Roll Call: Rand Paul, Sharron Angle Wade Into N.M. GOP Senate Race
On September 27, 2011, Roll Call reported:
New Mexico Lt. Gov. John Sanchez announced Tuesday that Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul endorsed him in the Republican Senate primary. [...] This is the second endorsement Tuesday that has ties to the tea party in the New Mexico race. The Hotline reported that Sharron Angle, who lost to Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) last year, endorsed businessman Greg Sowards, a long-shot candidate.
Lincoln Journal-Star: Eyes and ears tracking the candidates
They forget. No longer can a politician or officeholder say or do anything in a setting, public or private, formal or informal, large or small, without considering that he or she may be speaking to the world. Video cameras, camcorders, audio recorders, iPhones and other smartphone technology may be -- and probably will be -- there. And soon they are on YouTube or splashed across Page 1 or on the 10 o'clock news.
TPM: ‘Ponzi’ Is Back! Perry Doubles Down On Social Security Attacks In Iowa (VIDEO)
Earlier this week, it seemed Rick Perry was going to put the Ponzi scheme away forever. But have no fear, America: it’s back in Perry’s repertoire. [...] Polls show the Ponzi stuff could be hurting Perry’s perceived electability among Republicans and it seems to turn-off independents. So it might make sense if he left the rhetoric on the cutting room floor. Not happening. Here’s Perry in Iowa on Friday, both using “Ponzi Scheme” again and claiming his plan for Social Security is just part of the same discussion of entitlements started by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and his Medicare-eliminating (in favor of a vouchers) Republican budget plan. [...] Watch the video, clipped by American Bridge, the Democratic-leaning tracking outfit:
POLITICO: Romney changes tune on 'socialism'
"Mitt Romney told CNN yesterday that unlike Rick Perry, he doesn't think it's wise to decribe Barack Obama as a socialist. [...] Said Romney: "I don't use the word socialist or I haven't so far, but I do agree that the president's approach is government heavy, government intensive, and it's not working." [...] But the Democratic research and tracking group American Bridge points out that Romney's comments are not entirely consistent with his past descriptions of President Obama: In his 2010 book, "No Apology," Romney warned that Obama was moving America in the direction of European-style socialism. "It is an often-remarked-upon irony that at a time when Europe is moving away from socialism and its many failures, President Obama is moving us toward that direction," Romney wrote. Saying that Obama is a "socialist" is not exactly the same thing as saying the president is "moving us toward" socialism. But there's not a huge meaningful distinction."
TPM: Jon Bruning Explains Why He Compared Poor To Racoons
"When last we heard from Nebraska Attorney General Job Bruning (R), who is running for Senate, he was walking back comparisons he made between poor people on welfare and raccoons scavenging for insects. But he went on to blame “the liberal intelligentsia” for the controversy and defend the basic point. In a radio interview last month with local station KLIN, audio of which was posted Thursday by Democratic Super PAC American Bridge, Bruning said that he understands the struggles of the poor, but that his raccoon metaphor still holds up.
TPM: Rick Perry: 45 Year-Olds Should Really Be Talking About Retiring At Age 70 (VIDEO)
"Rick Perry, under fire for his Social Security views from all sides lately, threw another log on the blaze this weekend during a South Carolina town hall. Perry floated the idea that workers 45 years-old and younger might have to wait years longer than their elders to retire with government benefits, wading into an area of Social Security reform that is extremely controversial and politically dangerous..."
RELEASE: American Bridge Slams Perry: “America’s Most Dangerous Cowboy Takes On Social Security”
Washington, DC – 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.”
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.”
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.”Click here to read the entire article.
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.”"