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Romney aims for Wisconsin knock-out on final day of campaigning - live Romney aims for Wisconsin knock-out on final day of campaigning - live
(40 minutes later)
2.43pm: President Obama, asked what happens if his healthcare reforms are overturned by the Supreme Court, gave a preview of his possible reaction:
I'm confident that the Supreme Court will not take what would be an unprecedented, extraordinary step of overturning a law that was passed by a strong majority of a democratically-elected Congress.
I'd just remind conservative commentators that for years what we've heard is the biggest problem on the bench is judicial activism or a lack of judicial restraint. That an unelected group of people would somehow overturn a duly constituted and passed law. Well, here's a good example. And I'm pretty confident that this court will recognize that, and not take that step.
That's fighting talk. And yet somehow, if the Supremes do overturn the Affordable Care Act, I don't think we'll be hearing a squeak about "activist judges" from the right.
2.31pm: Meanwhile: Newt Gingrich quashes rumours he has stopped pretending to run for the Republican nomination:2.31pm: Meanwhile: Newt Gingrich quashes rumours he has stopped pretending to run for the Republican nomination:
JUST ANNOUNCED: Gingrich speech delayed for a few minutes because he is having lunch at a local brew pubJUST ANNOUNCED: Gingrich speech delayed for a few minutes because he is having lunch at a local brew pub
This rally is in Maryland, where Newt is polling a distant third and will be lucky to make double figures.This rally is in Maryland, where Newt is polling a distant third and will be lucky to make double figures.
Newt in Maryland: I read a lot of mystery novels -- right now I am reading Clive Cussler and I also read a lot by Tom Clancy #decision2012
Update: Newt really has given up.
2.28pm: Now Canadian journalists are insisting on asking questions about trade and not about something Rick Santorum said to six people in a Dairy Queen in Wisconsin.2.28pm: Now Canadian journalists are insisting on asking questions about trade and not about something Rick Santorum said to six people in a Dairy Queen in Wisconsin.
2.19pm: Presidents Obama and Calderon and Prime Minister Harper are holding a joint press conference at the White House right now, on US, Canadian and Mexican relations and the North American alliance. Naturally the first question is ... to Obama on the Supreme Court's healthcare hearing and something about Mitt Romney.2.19pm: Presidents Obama and Calderon and Prime Minister Harper are holding a joint press conference at the White House right now, on US, Canadian and Mexican relations and the North American alliance. Naturally the first question is ... to Obama on the Supreme Court's healthcare hearing and something about Mitt Romney.
And people say that Americans are self-obsessed.And people say that Americans are self-obsessed.
"Your question was a little local for me," says Felipe Calderon, who nonetheless takes the opportunity to talk about his government's fabulous universal healthcare coverage in Mexico. "I would hope one of the greatest countries in the world, the United States, could follow our example," he says, thus losing Obama the 2012 election."Your question was a little local for me," says Felipe Calderon, who nonetheless takes the opportunity to talk about his government's fabulous universal healthcare coverage in Mexico. "I would hope one of the greatest countries in the world, the United States, could follow our example," he says, thus losing Obama the 2012 election.
"You don't seriously expect me to intervene in the United States election," says Stephen Harper, although his bland delivery made that sentence sound even more dull than it reads."You don't seriously expect me to intervene in the United States election," says Stephen Harper, although his bland delivery made that sentence sound even more dull than it reads.
Next, a Mexican journalist asks what America is doing to stop the flow of weapons-trafficking to Mexico. Zero American journalists hang their heads in shame.Next, a Mexican journalist asks what America is doing to stop the flow of weapons-trafficking to Mexico. Zero American journalists hang their heads in shame.
1.45pm: Tomorrow's primaries in Wisconsin, Maryland and DC have all the drama and tension of Goodnight Moon. At least that's the view of Huffington Post polling guru Mark Blumenthal:1.45pm: Tomorrow's primaries in Wisconsin, Maryland and DC have all the drama and tension of Goodnight Moon. At least that's the view of Huffington Post polling guru Mark Blumenthal:
The combined survey results point to a likely Romney sweep of all three Tuesday contests, including that in the District of Columbia, where Santorum failed to qualify for the ballot.The combined survey results point to a likely Romney sweep of all three Tuesday contests, including that in the District of Columbia, where Santorum failed to qualify for the ballot.
Victories in all three states will likely translate into a substantial delegate haul for Romney since Wisconsin, Maryland and DC allocate their delegates on what amounts to a "winner takes most" basis.Victories in all three states will likely translate into a substantial delegate haul for Romney since Wisconsin, Maryland and DC allocate their delegates on what amounts to a "winner takes most" basis.
My own experience is that the GOP campaigning effort in DC is approximately zero – an amount that mirrors the likely number of Republican voters in my neighbourhood.My own experience is that the GOP campaigning effort in DC is approximately zero – an amount that mirrors the likely number of Republican voters in my neighbourhood.
1.30pm: Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke has been used as a pinata by the Republican presidential candidates. Now none other than Alan Greenspan has told them to lay off, via the FT's Anna Fifield:1.30pm: Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke has been used as a pinata by the Republican presidential candidates. Now none other than Alan Greenspan has told them to lay off, via the FT's Anna Fifield:
Mr Greenspan has sharply chastised the presidential hopefuls for their verbal barrages against his successor. "Anyone has the right to criticise Federal Reserve policy, but it is wholly inappropriate and destructive to engage in ad hominem attacks," Mr Greenspan told the Financial Times, adding that he had been "very much impressed with the depth of his [Mr Bernanke's] skills" during the three years they worked together.Mr Greenspan has sharply chastised the presidential hopefuls for their verbal barrages against his successor. "Anyone has the right to criticise Federal Reserve policy, but it is wholly inappropriate and destructive to engage in ad hominem attacks," Mr Greenspan told the Financial Times, adding that he had been "very much impressed with the depth of his [Mr Bernanke's] skills" during the three years they worked together.
"Moreover, the notion that Fed board members, once appointed, can be 'fired' by the president for their 'policy views' is inaccurate. Policy views are explicitly protected by statute," he said."Moreover, the notion that Fed board members, once appointed, can be 'fired' by the president for their 'policy views' is inaccurate. Policy views are explicitly protected by statute," he said.
12.43pm: Aside from Mitt Romney needing to be unzipped when he gets too stiff, Ann Romney actually had some more terrifying insights into the Romney family homelife:12.43pm: Aside from Mitt Romney needing to be unzipped when he gets too stiff, Ann Romney actually had some more terrifying insights into the Romney family homelife:
I think a lot of us in marriage know that you play different roles at different times. And Mitt can get VERY intense, and I can have the ability to kind of talk him off the rails sometimes and say, Hey let's look at what is really important and let's do that now.I think a lot of us in marriage know that you play different roles at different times. And Mitt can get VERY intense, and I can have the ability to kind of talk him off the rails sometimes and say, Hey let's look at what is really important and let's do that now.
According to Ann, her sons nicknamed her "the Mitt-stabiliser". OK then.According to Ann, her sons nicknamed her "the Mitt-stabiliser". OK then.
12.28pm: Mitt Romney's campaign has always had a My Three Sons-era air about it. It's all good clean fun in the Romney household, as this quote from Ann Romney makes clear:12.28pm: Mitt Romney's campaign has always had a My Three Sons-era air about it. It's all good clean fun in the Romney household, as this quote from Ann Romney makes clear:
Ann Romney asked about Romney being "too stiff": "I guess we better unzip him and let the real Mitt Romney out because he is not!"Ann Romney asked about Romney being "too stiff": "I guess we better unzip him and let the real Mitt Romney out because he is not!"
I know what you are thinking. Shame on you all.I know what you are thinking. Shame on you all.
12.08pm: After Mitt Romney's dead father was retrospectively zinged by fictional characters in Mad Men last night, we now have Aaron Sorkin's latest creation unveiled: HBO has released a trailer for its long-awaited* new series The Newsroom.12.08pm: After Mitt Romney's dead father was retrospectively zinged by fictional characters in Mad Men last night, we now have Aaron Sorkin's latest creation unveiled: HBO has released a trailer for its long-awaited* new series The Newsroom.
*by journalists*by journalists
Based on this trailer, it appears The Newsroom includes the stock Sorkin character "Sane Republican Guy". Like unicorns, Sane Republican Guy appears more often in the arts than in real life. (Also: Jeff Daniels?)Based on this trailer, it appears The Newsroom includes the stock Sorkin character "Sane Republican Guy". Like unicorns, Sane Republican Guy appears more often in the arts than in real life. (Also: Jeff Daniels?)
Update: a bored person at NPR writes too many words about this trailer.Update: a bored person at NPR writes too many words about this trailer.
11.48am: Another sign that everyone is eager for the Republican party's presidential play-offs to end – and a sign of the Super Pac attack-fest to come – comes from the dueling attack ads being run on the subject of gas prices.11.48am: Another sign that everyone is eager for the Republican party's presidential play-offs to end – and a sign of the Super Pac attack-fest to come – comes from the dueling attack ads being run on the subject of gas prices.
First up is this entirely credible and unhysterical ad from the American Energy Alliance (cf: Koch brothers-funded) which OH MY GOD $9 a gallon!First up is this entirely credible and unhysterical ad from the American Energy Alliance (cf: Koch brothers-funded) which OH MY GOD $9 a gallon!
In riposte, there's this one from the Obama-supporting Priorities USA Action, which just photoshops Mitt Romney's head onto an oil rig a few times.In riposte, there's this one from the Obama-supporting Priorities USA Action, which just photoshops Mitt Romney's head onto an oil rig a few times.
It's times such as this that reminds us of the Jeffersonian ideals of American democracy and its heritage of sober, rational debate.It's times such as this that reminds us of the Jeffersonian ideals of American democracy and its heritage of sober, rational debate.
The American Energy Alliance is spending $3.6m running the ad in swing states in the presidential election, namely Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio and Virginia. The Priorities USA Action ad will run in the same states but with far less cash behind it, it seems.The American Energy Alliance is spending $3.6m running the ad in swing states in the presidential election, namely Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio and Virginia. The Priorities USA Action ad will run in the same states but with far less cash behind it, it seems.
11.33pm: After watching last week's Supreme Court arguments over healthcare reform – which for the sake of brevity we can call Obamacare – the New Yorker's Supreme Court guru Jeffrey Tobin warns that far more than healthcare is at stake:11.33pm: After watching last week's Supreme Court arguments over healthcare reform – which for the sake of brevity we can call Obamacare – the New Yorker's Supreme Court guru Jeffrey Tobin warns that far more than healthcare is at stake:
But the decision is a great deal more important than its immediate political aftermath. It's about what the government can do, not just who runs it. If the Court acts in line with the sentiments expressed by the conservatives last week, it could curtail the policymaking options of Congress for a generation.But the decision is a great deal more important than its immediate political aftermath. It's about what the government can do, not just who runs it. If the Court acts in line with the sentiments expressed by the conservatives last week, it could curtail the policymaking options of Congress for a generation.
In other words: be careful what you wish for, says Toobin: "An adverse decision on the Affordable Care Act could even jeopardise the prospects for conservative legislative priorities, like health-insurance vouchers or private retirement accounts in lieu of Social Security."In other words: be careful what you wish for, says Toobin: "An adverse decision on the Affordable Care Act could even jeopardise the prospects for conservative legislative priorities, like health-insurance vouchers or private retirement accounts in lieu of Social Security."
11.18am: Here's a funny thing: the Republicans in Congress were all against earmarks – the practice of hanging budget allocations for favoured local projects on unrelated pieces of legislation. But now they hold power in the House of Representatives, guess what? Via Reuters:11.18am: Here's a funny thing: the Republicans in Congress were all against earmarks – the practice of hanging budget allocations for favoured local projects on unrelated pieces of legislation. But now they hold power in the House of Representatives, guess what? Via Reuters:
House Speaker John Boehner, who pushed for the earmark ban, is considering forming a committee to study earmarks reforms.... Other sources also said that during the closed meeting, the speaker said he would consider reforms, and other leading Republicans did not shoot down the idea.House Speaker John Boehner, who pushed for the earmark ban, is considering forming a committee to study earmarks reforms.... Other sources also said that during the closed meeting, the speaker said he would consider reforms, and other leading Republicans did not shoot down the idea.
Boehner has acknowledged that the ban makes his job more difficult. In past years, one reason the sprawling transportation bill could move through Congress with bipartisan support was because thousands of lawmakers' pet projects were tacked onto the bill, he has said.Boehner has acknowledged that the ban makes his job more difficult. In past years, one reason the sprawling transportation bill could move through Congress with bipartisan support was because thousands of lawmakers' pet projects were tacked onto the bill, he has said.
But reviving earmarks is still so controversial that Boehner and other leaders are unlikely to publicly discuss it in an election year in which pork barrel spending is still under attack. The discussions so far appear to be among Republicans.But reviving earmarks is still so controversial that Boehner and other leaders are unlikely to publicly discuss it in an election year in which pork barrel spending is still under attack. The discussions so far appear to be among Republicans.
10.43am: According to Twitter, the most excititng news in the history of the universe (for two hours last night) was that Mitt Romney's dad was mocked on Mad Men.10.43am: According to Twitter, the most excititng news in the history of the universe (for two hours last night) was that Mitt Romney's dad was mocked on Mad Men.
The details are too tedious to recount but at one point a fictional aide to the actual real life Republican mayor of NYC at the time, John Lindsay, fictionally says to a fictional person on a fictional telephone: "Tell Jim his honor's not going to Michigan because Romney's a clown and I don't want him standing next to him."The details are too tedious to recount but at one point a fictional aide to the actual real life Republican mayor of NYC at the time, John Lindsay, fictionally says to a fictional person on a fictional telephone: "Tell Jim his honor's not going to Michigan because Romney's a clown and I don't want him standing next to him."
Mitt's dad George was governor of Michigan at the time. As LBJ nearly said: "When you've lost east coast cable drama scriptwriters, you've lost America."Mitt's dad George was governor of Michigan at the time. As LBJ nearly said: "When you've lost east coast cable drama scriptwriters, you've lost America."
Seriously, lib media mocking my dead grandpa? @aburnspolitico: “Well, tell [him] not going to Michigan. Because Romney’s a clown”
Update: Tagg Romney is unhappy, with good reason.
10.30am: Both Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are out and about in Wisconsin ahead of tomorrow's primary, while Newt Gingrich – yes, he's still hanging around – is taking it easy by campaigning in nearby Maryland, which also votes tomorrow.10.30am: Both Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are out and about in Wisconsin ahead of tomorrow's primary, while Newt Gingrich – yes, he's still hanging around – is taking it easy by campaigning in nearby Maryland, which also votes tomorrow.
Highlights of the day are Santorum's visit to a cheese shop followed by some bowling. A typical fun day in Wisconsin.Highlights of the day are Santorum's visit to a cheese shop followed by some bowling. A typical fun day in Wisconsin.
• Mitt Romney
11.35am: Holds a campaign event with Paul Ryan at Wisconsin Building Supply, Green Bay
3.45pm: Holds a town hall meeting, Moore Oil Company, Milwaukee		• Mitt Romney
11.35am: Holds a campaign event with Paul Ryan at Wisconsin Building Supply, Green Bay
3.45pm: Holds a town hall meeting, Moore Oil Company, Milwaukee
• Rick Santorum
9am: Holds a rally, The Gathering, Shawano
11.30am: Visits Simon's Specialty Cheese, Appleton
12.30pm: Bowls at Sabre Lanes, Menasha
2.30pm: Holds a rally, La Sure's Banquet Hall, Oshkosh
4.30pm: Visits the birthplace of the Republican Party, The Little White School House, Ripon		• Rick Santorum
9am: Holds a rally, The Gathering, Shawano
11.30am: Visits Simon's Specialty Cheese, Appleton
12.30pm: Bowls at Sabre Lanes, Menasha
2.30pm: Holds a rally, La Sure's Banquet Hall, Oshkosh
4.30pm: Visits the birthplace of the Republican Party, The Little White School House, Ripon
• Newt Gingrich
11am: With Callista Gingrich, holds a rally ... oh who cares?
2pm: Speaks to somebody, somewhere, whatever. Meh.		• Newt Gingrich
11am: With Callista Gingrich, holds a rally ... oh who cares?
2pm: Speaks to somebody, somewhere, whatever. Meh.
10.22am: Since the general election is getting to be the thing, here's some fascinating detail from the new Gallup poll that gives Barack Obama a lead over Mitt Romney.10.22am: Since the general election is getting to be the thing, here's some fascinating detail from the new Gallup poll that gives Barack Obama a lead over Mitt Romney.
The poll suggests that the extended GOP nomination fight has hurt the Republican party, even among Republican supporters, with a big dip in the numbers of those saying they are enthusiastic about the election:The poll suggests that the extended GOP nomination fight has hurt the Republican party, even among Republican supporters, with a big dip in the numbers of those saying they are enthusiastic about the election:
The decline is especially apparent among Romney voters, whose enthusiasm has fallen 13 percentage points from January, and now is on par with Obama voters' enthusiasm. Prior to the latest poll, at least half of Romney voters were extremely or very enthusiastic about voting, and their enthusiasm exceeded that of Obama voters.The decline is especially apparent among Romney voters, whose enthusiasm has fallen 13 percentage points from January, and now is on par with Obama voters' enthusiasm. Prior to the latest poll, at least half of Romney voters were extremely or very enthusiastic about voting, and their enthusiasm exceeded that of Obama voters.
The decline in Romney voters' enthusiasm mirrors the trend in enthusiasm among Republican registered voters more generally, which is down 12 points since January, 61% to 49%. Democratic registered voters' enthusiasm has dropped a smaller seven points, 58% to 51%.The decline in Romney voters' enthusiasm mirrors the trend in enthusiasm among Republican registered voters more generally, which is down 12 points since January, 61% to 49%. Democratic registered voters' enthusiasm has dropped a smaller seven points, 58% to 51%.
10.13am: So while Republican Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell was telling the world that "the chances are overwhelming that [Mitt Romney] will be our nominee. It seems to me we're in the final phases of wrapping up this nomination," Rick Santorum's campaign was running this new ad on Wisconsin television:10.13am: So while Republican Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell was telling the world that "the chances are overwhelming that [Mitt Romney] will be our nominee. It seems to me we're in the final phases of wrapping up this nomination," Rick Santorum's campaign was running this new ad on Wisconsin television:
It's a clever ad, if you like that sort of thing: "Abortion! Higher Taxes! Bad things! Obama, right? Noooo!"It's a clever ad, if you like that sort of thing: "Abortion! Higher Taxes! Bad things! Obama, right? Noooo!"
10am: It's the final full day of campaigning in the latest Republican primaries of Wisconsin, Maryland and the District of Columbia – but influential Republicans are calling time on the nomination race and closing ranks behind Mitt Romney.10am: It's the final full day of campaigning in the latest Republican primaries of Wisconsin, Maryland and the District of Columbia – but influential Republicans are calling time on the nomination race and closing ranks behind Mitt Romney.
Romney himself said the Republican nominee "will probably be me" in remarks over the weekend, while Sunday's political talkshows were filled with GOP talking heads wanting to shift the focus onto the general election in November.Romney himself said the Republican nominee "will probably be me" in remarks over the weekend, while Sunday's political talkshows were filled with GOP talking heads wanting to shift the focus onto the general election in November.
Rick Santorum hasn't got the memo and he's campaigning in Wisconsin while refusing to talk about dropping out of the race.Rick Santorum hasn't got the memo and he's campaigning in Wisconsin while refusing to talk about dropping out of the race.
We'll be covering the day's events in the primary states and elsewhere. Here's a summary of the latest news from Ryan Devereaux:We'll be covering the day's events in the primary states and elsewhere. Here's a summary of the latest news from Ryan Devereaux:
• Public Policy Polling expects Tuesday's primaries to turn out well for Mitt Romney. According to the Democratic firm, Romney is going to destroy Rick Santorum in Maryland, as he's heading into the state with an advantage of 52% to 27%, while Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul are polling at just 10% and 9% in the state, respectively. In Wisconsin there could see a little bit more of a battle, with Romney at 43% while Santorum has 36%, Paul has 11%, and 8% for Gingrich.• Public Policy Polling expects Tuesday's primaries to turn out well for Mitt Romney. According to the Democratic firm, Romney is going to destroy Rick Santorum in Maryland, as he's heading into the state with an advantage of 52% to 27%, while Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul are polling at just 10% and 9% in the state, respectively. In Wisconsin there could see a little bit more of a battle, with Romney at 43% while Santorum has 36%, Paul has 11%, and 8% for Gingrich.
• A shift among women voters has resulted in substantial lead for President Barack Obama over Mitt Romney in a number of the nation's key swing states. According to the latest USA Today/Gallup poll, the president leads 51%-42% among registered voters. In mid-February, less than half of women under 30 supported the president. Now more than six in 10 do. Meanwhile Romney's support among them has dropped by 14 percentage points, to 30%. Romney's strength is with the older men. Among men aged 50 and older, the former Massachusetts governor has a 56%-38% advantage over Obama. Romney also leads the president by one point among all men, although Obama leads among women by 18 points.• A shift among women voters has resulted in substantial lead for President Barack Obama over Mitt Romney in a number of the nation's key swing states. According to the latest USA Today/Gallup poll, the president leads 51%-42% among registered voters. In mid-February, less than half of women under 30 supported the president. Now more than six in 10 do. Meanwhile Romney's support among them has dropped by 14 percentage points, to 30%. Romney's strength is with the older men. Among men aged 50 and older, the former Massachusetts governor has a 56%-38% advantage over Obama. Romney also leads the president by one point among all men, although Obama leads among women by 18 points.
• As the new poll numbers came in over the weekend, Romney defended his campaign's relationship to women. Speaking at an event in Wisconsin in which he was asked about whether the White House "and its friends in the press have been trying to do their best to distract voters", Romney said, "I wish Ann were here ... to answer that question in particular". He added: "We have work, we have work to do, to make sure we take our message to the women of America, so they understand how we're going to get good jobs and we're going to have a bright economic future for them and for their kids."• As the new poll numbers came in over the weekend, Romney defended his campaign's relationship to women. Speaking at an event in Wisconsin in which he was asked about whether the White House "and its friends in the press have been trying to do their best to distract voters", Romney said, "I wish Ann were here ... to answer that question in particular". He added: "We have work, we have work to do, to make sure we take our message to the women of America, so they understand how we're going to get good jobs and we're going to have a bright economic future for them and for their kids."
• Despite having little chance of winning the nomination, Ron Paul took time to explain why he's in the race in the first place over the weekend. Appearing on Face the Nation on Sunday, Paul said he was fighting to rescue the GOP from itself: "The truth is I'm trying to save the Republican Party from themselves because they want perpetual wars, they don't care about presidents who assassinate American citizens, they don't care about searching our houses without a search warrant and these are the kind of things that people care about."• Despite having little chance of winning the nomination, Ron Paul took time to explain why he's in the race in the first place over the weekend. Appearing on Face the Nation on Sunday, Paul said he was fighting to rescue the GOP from itself: "The truth is I'm trying to save the Republican Party from themselves because they want perpetual wars, they don't care about presidents who assassinate American citizens, they don't care about searching our houses without a search warrant and these are the kind of things that people care about."