TPM: Joe The Plumber Touts Endorsement Of Rich The Nazi Reenactor
On February 23, 2012, Talking Points Memo reported:
Joe “The Plumber” Wurzelbacher, who gained fame during the 2008 campaign when he met Barack Obama and subsequently campaigned for John McCain, is the likely Republican nominee for the House this year in his deep-blue Ohio district. This week he trotted out the endorsement of Rich Iott, who gained fame in 2010 when it was discovered he enjoys spending his weekends dressed up like a Nazi.
The New Republic: Candid Camera
On February 22, The New Republic profiled American Bridge:
But the project is also the test run of a novel idea. American Bridge is the latest invention of David Brock, the apostate conservative journalist turned mercurial liberal activist, and it bears some resemblance to his last project, the Fox News-hounding watchdog Media Matters for America. Media Matters’ signature innovation was using new broadcast-capturing technologies to publicize the incendiary ephemera that used to go unnoticed outside of conservative outlets’ target audience; it was an attempt to tame the partisan noise machine by saddling it with a publicly accountable record. American Bridge wants to apply the same logic to the 2012 race. The group’s operating theory is that the thousands of hours of footage it has compiled of Republican candidates tacking rightward during the primary can be fashioned into a weapon to wield against them in the general election. The question is whether information technology’s capacity to remember can overcome U.S. politics’ tendency to forget.
NY Times: In Arizona, A Romney Supporter Is Also A Critic
On February 21, 2012, the New York Times reported:
A former chairman of the Arizona Republican Party who endorsed Mitt Romney last year expressed dismay on Tuesday at the state of the Romney campaign and said urgent adjustments were needed to win the nomination. The former chairman, Randy Pullen, said in an interview here that he was worried that there was “no enthusiasm” for Mr. Romney among party activists.
Romney Boldly Abandons His Own Economic Plan
Mitt Romney released a new economic plan a mere five months after he rolled out his 59-point, 87-page (available in e-book!) "Believe In America" economic plan. Why the policy reboot? Just another desperate attempt to win over the conservative base of the Republican Party. Point 1 of 59 in Romney's last plan was to maintain current tax rates on personal income. This proposal was heavily criticized by conservatives. As the Wall Street Journal editorial board noted, “But on other taxes, Mr. Romney shrinks from a fight. He says he favors tax reform with lower individual tax rates but only 'in the long run.'" So what does Romney do? What he has done for 17 years: he shifts positions to try and win over voters. The conservative base wanted bold? He went bold, proclaiming that his plan was “a bold, pro-growth proposal to cut taxes." But will this be enough to convince the base that Romney is authentically conservative? Doubtful. Will it show primary voters, and voters across the country, that Romney will say anything to get elected? Absolutely.
Rodell Mollineau On MSNBC's Daily Rundown
On February 22, 2012, American Bridge 21st Century's President Rodell Mollineau appeared on MSNBC's "The Daily Rundown with Chuck Todd" to discuss the 2012 presidential election:
USA Today: Gingrich Website Goes To Article On Reagan Criticism
On February 21, 2012, USA Today reported:
The Democrats who bought Newt Gingrich's domain name are at it again. American Bridge for the 21st Century is directing visitors to newtgingrich.com to aWashington Postarticlethat highlights the GOP presidential candidates past criticism of Ronald Reagan.
St. Louis Today: John Brunner's Debate Performance Has Shades Of Tim Pawlenty Whiff
On February 20, 2012, St. Louis Today reported:
Eight months later, at least two of Pawlenty's former campaign aides are now working for Missouri Senate hopeful John Brunner, whose maiden debate performance Saturday was notable for what transpired away from the platform.
Dayton Daily News: Former Clinton Adviser Speaks At Mandel Event
On February 20, 2012, the Dayton Daily News reported:
In the “where are they now” files, famed former political consultant Dick Morris – the man who advised former President Bill Clinton in the days after the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke – is now speaking at fundraisers for Republican Senate candidate Josh Mandel. Mandel paid $10,000 to Triangulation Strategies for a speaking fee at an Oct. 12, 2011 event for Mandel, according to research by American Bridge, a Democratic super PAC.
Journal Sentinel: Thompson Worked For Birth Control Maker
On February 19, 2012, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported:
In Wisconsin, U.S. Senate candidates Tommy Thompson, Mark Neumann and Jeff Fitzgerald condemned the president's actions. But in the case of Thompson, his criticism comes with a more complicated past when it comes to the issue of contraception.
Miami Herald: Connie Mack Preaches Penny-Pinching, But Has A Court-Record Past Of Debt And Liens (And Fights)
On February 17, the Miami Herald reported:
Congressman Connie Mack has made penny-pinching debt-reduction central to his U.S. Senate campaign, but privately he has struggled at times with borrowing and paying his own obligations, court records show. Mack sometimes appeared to spend more than he earned, had property liens filed against him, overdrew his bank account and didn’t have enough money to pay his federal income taxes after his 2004 congressional election, according to court records from Fort Myers to Jacksonville to Fort Lauderdale. His finances aside, the records also show that Mack in his youth got into four confrontations — from an arrest at a nightclub to a bar brawl with a pro baseball player. Later, while in Congress, his estranged wife accused him of not living in his Fort Myers district and of using his influence to strong-arm her during their divorce.