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Mitt Romney heads for nomination after primaries victory – live Mitt Romney heads for nomination after primaries victory – live
(40 minutes later)
3.33pm: Politics: it may be a refuge for scoundrels, but it's also a haven for wit. Just get a load of the wags on the Obama campaign.
Last week Politico reported that a planned $12 million renovation on Mitt Romney's home in La Jolla, California, included an elevator just for cars. The Obama jesters saw the humor in't, as BuzzFeed's Michael Hastings reports:
This week, Romney's automotive extravagance inspired staffers at Obama campaign's headquarters at 1 Prudential Plaza in Chicago to get their own "car elevators." With a touch of comic genius, the campaign placed signs next to the elevators taking guests to the sixth floor, with a choice of going up in either "Cadillac #1," Cadillac #2, "Jeep" or "Cruze."
Comic genius? You be the judge: pictures here.
3.02pm: Since October of last year Gallup has been tracking independent voters' opinions of President Obama and the leading Republican presidential candidates. Polls were conducted in 12 swing states with a margin of error of 6 points.
In January, Obama and Mitt Romney were tied among independent voters, according to the poll. In updated tracking released this afternoon, Obama is up 9 points.
(h/t: @FixAaron)
2.45pm: Dig the frames. 2.45pm: Dig the frames.
Cannot even deal with this picture of Hillary Clinton. GIRL IS PIMP. twitter.com/katiebakes/sta…Cannot even deal with this picture of Hillary Clinton. GIRL IS PIMP. twitter.com/katiebakes/sta…
— katiebakes (@katiebakes) April 4, 2012— katiebakes (@katiebakes) April 4, 2012
2.34pm: Winning Wisconsin was one thing, but now Mitt Romney has taken a truly substantive step toward the Republican presidential nomination: the Associated Press is using the adjective "insurmountable" in discussing his delegate lead. Viz:2.34pm: Winning Wisconsin was one thing, but now Mitt Romney has taken a truly substantive step toward the Republican presidential nomination: the Associated Press is using the adjective "insurmountable" in discussing his delegate lead. Viz:
Romney builds insurmountable lead in primary sweep
By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER, Associated Press – 41 minutes ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Mitt Romney won nearly all the convention delegates a three-primary sweep, adding to a lead that will be insurmountable without a dramatic shift in the race for the Republican nomination for president.		Romney builds insurmountable lead in primary sweep
By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER, Associated Press – 41 minutes ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Mitt Romney won nearly all the convention delegates a three-primary sweep, adding to a lead that will be insurmountable without a dramatic shift in the race for the Republican nomination for president.
No response so far from the Santorum camp on just how surmountable thinks look from where they sit.No response so far from the Santorum camp on just how surmountable thinks look from where they sit.
(h/t: @ethanklapper)(h/t: @ethanklapper)
1.50pm: The Mitt Romney campaign has posted the full text of his speech today to the Newspaper Association of America. Here's the section where he attacks President Obama for what he says is inconsistency:1.50pm: The Mitt Romney campaign has posted the full text of his speech today to the Newspaper Association of America. Here's the section where he attacks President Obama for what he says is inconsistency:
And now, in the middle of the weakest economic recovery since the Great Depression, the President purports to have experienced a series of election-year conversions.And now, in the middle of the weakest economic recovery since the Great Depression, the President purports to have experienced a series of election-year conversions.
As President, he has repeatedly called for tax increases on businesses. Now, as candidate Obama, he decides that a lower corporate tax rate would be better.As President, he has repeatedly called for tax increases on businesses. Now, as candidate Obama, he decides that a lower corporate tax rate would be better.
As President, he's added regulations at a staggering rate. Now, as candidate Obama, he says he wants to find ways to reduce them.As President, he's added regulations at a staggering rate. Now, as candidate Obama, he says he wants to find ways to reduce them.
As President, he delayed the development of our oil and coal and natural gas. Now, as candidate Obama, he says he favors an energy policy that adopts an all-of-the-above approach.As President, he delayed the development of our oil and coal and natural gas. Now, as candidate Obama, he says he favors an energy policy that adopts an all-of-the-above approach.
Nancy Pelosi famously said that we would have to pass Obamacare to find out what was in it. President Obama has turned that advice into a campaign strategy: He wants us to re-elect him so we can find out what he will actually do.Nancy Pelosi famously said that we would have to pass Obamacare to find out what was in it. President Obama has turned that advice into a campaign strategy: He wants us to re-elect him so we can find out what he will actually do.
With all the challenges the nation faces, this is not the time for President Obama's hide and seek campaign.With all the challenges the nation faces, this is not the time for President Obama's hide and seek campaign.
12.58pm: As the Obama campaign opens offices in state after state, Mitt Romney and other Republicans are closing campaign offices, my colleague Ed Pilkington reports:12.58pm: As the Obama campaign opens offices in state after state, Mitt Romney and other Republicans are closing campaign offices, my colleague Ed Pilkington reports:

In crucial swing states across America, the Obama re-election campaign, backed by the Democratic party, is already in full battle mode with more than 200 offices open, staff hired and thousands of election events underway.
In crucial swing states across America, the Obama re-election campaign, backed by the Democratic party, is already in full battle mode with more than 200 offices open, staff hired and thousands of election events underway.
By contrast, all four Republican candidates – including the increasingly dominant frontrunner Mitt Romney – are so shackled by their internal battle over the party's nomination that they have actually been shutting down operations in critical states at the end of each primary.By contrast, all four Republican candidates – including the increasingly dominant frontrunner Mitt Romney – are so shackled by their internal battle over the party's nomination that they have actually been shutting down operations in critical states at the end of each primary.
In the classic swing state of New Hampshire, Romney closed his only office immediately after the January 10 primary. To the astonishment of local Obama organisers, a "for lease" sign was hung outside the Romney headquarters four days before the vote was held. Obama, by contrast, has seven offices up and running in the state, with more than 25 paid staff.In the classic swing state of New Hampshire, Romney closed his only office immediately after the January 10 primary. To the astonishment of local Obama organisers, a "for lease" sign was hung outside the Romney headquarters four days before the vote was held. Obama, by contrast, has seven offices up and running in the state, with more than 25 paid staff.
12.31pm: In a speech before the Newspaper Association of America, Mitt Romney is attacking President Obama for what he says is his inconsistency:12.31pm: In a speech before the Newspaper Association of America, Mitt Romney is attacking President Obama for what he says is his inconsistency:
Romney: "Unlike President Obama, you don't have to wait until after the election to find out what I believe in – or what my plans are."Romney: "Unlike President Obama, you don't have to wait until after the election to find out what I believe in – or what my plans are."
— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) April 4, 2012— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) April 4, 2012
Yesterday President Obama said the Republican budget plan presented two weeks ago by House Budget Committee chair Paul Ryan stank of "social Darwinism." The plan's proposals to cut welfare and entitlements without ending tax breaks for the rich go against the fundamental American promise of advancement through hard work, the president said. In his speech today Romney disagreed:Yesterday President Obama said the Republican budget plan presented two weeks ago by House Budget Committee chair Paul Ryan stank of "social Darwinism." The plan's proposals to cut welfare and entitlements without ending tax breaks for the rich go against the fundamental American promise of advancement through hard work, the president said. In his speech today Romney disagreed:
Romney says Ryan, "unlike the president, has had the courage to offer serious solutions to our entitlement problems."Romney says Ryan, "unlike the president, has had the courage to offer serious solutions to our entitlement problems."
— Molly Ball (@mollyesque) April 4, 2012— Molly Ball (@mollyesque) April 4, 2012
And by "solutions" he means "cuts."And by "solutions" he means "cuts."
Then Romney accuses "candidate Obama" of not running on his record:Then Romney accuses "candidate Obama" of not running on his record:
Romney's hit on Obama not running on his record is a good one. The idea that Mitt is lecturing on transparency/question-taking is laughable.Romney's hit on Obama not running on his record is a good one. The idea that Mitt is lecturing on transparency/question-taking is laughable.
— Alex Burns (@aburnspolitico) April 4, 2012— Alex Burns (@aburnspolitico) April 4, 2012
Romney seeks to frame the election as a clash of ideals:Romney seeks to frame the election as a clash of ideals:
Romney says the Nov election choice "will not be one of party or personality" but principle. "Freedom and opportunity will be on the ballot"Romney says the Nov election choice "will not be one of party or personality" but principle. "Freedom and opportunity will be on the ballot"
— Neil King, WSJ (@NKingofDC) April 4, 2012— Neil King, WSJ (@NKingofDC) April 4, 2012
12.08pm: A new Obama campaign ad takes on Mitt Romney by name on the issue of sustainable energy and oil industry subsidies.12.08pm: A new Obama campaign ad takes on Mitt Romney by name on the issue of sustainable energy and oil industry subsidies.
"In all these fights, Mitt Romney stood with big oil, for their tax breaks, attacking higher mileage standards and renewables.""In all these fights, Mitt Romney stood with big oil, for their tax breaks, attacking higher mileage standards and renewables."
11.41am: First lady Michelle Obama will appear on the Colbert Report next Wednesday, the White House has announced. She first appeared on the show four years ago, in the thick of the 2008 primary battle.11.41am: First lady Michelle Obama will appear on the Colbert Report next Wednesday, the White House has announced. She first appeared on the show four years ago, in the thick of the 2008 primary battle.
"We are honored that the First Lady is joining us and I trust that the feeling is mutual," said Stephen Colbert."We are honored that the First Lady is joining us and I trust that the feeling is mutual," said Stephen Colbert.
Here's the first lady's April 2008 appearance:Here's the first lady's April 2008 appearance:
The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive		The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive
11.17am: Now that Mitt Romney has cleared up the GOP nomination, all he has to worry about is his own inauthenticity, writes Ana Marie Cox today in Comment Is Free:11.17am: Now that Mitt Romney has cleared up the GOP nomination, all he has to worry about is his own inauthenticity, writes Ana Marie Cox today in Comment Is Free:
So, this is how the Romney team wants people to see the race: first, don't bother with information that might make your decision difficult. "This campaign will deal with many complicated issues," Romney said, "but there is a basic choice before us." That done, just open up your Ayn Rand textbooks and follow along. Obama, Romney argued, "has spent the last four years laying the foundation for a new 'Government-Centered Society'". Romney, on the other hand, promised that he would "spend the next four years rebuilding the foundation of our 'Opportunity Society'".So, this is how the Romney team wants people to see the race: first, don't bother with information that might make your decision difficult. "This campaign will deal with many complicated issues," Romney said, "but there is a basic choice before us." That done, just open up your Ayn Rand textbooks and follow along. Obama, Romney argued, "has spent the last four years laying the foundation for a new 'Government-Centered Society'". Romney, on the other hand, promised that he would "spend the next four years rebuilding the foundation of our 'Opportunity Society'".
11.02am: Your excitement level about the upcoming Pennsylvania primary on April 24 probably depends on whether you are currently locked in a padded cell with political news as your only interface with the outside world. In which case you're wondering: Can Mitt Romney swipe Rick Santorum's home state out from under him? And would that finally convince the Republican straggler to get out of the race?11.02am: Your excitement level about the upcoming Pennsylvania primary on April 24 probably depends on whether you are currently locked in a padded cell with political news as your only interface with the outside world. In which case you're wondering: Can Mitt Romney swipe Rick Santorum's home state out from under him? And would that finally convince the Republican straggler to get out of the race?
As my colleague Chris McGreal points out, a Quinnipiac University poll of likely voters released Tuesday shows Santorum with a 6-point lead over Romney in the Pennsylvania primary. That's before the Romney camp floods the Pennsylvania airwaves with the wiliest advertising money can buy.As my colleague Chris McGreal points out, a Quinnipiac University poll of likely voters released Tuesday shows Santorum with a 6-point lead over Romney in the Pennsylvania primary. That's before the Romney camp floods the Pennsylvania airwaves with the wiliest advertising money can buy.
As he will never be allowed to forget, Santorum lost his 2006 Senate race in Pennsylvania – his last run for state office – by 17 points. Can he redeem himself in 2012?As he will never be allowed to forget, Santorum lost his 2006 Senate race in Pennsylvania – his last run for state office – by 17 points. Can he redeem himself in 2012?
Santorum is like MySpace: he technically still exists but no one cares.Santorum is like MySpace: he technically still exists but no one cares.
— Andy Borowitz (@BorowitzReport) April 4, 2012— Andy Borowitz (@BorowitzReport) April 4, 2012
10.41am: Good news for the incumbent? U.S. businesses stepped up hiring in March, with 35% of U.S. adult workers saying their employers are hiring and expanding the size of their workforces, and only 17% saying their employers are letting workers go and reducing the size of the workforces, according to a new Gallup poll.10.41am: Good news for the incumbent? U.S. businesses stepped up hiring in March, with 35% of U.S. adult workers saying their employers are hiring and expanding the size of their workforces, and only 17% saying their employers are letting workers go and reducing the size of the workforces, according to a new Gallup poll.
Gallup's Job Creation Index jumped 4% in February, the largest one-month jump in the index that Gallup has recorded since instituting the measure in 2008.Gallup's Job Creation Index jumped 4% in February, the largest one-month jump in the index that Gallup has recorded since instituting the measure in 2008.
10.14am: Here's what the candidates are up to today:10.14am: Here's what the candidates are up to today:
Mitt Romney: 11:45pm: Speaking to the Newspaper Association of America, Washington, D.C. 6:30pm: Campaign event at The Iron Shop, Broomall, Penn.Mitt Romney: 11:45pm: Speaking to the Newspaper Association of America, Washington, D.C. 6:30pm: Campaign event at The Iron Shop, Broomall, Penn.
Rick Santorum: 11:30am: Greeting patrons at Bob's Diner, Carnegie, Penn. 3pm: Campaign rally, Hollidaysburg, Penn. 7pm: Bowling at Trindle Bowl, Mechanicsburg, Penn.Rick Santorum: 11:30am: Greeting patrons at Bob's Diner, Carnegie, Penn. 3pm: Campaign rally, Hollidaysburg, Penn. 7pm: Bowling at Trindle Bowl, Mechanicsburg, Penn.
Newt Gingrich: 3:30pm: Hosting rally at UNC-Wilmington, Wilmington, N.C.Newt Gingrich: 3:30pm: Hosting rally at UNC-Wilmington, Wilmington, N.C.
Ron Paul: 8:30pm: Hosting a town hall meeting, University of California, Los Angeles.Ron Paul: 8:30pm: Hosting a town hall meeting, University of California, Los Angeles.
9.49am: Huh?9.49am: Huh?
President Obama: Gone fishin'. twitpic.com/95hjjmPresident Obama: Gone fishin'. twitpic.com/95hjjm
— Andrew Kaczynski (@BuzzFeedAndrew) April 4, 2012— Andrew Kaczynski (@BuzzFeedAndrew) April 4, 2012
9.43am: News not from the campaign trail: President Barack Obama has provided commentary to air before a special 50th anniversary broadcast of "To Kill A Mockingbird," the Gregory Peck film based on the 1960 novel by Harper Lee.9.43am: News not from the campaign trail: President Barack Obama has provided commentary to air before a special 50th anniversary broadcast of "To Kill A Mockingbird," the Gregory Peck film based on the 1960 novel by Harper Lee.
The book tells the story of a white lawyer who defends a black man suspected of raping a white woman in Alabama. The jury convicts despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The convict is then lynched. The president's remarks will air before a broadcast of the film on the USA Network on Saturday, April 7.The book tells the story of a white lawyer who defends a black man suspected of raping a white woman in Alabama. The jury convicts despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The convict is then lynched. The president's remarks will air before a broadcast of the film on the USA Network on Saturday, April 7.
"I'm deeply honored that President Obama will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of To Kill A Mockingbird by introducing it to a national audience," Lee said. "I believe it remains the best translation of a book to film ever made, and I'm proud to know that Gregory Peck's portrayal of Atticus Finch [the lawyer] lives on – in a world that needs him now more than ever.""I'm deeply honored that President Obama will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of To Kill A Mockingbird by introducing it to a national audience," Lee said. "I believe it remains the best translation of a book to film ever made, and I'm proud to know that Gregory Peck's portrayal of Atticus Finch [the lawyer] lives on – in a world that needs him now more than ever."
9.00am: Good morning! Tom McCarthy here in New York with live blog politics coverage. Here's a roundup of where things stand after last night's voting.9.00am: Good morning! Tom McCarthy here in New York with live blog politics coverage. Here's a roundup of where things stand after last night's voting.
• Mitt Romney defeated Rick Santorum in three out of three primaries – Wisconsin, Maryland and Washington, D.C. – by fat margins. In Wisconsin, the closest race, Romney won 43-38. In Maryland, Romney seemed to make headway with voter groups who've resisted him, winning strong supporters of the Tea Party by 19 points and evangelicals by 6 percent. Romney's overall delegate lead now stands at 646-278.• Mitt Romney defeated Rick Santorum in three out of three primaries – Wisconsin, Maryland and Washington, D.C. – by fat margins. In Wisconsin, the closest race, Romney won 43-38. In Maryland, Romney seemed to make headway with voter groups who've resisted him, winning strong supporters of the Tea Party by 19 points and evangelicals by 6 percent. Romney's overall delegate lead now stands at 646-278.
• Rick Santorum is staying in. It's impossible for him to lose any elections in the next three weeks because there aren't any. Then, on 24 Apri, Santorum hopes to win Pennsylvania, his home state. "Pennsylvania is a must-win for us," the Philadelphia Inquirer quotes Santorum senior adviser John Brabender. "If we win, we get all sorts of momentum going into May, which figures to be a great month for us." (h/t @jmartpolitico)• Rick Santorum is staying in. It's impossible for him to lose any elections in the next three weeks because there aren't any. Then, on 24 Apri, Santorum hopes to win Pennsylvania, his home state. "Pennsylvania is a must-win for us," the Philadelphia Inquirer quotes Santorum senior adviser John Brabender. "If we win, we get all sorts of momentum going into May, which figures to be a great month for us." (h/t @jmartpolitico)
• "The race for the GOP nomination is still over." – conservative oracle Hugh Hewitt, as quoted by morning TV sage Joe Scarborough (h/t Mike Allen's Playbook)• "The race for the GOP nomination is still over." – conservative oracle Hugh Hewitt, as quoted by morning TV sage Joe Scarborough (h/t Mike Allen's Playbook)
• Barack Obama thinks Mitt Romney is going to win. The president went after the former governor by name for the first time yesterday. Specifically, Obama went after Romney's diction. "He said that he's 'very supportive' of this new [Paul Ryan] budget," Obama said. "And he even called it 'marvelous,' which is a word you don't often hear when it comes to describing a budget; it's a word you don't hear generally." Dayum. Barack said Mitt said "marvelous."• Barack Obama thinks Mitt Romney is going to win. The president went after the former governor by name for the first time yesterday. Specifically, Obama went after Romney's diction. "He said that he's 'very supportive' of this new [Paul Ryan] budget," Obama said. "And he even called it 'marvelous,' which is a word you don't often hear when it comes to describing a budget; it's a word you don't hear generally." Dayum. Barack said Mitt said "marvelous."
• Was this you? Admit it, this was you, wasn't it?• Was this you? Admit it, this was you, wasn't it?
Three cheers to the gentleman enjoying a 5 Guys burger with bacon, egg, and cheese + french fries for breakfast. America is awesome.Three cheers to the gentleman enjoying a 5 Guys burger with bacon, egg, and cheese + french fries for breakfast. America is awesome.
— Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias) April 4, 2012— Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias) April 4, 2012