American Bridge Slams Perry: “America’s Most Dangerous Cowboy Takes On Social Security”

In a brand new video, American Bridge 21st Century blasts Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry over his dangerous views on Social Security and retirement security for America’s seniors. In thinking Social Security is an “abuse of the constitution,” a “lie” and a “ponzi scheme” that should be dismantled and forced on the states, Perry’s views are more extreme than we’ve seen in half a century. He doesn’t just think the program should be tweaked, but that it never should have existed in the first place. Miles outside the mainstream, Perry’s extreme views will continue to dog him throughout his campaign -- no matter whether it’s in the primary or the general. Just this morning, Karl Rove warned that Perry’s views on Social Security were “toxic in a general election environment and they are also toxic in a Republican primary.”

Journal Sentinal: Tammy Baldwin enters race for open Senate seat

The Journal Sentinal covers Tammy Baldwin's entry into the senate race in Wisconsin:

U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Madison announced Tuesday that she is entering the 2012 race to succeed retiring Democratic U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl.

Columbia Daily Tribune: Rep. Todd Akin Questions Constitutionality of Medicare

On September 4, 2011, the Columbia Daily Tribune reported:

In a meeting yesterday with Central Missouri tea party activists, U.S. Rep. Todd Akin said he has doubts about the constitutionality of Medicare and thinks global warming “is highly suspect.” Akin, a six-term congressman seeking the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate, spent much of the 75 minutes attacking the expansive nature of the federal government, calling his opposition to federal health care changes a struggle against tyranny. The meeting was attended by about two dozen tea party activists. [...] Akin’s remarks questioning the constitutionality of Medicare came as he was explaining his vote against prescription coverage under the medical plan for seniors and people with disabilities. He said it was too expensive, and “it was expanding an entitlement I wasn’t too comfortable with to begin with.” Asked about the remarks after the meeting, Akin said, “I don’t find in the Constitution that it is the job of the government to provide health care.”

Plain Dealer: Video cameras barred from Rep. Jim Renacci's Sept. 1 town hall meeting: Video

On September 2, 2011, the Cleaver Plain Dealer reported:

 Despite a nationwide controversy that erupted last week after Cincinnati GOP Rep. Steve Chabot refused to allow video cameras at a town hall meeting, organizers of a public meeting Thursday night with Wadsworth GOP Rep. Jim Renacci followed suit by barring a Democratic organization's cameraman from recording the event. The newly established American Bridge 21st Century Super PAC has recorded speeches by public officials and political candidates around the nation, including events held by GOP U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Coughlin of Cuyahoga Falls, and Urbana area GOP Rep. Jim Jordan, who chairs the House Republican Study Committee.

POLITICO: Rick Perry's book a treasure trove for foes

"Ty Matsdorf, communications director for the Democratic research group American Bridge, said the book shows Perry “laying out what any sane or rational candidate wouldn’t even dream of saying.” “This is what he put down and there’s no backing away from it,” Matsdorf said. “I don’t think a national candidate would, in their worst nightmare, ever think about having this stuff out there.”"

Salt Lake Tribune: Huntsman pitches wholesale tax overhaul

"Democrats also pointed to the former Utah governor’s family-owned Huntsman Corp., which now has a majority of employees overseas. Of the company’s 12,000 employees, BusinessWeek recently reported, only 2,174 are in the United States while some 1,100 are in China. "Desperately flailing to gain any type of traction in the race, Jon Huntsman is out today pushing ‘Made In America.’ But with him, it is ‘Made in China’ that has made him millions," says Ty Matsdorf, a spokesman for the liberal group, American Bridge 21st Century. "This appears to be just one more desperate attempt to breathe some much needed life into a floundering campaign."

PolitiFact Ohio: GOP Senate candidate Kevin Coughlin says there's not much evidence to support human role in global warming – False

Politifact Ohio examined Ohio Senate candidate Kevin Coughlin's recent comments on climate change and found them false.

While a few skeptics out there disagree, there’s clear scientific consensus that global warming is occurring and that humans contribute to it. Disagreement on the subject is scant enough that we rule Coughlin’s statement is False.

AP: Huntsman offers tax, trade plan to create jobs

On August 31, 2011, the Associate Press reported:

"The location of the announcement and emphasis on American manufacturing prompted critics to challenge Huntsman's record at the Huntsman family business. Huntsman Corp., a chemical company, employs far more workers overseas than in the United States.

Huntsman's campaign conceded that fact, but said the jobs plan would improve the business climate in this nation and help Huntsman Corp. and other businesses hire more American workers.

That did little to quiet Democratic criticism.

"It's ironic that Huntsman is pushing 'Made in America' so hard when 'Made in China' has made him millions," said Ty Matsdorf, spokesman for American Bridge, a political group allied with Democrats. "Desperately flailing to gain any type of traction in the race, apparently he will try anything to breathe some much needed life into a floundering campaign."

Detroit News: Engler: Durant should let Hoekstra be GOP's candidate to challenge Stabenow

The Detroit News reports on infighting amongst Michigan Republicans on the senate race:

Former Michigan Gov. John Engler said Wednesday he believes Detroit charter school founder Clark Durant should stay out of the U.S. Senate race, leaving the road clear for former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra to win the GOP nomination and challenge two-term Sen. Debbie Stabenow.

Bloomberg: Perry’s Texas Friends Find Donations Dovetail With Contracts

"When Texas billionaire Harold Simmons wanted to build a radioactive waste dump, one data point that would loom large in the permitting process wasn’t required on the application: He is a major donor to Governor Rick Perry. [...] Simmons, who has donated more than $1.2 million to Perry’s campaigns, was granted the permit over the objections of some TCEQ staffers concerned the site threatened the Ogallala Aquifer, a water source for much of the plains. [...] The permit process for the site, run by Simmons’s company Waste Control Specialists LLC, a subsidiary of the publicly traded Valhi Inc. (VHI), is one example of how Perry’s donors’ close ties to the governor can influence government grants, appointments and permits. [...] “As Americans look past his swagger, they’ll see he represents more of the same lobbyist-run politics as usual that they despise,” said Rodell Mollineau, president of American Bridge 21st Century, a Washington-based Democratic opposition research group.