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| Republican presidential candidates speak at CPAC - live | Republican presidential candidates speak at CPAC - live |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| 11.05am: Rick Santorum starts by piling onto Obamacare, and claims to have a quote from Margaret Thatcher's last day in office – that she could never achieve what Ronald Reagan achieved in America because of the National Health Service. God knows where he got that from. Margaret Thatcher had 11 years as prime minister and enjoyed some huge majorities in parliament. She looked at alternative funding models for the NHS and each was rejected as impractical or inefficient. Oh and here's Margaret Thatcher's most famous quote on the subject: "The NHS is safe in our hands." | |
| It's a less than inspiring speech by Santorum, who should be hitting home runs in this ballpark. But he lights up when he gets on to the subject of the many sins of Mitt Romney, who he describes as creator of the Massachusetts state healthcare model that is "the stepchild of Obamacare". Stepchild? That doesn't make sense. | |
| Santorum isn't naming Romney here but everyone knows exactly who he is talking about: | |
| Ladies and gentlemen, we're not going to win with money. We are going to win with contrasts. | |
| Santorum is taking it low-key here, he looks tired and sounds a little hoarse. Not a barnstorming speech, although he gets a standing ovation in the ballroom, which is packed. I'm surprised he didn't give it more oomph – this was his big chance. | |
| Something about a few election wins makes a candidate sound more presidential. Although constant presence of Santorum family was distracting | |
| — Larry Sabato (@LarrySabato) February 10, 2012 | |
| 10.49am: And now the billionaire Foster Friess is on stage at CPAC introducing Rick Santorum. It used to be that shadowy megarich puppetmasters used to stay behind the curtain. But thanks to Super Pacs and the Supreme Court, they can step proudly into the spotlight. | 10.49am: And now the billionaire Foster Friess is on stage at CPAC introducing Rick Santorum. It used to be that shadowy megarich puppetmasters used to stay behind the curtain. But thanks to Super Pacs and the Supreme Court, they can step proudly into the spotlight. |
| Friess is talking about how Santorum is all blue collar. "I make a lot of money. I don't like the fact that I'm discriminated against or even considered evil because of it," he says. Yes, because the extremely wealthy suffer such discrimination these days, don't they? | Friess is talking about how Santorum is all blue collar. "I make a lot of money. I don't like the fact that I'm discriminated against or even considered evil because of it," he says. Yes, because the extremely wealthy suffer such discrimination these days, don't they? |
| Foster Friess was wearing a Rick Santorum-label sweater vest. And he did tell a funny joke: | Foster Friess was wearing a Rick Santorum-label sweater vest. And he did tell a funny joke: |
| Recently, a conservative, a moderate and a liberal walked into a bar. The bartender says: 'Hi Mitt.' | Recently, a conservative, a moderate and a liberal walked into a bar. The bartender says: 'Hi Mitt.' |
| And now here's Rick Santorum, in fact the entire Santorum family. "It's not the Von Trapp family," says Rick, which frankly is a shame. I am loath to be cruel about a candidate's offspring. Let's just say that in the case of one of his daughters, there is no doubt whatsoever that Rick Santorum is her biological father. | |
| 10.48am: On the controversy over religious institutions forced to offer contraception via the healthcare mandate: President Obama is going to address the subject at 12.15pm this afternoon, according to the White House. That slots Obama neatly between Rick Santorum (10.25am) and Mitt Romney (12.40pm) at CPAC today, and possibly shoot their fox. | 10.48am: On the controversy over religious institutions forced to offer contraception via the healthcare mandate: President Obama is going to address the subject at 12.15pm this afternoon, according to the White House. That slots Obama neatly between Rick Santorum (10.25am) and Mitt Romney (12.40pm) at CPAC today, and possibly shoot their fox. |
| Is there a compromise on the cards? The White House won't be calling it that for optical reasons but is saying that the healthcare insurer – rather than the employer, in the case of religious institutions – would be responsible for providing contraceptive coverage. What that means is that if, for example, a religious institution, objects to contraception coverage, the health insurance companies will be required to contact individual employees who are policy holder and give coverage directly at no cost. | Is there a compromise on the cards? The White House won't be calling it that for optical reasons but is saying that the healthcare insurer – rather than the employer, in the case of religious institutions – would be responsible for providing contraceptive coverage. What that means is that if, for example, a religious institution, objects to contraception coverage, the health insurance companies will be required to contact individual employees who are policy holder and give coverage directly at no cost. |
| If that doesn't make sense, think of it this way: If a religious institution (or any employers, it's not yet clear what the scope is) objects to having offer free contraceptive coverage as part of its employees health insurance, the insurance company will have to offer the coverage directly to individual employees at no cost. | If that doesn't make sense, think of it this way: If a religious institution (or any employers, it's not yet clear what the scope is) objects to having offer free contraceptive coverage as part of its employees health insurance, the insurance company will have to offer the coverage directly to individual employees at no cost. |
| 10.46am: Back to CPAC, where a huge crowd is waiting to hear the big three Republican presidential candidates. Rick Santorum is supposed to be speaking at 10.25 am, followed by Mitt Romney at 12.40pm and Newt Gingrich at 4pm. | 10.46am: Back to CPAC, where a huge crowd is waiting to hear the big three Republican presidential candidates. Rick Santorum is supposed to be speaking at 10.25 am, followed by Mitt Romney at 12.40pm and Newt Gingrich at 4pm. |
| Earlier this morning Mitt Romney spoke to a breakfast hosted by the Northern Virginia Technology Council, in which he told the audience: "I know it seems like government doesn't like you. I love you." Which is not at all strange. | Earlier this morning Mitt Romney spoke to a breakfast hosted by the Northern Virginia Technology Council, in which he told the audience: "I know it seems like government doesn't like you. I love you." Which is not at all strange. |
| 10.40am: Before we get under way properly, here's a summary of what's happening in the campaign scene at CPAC and beyond, from Ryan Devereaux. | 10.40am: Before we get under way properly, here's a summary of what's happening in the campaign scene at CPAC and beyond, from Ryan Devereaux. |
| The top three contenders for the Republican presidential nomination – Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich – will be speaking at day two of CPAC. Mitt Romney is expected to discuss his record as governor of Massachusetts, Rick Santorum will reaffirm his pitch as the true conservative candidate, and Newt Gingrich will be introduced by his wife Callista, an interesting choice for a conservative audience, given that CPAC is broadly focused on social conservative issues and Callista was formerly Newt's mistress. | The top three contenders for the Republican presidential nomination – Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich – will be speaking at day two of CPAC. Mitt Romney is expected to discuss his record as governor of Massachusetts, Rick Santorum will reaffirm his pitch as the true conservative candidate, and Newt Gingrich will be introduced by his wife Callista, an interesting choice for a conservative audience, given that CPAC is broadly focused on social conservative issues and Callista was formerly Newt's mistress. |
| Sheldon Adelson, Gingrich's mega financial-backer, may be on the verge of withdrawing his support for the former house speaker. Bloomberg news reports the casino magnate's family, which has donated $11m in the last two months, won't be writing Gingrich any more big checks. Losing such big money support would likely be a crushing – at the end of last month Gingrich announced his team was down to its last $600,000. | Sheldon Adelson, Gingrich's mega financial-backer, may be on the verge of withdrawing his support for the former house speaker. Bloomberg news reports the casino magnate's family, which has donated $11m in the last two months, won't be writing Gingrich any more big checks. Losing such big money support would likely be a crushing – at the end of last month Gingrich announced his team was down to its last $600,000. |
| Romney seems to be having few problems on the financial side of his campaign. According to Politico, he raked in over $1.3m at fundraiser roundtable in Washington last night. The event was closed to the press, but sources say there were over 700 people in attendance, including big names in healthcare and national security. Santorum is enjoying an influx of money as well, at least according to his aides. Yesterday Mike Biundo, Santorum's campaign manager, tweeted that the former senator has received $2m in donations since clean sweep Tuesday night. | Romney seems to be having few problems on the financial side of his campaign. According to Politico, he raked in over $1.3m at fundraiser roundtable in Washington last night. The event was closed to the press, but sources say there were over 700 people in attendance, including big names in healthcare and national security. Santorum is enjoying an influx of money as well, at least according to his aides. Yesterday Mike Biundo, Santorum's campaign manager, tweeted that the former senator has received $2m in donations since clean sweep Tuesday night. |
| Rick Santorum has attempted to clarify comments he made regarding women serving in military combat. The former Pennsylvania senator raised eyebrows when he said he had "concerns" about women in combat roles due to "other types of emotions that are involved." Santorum appeared on NBC's "Today" show this morning and pointed out that men have a "natural" emotional inclination to feel protective over women, particularly when they are in dangerous situations. "When you have men and women together in combat, I think men have the emotions when you see a woman in harm's way. I think that's something that's natural, that's very much in our culture to be protective." | Rick Santorum has attempted to clarify comments he made regarding women serving in military combat. The former Pennsylvania senator raised eyebrows when he said he had "concerns" about women in combat roles due to "other types of emotions that are involved." Santorum appeared on NBC's "Today" show this morning and pointed out that men have a "natural" emotional inclination to feel protective over women, particularly when they are in dangerous situations. "When you have men and women together in combat, I think men have the emotions when you see a woman in harm's way. I think that's something that's natural, that's very much in our culture to be protective." |
| Today the Republican presidential campaign moves to a hotel in the nation's capital, where Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are speaking to the Conservative Political Action Conference, an annual gathering of Republican activists. | Today the Republican presidential campaign moves to a hotel in the nation's capital, where Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich are speaking to the Conservative Political Action Conference, an annual gathering of Republican activists. |
| If Washington DC is like Hollywood for ugly people, then CPAC in an election year is its Universal Studios lot, a veritable "Who's that?" of American politics. | If Washington DC is like Hollywood for ugly people, then CPAC in an election year is its Universal Studios lot, a veritable "Who's that?" of American politics. |
| The toughest sell today will be Mitt Romney's address at 12.40pm. Mistrusted and disliked by many conservative activists – you can purchase a pair of "Mitt Romney flip-flops" at a stall at the CPAC venue – Romney will want to make a play for conservative bona fides as well as his economic credentials. | The toughest sell today will be Mitt Romney's address at 12.40pm. Mistrusted and disliked by many conservative activists – you can purchase a pair of "Mitt Romney flip-flops" at a stall at the CPAC venue – Romney will want to make a play for conservative bona fides as well as his economic credentials. |
| For Santorum and Gingrich it is likely to be a much friendlier crowd – and the two may want to score points off one another. Santorum's recent victories in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri make him the hero of the hour but Gingrich isn't queuing up to praise him. A campaign schedule distributed by the Gingrich campaign this morning describes Santorum's address at CPAC as "In defense of big labour" while Romney is namechecked as "Author of Obamneycare". | For Santorum and Gingrich it is likely to be a much friendlier crowd – and the two may want to score points off one another. Santorum's recent victories in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri make him the hero of the hour but Gingrich isn't queuing up to praise him. A campaign schedule distributed by the Gingrich campaign this morning describes Santorum's address at CPAC as "In defense of big labour" while Romney is namechecked as "Author of Obamneycare". |
| Underneath the talking heads at CPAC is the gathering controversy over the White House's healthcare mandate enforcing access to contraception by religious institutions. The lack of a specific exemption for religious institutions has provoked an uproar, led by the Catholic church and picked up by Christian evangelicals. The latest news is that the White House is preparing to move to soften its line. But how far remains a mystery: | Underneath the talking heads at CPAC is the gathering controversy over the White House's healthcare mandate enforcing access to contraception by religious institutions. The lack of a specific exemption for religious institutions has provoked an uproar, led by the Catholic church and picked up by Christian evangelicals. The latest news is that the White House is preparing to move to soften its line. But how far remains a mystery: |
| Waved off describing WH announcement today on contraceptiion issue as a "compromise." Am told Pres Obama not changing his stand. | Waved off describing WH announcement today on contraceptiion issue as a "compromise." Am told Pres Obama not changing his stand. |
| — Mark Knoller (@markknoller) February 10, 2012 | — Mark Knoller (@markknoller) February 10, 2012 |
| Outside the Beltway bubble, there is a Republican contest going on in Maine that ends tomorrow. As they used to say: "As goes Maine, so goes the nation," and Mitt Romney is going to Maine as soon as he has finished at CPAC, speaking this evening at a rally at Portland Yacht Services. Because nothing says "man of the people" than hanging around yachts. | Outside the Beltway bubble, there is a Republican contest going on in Maine that ends tomorrow. As they used to say: "As goes Maine, so goes the nation," and Mitt Romney is going to Maine as soon as he has finished at CPAC, speaking this evening at a rally at Portland Yacht Services. Because nothing says "man of the people" than hanging around yachts. |