N2K Presidential Race: Contraception Controversy Enters Presidential Race
Senators up for re-election often serve as an early-warning system for presidential candidates, having a ground-level instinct for constituent feelings. And, based on yesterday’s reactions from senators and candidates to the Obama administration’s policy requiring some religious institutions to provide coverage for prescription contraceptives, the president faces plenty of problems ahead – and his GOP challengers know it.
The key Democratic break with Obama came from his close ally and former DNC chairman Tim Kaine, running for the Senate in the hotly-contested battleground state of Virginia. Kaine, a Catholic, said he favored additional religious exemptions for Catholic employers. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., whose name is synonymous with pro-life Democrats, also urged Obama to change his ruling.
But illustrating the White House’s dilemma, two female Senate candidates from swing states – Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill and Wisconsin Rep. Tammy Baldwin – came out squarely behind the president. Female voters are a pivotal part of the Obama coalition, and Obama has been making moves lately to cater to his party’s base.
Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum are all firing away at Obama, knowing they’re holding political dynamite. Obama often makes a point of trying to appease both sides on controversial issues, but usually ends up siding with the base (witness the Keystone XL pipeline and health care). But this time, working-class Catholic voters, disproportionately represented in swing states, could hold the key to his re-election.
Politics has a funny way of interfering with policy sometimes
-- Josh Kraushaar, Hotline Executive Editor
NATIONAL JOURNAL’S PRIMARY REPORT
Romney’s Washington Fundraiser Expected to Pull Over $1M NEW!
Romney has run against former House Speaker Gingrich, former Senator Santorum, and Congressman Paul as the only candidate in the race that has spent his life outside Washington, but he hits the JW Marriott tonight for a fundraising bonanza that some expect will bring in more than $1 million from the who’s who of K Street.
Four Ways Romney is Prepping for the Next Round
Romney is getting personal in order to show voters a softer side, breaking the Reagan Rule by upping attacks on his rivals, pushing back against the White House and fundraising to keep his money advantage.
McCain: GOP Race Not ‘Wide Open’
Sen. John McCain said Mitt Romney's campaign is moving beyond the “setback” of Tuesday night -- when it lost three contests that did not immediately award delegates -- and focusing on primaries that award delegates immediately. “To call it wide open I think it is a little bit inaccurate,” the Arizona Republican said.
Santorum: Fundraising Has Jumped Since Recent Wins
Santorum says he's taken in an estimated $500,000 between Tuesday morning and Wednesday, in part due to his sweep of three states Tuesday night. He says this haul will help him compete with the deep-pocketed Romney, which is likely more of an understatement than he'd like to admit. CNN reports the figure is now closer to $1 million in 24 hours.
Romney Fires Back at White House, Aims at Santorum
Well into damage-control mode, Romney pushed back against claims that he supported a contraception policy in place in Massachusetts during his time as governor that is nearly identical to president Obama’s. He also lashed out at Santorum and brushed off the former Pennsylvania senator's Tuesday-night wins.
The Case for Renewed Reform
Thanks to movements inside both the Republican and Democratic national committees, 2012 may mark the end of the caucus system. This could mean Iowa and Nevada are the two states most likely to lose their coveted positions at the front of the calendar.
Romney’s New Campaign Slogan: What Happened?
Watch Jay Leno poke fun at the thumping Romney took in Colorado, Missouri and Minnesota Tuesday night in National Journal’s Play of the Day: “I haven't seen Rick Santorum so happy since they cancelled Will and Grace.”
PRESIDENTIAL RACE NEWS SUMMARY
CPAC Organizers Trying To Avoid Another Ron Paul Straw Poll Win
[Huffington Post, 2/9/12] Ron Paul has won the CPAC straw poll by large margins in the last two years, but organizers are trying to prevent the hat trick – especially considering the weight of the poll results this year. Paul has already declined an invitation to attend the conference this year.
Editorial: Where's the Rest of Them?
[Wall Street Journal, 2/9/12] With Santorum’s big wins on Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal asks whether he can expand his passion for conservative principles into a broader governing message to GOP voters. The problem with the GOP field, the board writes, is that each candidate represents only part of the GOP coalition.
The Criminal Probe of Sheldon Adelson's Casino Empire NEW!
[Reuters, 2/8/12] The man who is keeping Gingrich’s campaign afloat, casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, is under a criminal probe by the Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission for his casinos. If an investigation comes into fruition, it could be embarrassing for the former House speaker.
On Birth Control, Romney Mirrored Obama
[Salon, 2/8/12] Some Catholic leaders are finally speaking up against what they see as Romney’s politically convenient about-face in the emergency contraception debate. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney highlighted this turnaround in a press conferences Wednesday.
Up Next: Maine Weighs In
[Boston Globe, 2/8/12] As the only candidates to have made much of an effort in the state, Romney and Paul are the undisputed favorites in the next state to vote: Maine.
Rove: Newt’s Southern Strategy Won’t Work
[Wall Street Journal, 2/8/12] Karl Rove weighs in on the drawbacks of Gingrich’s plan to take the South in the lead-up to the April 4 Texas primary. He concludes that it is Santorum, not Gingrich, who is Romney’s main conservative challenger.
Romney Ventures Into Conservative Lion’s Den at CPAC
[The Hill, 2/9/12] Romney’s address Friday before the Conservative Political Action Conference – two hours after Santorum addresses the same crowd – must assuage doubts that he’s a bona fide conservative with broad appeal among the base.
Missing: Surge in Voter Turnout Expected By GOP
[Wall Street Journal, 2/9/12] GOP leaders hoped that antipathy toward Obama and aggravation over the slow economic recovery would send a wave of Republican voters to the polls. But turnout in the contests so far has been mixed.
A Wealthy Backer Likes the Odds on Santorum
[New York Times, 2/8/12] Few people played a more pivotal role in Tuesday’s turn of events than millionaire investor Foster Friess, the chief backer of a super PAC that has helped keep Santorum’s candidacy alive by running television ads on his behalf. The Daily Beast reminds readers of Friess’ connection to conservative news outlet Daily Caller.
Report: Some Super PAC Money is Untraceable
[Roll Call, 2/8/12] Six of the top 10 super PACs active in the 2012 elections have received money from untraceable sources, such as nonprofits, social welfare groups and shell corporations, according to a report released by progressive advocacy groups Demos and the U.S. PIRG Education Fund.
Mitt Romney: Cartoon Millionaire
[Politico, 2/9/12] Democrats may be able to pigeonhole the GOP frontrunner into the narrative Obama laid out in his State of the Union address: the rich versus the rest of us. And the reality is, Romney himself is helping them do it.
Luis Gutierrez Rebuffs Gingrich's 'Food Stamp President' Claim
[Huffington Post, 2/8/12] Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., took to the House floor yesterday to refute Gingrich’s claim that Obama is the “Food Stamp President.” What he finds is that George W. Bush increased food stamp spending, and the amount of food stamp recipients went up during his tenure.
Democrats Release "Sh*t Mitt Says" NEW!
[BuzzFeed, 2/9/12] Liberal group American Bridge 21st Century launched a video today of Romney’s greatest quotes –- according to Democrats. From, “Who let the dogs out,” to “I love being able to fire people,” these clips are likely to be a staple in the upcoming general election if Romney is the nominee.
What’s On Romney’s Playlist?
[Washington Post, 2/8/12] Listen closely after a Romney rally and you’ll hear a very un-Romney–like soundtrack: His main campaign theme song is Kid Rock’s “Born Free,” but after speeches he often plays Toby Keith’s “American Ride.”
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