POLITICO's Arena: Gov. John Kasich chastened?

Tuesday’s vote in Ohio to strike down a law restricting collective bargaining for public workers is a clear repudiation of the Republicans’ economic message. Voters know that police officers, firefighters, and teachers aren’t responsible for our nation’s economic struggles. Each monthly jobs report shows that continued Republican attacks on public workers are negating the employment gains made in the private sector and holding back our recovery. Voting to treat the individuals who protect our communities and educate our children with respect is not a matter of being in denial about the fiscal situation, but an expression of priorities. The vote also shows that voters disagree with Republicans about the true meaning of shared sacrifice. Republicans want to punish teachers and first responders, or put the burden on the 99%, asking more from families already struggling just to make ends meet. Voters would rather see millionaires and billionaires pay a little bit more to give back to the communities that helped make their success possible. If Republicans continue to spout their extreme rhetoric, the message sent by Ohio voters on SB5 will be repeated loud and clear across the country in 2012.

ABC News: Santorum Launches Policy Tour, Pushes Social Issues

On November 4, 2011, ABC News reported:

URBANDALE, IOWA  Rick Santorum launched a three-speech, three-state policy roll-out tour Friday beginning with “moral, cultural” issues. The economy and national security will follow, but this was chosen as the first topic because it is the most important to Santorum, according to campaign aides. [...] Democrats responded quickly. American Bridge, a Democratic SuperPac, issued a statement while Santorum was still speaking. “Rick Santorum, and the other candidates running for the nomination, are dusting off the old playbook of using socially divisive issues to reignite the culture wars of the past in a desperate attempt to appease their base. Proposing ideas like disbanding the 9th circuit court will create exactly zero jobs and shows that they are more interested in playing politics than getting our economy back on track,” communications director Ty Matsdorf said in the statement.

TPM: GOPer: I Do Not Agree With That Obama As Qaddafi Cartoon I Was Waving Around (VIDEO)

On November 4, 2011, Talking Points Memo reported:

Some recent video of Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT) shows the Senate candidate holding up and waving around this cartoon depicting President Obama as the late bloodthirsty tyrant Muammar Qaddafi. [...] Here’s the video:

Here’s the cartoon he’s waving around:

NY Times: For Perry, Private Jets Have Been Key to Public Job

On November 3, 2011, the New York Times reported:

The two trips, each valued at $9,179, were among more than 200 flights worth a total of $1.3 million that Mr. Perry has accepted — free — from corporate executives and wealthy donors during 11 years as governor, according to an analysis of Texas Ethics Commission records by The New York Times. Although many of the trips were for political or ceremonial events — not unusual for elected officials — others involved governmental functions, including some that were of interest to the planes’ owners. As a result, a group of well-heeled businessmen has effectively helped underwrite some of Mr. Perry’s activities as governor.

NY Times: For a Close Aide to Herman Cain, Scrutiny Comes on Two Fronts

On November 3, 2011, the New York Times reported:

But it is Mr. Block’s role helping Mr. Cain get his campaign off the ground that may pose just as great a challenge. A nonprofit group that Mr. Block ran contributed to the start-up of Mr. Cain’s presidential run, serving as a conduit for possibly illegal contributions. The campaign said it had asked an outside lawyer to review the allegations...

Des Moines Register: Iowa Poll: Many think Cain’s 9-9-9 plan would help them

On November 4, 2011, the Des Moines Register reported:

Two-thirds of likely Iowa Republican caucusgoers earning less than $50,000 a year believe they personally would be better off or in the same situation under Herman Cain’s 9-9-9 tax plan, The Des Moines Register’s new Iowa Poll shows. Research-group reviews of the plan have found that most families making $100,000 or less would pay thousands of dollars more each year. [...] The bottom line: A family with an income level of $40,000 to $50,000 would pay $3,407 more a year in taxes, while families making $500,000 to $1 million a year would pay on average $80,315 less, according to the Tax Policy Center...

Real Clear Politics: As Potential VP Candidate, Rubio Draws Scrutiny, Attacks

On November 4, 2011, Real Clear Politics reported:

American Bridge, a well-funded Democratic organization “committed to holding Republicans accountable for their words and actions,” is making hay out of The Post’s story. It put together a Web video detailing Rubio’s misstatements, as well as a memo asserting that he had 20 opportunities to correct the record, but didn’t do so. Rodell Mollineau, who leads the organization, told CNN last week that the group posted the video with the 2012 presidential election in mind even though Rubio repeatedly says he doesn’t want a spot on the ticket.

Des Moines Register: Michele Bachmann’s ‘tax the poor’ plan won’t be flat or simple

On November 3, 2011, the Des Moines Register reported:

Michele Bachmann wants everybody to pay taxes — even the poorest Americans. [...] Bachmann didn’t offer many details about her proposal, but it seemed she was suggesting she’d accomplish this through the income tax. But she didn’t explain how she’d charge an income tax on people who have no income.

POLITICO: Iowa radio host accuses Herman Cain of 'inappropriate' remarks

On November 2, 2011, POLITICO reported:

In a cryptic comment made at National Journal’s Election 2012 Preview event Tuesday, Mark Block, Herman Cain’s campaign manager, made reference to an incident involving Cain and a receptionist for a radio talk show host. [...] POLITICO has learned that the incident involved a staffer for Steve Deace, an influential conservative talk radio host who hosts a nationally syndicated show in Des Moines. And Deace says he did take offense. Deace, who penned an opinion piece critical of Cain earlier this month, told POLITICO in an email that Cain said "awkward" and "inappropriate" things to the staff at his station.

LA Times: Romney, Cain skip Iowa economic forum

On November 1, 2011, the Los Angeles times reported:

Much of the Republican presidential field gathered here Tuesday to discuss how to improve the nation's economy. But what was most notable was who skipped the event — Iowa front-runners Mitt Romney and Herman Cain...