BREAKING: Washington Acquires Indianapolis Legend

It is the end of an era in Indianapolis. In just the latest example of Washington spending big money to bring in a player who may well be past his prime, their newest acquisition leaves behind Indianapolis to continue his career in the nation’s capital. Many are questioning a six-year commitment this late into his career, but those involved feel his track record is worth the big bucks being shelled out. A source close to him had this to say: “Of course he’s upset to be leaving Indianapolis. He had a great career there. But quite simply, Washington is a much better fit for him at this point.” Though shocking to the casual observer, the move was a long time coming… … as it actually happened in 1977. That was the year Dick Lugar sold his home in Indiana and moved to the Washington, DC suburb of McLean, Virginia. Being that he no longer represents the people of Indiana, Washington’s big spenders are eager to fork over the money to put him on their team. Lugar’s thoughts on the Colts releasing Peyton Manning are unknown.

The Grio: Rodell Mollineau Leads Major Obama Super PAC

On March 5, 2012, The Grio reported:

But Mollineau's group specializes in research. It hires "trackers," usually young campaign staffers, who follow Republican candidates around with video cameras, looking to catch them making controversial remarks, or ones at odds with their previous records. It also investigates the writings, and other public records, of candidates like Mitt Romney, trying to find negative information about them that can then be sent to reporters and used in stories.

Tracking Footage: Senator Lugar Attends High-Dollar Fundraiser In Washington, DC

As Hoosiers are just beginning to recover from the devastating tornadoes, Senator Dick Lugar was in Washington, DC this morning to attend a high-dollar fundraiser. Our trackers caught him heading into Charlie Palmer’s Steakhouse on Capitol Hill. We asked him if it's appropriate to be attending a high-dollar fundraiser when so many Hoosiers have lost their homes. Watch the video to hear his answer.

TPM: Romney Backer Ted Nugent Has History Of Extreme, Violent Political Rhetoric

On March 2, 2012, Talking Points Memo reported:

Romney hasn’t shied away from controversial endorsements this cycle — he accepted Donald Trump’s seal of approval, who led a birther revival last year. One of his 2008 campaign officials, Joe Arpaio, become an embarrassment for Republican officials this week when he held a press conference outlining his own theory that Obama’s birth certificate is a fraud (he has not endorsed a candidate in 2012). But Nugent’s allusions to violence likely put him in a league of his own.

Romney’s Ties To Lobbyists Highlight His Record of Hypocrisy

Despite his desperate attempts to paint Sen. Rick Santorum as a creature of Washington and a professional influence peddler, Gov. Mitt Romney has bragged about his ability to milk funds out of the federal government, and boasts his own close ties to Washington’s most powerful lobbyists. “Mitt Romney has a bad habit of hypocritically attacking his opponents over issues that boomerang straight back at his campaign,” said American Bridge senior adviser Ty Matsdorf. “If he believes lobbyists are what’s wrong with Washington, why does he court them? If he thinks Fannie and Freddie are evil, why did he invest in them?” “This is further proof that Mitt Romney will say and do anything to get elected -- and then say something else an hour later,” Matsdorf added. See the research below.

ABC News: EXCLUSIVE: In ’02 Romney Touted D.C. Connections, Federal Funds

On March 2, 2012, ABC News reported:

In a long-forgotten tape from the 2002 Massachusetts governor’s race obtained by ABC News, Mitt Romney is seen touting his Washington connections and his ability to get millions of taxpayer dollars from the federal government.

Akron Beacon Journal: State Treasurer Announces He’s Running For U.S. Senate

On March 1, 2012, the Akron Beacon Journal reported:

During a nearly hourlong appearance, Mandel’s staff tried to obstruct the view of two people shooting video of the candidate’s public address, Cohen said. One camera belonged to American Bridge 21st Century, a self-proclaimed Democratic-leaning political action committee. The organization’s president, Rodell Mollineau, said his group tracks Mandel’s events and are regularly obstructed at public events. It was Cohen who noticed the Mandel staffers putting paper in front of the lenses. He said he asked them to stop, and they obliged. “It is Akron Press Club policy and tradition that anybody who wants to record audio or video is free to do so,” Cohen said afterward. “We’re the Press Club, after all. We’re all about free speech and free press. We would protect [Mandel’s] rights just as strenuously.”

Huffington Post: 'Virginia Is For Lugars' Website Unveiled Attacking Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar

On March 2, 2012, the Huffington Post reported:

Democrats are almost as entertained by Indiana Sen. Dick Lugar's residency questions as Lugar's Republican primary opponent, state Treasurer Richard Mourdock, and have whipped up a new website called Virginia Is for Lugars" mocking the fact that Lugar lives in the Washington, D.C., suburbs.

National Journal: After Attacking Gingrich As Lobbyist, Romney Endorsed By One

On February 29, 2012, National Journal reported:

What the campaign failed to mention is that after leaving the governor's mansion, Racicot worked as a registered lobbyist and later earned millions as the president of the American Insurance Association -- an even more explicit brand of "influence peddling" than the kind Romney attacked Newt Gingrich for earlier this year.

AP: Snowe's Retirement, Kerrey's Entrance Highlight New Optimism In Democrats' Bid To Hold Senate

On February 29, 2012, the Associated Press reported:

Rodell Mollineau, president of Democratic group American Bridge 21st Century and a former spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, echoed Garin's optimism. "If you look at the numbers, where we are, and the places for potential pickups and the strength of our incumbents, I think we're in a good place now," Mollineau said. "I think we've been in a good place; people are just starting to recognize it. This week put us in an even better place."