MEMO: Candidate Romney’s Attack Boomerangs On Governor Romney
Mitt Romney today has adopted the message of former Tea Party candidate Michele Bachmann in a transparent attempt to appeal to her extremist supporters. Romney’s phony outrage about “crony capitalism” is particularly surprising considering Romney’s record in Massachusetts. When Romney was Governor of Massachusetts, “the state handed out $4.5 million in loans to two firms run by his campaign donors that have since defaulted, leaving taxpayers holding the bag.” Romney lured one of the companies to Massachusetts by offering a direct loan from the state and his Administration bragged about using government loans to attract business. But, now that Romney is running for President, he claims that government loans to private companies are “crony capitalism.” It’s the worst kind of hypocrisy from a candidate who has proven he will do or say anything to advance his political career.
ABC News: Rick Santorum, Mr. Bipartisan Compromise – And Mr. Pro Wrestling?
On January 4, 2012, ABC News reported:
Interestingly, Santorum early in his legal career played a key role in the rise of pro wrestling. As a young associate attorney for Kirkpatrick & Lockhart in Pittsburgh in the 1980s, Santorum lobbied in Harrisburg on behalf of the World Wrestling Federation in a successful effort to de-regulate pro-wrestling, “arguing that pro wrestling was entertainment, and not a sport, and, as such, should be exempted from federal steroid regulations,” the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported in a 1994 profile.
Washington Post: Donations Flowed To Gingrich’s Nonprofit After He Shifted On Energy Issues In 2008
On December 28, 2011, the Washington Post reported:
A month after joining Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi in a televised call to fight climate change in 2008, Newt Gingrich pivoted to a much different message: Increase domestic drilling and block legislation aimed at implementing a “cap-and-trade” system to curb carbon pollution. [...] Within weeks, the money began pouring in from major U.S. energy firms, which eventually contributed more than $2 million to American Solutions’ pro-drilling and anti-cap-and-trade campaign for the next two years, according to a review of disclosure reports and other records by The Washington Post.
VIDEO: "Those Who Live In Glass Houses…"
Mitt Romney’s struggling presidential campaign is on the attack against former Speaker Newt Gingrich over a consulting contract with Freddie Mac. Romney has demanded Gingrich return money he made from the deal. Yet as the Boston Globe reported, Romney himself has up to $500,000 in a mutual fund that is heavily invested Fannie & Freddie -- outside of his blind trust. Does that mean Romney will return the up to $50,000 he made from investing in Fannie & Freddie?
Washington Monthly: Romney gambles on Freddie Mac attack
On December 12, 2011, Washington Monthly's Steve Benen reported:
There is, however, a problem: Romney has some Freddie Mac troubles of his own. [...] It leads to a pretty straightforward question: if Gingrich should return the money he made by working for Freddie Mac, should Romney return the money he made by investing in Freddie Mac?
USA Today: Romney jabs Gingrich for 'erratic outspokenness'
On December 12, 2011, USA Today reported:
Romney, speaking to Fox News this morning, also said the former House speaker should return the money he received from Freddie Mac. Gingrich made at least $1.6 million from the mortgage giant, providing what he called "strategic advice." Gingrich responded by suggesting Romney should return money he earned while leading Bain Capital, a venture capital firm. Romney has been criticized for his work at Bain, whose leveraged buyouts of companies sometimes led to layoffs. [...] he Democratic group, American Bridge, is reminding reporters that Romney made money from his investments in Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.
AP: Perry uses work phones to call top donors months before presidential bid
On December 6, 2011, the Associated Press reported:
Time and again, Texas Gov. Rick Perry picked up his office phone in the months before he would announce his bid for the presidency. He dialed wealthy friends who were his big fundraisers and state officials who owed him for their jobs.
iWatch News: K Street, Wall Street line up behind Sen. Scott Brown in his race against Elizabeth Warren
On December 2, 2011, iWatch News reported:
Financial service lobbyists and other K Street advocates have for weeks been working hard to help the freshman senator win his high-stakes battle for re-election against Elizabeth Warren, a liberal Harvard law professor. Warren is anathema for many finance-sector lobbyists and Wall Street leaders who abhor the newly created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau— a centerpiece of the financial services overhaul—of which Warren was the intellectual architect.
Now That He's Running For Senate, Will Tommy Thompson Finally Give Up His Lobbying Ties?
American Bridge 21st Century issued a press release today welcoming Tommy Thompson to the Wisconsin Senate race:
Just as he has been pretending not to be a lobbyist, Tommy Thompson has spent the last few months pretending not to be a candidate for Senate. Maintaining this “unofficial candidate” status has allowed him to continue working for his corporate clients while raising money from them for his campaign with a wink and a nod. Now that Thompson is officially announcing his candidacy and dropping the charade, the question remains, will he sever his ties with his corporate clients? [...] “It is impossible for Tommy Thompson to serve two masters; either he will represent the interests of Wisconsinites or those of his corporate clients. It is time for him to choose,” said Matt Thornton, spokesman for American Bridge 21st Century.
Now That He's Running For Senate, Will Tommy Thompson Finally Give Up His Lobbying Ties?
Just as he has been pretending not to be a lobbyist, Tommy Thompson has spent the last few months pretending not to be a candidate for Senate. Maintaining this “unofficial candidate” status has allowed him to continue working for his corporate clients while raising money from them for his campaign with a wink and a nod. Now that Thompson is officially announcing his candidacy and dropping the charade, the question remains, will he sever his ties with his corporate clients?