Media Democrats shouldn't run GOP presidential debates

◼ Media Democrats shouldn't run GOP presidential debates - Hugh Hewitt/Washington Examiner

One week from today, the first debate featuring all but two of the key GOP contenders for the presidency will occur.

Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, businessman Herman Cain, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum will participate in the debate on the campus of St. Anselm College, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. EDT on Monday, June 13.

Incredibly, once again, GOP primary voters will only get to see their would-be nominees through a lens ground by traditional media. The event is being sponsored by CNN, local television station WMUR and the New Hampshire Union Leader.

We'll be watching.

Time for Ethic Cleansing

◼ Time for Ethic Cleansing - Peter Hannaford for The American Spectator 6.7.11

Anthony Weiner got it off his chest: He took the picture of his bulging undershorts and he sent it to the young woman in Seattle. "I have not been honest with myself," he said Monday -- but should have added "or anyone else."

For nearly a week he fed chuckle fodder to Washington and the world with his improbable denials. (Who but himself or someone leaning over his shoulder could have taken a picture at that angle?) Here is man who is used to being on the verbal attack, using one of the sharpest Democrat tongues in the House. He seemed to think that cutting off questions, calling the episode a "hacked prank" and a "distraction" from his very important duties, would suffice. When it didn't and the story continued in the "mainstream" media as well as with a zillion bloggers and Tweeters, he finally had to look in the mirror and see a man who had made a fool of himself.

In this latest news conference he confessed to having had sex-tinged online conversations with several women not his wife (most, he said, before they were married last year). He has brought shame on himself, the office and his constituents. Will he resign? Nope. You see, he still thinks he can run for mayor of New York next year and has amassed what is said to be a $3 million campaign chest.

Nancy Pelosi, with a straight face, called for an investigation by an Ethics Committee to see if any House rules have been broken and/or resources used (how about a subpoena of his office computer for starters?). Poor Nancy doesn't get it. As long as he's around and salivating over another campaign, all those suggestive plays on words over the pronunciation of his name will continue. (Most people with the name Weiner, by the way, pronounce it WY-NER; it's the name Wiener that is often pronounced WE-NER.)

Ms. Pelosi and her Democratic caucus colleagues could take a leaf from the Republicans' book. In February, Rep. Christopher Lee, beginning his second term, confessed to having posted a photo of himself with unclad torso and had been posting messages to the effect that he was a 40-year-old divorced lobbyist instead of a married Member of Congress. From the moment the story broke until the moment Mr. Lee left town for good, no more than 72 hours had passed. He went pffft. Now he's invisible. No one asks, "What ever happened to...?" because they can't even remember his name.
____________________
Peter Hannaford was closely associated with the late President Ronald Reagan, including serving as Mr. Reagan's Director of Public Affairs in the Governor's Office in California.

Uncle Sam's total unfunded obligations: $62 trillion

◼ If you thought the federal deficit was an inconceivable amount of money, wait until you hear what the government actually owes. Lifeinc/today

USA TODAY reports that the government added $5.3 trillion to its financial obligations last year. This brings the total of unfunded obligations, the gap between spending commitments and revenue, to a record $61.6 trillion, or $534,000 per household.

The added commitments were taken on to mostly fund programs like Medicare and Social Security.

"The (federal) debt only tells us what the government owes to the public. It doesn't take into account what's owed to seniors, veterans and retired employees," Sheila Weinberg, founder of the Institute for Truth in Accounting, a Chicago-based group that advocates better financial reporting, told the newspaper.

The $61.6 trillion represents more than one-third of the market value of all the goods and services produced in the United States.

◼ U.S. funding for future promises lags by trillions - USA Today
◼ Government's mountain of debt - USA Today

Waiving Obamacare: HHS never had authority to issue exemptions

◼ It’s all made worse, of course, by the way in which HHS has granted the waivers — with little to no transparency and with every appearance of political favoritism. - HotAir
◼ Obamacare waivers weren’t in original law, appearance of political favors persists - The Daily Caller

In what’s become a bit of a pattern for the Obama administration, there’s at least an appearance of political favoritism in favor of those who lobbied for HHS to grant itself waiver power. Many of the administration’s nearly 1,400 waivers, including the waivers that went to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco district in April, went to companies and entities that lobbied their support behind HHS’s drive to grant itself that power.

Flex-Plan Services co-owner Hilarie Aitken, who admitted openly she applied for all those Pelosi-district waivers in addition to a few others nationwide, sits on the board of the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation (ECFC). ECFC is a Washington trade group that lobbies to “represent and promote flexible compensation programs.” The group lobbied the HHS give itself annual limit waiver power through a rule making process.

Romney tops Obama in a new Washington Post-ABC News poll

◼ Obama loses bin Laden bounce; Romney on the move among GOP contenders - Washington Post

The survey portrays a broadly pessimistic mood in the country this spring as higher gasoline prices, sliding home values and a disappointing employment picture have raised fresh concerns about the pace of the economic recovery.

By 2 to 1, Americans say the country is pretty seriously on the wrong track, and nine in 10 continue to rate the economy in negative terms. Nearly six in 10 say the economy has not started to recover, regardless of what official statistics may say, and most of those who say it has improved rate the recovery as weak....

Overall, about six in 10 of those surveyed give Obama negative marks on the economy and the deficit. Significantly, nearly half strongly disapprove of his performance in these two crucial areas. Nearly two-thirds of political independents disapprove of the president’s handling of the economy, including — for the first time — a slim majority who do so strongly....

◼ Romney tops Obama in a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. - Althouse
◼ Obama loses 20 points in approval/disapproval gap in new WaPo/ABC poll - HotAir

Finally, let’s look at the sample. The D/R/I in the April poll sample was a ridiculous 32/22/41. This sample has a slightly better split, although still skewed at 31/25/39, which still undersamples Republicans. In a sample more reflective of reality, Obama’s job approval would be lower than the 47% shown here, and he’d be in deeper trouble against Republican challengers than this shows.

Rep. Anthony Weiner (D) Admits to Lying, Says He Is Sorry. Won't Resign.

He's "here to accept responsibility."
◼ Video of Weiner’s Mea Culpa - Patterico

Santorum officially announces campaign for president

◼ Santorum officially announces campaign for president - The Daily Caller

D-Day: 67th anniversary

President Reagan’s 40th anniversary speech:

◼ Never forget. - Michelle Malkin

You betcha she was right! - Experts back Sarah Palin’s historical account

◼ Sarah Palin yesterday insisted her claim at the Old North Church last week that Paul Revere “warned the British” during his famed 1775 ride — remarks that Democrats and the media roundly ridiculed — is actually historically accurate. And local historians are backing her up. - Boston Herald

In fact, Revere’s own account of the ride in a 1798 letter seems to back up Palin’s claim. Revere describes how after his capture by British officers, he warned them “there would be five hundred Americans there in a short time for I had alarmed the Country all the way up.”

◼ Anti-Palinites Go All In On Epistemic Closure - Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion
◼ So Now All These People Will Apologize to Sarah Palin About Paul Revere, Right? - Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion

Conservative women enthusiastic about Bachmann, Palin

Jim Mone/ Associated Press - Sarah Palin, right, waves to the crowd
as she appears at a campaign rally for Rep. Michele Bachmann on April 7 in Minneapolis.

◼ Palin Film Iowa-Bound Tells ‘Rocky Story’ Through Alaskan Allies - Bloomberg

Sarah Palin’s allies and devotees portray hers as a tale of triumph over corruption and persecution by the political left and right in a documentary to premiere later this month in Iowa.

“The Undefeated,” a feature-length film from director Stephen K. Bannon, chronicles the former Alaska governor’s rise, fall and re-emergence as Palin stokes speculation that she might enter the 2012 presidential race. After its debut in the home of the nation’s first presidential nominating caucuses, distributors plan rollouts in New Hampshire and South Carolina, two other early-voting states.

◼ Conservative women enthusiastic about Bachmann, Palin - Washington Post

DOVER, N.H. — They don’t like identity politics and aren’t crazy about the word “feminist.” But a lot of conservative women here can’t help but rejoice that they may have a couple of tough-talking, tea-drinking mothers to choose from in the Republican primary.

Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota is on the verge of announcing her intentions, and former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is contemplating a bid. If either runs, it would be the first time since Elizabeth Dole’s bid in 1999 that a viable female candidate has sought the Republican nomination for president.

The prospect has energized conservative women who four years ago were deeply uncomfortable with Hillary Rodham Clinton but who see in Bachmann and Palin the kind of family-focused, overtly spiritual candidate whose lifestyle and values seem to mirror their own

"That's gonna happen from time to time."

◼ Figures. Obama Blames Europe & Earthquakes For His Failed Policies (Video)

Eureka resident Rex Bohn announces bid for 1st District Supervisor

PRESS RELEASE: REX BOHN ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR FIRST DISTRICT SUPERVISOR Eureka, CA, June 3, 2011– Rex Bohn, well-known community leader, youth advocate and founder of Redwood Fields Ballpark in Cutten has announced his intention to focus his energy and dedication to seeking the First District Supervisorial seat in 2012. A formal campaign announcement will take place on July 7th at Redwood Fields from 12-1 p.m. The public is invited. Rex is a lifelong resident of Humboldt County . As a child, his parents owned The Park Grocery on Hodgson St. in Eureka , where he greeted customers and learned first-hand the value of customer service and the economics of running a business. “To make a community better, you must be involved,” said Rex, who has been serving the community since 1977 when he chaired the Humboldt/Del Norte Special Olympics. He has worked for 40 years in Humboldt County as a small business owner and in management positions with local employers. Rex has what it takes to help build and sustain Humboldt County’s economic future and looks forward to focusing his efforts to create positive solutions for Humboldt County families. Rex is well-known as the driving force behind the Redwood Fields Ballpark. This recreational facility continues to host over 450 baseball, football, basketball, bocce ball and soccer games each year. His fundraising efforts as volunteer Auctioneer on behalf of hundreds of local non-profits are unparalleled; having raised more than $7 million…and counting. “Rex is, without a doubt, one of the most dedicated, involved people in Humboldt County,” said Fourth District Supervisor Virginia Bass. Rex has served on the Board of Directors for many local organizations; notably 10 years on the Redwood Acres Fair Board of Directors, and three years on the Board of the Eureka Chamber of Commerce. He has also received numerous awards and honors for his service to the youth of our county. Accolades such as the St. Bernards High School Hall of Fame; Boys & Girls Club Youth Mentor of the Year; PTA Honorary service Award; The Women in Timber Lifetime Member; and Congressional Volunteer Service Award, exemplify how Rex’s leadership transcends from local to state levels. Rex Bohn is committed to bringing his life-long passion for community activism to Humboldt County’s Board of Supervisors in 2012. Rex is the change our county needs, and the driving force to make it happen.

◼ Eureka resident Rex Bohn announces bid for 1st District - Times-Standard
◼ Rex Bohn to seek First District seat - McKinleyville Press Blog
◼ Supervisor Jimmy Smith: I Won’t Seek Reelection - Lost Coast Outpost

Still rogue, Palin embraces media - Howard Dean Issues Warning: Sarah Palin Could Beat Obama

◼ Amid media circus, Palin lays out policy positions - Byron York.Washington Exaaminer

One thing many viewers have probably missed in all the horse-race speculation is that Palin is perfectly willing to discuss her positions on key issues, if anyone wants to ask. In fact, in recent days, weeks, and months, we've seen a lot of policy commentary from the former Alaska governor.

◼ CNN Political reporter Peter Hamby followed Sarah Palin's "One Nation" bus from Washington D.C. to New Hampshire this week - CNN

once reporters tracked her down, Palin was eager to engage. At stop after stop after stop, she answered questions on everything from energy subsidies to the debt ceiling to her favorite brand of designer jeans.... Palin's refusal to inform the media of her itinerary grabbed headlines, but the storyline overshadowed the fact that the brigade of reporters chasing Palin were usually able to get a heads up on her next move and arrive prepared at the next stop...
The Palin team's stubborn and unconventional game plan also fed an inaccurate media narrative that the potential presidential candidate was actively ignoring the media.

Quite the opposite.... she took questions from the media 17 different times over the course of four days.

That's a remarkable number for any national political figure

◼ Sarah Palin and the Politics of Winging It - New York Times

Call it “The Politics of Doing Whatever the Heck I Want.” There she went again, disrespecting the almighty “process,” playing by her own rules and seeming not to give a flying hoot what anyone thought about it. That included the so-called key Republicans, party insiders and self-important activists whom she also seemed to ignore en route. These are many of the same people who trashed Ms. Palin’s bus tour as ill-conceived and disorganized in (often anonymous) comments to the wild-goose-chasers.

These are many of the same usual suspects who complained that Ms. Palin had breached campaign decorum by showing up in New Hampshire last week on the very day Mitt Romney was formally announcing his presidential campaign there. Never mind that Mr. Romney has essentially been running for president for six years (or since kindergarten). He had designated Thursday as his “announcement day,” and, the decorum police felt, the rest of the field was obliged to stay out of the way in deference to the “unwritten rule” that says Mr. Romney should have the stage to himself on these special occasions. Likewise, the political media was obliged to treat Mr. Romney’s impeccably choreographed non-news event as a news event. And everyone pretty much abided by their designated “unwritten rules;” everyone except Mrs. Palin, for whom “unwritten rules” are just another category of the political orthodoxy to run over like roadkill.

◼ Howard Dean Issues Warning: Sarah Palin Could Beat Obama - Gateway Pundit

“Any time you have a contest — particularly when unemployment is as high as it is — nobody gets a walkover,” Dean said. “Whoever the Republicans nominate, including people like Sarah Palin, whom the inside-the-Beltway crowd dismisses — my view is if you get the nomination of a major party, you can win the presidency, I don’t care what people write about you inside the Beltway,” Dean said.

◼ GOP Beltway Insiders Charles Krauthammer and George Will Describe the Substantive Reasons Sarah Palin Can't Win - Doug Ross

Palin can win. Bachmann can win. Cain can win. Ryan can win. Santorum can win. Obama is a sitting duck if confronted with a true, articulate Constitutional conservative. He's a walking, talking disaster as President. And everyone knows it.

Michele Bachmann Makes Obamacare Key Target

◼ “We will win this fight,” she said to a standing ovation. “Take it to the bank. Cash the check. It will be done.” - Newsmax

U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann, a potential Republican presidential candidate, urged a gathering of Christian conservatives to work to prevent their state governments from implementing the health-care overhaul President Barack Obama pushed into law last year....

Also speaking to the Faith and Freedom Coalition: Another potential Republican candidate, former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, other Republican presidential prospects -- announced and potential -- ...former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Representative Ron Paul of Texas and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum and businessman Herman Cain...

Media Bias Lesson: How To Marginalize a Popular Candidate

◼ A recent Gallup poll identified Ron Paul as the #2 choice among declared candidates for the GOP nomination. Frontrunner status makes any GOP, Tea Party or libertarian candidate a target for marginalization. - Hillbuzz

It’s our mission at Hillbuzz to help you recognize the tactics that Leftists and the Lamestream media (and, unfortunately, the Cocktail Party GOP) rely on to manipulate the GOP primary process... It's important to learn to critically examine media coverage of GOP candidates so you can recognize media attempts to manipulate you and demoralize you.

Eureka resident Rex Bohn announces bid for 1st District Supervisor

◼ Community leader Rex Bohn has announced his bid for the Humboldt County 1st District Supervisor seat in 2012.

Pelosi was not to be outdone, however, firing back at the president who she claimed had “the worst jobs record since the Great Depression,"

◼ in spite of Friday’s news that the October jobless rate fell to 4.4 percent, the lowest it has been in more than five years. - HotAir
Jobless Rate Rises… Altogether Now… ‘Unexpectedly’; Updated With Pelosi Jobs Quote from 2006

Crossing party lines to deliver a stunning rebuke to the commander in chief, the vast majority of the House voted Friday for resolutions telling President Obama he has broken the constitutional chain of authority by committing U.S. troops to the international military mission in Libya.

◼ Bipartisan Congress rebuffs Obama on Libya mission - Washington Times

In two votes — on competing resolutions that amounted to legislative lectures of Mr. Obama — Congress escalated the brewing constitutional clash over whether he ignored the founding document’s grant of war powers by sending U.S. troops to aid in enforcing a no-fly zone and naval blockade of Libya.

The resolutions were non-binding, and only one of them passed, but taken together, roughly three-quarters of the House voted to put Mr. Obama on notice that he must explain himself or else face future consequences, possibly including having funds for the war cut off.

“He has a chance to get this right. If he doesn’t, Congress will exercise its constitutional authority and make it right,” said House Speaker John A. Boehner...

Between (18) Fundraisers, Obama ‘Barely Paying Attention’ to 2012 Race

◼ Obama not waiting until 2012 to get into politics - David Freddoso/Washington Examiner

We didn't get this far by doing things the usual way. Our campaign doesn't take money from Washington lobbyists or special-interest PACs. says Obama's fundraising letter.

◼ Focused Like A Laser - on his reelection, including 18 fundraisers between April 4 and May 23, plus 4 more in June. - Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion
◼ Between Fundraisers, Obama ‘Barely Paying Attention’ to 2012 Race - National Review

Enviro Elitists Keep America Unemployed

◼ our nation’s obsession with litigation and environmental regulation has turned us into a place where employers cannot afford to create jobs. It is cheaper and more profitable to do it elsewhere. - NetRightDaily

So Now All These People Will Apologize to Sarah Palin About Paul Revere, Right?

◼ Here is the original historical text written by Revere (spelling in original, bold added): at Le·gal In·sur·rec·tion

Capitol Update (Friday, June 03, 2011)

More Deadlines!

Today is the last day the Senate and the Assembly have to pass bills out of their house of origin. That means that bills that were introduced in the Assembly have to be passed out of the Assembly and sent to the Senate by tonight and visa versa. This will mean the death of some bills. There are bills we are tracking that have already made the cut and some that have already met their demise.

AB 130/131 (Cedillo, D-45): As you will recall from last week’s Capitol Update, AB 131 just passed out of the Assembly to the Senate. AB 130, the California Dream Act, would allow illegal immigrants to receive California resident status for college tuition if they have attended secondary or vocational school in California for 3 years. The CFRW OPPOSES AB 130 and AB 131! AB 130 is being heard on Wednesday, June 8th in the Senate Education Committee. Please send or fax the Senate Education Committee Chair Alan Lowenthal and let him know that the CFRW OPPOSES this measure!

AB 459 (Hill, D-19): National Popular Vote compact. This bill has already passed out of the Assembly and is now scheduled for Tuesday, June 7th in the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee. Again, we need your help! The CFRW has voted to OPPOSE AB 459! Please send letters via fax to Committee Chair Lou Correa at (916) 445-2496. For talking points on AB 459, click here. If you can make the Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee hearing on Tuesday, June 7th, the meeting will begin at 1:30 in room 3191. Please come and stand in opposition to a National Popular Vote compact!

Now on to some good news! SB 810 (Leno, D-3), single-payer healthcare for California, has failed! SB 810 failed to pass out of its appropriations committee with the necessary votes. This is a small, but important victory for taxpayers and the CFRW, who opposed the bill since last session. Thank you to all those who sent letters, faxes and emails in opposition of this terrible bill!

One more deadline is looming… the budget must be passed on or before June 15th. State Controller John Chiang stated this week that if the budget is not passed by June 15th, he will be withholding legislator’s pay until the budget is passed. Stayed tuned as this budget battle plays out!

58% of likely voters say state government wastes taxpayer's money "a lot."

◼ PPIC Poll Tests Gov. Brown's Leadership

SACRAMENTO-- California Republican Party Chairman Tom Del Beccaro today issued the following statement concerning the latest PPIC poll results:

"It's a new poll with the same results—voters will turn down any taxes that go on the ballot, so we'll say it one more time: Jerry Brown should get to work instead of doubling down on bad policies that will put more people out of work. You need only to look at Andrew Cuomo's soaring approval ratings to see that Jerry needs to balance the budget without raising taxes like his fellow Democrat has done in New York."

◼ As Yogi Would Say: It’s Déjà vu All Over Again - Fox&HoundsDaily
◼ Voter support for Brown’s taxes still below 50% - Fox&HoundsDaily

Brown, in an appearance Wednesday, called the poll "a little hard to interpret" and said he would not back down from his campaign promise to ask for voter sign-off on any tax hikes. Brown instead seized on the result in the poll showing that a strong majority of likely voters, 76%, said they want a say in how the budget is balanced.

The governor said there is "massive support for letting the people decide."

The state budget is clearly on the minds of many voters, according to the poll, with 82% calling it a big problem. But Californians remain divided over how to tackle a deficit now estimated at $10-billion, with 40% backing a mixture of spending cuts and tax hikes and 36% preferring that the books be balanced mostly with cuts.

◼ Poll: Citizens want chance to vote on new taxes - OC Register
◼ Public Policy Institute of California poll

Some findings of the current survey:
✦ About half of Californians say there need to be major changes in the relationship between state and local governments.
✦ Most Californians generally approve of Governor Jerry Brown’s revised budget plan but less than half support the proposal to extend temporary tax and fee increases.
✦ Sixty-two percent of California adults support cutting funding to state prisons and corrections.

GALLUP: 71% of Democrats favor redistributing wealth

◼ Americans Divided on Taxing the Rich to Redistribute Wealth - Gallup

“So what is it? What’s the problem?” he said. “She’s solid on social issues. She’s solid on fiscal issues. She’s solid against these subsidies against big companies – in other words, she is not a corporatist. She’s not a crony or a believer in that. She’s solid on taxes and spending. I’m just confused. She’s solid on Israel. She’s solid on the military. She’s solid with respect to our allies. Is there some big issue that’s disqualifying? What – because the liberals don’t like her? …

◼ Levin to the rescue: Radio host “sick and tired” of pundit’s Palin smears - HotAir
◼ "Palin uses Twitter to communicate. Romney uses PowerPoint" - Riehl World View
◼ Dr. Krauthammer and Gov. Palin: Analyzing the Analyst - American Thinker
◼ Levin defends Palin: ‘I’m getting sick and tired of these smears by Krauthammer against her’ - Daily Caller

“Maybe there is one or two, but off the top of my head, I can’t think of any significant issue where Palin is not a conservative and where I disagree with her,” Levin said. “Can you?”

Judicial Watch: Documents show FCC coordinated 'Net Neutrality' effort with Soros-funded Left-wing outside group, "Free Press"

◼ Documents made public yesterday by Judicial Watch describe extensive collusion by Federal Communications Commission officials with a left-wing advocacy group in a campaign to expand government regulation of the Internet.

The documents, obtained by Judicial Watch in a December 2010 Freedom of Information Act request, were created after Democrat appointees solidified their 3-2 control of the agency in March 2009....

Free Press is the most vocal of a number of far-left and liberal advocacy groups that for nearly a decade have pushed numerous proposals for vastly increasing government regulation of the Internet.

The evidence of coordination between FCC Democrats and Free Press uncovered by Judicial Watch includes:

Emails between former Free Press president John Silver and Democratic FCC Commissioner Michael Copps from October 2010, coordinating "how we'd like to proceed during these next three months on NN [net neutrality]."

Documents summarizing a phone call between Silver and Copps in which, before an FCC vote on the proposal in November 2010, Silver "emphasized that a strong net neutrality rule is critical to preserving the Internet as a vibrant forum for speech, commerce, innovation and cultural expression."

Correspondence between FCC Special Counsel David Tannenbaum and Free Press Policy Director Ben Scott coordinating speakers for a taxpayer-funded series of FCC "internet workshops" that were intended to generate public support for the proposal.

Free Press was co-founded by Monthly Review editor Robert McChesney and the Nation contributor John Nichols. The Monthly Review is "an independent Marxist journal," while the Nation has long described itself as "the flagship of the left." Free Press is partially funded by George Soros' Open Society Institute....

It's official: Romney is running for president

◼ mittromney.com ◼ Donate ◼ News

◼ Republican Mitt Romney formally began his second bid for the Republican presidential nomination Thursday with a full-bore attack on President Obama's economic policies. - Hayley Peterson/Washington Examiner
◼ Mitt Romney announces 2012 presidential bid - Washington Post
◼ Mitt Romney announces 2012 presidential bid in New Hampshire: Obama has 'failed America' - NY Daily News
◼ Mitt Romney gives Barack Obama an 'F' - Politico

Obama administration to lose $14B of auto bailout funds

◼ Govt to lose $14B of auto bailout funds - Yahoo
The Obama administration said Wednesday that the government will lose about $14 billion in taxpayer funds from the bailout of the U.S. auto industry.

In a report from the president's National Economic Council, officials said that figure is down from the 60 percent the Treasury Department originally estimated the government would lose following its $80 billion bailout of Chrysler and General Motors in 2009.

The report's release coincides with the administration's efforts to tout the bailout's role in the revitalization of the U.S. auto industry after last week's announcement that Chrysler is repaying $5.9 billion in U.S. loans and a $1.7 billion loan from the Canadian government. Those payments cover most of the federal bailout money that saved the company after it nearly ran out of cash in and went through a government-led bankruptcy.
◼ Obama makes Detroit revival central to his campaign - Financial Times (ft.com)
◼ Limousine liberals? Number of government-owned limos has soared under Obama - iwatchnews

Huckabee says he could change mind on presidential bid

◼ Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee foresees a “broke and battered” nominee emerging from the 2012 Republican presidential sweepstakes but says his recent exit from the race is not etched in stone.