Pawlenty's Credit Rating Double Standard

Pawlenty Called Obama “Inept” In Response To S&P Downgrade. Pawlenty issued a statement in August 2011 responding to news that S&P had downgraded the country’s credit rating: “This is a sad moment for the United States, but it's a reflection that our country is in trouble. President Obama is inept when it comes to creating the conditions or job creation and economic growth. It's time for a new direction and a new President." [Pawlenty Statement, 8/6/11] More research after the jump

NBC News: Justice Asked To Probe Mystery Donation To Pro-Romney Group

On August 4, 2011, NBC News reported:

"Two campaign reform groups are asking the Justice Department to investigate a mysterious $1 million contribution to a political committee backing Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney from an obscure company that shut down shortly after making the donation. The contribution to Restore Our Future, a so-called “super PAC” formed by three former Romney political aides, drew scrutiny following an NBC News report on Thursday . The firm that gave the money, called W Spann LLC, was formed in March – with no listed officers or directors — made the contribution in April, then dissolved itself in July, according to corporate records."

Washington Post Editorial: An early flip-flop for Senate candidate George Allen

An August 3, 2011 Washington Post editorial wrote:   AS A ONE-TERM Republican senator, George Allen voted four times to…

ABC News: Impeach President Obama Over Libya? Jon Huntsman Punts

On August 3, 2011, ABC News reported:

"And this week, when asked by a New Hampshire resident whether President Obama should be impeached over Libya, Huntsman refused to say, telling the voter that he’d 'let Congress make that decision.'"

Dallas Morning News: Democrats Itch To See Texas Gov. Rick Perry In White House Hunt

On August 2, 2011, the Dallas Morning News reported:

Democratic operatives outside Austin are also scouring Perry’s record. Last week, American Bridge 21st Century — a liberal PAC formed to raise and spend unlimited money in the 2012 elections — flagged a new report that Texas had 86 mass layoffs in June, up from 50 in May, with a substantial uptick in initial jobless claims. “Rick Perry is the flavor of month” in a “weak, uninspiring field” of Republicans, said Rodell Mollineau, president of American Bridge. “Once the American people realize that his economic record as governor is based on smoke and mirrors, and his social record is miles out of the mainstream, his campaign will become an historical footnote just like Fred Thompson’s and Rudy Giuliani’s.”

AP: Romney And Huntsman In Spotlight As GOP Contenders Weigh In On Debt Deal In Washington

On August 2, 2011, the Associated Press reported:

A Democrat-friendly outside group, American Bridge, echoed the criticism of Romney. “It’s great to see that after more than a month of negotiations, Mitt Romney finally decided to weigh in on one of the most important issues facing our nation,” American Bridge spokesman Ty Matsdorf said. “As somebody who is trying to campaign as a savvy businessman, you would have thought he would have tried to lead his party, but instead he has decided to kowtow to the tea party.”

Boston Globe: Brown’s decision to skip ‘It Gets Better’ video brings a wave of criticism

On July 31, 2011, the Boston Globe reported:

In an act organized by [Brown's] senior partner, Senator John F. Kerry, the 11 Democrats in the state’s congressional delegation made an “It Gets Better’’ video aimed at offering moral support to gay teenagers contemplating suicide or struggling with depression. The 12th member of the delegation - Brown - declined to participate, prompting immediate questions when the video was released Wednesday.

AP: Lugar: Norquist tax pledge, others hamper Congress

On July 31, 2011. the Associated Press reported:

Lugar is the only Republican in the state’s Congressional delegation who hasn’t signed Norquist’s pledge, which requires the signer to “oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.” The pledge is popular in Tea Party circles, and for Lugar, who faces a tough primary challenge from State Treasurer Richard Mourdock, a Tea Party favorite, signing it might seem to make sense. But Lugar said he won’t sign any political pledges because they tie lawmakers’ hands.

Huffington Post: Entire Massachusetts Congressional Delegation Appears In ‘It Gets Better’ Video — Except Scott Brown

On July 27, 2011, the Huffington Post reported:

The Massachusetts congressional delegation has put together a new video for the "It Gets Better" project, reassuring LGBT youth who may be getting bullied that their lives will improve when they get older. But one of the state's most high-profile politicians, Republican Sen. Scott Brown, is notably absent from the video. Of the 12 lawmakers who represent Massachusetts in the Senate and House of Representatives, Brown is the only one who does not appear.

Roll Call: In Missouri, Akin Has His Own Asset Problems

On July 25, 2011, Roll Call reported:

Rep. Todd Akin apparently has personal assets far beyond what he has previously revealed on his annual financial disclosure forms. Last week, the Missouri Republican amended nearly a decade’s worth of personal financial disclosure forms, reporting assets for 2010 worth a minimum of $355,000, more than 10 times what he had reported in May...