AP:Rehberg town hall meetings far more infrequent
On October 8, 2011 The Associated Press reported:
It has been months since Rep. Denny Rehberg, a champion of the town hall meeting, has held one of the wide-open events - but the congressman is not abandoning the platform. Rehberg told The Associated Press in a recent interview that he has been forced to hold other types of events in recent months when back in Montana due to a new leadership post requiring he build part of a proposed federal budget, the demands of his developing campaign against U.S. Jon Tester and other factors. The change comes as many in Congress figure out the freewheeling town halls aren't the best way to gather voter support - and as Rehberg launches into the biggest campaign of his career in one of the most-watched Senate races in the nation.
POLITICO: FreedomWorks to endorse Mourdock
On October 7, Politico wrote:
FreedomWorks will endorse Richard Mourdock in the Indiana Senate race later this month, choosing the upstart state treasurer over six-term Sen. Dick Lugar in the GOP primary, POLITICO has learned. The low-tax, small government group will officially unveil its choice Friday, Oct. 21st inside an Indianapolis hotel. But a source informed of FreedomWorks' plans confirmed to POLITICO that Mourdock will earn the organization's blessing.
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Pollster to Berkley: Heller vulnerable on China
On October 6, 2011 The Las Vegas Review-Journal wrote:
U.S. Senate hopeful Shelley Berkley could have a winning issue on her hands by continuing to pound China over its currency manipulation, according to her advisers based on their polling. A memo to Berkley from pollster Mark Mellman provides an answer to why the Las Vegas Democratic congresswoman has been all over the issue this week as a China bill is being debated in the Senate.
USA Today: On immigration issues, Mitt Romney's record is thin
On October 5, 2011, USA Today reported:
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has slammed Texas Gov.Rick Perry as soft on immigration while touting his own conservative positions on the issue. But beyond a handful of decisions, including one issued the month before he left office and never fully implemented, Romney's experience with immigration issues in his home state is sparse, according to immigration experts in Massachusetts. As governor, Romney moved from being positive on immigration to negative, particularly as it became apparent he was going to run for president, says Westy Egmont, co-chairman of the Governor's Advisory Council for Refugees and Immigrants. Egmont held the same position during Romney's term as governor from 2003 to 2007.
Washington Post: Rick Perry and race: Haley Barbour's example
As The Post reported Monday, Perry has a complicated record on matters of race.He appointed the first African American to the state Supreme Court. And then made him chief justice. Perry’s pick for the Texas A&M Board of Regents became his alma mater’s first black chairman. But the “Niggerhead” controversy is one in a series of troubling revelations about the long-serving Lone Star governor. [...] And the folks over at American Bridge 21st Century, a progressive research group that focuses on the words and deeds of Republicans, brought to my attention a 2007 Associated Press story about a celebration of Perry’s second full term as governor that featured musician Ted Nugent “wearing a cutoff T-shirt emblazoned with the Confederate flag and shouting offensive remarks about non-English speakers.. . .”
Scott Brown Decries "Petty attacks," Publicly Mocks Elizabeth Warren's Appearance
On October 4th, 2011, Sen. Scott Brown delivered a much-hyped speech decrying destructive partisanship and calling on members of both parties to come together in the spirit of solving problems. Two days later, in true Scott Brown fashion, he went on the radio to publicly mock his opponent's appearance. Take a look:
CBS News: Bachmann agrees with "impeach" Obama wish
On October 4, 2011, CBS News reported:
With a well-established track record for raising eyebrows on the stump, Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota on Wednesday agreed with a man who expressed a desire to get Obama "out of the way." After visiting a coffee shop in this small Iowa town, Bachmann was asked by a man in the crowd, "When will we impeach him and get him out of the way? We should be" The candidate replied, "Well, I'll tell you, I'll tell you, I agree, I agree. Some people are really upset." Then she moved on to the next well-wisher.
Billings Gazette: City responds to Rehberg Ranch wildfire lawsuit
On October 5, 2011 the Billings Gazette reported:
With settlement negotiations stalled, an attorney for the city of Billings has filed a formal response denying claims by Rehberg Ranch Estates alleging firefighters failed to properly contain a 2008 wildfire. The unusual legal move in a lawsuit that has sat dormant in Yellowstone County District Court for more than a year is intended to "move the litigation forward," said Billings attorney Michele Braukmann, who is representing the city. The lawsuit, filed by Rep. Denny Rehberg and his wife, Jan, against the city on July 2, 2010, alleges that city firefighters breached their duty to protect the subdivision the Rehbergs own during the wildfire. The fire broke out on July 2, 2008, and was quickly contained, but it flared again two days later and forced the evacuation of about 40 homes. The Rehbergs allege that the firefighters left the property too quickly and the fire damaged land that they planned to develop.
Roll Call: Clark Durant Posts Impressive Fundraising in Michigan Senate Race
Roll Call reports on the Republican primary for senate in Michigan.
Charter schools executive Clark Durant has raised more than $750,000 for his bid to challenge Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), eclipsing fundraising expectations set by his top GOP competitor, former Rep. Pete Hoekstra. Hoekstra is widely viewed as the Republican frontrunner to take on Stabenow next year, making Durant’s haul even more impressive.
LA Times: Michele Bachmann's campaign is sputtering in Iowa
From the October 2, 2011, LA Times:
Representatives say her campaign is unfolding as planned. But Bachmann has dropped in the polls and asked supporters for 'emergency' funding. Some top Republicans say she's squandered opportunities.