VIDEO: Romney's Ugly Coronation
Though Mitt Romney has spent 5 years of his run for President mired at 25%, there is one group that is signaling their singular support: the Washington Establishment. And Karl Rove, the king of conventional GOP wisdom is working double-time to make sure rank-and-file Republicans know it's time to fall in line. Through his constant television appearances and weekly op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, Rove has consistently favored Mitt Romney and done what he does best: work to tear down any credible rival to Romney. He declared Romney’s tie with Santorum “a big win for Romney in Iowa.” He systemically unleashes harsh critiques of the latest what he calls “the GOP’s not Romney.” He defends Romney’s gaffes and policies, including the Massachusetts health care plan most Republicans dislike. For Rove, helping the favored candidate of Wall Street is an important sign of trust for the billionaire executives that Rove relies on for contributions. For Romney, earning Rove’s embrace is the successful culmination of six-years of saying anything to win the support of the Washington Republican establishment.
Tampa Bay Times: Connie Mack Hit For Hitting The Red Carpet, In California
On January 9, 2012, the Tampa Bay Times reported:
U.S. [Representative] Connie Mack, who is running for U.S. Senate in Florida, attended the Palm Springs International Film Festival over the weekend with his wife, California Rep. Mary Bono Mack. That provided ammunition for both Democrats and Republicans in Florida.
Reuters: Republican Foes Try To Brand Romney As Elitist
On January 9, 2012, Reuters reported:
The labels being attached to Republican U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney seem to be straight out of the Democrats' playbook. Elitist. Job killer. Out of touch. [...] One thing is clear: Accusing Romney of being an elitist matches what almost certainly will be a key part of the strategy of Obama's re-election campaign and groups that support the president. "In fact, we will do it much better than the Republicans are doing it now," said Rodell Mollineau, president of American Bridge, a Democratic "opposition research" unit that uses film footage of candidates' own words to discredit them.
The Hill: Dems Hope To Portray Romney As Monty Burns—With Better Hair
On January 9, 2012, The Hill reported:
Mitt Romney has tried to portray himself as a regular guy in campaign speeches and meet-and-greet events with voters but his penchant for gaffes has undermined the effort, which Democrats plan to exploit in a general-election match-up. His remark Monday that he likes to be able “fire people” is the latest awkward statement that will haunt him if he wins the GOP nomination. Democrats on Monday described the statement as one of several “silver bullets” they plan to use in the summer and fall if Romney becomes the Republican nominee.
VIDEO: American Bridge Awards Rob Cornilles The BS Championship
With the college football BCS championship tonight only hours away, American Bridge 21st Century has decided to award our own “BS Championship” to Rob Cornilles, a candidate for Congress in Oregon’s 1st District. We have assembled a video highlighting his questionable business practices and tendency to inflate his record for political gain. “Rob Cornilles should know by now that he cannot blatantly lie to constituents and get away with it. He has a lot of explaining to do, and his BS Championship award will give him plenty of opportunities to talk about his business record on the campaign trail,” said Matt Thornton, spokesman for American Bridge 21st Century.
TPM: Mitt Romney: Don’t Run For Office If You Need The Salary
On January 8, 2012, Talking Points Memo reported:
Mitt Romney recounted some advice from his father, former presidential candidate George Romney, in Sunday’s NBC/Facebook debate about running for office: make sure you’re set for cash already. [...] Rodell Mollineau, president of Democratic Super PAC American Bridge, also condemned the comments. “I’d say that Romney has forgotten what it’s be part of the working class or middle class, but he never was,” Mollineau said, adding his quote showed he “has no idea what average Americans are going through on a daily basis.”
WSJ: Earmarks Carry Risk For Santorum
On January 6, 2012, the Wall Street Journal reported:
On the campaign trail, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum talks up his role in overhauling welfare laws and curbing abortion rights. Less mentioned is the money he sent home to preserve cannons at Gettysburg National Military Park or to build new quarters for polar bears at the Pittsburgh zoo.
BuzzFeed: 11 Newt Gingrich Tweets That Should Exist, But Don't
On January 6, 2012, BuzzFeed reported:
It's hardly a secret that Newt Gingrich is furious with Mitt Romney after pro-Romney groups spent millions attacking is character in Iowa. And while Gingrich hasn't shied away from going on the offensive, the pro-Obama SuperPAC American Bridge doesn't think he's quite gone far enough yet. They sent along these 11 tweets for Gingrich to send to get his campaign back from the dumps.
Bloomberg: Santorum Becomes Millionaire In Six Years After U.S. Senate Loss
On January 5, 2012, Bloomberg reported:
Since his 2006 re-election defeat, the former Pennsylvania lawmaker has gone from being one of the poorer members of the U.S. Senate to earning $1.3 million between January 2010 and August 2011. In 2007, he spent $2 million to buy a 5,000-square foot home in Great Falls, Virginia, according to property records. Santorum’s financial rise was powered by consulting contracts with fuel producer Consol Energy Inc. (CNX), faith advocacy group Clapham Group and American Continental Group, a Washington consultancy, as well as media engagements.
MSNBC: Pro-Obama Super PACs Hit Romney For Own 'Solyndra'
On January 5, 2012, MSNBC's First Read reported:
A video produced by American Bridge, called “Romney’s energy loan hypocrisy,” hits Romney for loans made while he was governor of Massachusetts to two companies that eventually failed or moved away – and had ties to Romney campaign donors.