses to help the American economy recover.
He spoke to a crowd of about 300 people, half Conveyor employees the other half invited guests which included Governor Terry Branstad (a Republican), the Mayors of Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, and Congressmen Bruce Braley and Dave Loebsack, both of whom arrived in Iowa aboard Air Force One with the President.
The president's 20-minute speech hit many of the same themes contained in his Tuesday night address: an extension of the payroll tax cut, doubling tax incentives for high tech businesses, introducing a new manufacturing community tax credit, and promoting clean energy and technology.
The president's stop was the first in a five city, three state tour.
President Obama made his first stop after the State of the Union in Cedar Rapids. On Wednesday afternoon he told the crowd at Conveyor Engineering and Manufacturing his plan for making American manufacturing the blueprint for turning the U.S. economy around.
He also brought up a topic that affects us all: taxes.
“We need to make choices. Right now, we're supposed to spend nearly $1 trillion more on what was intended to be a temporary tax cut for the wealthiest 2% of Americans. A quarter of all millionaires pay lower tax rates than millions of middle-class households,” said President Obama.
The President says that defies common sense. Critics are accusing him of economic class warfare. So what do people here think?
"This is not class warfare, asking a billionaire to pay the same as his secretary is just common sense," said President Obama, making his plea for the wealthiest Americans to pay more in taxes.
"If you make more than a million dollars a year, you should pay a tax rate of at least 30%," Mr. Obama said to applause from the Conveyor Engineering and Manufacturing crowd.
But not everyone is applauding that idea. Eric Rosenthal, the former Chair of the Linn County Republican Party says repealing tax cuts for the wealthy wouldn't generate enough money to power the government's needs.
"It'd be like a little pebble in a pond, what you need is you need a new pond," said Rosenthal.
We went to average folks, to find out how they think the deck is stacked. Over dinner at Riley's Cafe in Cedar Rapids, Steve Hollan can't believe billionaire Warren Buffet's secretary pays a lower tax rate than he does.
"Your secretary is making how much less than you and you're paying less, yet you're using the same roads, same infrastructure," said Hollan.
Fellow diner David Drewlow takes the opposite approach toward the wealthy.
"They typically are responsible for creating most of the jobs and contributing to our economy so to target them in our kind of society I think is really unfortunate," Drewlow said.
Diner James Vanhoof says it's up to every American to contribute what he can: "To generate jobs, pay for roads, our schools."
While James Black says the government should just step back, to leave people to fend for themselves.
"It's called human nature. You're not gonna fix it, you can legislate and legislate and legislate, you'll never fix it," said Black.
A couple alternatives we heard from folks were to focus more on cutting the budget, instead of asking for more taxes from any income level, and creating a more stable economic environment so businesses feel comfortable reinvesting and hiring new workers.
Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich has a new endorsement.
Former Senator Fred Thompson the real life politician who also played one on TV is giving his support to Gingrich.
Thompson says the next president would be well served to have an insider's view of Washington.
Presidential Candidate Senator Rick Santorum is planning a visit to Pensacola.
The chair of the Escambia Republicans, Susan Moore, says Santorum will appear at a public rally on Thursday at New World Landing.
The event is expected to start around lunchtime but they're still finalizing the schedule.
Moore also said another candidate may be coming in this weekend but it's too soon to give any details.
EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS – NORTHWEST FLORIDA
ESCAMBIA
Supervisor of Elections Main Office
213 Palafox Place, Second Floor
Supervisor of Elections Annex
292 Muscogee Road, Cantonment
Southwest Branch Library
12248 Gulf Beach Highway
Tryon Branch Library*
1200 Langley Avenue
*New location due to renovations
SANTA ROSA
Sites
The Election Office
(Behind McDonalds on Highway 90, Milton)
6495 Caroline St., Suite "F"
Milton, FL 32570-4592
South Service Center
(1 block east of the Zoo on Highway 98)
5841 Gulf Breeze Pkwy. (Highway 98)
Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
OKALOOSA
NEW! Niceville City Hall located at 208 N. Partin Drive Niceville, FL
University of Florida REEF located at 1350 North Poquito Road Shalimar, FL
Bob Sikes Library located at 1445 Commerce Drive Crestview,FL
Supervisor of Elections Office located at 302 Wilson Street N, Ste 102 Crestview, FL
Where Republican Presidential candidate Herman Cain goes you'll find
Marty Miller.
The Cain supporter has followed his candidate, selling buttons at campaign
stops from Florida to Nashville.
"He's down to earth and I think he'd make a good President," said Miller.
Monday morning the Cain bus stopped at Barnes and Noble in Brentwood.
The former Godfathers CEO talked with voters about his 999 plan.
It would set business, income and the national sales taxes at 9%
"Throw out the current tax code," said Cain. "The biggest domestic problem
we have is this sluggish economy. It's on life support so we developed 999
to be bold."
Cain's message has helped him rise in recent polls to contender status for
the GOP nomination.
His last stop in Middle Tennessee came in July when he attracted criticism
for speaking out against the Murfreesboro Mosque expansion.
Cain says that criticism was unwarranted.
"CItizens vote for their local leader and the local leaders should represent
what the citizens want that's all I was trying to say," said Cain.
The GOP candidate will make a return trip to Tennessee with a bus tour
Friday and Saturday.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The economy weak and the public seething,
President Barack Obama is expected to propose $300 billion in tax cuts and
federal spending Thursday night to get Americans working again.
Republicans offered Tuesday to compromise with him on jobs -- but also
assailed his plans in advance of his prime-time speech.
In effect, Obama will be hitting cleanup on a shortened holiday week, with
Republican White House contender Mitt Romney releasing his jobs
proposals on Tuesday and front-running Texas Gov. Rick Perry hoping to
join his presidential rivals Wednesday evening on a nationally televised
debate stage for the first time.
Lawmakers began returning to the Capitol to tackle legislation on jobs and
federal deficits in an unforgiving political season spiced by the 2012
presidential campaign.
Adding to the mix: A bipartisan congressional committee is slated to hold its
first public meeting on Thursday as it embarks on a quest for deficit cuts of
$1.2 trillion or more over a decade. If there is no agreement, automatic
spending cuts will take effect, a prospect that lawmakers in both parties have
said they would like to avoid.
According to people familiar with the White House deliberations, two of the
biggest measures in the president's proposals for 2012 are expected to be a
one-year extension of a payroll tax cut for workers and an extension of
expiring jobless benefits. Together those two would total about $170 billion.
The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because the plan was still
being finalized and some proposals could still be subject to change.
The White House is also considering a tax credit for businesses that hire the
unemployed. That could cost about $30 billion. Obama has also called for
public works projects, such as school construction. Advocates of that plan
have called for spending of $50 billion, but the White House proposal is
expected to be smaller.
Obama also is expected to continue for one year a tax break for businesses
that allows them to deduct the full value of new equipment. The president
and Congress negotiated that provision into law for 2011 last December.
Though Obama has said he intends to propose long-term deficit reduction
measures to cover the up-front costs of his jobs plan, White House
spokesman Jay Carney said Obama would not lay out a wholesale deficit
reduction plan in his speech.
In a letter to Obama on Tuesday, House Speaker John Boehner and Majority
Leader Eric Cantor outlined possible areas for compromise on jobs
legislation. Separately, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said last month's
unemployment report - it showed a painfully persistent 9.1 percent jobless
rate and no net gain of jobs - "should be a wakeup call to every member of
Congress."
Whatever the potential for eventual compromise on the issue at the top of
the public's agenda, the finger pointing was already under way.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell predicted Obama's Thursday
night speech to Congress on jobs legislation would include "more of the
same failed approach that's only made things worse over the past few
years."
He spoke a few moments after Reid had said that Republicans, rather than
working with Democrats to create job-creating legislation, insist on "reckless
cuts to hurt our economic recovery."
The Senate returned to Capitol Hill on Tuesday after an August recess. The
House comes back Wednesday.
Left largely ignored in the latest political remarks was a remarkable run of
late-summer polls that show the country souring on Obama's performance -
and on Congress' even more.
A Washington Post-ABC survey released Monday found that 60 percent of
those polled expressed disapproval of Obama's handling of the economy.
Thirty-four percent said his proposals were making the situation worse and
47 percent said they were having no effect - dismal soundings for a
president headed into a re-election campaign.
Only 19 percent said the country was moving in the right direction.
Not that Republicans, or Congress as a whole, are in good odor with the
voters.
The Post-ABC News poll found only 28 percent approval for the job the
Republicans are doing, and 68 percent disapproval.
An AP-GfK survey last month put overall support for Congress at 12 percent
- the lowest level ever in the survey's history.
The tea party has also been hurt, according to the same poll, which found
that 32 percent of those surveyed have a deeply unfavorable impression of
the movement that helped give Republicans control of the House in the
2010 elections.
In their letter to Obama, Boehner and Cantor wrote that neither party would
win all it wants from the coming debate over jobs legislation. "We should not
approach this as an all-or-nothing situation," they said, striking a
conciliatory tone in the first moments of a post-summer session of
Congress.
But it was unclear what, if any, concessions they were prepared to make.
"We are not opposed to initiatives to repair and improve infrastructure," they
wrote, saying they favor repeal of a current requirement for 10 percent of
highway funds to be spent on items such as museums or bike trails.
But they did not say they would support any additional funding for
construction, and aides declined to provide any additional details.
Boehner and Cantor also said the House was ready to pass free trade
agreements negotiated with Colombia, Panama and South Korea measures,
which they noted the White House estimates would create 250,000 jobs.
The administration wants the trade deals approved simultaneously with
legislation to provide job training and other benefits for workers who lose
their job to imports, and the letter from the Republican leaders promised
they would consider such measures rather than pledging to pass them.
There was maneuvering on another front during the day.
Democrats won approval in a Senate subcommittee for legislation adding $6
billion in spending to pay victims of Hurricane Irene and past disasters
dating to Hurricane Katrina, including $4 billion for the 2012 budget year.
Republicans did not object, even though the legislation did not include other
cuts to offset the cost and the new spending would exceed levels permitted
in a sweeping compromise passed last month to cut future deficits by nearly
$1 trillion over a decade.
It is unclear when the measure will come to the Senate floor, and whether
Republicans will attempt to offset the increase when it does.
In comments in recent weeks, Cantor has said any increase must be offset.
For his part, Romney chose Nevada, where unemployment stood at a
nationwide high of 12.9 percent in July, for a campaign speech in which he
outlined numerous proposals to create jobs.
He called for lowering the maximum corporate tax from 35 percent to 25
percent and abolishing the tax on dividends and investment earnings for
anyone making less than $200,000 a year. He also said any new government
regulation that raises costs for businesses should be accompanied by other
steps to reduce the burden by an identical amount.
"America should be a job machine, jobs being created all the time," he said.
The elements Romney outlined - lower taxes and less regulation - are the
same as those advanced by Republicans in Congress.
McConnell said Republicans "will spend the next weeks and months arguing
in favor of a robust legislation agenda aimed at blocking or repealing some
of the most pernicious rules and regulations."
© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be
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MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) -- Sarah Palin left open the possibility of a
presidential bid Monday afternoon, while encouraging tea party activists to
unite against President Obama.
And the former Alaska governor praised Republican presidential candidates
for working harder to appeal to the tea party movement.
"Now we're seeing more and more folks realize the strength of this
grassroots movement and they're wanting to be involved," she told
hundreds of activists at a Tea Party Express rally in the Granite State's
largest city. "I say, `Right on, better late than never,' for some of these
campaigns, especially."
She didn't name any names, but former Massachusetts governor Mitt
Romney is among those courting tea party groups this weekend.
But Palin's New Hampshire appearance comes amid rising frustration - and
indifference - among Granite State Republicans and tea party activists over
her hazy intentions.
She has drawn headlines, dominated cable news coverage and raised
supporters' hopes through several recent visits to early voting states. And as
she did Monday, she has consistently left open the possibility she would
seek the presidency.
A New Hampshire tea party leader couldn't hold back his frustration Sunday
night at another rally hosted by the Tea Party Express.
"Once again it is time to determine- are you here to sell books or are you
here to run for president of the United States?" asked Corey Lewandowski,
state director for Americans for Prosperity, a tea party ally. "The people of
New Hampshire deserve to know, are you serious? And if you are serious,
then welcome to the race. And if you're not serious, get out of the way
because we're going to elect a new president."
Aside from Monday's visit - her second in New Hampshire over the last three
months - local operatives say Palin has not moved to hire staff or organize a
ground game here in the state that will host the nation's first presidential
primary in roughly five months.
"At this late stage, there's been so little infrastructure work for a potential
candidacy, I think this is simply Sarah Palin wanting to be part of the
process and to help shape the debate for the presidential campaign," said
Michael Dennehy, who led Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign four
years ago, but is uncommitted this year. "At some
point immediately - meaning the next week or two - she's going to hurt
herself badly if she does not announce that she's not going to run for
president."
The head of a prominent Granite State conservative think tank, also a tea
party ally, says there is a growing sense of indifference among local
conservatives.
"If she had done it right she could be popular here," said Kevin Smith,
executive director of Cornerstone. "But I don't feel a lot of energy or
enthusiasm here about a Palin run. Voters here in this state, who frankly
have been taking this primary seriously since the beginning of the year, are
indifferent."
That said, she drew hundreds of supporters to Monday afternoon's rally.
And she was interrupted once with chants of, "Run, Sarah, run."
"I appreciate your encouragement, I do," she said, offering no more insight
into her presidential ambitions.
The Republican presidential candidates, however, have much riding on a
Palin candidacy, as she could dramatically change the dynamic of the race.
Operatives here think a Palin bid would eat into Texas Gov. Rick Perry's
support and therefore help Romney.
Speaking at another Manchester event Monday morning, Romney welcomed
Palin to the race.
"There's always room for governor Palin," he said.
© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our
Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
GOP debate features first appearance for Perry
By KASIE HUNT and MICHAEL R. BLOOD
Associated Press
AP Photo
AP Photo/Julie Jacobson
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SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) -- Rick Perry is looking to make a strong first impression on the national stage. Mitt Romney is hoping for another flawless debate performance. And Michele Bachmann, perhaps, is shooting for relevance in what increasingly appears to be a two-man GOP presidential race. With the national unemployment rate stuck at 9.1 percent, the economy was likely to dominate Wednesday's debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Republicans competing for the chance to challenge President Barack Obama next fall were taking the stage one day before the incumbent Democrat rolls out a jobs-creation plan. It's the first of three Republican presidential debates scheduled over the next three weeks. The events promise to shape the GOP presidential race heading into this winter's series of nominating primaries and caucuses. National and state polls show Perry, the Texas governor, and Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, competing for the lead. Bachmann, the Minnesota congresswoman who was running strong in polls earlier this summer, is trailing, along with no less than a half dozen other lesser-known Republicans. This would be the first debate appearance for Perry, who has been in the race just a few weeks. But his attendance was in question. Aides said Tuesday that he plans to debate. But Perry, who was in Texas dealing with one of the most destructive wildfire outbreaks in the state's history, left open the possibility that he may skip the debate. Asked whether he would have time to prepare even if he does attend, Perry said, "We'll deal with that when it comes up." Should Perry attend as expected, he will face a bright spotlight in part because he doesn't have extensive debate experience and is competing in his first national campaign. He's a natural politician, but aides privately acknowledge that Perry doesn't count debating among his strongest skills. In 10 years as governor, Perry has debated other candidates just four times - and last year, he didn't debate his general election opponent at all. Perry entered the race and immediately jolted the GOP electorate with a shot of energy. But he found himself in hot water for controversial remarks, including suggesting there are "gaps" in the theory of evolution, questioning whether humans play a role in climate change and referring to Social Security as a Ponzi scheme. The debate will test whether he can withstand on-camera questioning or barbs from his competitors over those issues. Romney, who led the field before Perry became a candidate, has turned in two strong debate performances largely by staying above the fray while his rivals sparred onstage.
This time, he may not have that luxury. Romney is expected to come face to face with Perry just as the former Massachusetts governor has been stepping up his efforts to contrast himself with his chief rival. Romney has been emphasizing his private-sector business experience and suggesting it's superior to Perry's, who has held elected office since 1985. Romney also has started drawing distinctions with Perry on immigration: Romney opposed legislation to allow illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition breaks, while Texas universities allow illegal immigrants to receive those discounts. Romney was debating a day after unveiling a major economic plan that he is using to sell himself as the candidate with the most business knowhow. For Bachmann, the debate comes as she's looking to regain traction she lost when Perry entered the race. Both candidates attract support from tea party activists, and the two are competing for the larger share of their votes. Perhaps foreshadowing debate skirmishing, a group called Keep Conservatives United - unaffiliated with Bachmann's campaign but seemingly working to help her candidacy - ran a TV ad in South Carolina this week that questioned Perry's record on government spending, a key issue with those voters. Bachmann has a lot on the line. Since she won a key test vote in Iowa on Aug. 13, Bachmann has faced questions about the true strength of her campaign. Her campaign manager and deputy manager have left her staff. And she's fallen in early state and national polls. Among others also planning to be on stage were Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who has called his rivals extreme, as well as ex-House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Georgia businessman Herman Cain. All have struggled for attention. Another candidate, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, has made waves in recent weeks, coming in a close second in the Iowa straw poll. In recent days, Paul increasingly has gone after Perry, putting out a TV ad suggesting that Perry wants to unravel Reagan's legacy. It drew a rebuke from Perry's campaign, which said in a statement, "Like President Reagan, Gov. Perry has cut taxes and freed employers from government regulations that kill jobs." All that is fitting given the debate's location. Wednesday will be the third time the hilltop library - a shrine to all things Reagan - will provide the backdrop for a Republican presidential debate. Former first lady Nancy Reagan will welcome the candidates. It's a dramatic setting. The candidates speak within sight of Reagan's jet, Air Force One, and the 40th president is buried on the grounds. The candidates hope to be seen as heirs to the Reagan legacy, while inevitably being measured against it.
It's often said Republicans are in search of the next Reagan - a charismatic conservative with cross-party appeal - and at the library his presence is inescapable.
NBC News and Politico are sponsoring the debate, which will be moderated by NBC News anchor Brian Williams and Politico editor-in-chief John Harris.
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