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| Republican presidential candidates speak at CPAC - live | Republican presidential candidates speak at CPAC - live |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| 12.47pm: The White House prefers the term "accommodation" to "compromise," which rather smacks of West Wing-style cleverness. | |
| The reality may be somewhat different from a neat Aaron Sorkin plot ending. The White House's "compromise" may end up annoying its supporters while still alienating the original opponents. Does this remind anyone of, let's see, any other recent controversies involving funding? I'm thinking Susan G Komen v Planned Parenthood in case you were wondering. | |
| How this ends will depend as much on the reaction of religious groups, especially the Catholic church. | |
| 12.30pm: And that's it. The White House website has added information on the compromise. | |
| The compromise "exempts churches, other houses of worship, and similar organizations from covering contraception on the basis of their religious objections", the White House statement says. | |
| Religious organisations "will not have to provide contraceptive coverage" and "will not be required to subsidize the cost of contraception". Instead, contraception "will be offered to women by their employers' insurance companies directly". | |
| Under the new policy to be announced today, women will have free preventive care that includes contraceptive services no matter where she works. The policy also ensures that if a woman works for religious employers with objections to providing contraceptive services as part of its health plan, the religious employer will not be required to provide contraception coverage, but her insurance company will be required to offer contraceptive care free of charge. | |
| The new policy ensures women can get contraception without paying a co-pay and addresses important concerns raised by religious groups by ensuring that objecting religious employers will not have to provide contraceptive coverage or refer women to organizations that provide contraception. | |
| 12.25pm: Moving on to the detail of the compromise, he says that "Women will still have access to free preventive care that includes contraceptive services", but if the woman's employer is a charity, then it will be for the insurance company "to reach out" and offer contraceptive care free of charge. | |
| "No religious institution will have to pay for or provide contraceptive services directly", Obama says. | |
| 12.22pm: The president says he spoke to Catholic officials at the beginning of this, he says, to find a solution that "protects religious liberty". The president criticizes a "cynical desire on the part of some to make this into a political football". | |
| 12.18pm: He begins by sayin that 99% of women have used contraception in their lifetime, but more than half of all women between the ages of 18 and 34 have struggled to afford it. | |
| 12.16pm: Barack Obama is speaking now at the White House on the contraception compromise. | |
| 12.00pm: Awkward moment of the day: | 12.00pm: Awkward moment of the day: |
| Rick Santorum walks past the Google booth. twitter.com/daveweigel/sta… | Rick Santorum walks past the Google booth. twitter.com/daveweigel/sta… |
| — daveweigel (@daveweigel) February 10, 2012 | — daveweigel (@daveweigel) February 10, 2012 |
| 11.47am: Wait long enough and you really will hear everything. In this case, Republican senator James Inhofe just approvingly quoted the Guardian while speaking at CPAC, on the subject of climate change. I doubt that will ever happen again in my lifetime. | 11.47am: Wait long enough and you really will hear everything. In this case, Republican senator James Inhofe just approvingly quoted the Guardian while speaking at CPAC, on the subject of climate change. I doubt that will ever happen again in my lifetime. |
| Memo to senator Inhofe: perhaps you'd like to quote from this Guardian article? | Memo to senator Inhofe: perhaps you'd like to quote from this Guardian article? |
| 11.44am: Some hot opinion poll news: Fox News has a new national poll of Republicans showing that Rick Santorum is closing the gap with Mitt Romney. The poll was conducted over four days and the final numbers had Romney with 33% and Santorum on 23%, followed by Newt Gingrich on 22% and Ron Paul on 15%. But in the polling that was done on 8-9 February – after Santorum's three wins in Missouri, Colorado and Minnesota – he rose to 30% while Romney drooped to 30% and Gingrich fell to 16%. (Before Tuesday's results, Romney was winning 35% and Santorum just 17%.) | 11.44am: Some hot opinion poll news: Fox News has a new national poll of Republicans showing that Rick Santorum is closing the gap with Mitt Romney. The poll was conducted over four days and the final numbers had Romney with 33% and Santorum on 23%, followed by Newt Gingrich on 22% and Ron Paul on 15%. But in the polling that was done on 8-9 February – after Santorum's three wins in Missouri, Colorado and Minnesota – he rose to 30% while Romney drooped to 30% and Gingrich fell to 16%. (Before Tuesday's results, Romney was winning 35% and Santorum just 17%.) |
| Meanwhile, a new ARG poll from the Super Tuesday primary state of Tennessee shows Santorum leading with 34%, followed by Romney with 27%, Gingrich with 16%, and Ron Paul on 13%. | Meanwhile, a new ARG poll from the Super Tuesday primary state of Tennessee shows Santorum leading with 34%, followed by Romney with 27%, Gingrich with 16%, and Ron Paul on 13%. |
| The poll was conducted on 8/9 February and shows some interesting splits among Tennessee Republicans: | The poll was conducted on 8/9 February and shows some interesting splits among Tennessee Republicans: |
| Santorum leads with 40% among likely Republican primary voters saying they are supporters of the Tea Party, followed by Gingrich with 21%, Romney with 17%, and Paul with 11%. Among likely primary voters saying they are not supporters of the Tea Party or are undecided about the Tea Party, Romney leads with 34%, followed by Santorum with 29%, Paul with 14%, and Gingrich with 12%. | Santorum leads with 40% among likely Republican primary voters saying they are supporters of the Tea Party, followed by Gingrich with 21%, Romney with 17%, and Paul with 11%. Among likely primary voters saying they are not supporters of the Tea Party or are undecided about the Tea Party, Romney leads with 34%, followed by Santorum with 29%, Paul with 14%, and Gingrich with 12%. |
| 11.26am: The Guardian's Ewen MacAskill gives his reaction to Rick Santorum's address at CPAC: | 11.26am: The Guardian's Ewen MacAskill gives his reaction to Rick Santorum's address at CPAC: |
| I had anticipated a hero's welcome after winning the caucuses and primary this week. The thousands of conservatives packed into the ballroom of the Marriott should be his natural constituency. When he presented himself as the one true conservative in the race, meaning Romney is not, there was only sporadic applause and shouts of "Santorum". In his second pop at Romney, he said if a candidate could not excite the conservative base, what chance of winning in November? But that too only produced scattered bursts of applause. | I had anticipated a hero's welcome after winning the caucuses and primary this week. The thousands of conservatives packed into the ballroom of the Marriott should be his natural constituency. When he presented himself as the one true conservative in the race, meaning Romney is not, there was only sporadic applause and shouts of "Santorum". In his second pop at Romney, he said if a candidate could not excite the conservative base, what chance of winning in November? But that too only produced scattered bursts of applause. |
| The problem for Santorum at the CPAC is the same as for conservatives round the country. None of the field generating much enthusiasm. Bernadette Repisky, 46, a Tea Party person attending CPAC for the first time, is supporting Santorum but had hoped that Congressman Allan West, a Tea Party favourite, would stand. She had earlier supported Michelle Bachmann and then Cain. If Romney eventually wins, she will support him. "The main thing is to get Obama, that socialist-Marxist dictator out off the White House," she said. | The problem for Santorum at the CPAC is the same as for conservatives round the country. None of the field generating much enthusiasm. Bernadette Repisky, 46, a Tea Party person attending CPAC for the first time, is supporting Santorum but had hoped that Congressman Allan West, a Tea Party favourite, would stand. She had earlier supported Michelle Bachmann and then Cain. If Romney eventually wins, she will support him. "The main thing is to get Obama, that socialist-Marxist dictator out off the White House," she said. |
| When Romney's name was mentioned from the platform before Santorum spoke, there was a round of applause. So he has some support here. | When Romney's name was mentioned from the platform before Santorum spoke, there was a round of applause. So he has some support here. |
| I would expect Santorum to win the CPAC presidential straw poll, to be announced Saturday. But, given the state of flux in the Republican race, who can be sure. | I would expect Santorum to win the CPAC presidential straw poll, to be announced Saturday. But, given the state of flux in the Republican race, who can be sure. |
| It may be that Santorum was trying to do "serious and presidential" in his speech here but he certainly didn't set the crowd alight. | It may be that Santorum was trying to do "serious and presidential" in his speech here but he certainly didn't set the crowd alight. |
| 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." | 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. | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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 | 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 | — 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. | 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. |