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.
Huffington Post: 'Harvard Faculty Lounge' Gives Mitt Romney More Than $56,000 In Donations
On September 26, the Huffington Post reported:
"Mitt Romney's routine castigation of the President Obama-"Harvard faculty lounge" nexus has always rung a bit hollow, considering the former Massachusetts governor's own ties to the university. [...] UPDATE: The American Bridge, a Democratic non-government research group, sends over two more anecdotes that further complicate Romney's digs at Obama's Harvard roots. The former Massachusetts Governor has turned to Harvard Business School graduate and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman to help trumpet his job creation proposals, even quoting her in the plan itself. Romney also gave $50,000 to the Harvard Business School in 2003, according to IRS filings -- underscoring either how much he actually values the institution from which he graduated or illustrating how deeply he wanted to maintain good relations with the university at the time."
TPM: Mitt Romney’s Success Leads To #Fails
On the same day, American Bridge, a Democratic Super PAC that tracks GOP candidates, posted video of Romney’s wife, Ann, telling New Hampshire voters about how the family owns “a little place in Wolfeboro.” The group sent the quote out along with multiple articles on the 5,400 square foot, six bedroom manse with a 2,700 square foot boathouse and 2,600 square foot guest house."
Plain Dealer column: Add water, stir in creative leadership and demand greatness
Phillip Morris wrote a column for the Plain Dealer noting Ohio Senate candidate Josh Mandel's lack of "bedrock principles:
But now, as I watch him catapulted into national prominence, I'm starting to question the bedrock principles of Ohio's current treasurer. What does he really believe in? What does he really stand for? Have his views really deviated much further to the right than those he appeared to hold in his more formative political years, or is he allowing national strategists or those hungry for the next GOP stalwart to frame him?
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.
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."
POLITICO: Neumann: Gay lifestyle "unacceptable"
Dave Catanese covers Mark Neumann's comments on homosexuality:
Freshly minted Wisconsin Senate candidate Mark Neumann is being confronted again with anti-gay comments he made 15 years ago and later amended.
Washington Post: Allen criticized for voting against equipment for soldiers in Senate
On July 14, 2011, the Washington Post reported:
"Former governor and senator George Allen was captured on video while campaigning in Franklin on Wednesday talking to a soldier’s father about the need to properly equip troops with body armor. Allen, a Republican, said it was “deplorable” that the soldier’s family had to provide his own equipment, specifically gloves. [...] But American Bridge 21st Century, the Democratic-leaning group that has been tracking Allen while he is campaigning for the U.S. Senate next year, pointed out that the former senator voted at least twice against equipment for soldiers during his one term.
Huffington Post: Todd Akin: 'At The Heart Of Liberalism Is Really A Hatred Of God'
On June 27, 2011, the Huffington Post reported: Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) is drawing fire for claiming a "hatred of…
Think Progress: Rep. Rehberg, Whose Net Worth Is $31 Million, Says He’s ‘Cash Poor’ And ‘Struggling’
On April 30, 2011, ThinkProgress reported:
At a town hall earlier this week in Montana, Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT) began comparing the plight of every day middle class Americans like those at his town hall with his own economic circumstance. He droned on about how he’s ‘struggling’ as a small businessman. A constituent asked him what his own net worth is and he said he’s “land rich and cash poor.”