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US politics live: Santorum on Satan as GOP contenders jostle ahead of debate US politics live: Santorum on Satan as GOP contenders jostle ahead of debate
(40 minutes later)
12.12pm: Republicans love to crow that America's corporate tax rate of 35% is among the highest in the industrialised world – although a plethora of tax breaks and legal loopholes suggest otherwise.
Today, however, the Obama administration is going to use a Treasury department briefing by Tim Geithner to roll out cuts in the corporate tax rate combined with loophole closures, as AP reports:
The Obama administration is planning to propose cutting the top tax rate for corporations to 28%, and pay for it by eliminating dozens of tax loopholes companies now use to lower their rates, a senior administration official said.
Chances of a deeply divided Congress revamping a tax system regarded as convoluted across the political spectrum seems remote in an election year, but the announcement on Wednesday is certain to fuel debate in the run-up to November's elections.
12pm: The Guardian's Ewen MacAskill says the queue of people waiting outside the Mitt Romney campaign event in Arizona this morning wasn't quite as noteworthy as it first seemed:
I was quite impressed at first: it is unusual at a Romney event. He is not a big draw. But once inside, the gymnasium where the rally is being held is far from full. The Romney team had been expecting more. Police were talking about an overflow room and how it was no longer going to be needed. So even in Arizona, Romney's lack of charisma and excitement strikes again.
11.40am: A new brace of polls via NBC News and Marist finds Mitt Romney comfortably in the lead in Arizona but locked in a bitter struggle with Rick Santorum in Michigan:
In Michigan – which has turned into a make-or-break contest for Romney – the former Massachusetts governor gets the support of 37% of likely GOP primary voters, including those who are leaning toward a particular candidate.
Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator, gets 35%, and he's followed by Texas Rep. Ron Paul at 13% and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at 8%.
The happier scene in Arizona sees Romney on 43%, Santorum with 27%, Gingrich on 16% and Paul 11%. And here's the reason why: Romney's huge lead among early voters, thanks to Romney's organisational clout:
And among those who have voted early or absentee in Arizona – more than half of all likely Republicans voters in the poll – Romney holds a 30-point advantage over Santorum, 52% to 22%.
11.06am: More from the Detroit News endorsement of one-time Michigan native Mitt Romney, based in part on the idea that he alone of the Republican field can defeat Obama in November:11.06am: More from the Detroit News endorsement of one-time Michigan native Mitt Romney, based in part on the idea that he alone of the Republican field can defeat Obama in November:
Very conservative Republicans have been lukewarm to Romney because of his history of more moderate positions on social issues. They have flirted with each of his rivals looking for a true standard bearer of conservative values. One by one, Herman Cain, Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum have enjoyed a burst of popularity at Romney's expense.Very conservative Republicans have been lukewarm to Romney because of his history of more moderate positions on social issues. They have flirted with each of his rivals looking for a true standard bearer of conservative values. One by one, Herman Cain, Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum have enjoyed a burst of popularity at Romney's expense.
Santorum, Gingrich and Paul are challenging Romney on the Michigan ballot next Tuesday. But those Republicans are delusional if they think either Santorum or Gingrich can prevail in the fall against Obama.Santorum, Gingrich and Paul are challenging Romney on the Michigan ballot next Tuesday. But those Republicans are delusional if they think either Santorum or Gingrich can prevail in the fall against Obama.
Naturally, Republican grassroots really appreciate being called "delusional" by the media.Naturally, Republican grassroots really appreciate being called "delusional" by the media.
10.50am: Only Rick Santorum and Mitt Romey are out and about campaigning in Arizona today, indicating that Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich have given up on the state.10.50am: Only Rick Santorum and Mitt Romey are out and about campaigning in Arizona today, indicating that Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich have given up on the state.
Rick Santorum – 11.30am MT: Addresses a Tucson Tea Party rally.Rick Santorum – 11.30am MT: Addresses a Tucson Tea Party rally.
Mitt Romney – 9.50am MT: Holds a rally at the Tri-City Christian Academy gym, Chandler.Mitt Romney – 9.50am MT: Holds a rally at the Tri-City Christian Academy gym, Chandler.
The Guardian's Ewen MacAskill is at the Romney event this morning and he emails to say: "Something you do not see often at Romney events: a queue."The Guardian's Ewen MacAskill is at the Romney event this morning and he emails to say: "Something you do not see often at Romney events: a queue."
10.30am: The Republican presidential contenders gather in Arizona, ahead of tonight's big event, the debate hosted by CNN. But will Rick Santorum get any questions about Satan's takeover of America?10.30am: The Republican presidential contenders gather in Arizona, ahead of tonight's big event, the debate hosted by CNN. But will Rick Santorum get any questions about Satan's takeover of America?
Meanwhile, the Obama administration unveils the offer of a cut in the corporate tax rate, puncturing a Republican talking point about US corporate tax rates being among the highest in the world.Meanwhile, the Obama administration unveils the offer of a cut in the corporate tax rate, puncturing a Republican talking point about US corporate tax rates being among the highest in the world.
The Guardian's Ryan Devereaux has a summary of the latest events on the campaign trail, with just six days to go until voting in the Arizona and Michigan primaries:The Guardian's Ryan Devereaux has a summary of the latest events on the campaign trail, with just six days to go until voting in the Arizona and Michigan primaries:
• The Republican presidential candidates debate tonight in Mesa, Arizona. It's been nearly a month since the candidates last faced off and all eyes will be on Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum. With key contests looming in Arizona and Michigan, tonight's debate is crucial for Santorum, who has been rising in state and national polls since his hat-trick of wins in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri. Romney, meanwhile, will seek to cast Santorum as a Washington insider.• The Republican presidential candidates debate tonight in Mesa, Arizona. It's been nearly a month since the candidates last faced off and all eyes will be on Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum. With key contests looming in Arizona and Michigan, tonight's debate is crucial for Santorum, who has been rising in state and national polls since his hat-trick of wins in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri. Romney, meanwhile, will seek to cast Santorum as a Washington insider.
• With Arizona's primary next Tuesday, a poll from CNN, Time and ORC International has Santorum and Romney in a tight race, with one third of respondents saying they could still change their minds. According to the poll, Romney is supported by 36% of the voters, while Santorum has 32%.• With Arizona's primary next Tuesday, a poll from CNN, Time and ORC International has Santorum and Romney in a tight race, with one third of respondents saying they could still change their minds. According to the poll, Romney is supported by 36% of the voters, while Santorum has 32%.
• Rick Santorum has sidestepped a past claim that the US is under attack from Satan. Yesterday the Drudge Report ran a headline at the top of its page reading, "Satan has his sights on the United States of America." The headline was a reference to a speech Santorum made four years ago. On Tuesday Santorum was asked if the Prince of Darkness was still laying siege to the US. He said: ""These are questions that are not relevant to what's being discussed in America today."• Rick Santorum has sidestepped a past claim that the US is under attack from Satan. Yesterday the Drudge Report ran a headline at the top of its page reading, "Satan has his sights on the United States of America." The headline was a reference to a speech Santorum made four years ago. On Tuesday Santorum was asked if the Prince of Darkness was still laying siege to the US. He said: ""These are questions that are not relevant to what's being discussed in America today."
• In Michigan, the Detroit News endorsed Mitt Romney but not without an important qualification: "We disagree with Romney on a point vital to Michigan – his opposition to the bailout of the domestic automobile industry." The endorsement goes on to say, however, that the issue "isn't a differentiator in the GOP primary."• In Michigan, the Detroit News endorsed Mitt Romney but not without an important qualification: "We disagree with Romney on a point vital to Michigan – his opposition to the bailout of the domestic automobile industry." The endorsement goes on to say, however, that the issue "isn't a differentiator in the GOP primary."
• Finally, in what was obviously the biggest political news of the day, someone has made a portrait of Rick Santorum entirely composed of a mosaic of gay porn. The very much Not Safe For Work image can be viewed here.• Finally, in what was obviously the biggest political news of the day, someone has made a portrait of Rick Santorum entirely composed of a mosaic of gay porn. The very much Not Safe For Work image can be viewed here.