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White House plans to tackle oil prices - US politics live White House plans to tackle oil prices - US politics live
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3.02pm: New Jersey governor Chris Christie is not trying very hard to disclaim any interest in the vice presidential ticket for Mitt Romney.
Christie told ABC News that he's "not looking to become vice president". But on the other hand...
He continued, saying if "Mitt Romney calls and wants to discuss it with me, I will sit down and talk with Governor Romney about it."
Christie said the former Massachusetts governor knows it's not a job he's interested in.
"He knows that it's not my desire, my lifelong wish to be vice president of the United States, so the fact is if he comes and talks to me about it I'll certainly listen and listening means going into it with an open mind," he said.
Now that's a classic of some sort. So: I don't want the job, Mitt Romney knows I don't want the job but if he asks me I might.
2.41pm: Yes it's another one of those pretty-much-useless opinion polls out today – but this one is from Pew Research, which is serious and credible.
The Pew poll's top line is that the economy remains the biggest issue in the minds of voters. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney has gained support after the Republican primary season has ended, and now trails Obama by just 49% to 45%. Obama's lead is down from the 12-point lead he enjoyed last month.
Romney is ahead among independent voters but as many as a third remain uncommitted, with only 66% saying they are certain about who they will vote for:
More specifically, of the 48% of independents who favor Romney, some say they only lean toward him (5%) or say there is still a chance they might vote for Obama this year (6%).
Similarly, of the 42% who favour Obama, some either just lean toward him (3%) or say there is still a chance they might vote for Romney (10%). Added together with the 10% of independents who have no preference between
the two, fully a third (33%) of independents are still uncommitted or "swing" voters.

This is a significantly smaller swing vote than was the case at the end of the primary season four years ago. In June 2008, 33% of all registered voters, and fully 46% of independent voters, remained uncommitted. Today, just
23% of voters, and 33% of independent voters, are swing voters.

This is not uncommon when an incumbent is up for reelection and voters feel they have a clearer sense of the options before them.
2.13pm: The woman that Newark mayor Cory Booker saved from a burning building speaks to local TV station My9 – and says Booker saved her life:2.13pm: The woman that Newark mayor Cory Booker saved from a burning building speaks to local TV station My9 – and says Booker saved her life:
Forty-eight year old Zina Hodge is alive and well, recovering from burns and smoke inhalation at St Barnabas Hospital after being rescued from her burning home.Forty-eight year old Zina Hodge is alive and well, recovering from burns and smoke inhalation at St Barnabas Hospital after being rescued from her burning home.
"I'm telling you, if he wouldn't have came when he came, I would've died in my apartment," Zina told us through a phone interview."I'm telling you, if he wouldn't have came when he came, I would've died in my apartment," Zina told us through a phone interview.
Hodge says she was sleeping in her third floor apartment when she became "delusional after waking up and barely breathing, gasping for air".Hodge says she was sleeping in her third floor apartment when she became "delusional after waking up and barely breathing, gasping for air".
"Then you saw Mayor Booker?" we asked."Then you saw Mayor Booker?" we asked.
"I didn't even see him, I don't even remember him picking me up, but I heard him calling me," she told us."I didn't even see him, I don't even remember him picking me up, but I heard him calling me," she told us.
2.04pm: Ted Nugent did endorse Mitt Romney after a phone call with the candidate himself back in March.2.04pm: Ted Nugent did endorse Mitt Romney after a phone call with the candidate himself back in March.
So under the new "Rosen Rule," this means Mitt Romney has to apologise for Ted Nugent, right?So under the new "Rosen Rule," this means Mitt Romney has to apologise for Ted Nugent, right?
1.49pm: This headline from New York magazine's Daily Intel blog says it all: "Ted Nugent Threatened to Assassinate President Obama?"1.49pm: This headline from New York magazine's Daily Intel blog says it all: "Ted Nugent Threatened to Assassinate President Obama?"
We're not sure how else to take this remark from the nutjob guitarist and Romney-endorser: "If Barack Obama becomes the president in November, again, I will be either be dead or in jail by this time next year."We're not sure how else to take this remark from the nutjob guitarist and Romney-endorser: "If Barack Obama becomes the president in November, again, I will be either be dead or in jail by this time next year."
Update: A spokesman for the Secret Service tells us, "We are aware of it, and we'll conduct an appropriate follow up."Update: A spokesman for the Secret Service tells us, "We are aware of it, and we'll conduct an appropriate follow up."
It all goes back to Nugent's remarks at a public forum during the National Rifle Association conference last weekend. It's all mildly insane and ranty. Here's the video: the "dead or in jail" remarks are at the 1.39s point.It all goes back to Nugent's remarks at a public forum during the National Rifle Association conference last weekend. It's all mildly insane and ranty. Here's the video: the "dead or in jail" remarks are at the 1.39s point.
Obviously the answer to the question is: no, Ted Nugent did not threaten to assassinate Barack Obama.Obviously the answer to the question is: no, Ted Nugent did not threaten to assassinate Barack Obama.
1.34pm: After all those caveats about how useless state opinion polling is in a presidential election at this point in the cycle – it's time for a new poll from Florida!1.34pm: After all those caveats about how useless state opinion polling is in a presidential election at this point in the cycle – it's time for a new poll from Florida!
Ignoring the usual stuff, the main point of interest is that PPP found Mitt Romney's chances of winning the state would improve with Jeb Bush as a vice presidential candidate, rather than the hot and sexy Marco Rubio:Ignoring the usual stuff, the main point of interest is that PPP found Mitt Romney's chances of winning the state would improve with Jeb Bush as a vice presidential candidate, rather than the hot and sexy Marco Rubio:
Only Bush has a positive impact for Romney, bringing the race within three points at 49-46. Bush continues to be a popular figure in the state with 52% of voters viewing him favorably to 40% with a negative opinion.Only Bush has a positive impact for Romney, bringing the race within three points at 49-46. Bush continues to be a popular figure in the state with 52% of voters viewing him favorably to 40% with a negative opinion.
Rubio's drawn the most attention as a potential Veep pick, but with him on the ticket Romney actually drops from 45% to 43% with Obama staying at 50%. There's not much evidence Rubio would be able to draw Hispanic voters to Romney.Rubio's drawn the most attention as a potential Veep pick, but with him on the ticket Romney actually drops from 45% to 43% with Obama staying at 50%. There's not much evidence Rubio would be able to draw Hispanic voters to Romney.
So: Jeb Bush for VP then. Assuming he wants the job. Which he probably doesn't: if your dad and brother were both president, could you live with merely being a VP? This is not a dilemma many people face.So: Jeb Bush for VP then. Assuming he wants the job. Which he probably doesn't: if your dad and brother were both president, could you live with merely being a VP? This is not a dilemma many people face.
1.09pm: NPR has a slightly caustic headline – "Other Options Gone, Tea Party Members Warm Up To Romney" – on a story that finds the Tea Partiers in Philadelphia it spoke to quite happy to back Mitt Romney:1.09pm: NPR has a slightly caustic headline – "Other Options Gone, Tea Party Members Warm Up To Romney" – on a story that finds the Tea Partiers in Philadelphia it spoke to quite happy to back Mitt Romney:
There were a lot of people in the audience who are only recent converts to the Romney cause. Meg Shaffer, who sat in the front row, works in management and says just a few months ago she couldn't imagine voting for Romney; she was a Herman Cain fan. Now she says she's more than ready to vote for the man she calls the nominee.There were a lot of people in the audience who are only recent converts to the Romney cause. Meg Shaffer, who sat in the front row, works in management and says just a few months ago she couldn't imagine voting for Romney; she was a Herman Cain fan. Now she says she's more than ready to vote for the man she calls the nominee.
"He mussed his hair a little bit, and he came down to earth a little bit. My only concern I have is that I want to make sure that he relates to the middle-class individual," she said."He mussed his hair a little bit, and he came down to earth a little bit. My only concern I have is that I want to make sure that he relates to the middle-class individual," she said.
12.47pm: More on the usefulness of opinion polls at this point: the always useful Jonathan Bernstein has this to add about the pointlessness of state polls or Electoral College polls until after Labor Day:12.47pm: More on the usefulness of opinion polls at this point: the always useful Jonathan Bernstein has this to add about the pointlessness of state polls or Electoral College polls until after Labor Day:
Want to know who will win WH 2012? You can start paying attention to the various head-to-head polls, and you can follow the economic indicators, but there's just no point to worrying about the states.Want to know who will win WH 2012? You can start paying attention to the various head-to-head polls, and you can follow the economic indicators, but there's just no point to worrying about the states.
Why? Because generally swings are national, not local, in nature. Obviously that's not always exactly true, but it's true enough that if either candidate wins by, say, two or three points or more nationally, the states will fall in line. How? It doesn't really matter.Why? Because generally swings are national, not local, in nature. Obviously that's not always exactly true, but it's true enough that if either candidate wins by, say, two or three points or more nationally, the states will fall in line. How? It doesn't really matter.
12.39pm: Sage words of advice from the New York Times's Nate Silver on the usefulness and uselessness of presidential opinion polls at this point in the political cycle.12.39pm: Sage words of advice from the New York Times's Nate Silver on the usefulness and uselessness of presidential opinion polls at this point in the political cycle.
The basic tone is "calm down and take a deep breath," but this is perhaps the most relevant piece of Silveresque advice right now:The basic tone is "calm down and take a deep breath," but this is perhaps the most relevant piece of Silveresque advice right now:
In the early stages of general election campaigns, a president's approval ratings have often been at least as accurate a guide to his eventual performance as the head-to-head numbers. Thus, for at least the next couple of months, I would pay as much attention to Mr Obama's approval ratings as his head-to-head polls against Mr Romney.In the early stages of general election campaigns, a president's approval ratings have often been at least as accurate a guide to his eventual performance as the head-to-head numbers. Thus, for at least the next couple of months, I would pay as much attention to Mr Obama's approval ratings as his head-to-head polls against Mr Romney.
It is probably slightly better to look at Mr Obama's net approval rating — his approval less his disapproval — than the approval rating alone.It is probably slightly better to look at Mr Obama's net approval rating — his approval less his disapproval — than the approval rating alone.
12.15pm: Mitt Romney was wooing Tea Party members in Philadelphia last night. Although he got a warm reception, there still doesn't appear to be huge enthusiasm for the candidate himself:12.15pm: Mitt Romney was wooing Tea Party members in Philadelphia last night. Although he got a warm reception, there still doesn't appear to be huge enthusiasm for the candidate himself:
Independence Hall Tea Party Pac President Teri Adams, who organized the event and said the group invited all of the candidates to speak over the last year, said she thinks her members are warming up to Romney.Independence Hall Tea Party Pac President Teri Adams, who organized the event and said the group invited all of the candidates to speak over the last year, said she thinks her members are warming up to Romney.
"In the end, most people, most Republicans, most people on the right will back the Republican nominee," Adams said."In the end, most people, most Republicans, most people on the right will back the Republican nominee," Adams said.
Dave Wilson, a tea party member who attended the event here, has been a fan of Romney for years. He's optimistic that fellow tea party members will support Romney.Dave Wilson, a tea party member who attended the event here, has been a fan of Romney for years. He's optimistic that fellow tea party members will support Romney.
"They'll come around because the other guy is so bad," Wilson said."They'll come around because the other guy is so bad," Wilson said.
11.47am: Tomorrow's news agenda today: the "Donald Trump for president" meme of 2012 will morph into the "Alec Baldwin for NYC mayor" in 2014, judging by this quote from Baldwin to Bloomberg Television's Betty Liu this morning:11.47am: Tomorrow's news agenda today: the "Donald Trump for president" meme of 2012 will morph into the "Alec Baldwin for NYC mayor" in 2014, judging by this quote from Baldwin to Bloomberg Television's Betty Liu this morning:
I have a contract to work for NBC through some point in 2013. We don't know how long the season is going to be or how long we are going to work, but I do know that there is one more season to do next year, contractually. Right now I am just looking at finishing what is in front of me. It is something that I would love to do. The only thing that I can suggest is that two years, four years, is an eternity in an American political life. Let's see what things are like in 2014 and maybe I can find some opportunity.I have a contract to work for NBC through some point in 2013. We don't know how long the season is going to be or how long we are going to work, but I do know that there is one more season to do next year, contractually. Right now I am just looking at finishing what is in front of me. It is something that I would love to do. The only thing that I can suggest is that two years, four years, is an eternity in an American political life. Let's see what things are like in 2014 and maybe I can find some opportunity.
11.39am: Well that's it – a fairly abrupt end by President Obama. So how does this differ from the White House's previous attempt to halt market manipulation? Other than the proposal to raise the maximum fine for speculation to $10m.11.39am: Well that's it – a fairly abrupt end by President Obama. So how does this differ from the White House's previous attempt to halt market manipulation? Other than the proposal to raise the maximum fine for speculation to $10m.
Here's the White House's fact sheet on today's announcement. And here's the Financial Times's Anna Fifield and Gregory Meyer:Here's the White House's fact sheet on today's announcement. And here's the Financial Times's Anna Fifield and Gregory Meyer:
Mr Obama's announcement comes as global crude prices hover near $120 a barrel, prompting political leaders in western countries to consider an array of responses, including the possible release of strategic oil reserves. US petrol prices have eased slightly but remain near the politically sensitive $4 a gallon level on average.Mr Obama's announcement comes as global crude prices hover near $120 a barrel, prompting political leaders in western countries to consider an array of responses, including the possible release of strategic oil reserves. US petrol prices have eased slightly but remain near the politically sensitive $4 a gallon level on average.
Gregory Mocek, a former CFTC enforcement director with the law firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, said: "The announcement today seems to be a political reaction to higher gasoline prices. The CFTC was a tough cop on the beat during the Bush administration, and the energy cases that were pursued then were done without prescriptive rules and regulations.Gregory Mocek, a former CFTC enforcement director with the law firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, said: "The announcement today seems to be a political reaction to higher gasoline prices. The CFTC was a tough cop on the beat during the Bush administration, and the energy cases that were pursued then were done without prescriptive rules and regulations.
11.30am: Speculators cannot be allowed to manipulate the markets "only to flip the oil for a quick profit," says Obama, recalling how Enron manipulated electricity prices.11.30am: Speculators cannot be allowed to manipulate the markets "only to flip the oil for a quick profit," says Obama, recalling how Enron manipulated electricity prices.
Obama says he asked Eric Holder, the attorney general, to work with other departments and regulators to seek to stop market manipulation. But that is not enough, he says:Obama says he asked Eric Holder, the attorney general, to work with other departments and regulators to seek to stop market manipulation. But that is not enough, he says:
First, Congress should provide immediately funding to put more cops on the beat to monitor activity in energy markets. This funding would also upgrade technology so that our surveillance and enforcement officers aren't hamstrung by older and less sophisticated tools than the ones that traders are using.First, Congress should provide immediately funding to put more cops on the beat to monitor activity in energy markets. This funding would also upgrade technology so that our surveillance and enforcement officers aren't hamstrung by older and less sophisticated tools than the ones that traders are using.
We should strengthen protections for American consumers, not gut them.We should strengthen protections for American consumers, not gut them.
And these markets have expanded significantly. Chairman Gensler actually had a good analogy. He said imagine if the NFL quadrupled the number of teams but didn't increase the number of refs. You'd end up having havoc on the field and it would diminish the game. It wouldn't be fair.And these markets have expanded significantly. Chairman Gensler actually had a good analogy. He said imagine if the NFL quadrupled the number of teams but didn't increase the number of refs. You'd end up having havoc on the field and it would diminish the game. It wouldn't be fair.
That's part of what's going on in a lot of these markets. So we have to properly resource enforcement.That's part of what's going on in a lot of these markets. So we have to properly resource enforcement.
Second, Congress should increase the civil and criminal penalties for illegal energy market manipulation and other illegal activities. So my plan would toughen key financial penalties tenfold and impose these penalties not just per violation, but for every day a violation occurs.Second, Congress should increase the civil and criminal penalties for illegal energy market manipulation and other illegal activities. So my plan would toughen key financial penalties tenfold and impose these penalties not just per violation, but for every day a violation occurs.
Third, Congress should give the agency responsible for overseeing oil markets new authority to protect volatility and excess speculation by making sure that traders can post appropriate margins, which simply means that they actually have the money to make good on their trades.Third, Congress should give the agency responsible for overseeing oil markets new authority to protect volatility and excess speculation by making sure that traders can post appropriate margins, which simply means that they actually have the money to make good on their trades.
"None of these steps by themselves will bring gas prices down overnight," Obama says, redundantly."None of these steps by themselves will bring gas prices down overnight," Obama says, redundantly.
11.25am: President Obama is now speaking at the White House's Rose Garden on the need for increased supervision of the oil markets.11.25am: President Obama is now speaking at the White House's Rose Garden on the need for increased supervision of the oil markets.
"Obviously, rising gas prices means a rough ride for a lot of families," says Obama, noting that some people "have no choice but to drive 50 or 60 miles to get to their jobs". But there are no easy answers:"Obviously, rising gas prices means a rough ride for a lot of families," says Obama, noting that some people "have no choice but to drive 50 or 60 miles to get to their jobs". But there are no easy answers:
We've added enough oil and gas pipelines to circle the earth, and then some.... Even if we drilled every square inch of this country, right now, we'd still have to import oil from other countries.We've added enough oil and gas pipelines to circle the earth, and then some.... Even if we drilled every square inch of this country, right now, we'd still have to import oil from other countries.
11.03am: The big story of the 2012 presidential election is going to be effect of the tsunami of cash unleashed by the new Super Pacs – with the Republicans in particular having access to a vast pool of donations.11.03am: The big story of the 2012 presidential election is going to be effect of the tsunami of cash unleashed by the new Super Pacs – with the Republicans in particular having access to a vast pool of donations.
The New York Times has a first stab at where the money is coming from:The New York Times has a first stab at where the money is coming from:
A new joint fund-raising initiative between Mitt Romney and the Republican National Committee will aim to raise $800m by November, part of what Mr Romney's campaign estimates will be a total of $1bn spent to defeat President Obama and elect Mr Romney, a former Massachusetts governor.A new joint fund-raising initiative between Mitt Romney and the Republican National Committee will aim to raise $800m by November, part of what Mr Romney's campaign estimates will be a total of $1bn spent to defeat President Obama and elect Mr Romney, a former Massachusetts governor.
The goals were laid out in a memorandum circulated by Mr Romney's top fund-raisers in recent days and on a conference call with donors late last week. The memo indicates that Mr. Romney's top aides hope to collect a total of at least $500m for the campaign and for the joint fund, known as Romney Victory, through a program for high-dollar donations.The goals were laid out in a memorandum circulated by Mr Romney's top fund-raisers in recent days and on a conference call with donors late last week. The memo indicates that Mr. Romney's top aides hope to collect a total of at least $500m for the campaign and for the joint fund, known as Romney Victory, through a program for high-dollar donations.
10.40am: Since Mitt Romney is eager to show voters that he's not rich or out of touch, what better way to do that than have Donald Trump host a birthday lunch in New York for Ann Romney to raise $600,000 for Mitt's campaign?10.40am: Since Mitt Romney is eager to show voters that he's not rich or out of touch, what better way to do that than have Donald Trump host a birthday lunch in New York for Ann Romney to raise $600,000 for Mitt's campaign?
ABC News reports:ABC News reports:
Tuesday's event at Trump's primary residence, a triplex on 5th Avenue, was originally only supposed to hold 200 people. But when capacity was filled within 48 hours of invitations going out, the campaign "began to panic," says [Trump spokesman Michael] Cohen. He says they asked to extend the number of people attending, which will now be 400.Tuesday's event at Trump's primary residence, a triplex on 5th Avenue, was originally only supposed to hold 200 people. But when capacity was filled within 48 hours of invitations going out, the campaign "began to panic," says [Trump spokesman Michael] Cohen. He says they asked to extend the number of people attending, which will now be 400.
In order to accommodate the droves, there will be two shifts of attendees - the first batch of 200 spending time with Ann Romney from noon to 1.15pm, and the second crowd coming in from 1.30pm to 3pm. Buddy Valastro, star of the Bravo show Cake Boss, custom designed a cake for the party.In order to accommodate the droves, there will be two shifts of attendees - the first batch of 200 spending time with Ann Romney from noon to 1.15pm, and the second crowd coming in from 1.30pm to 3pm. Buddy Valastro, star of the Bravo show Cake Boss, custom designed a cake for the party.
10.20am: Washington DC just took a collective break to look up and see the space shuttle Discovery pass over the centre of the city, including the White House and the Washington Monument.10.20am: Washington DC just took a collective break to look up and see the space shuttle Discovery pass over the centre of the city, including the White House and the Washington Monument.
yfrog.com/ms446cj The space shuttle Discovery flies over Washington on its final voyage,..yfrog.com/ms446cj The space shuttle Discovery flies over Washington on its final voyage,..
It was a bonanza of blurry photos posted to Twitter – except for this fine piece of work by New York Times snapper Doug Mills.It was a bonanza of blurry photos posted to Twitter – except for this fine piece of work by New York Times snapper Doug Mills.
The shuttle is en route to Dulles airport, where it will wait three hours for its bags to be unloaded and then 30 minutes for an overpriced taxi.The shuttle is en route to Dulles airport, where it will wait three hours for its bags to be unloaded and then 30 minutes for an overpriced taxi.
it's a plane on top of a plane. what's the big deal?it's a plane on top of a plane. what's the big deal?
But not everyone was impressed. And with reason:But not everyone was impressed. And with reason:
The nation spent more on the space shuttle than the combined cost of soaring to the moon, creating the atom bomb, and digging the Panama Canal, according to an analysis by the Associated Press using figures from Nasa and the Smithsonian Institution and adjusting for inflation.The nation spent more on the space shuttle than the combined cost of soaring to the moon, creating the atom bomb, and digging the Panama Canal, according to an analysis by the Associated Press using figures from Nasa and the Smithsonian Institution and adjusting for inflation.
Even its most ardent supporters concede that the shuttle program never lived up to its initial promise. The selling point when it was conceived four decades ago was that with weekly launches, getting into space would be relatively inexpensive and safe. That wasn't the case.Even its most ardent supporters concede that the shuttle program never lived up to its initial promise. The selling point when it was conceived four decades ago was that with weekly launches, getting into space would be relatively inexpensive and safe. That wasn't the case.
10.09am: From the Department of Lukewarm Endorsements. One-time presidential contender Michele Bachmann appears on Fox News this morning and urges the Republican party "to get behind the eventual nominee".10.09am: From the Department of Lukewarm Endorsements. One-time presidential contender Michele Bachmann appears on Fox News this morning and urges the Republican party "to get behind the eventual nominee".
There you are Mitt Romney: eventual nominee.There you are Mitt Romney: eventual nominee.
10am: The price of energy, especially gas, remains a potent political issue in the US – and the White House is attempting to score points with voters by announcing a crackdown on oil price manipulation.10am: The price of energy, especially gas, remains a potent political issue in the US – and the White House is attempting to score points with voters by announcing a crackdown on oil price manipulation.
President Obama is to make an announcement this morning urging Congress to strengthen supervision of US oil markets, with increased penalties for market manipulation and more powers for regulators to increase the margins that energy traders are required to pay for derivatives.President Obama is to make an announcement this morning urging Congress to strengthen supervision of US oil markets, with increased penalties for market manipulation and more powers for regulators to increase the margins that energy traders are required to pay for derivatives.
Meanwhile: here's a brief round-up of the latest news:Meanwhile: here's a brief round-up of the latest news:
• A new attempt to move the Buffett Rule – requiring millionaires to pay more tax – through Congress ended in the Senate last night when Democrats were unable to get the 60 votes necessary to break a filibuster and proceed to a full consideration of the measure. Only Republican Senator Susan Collins crossed the floor and voted for the measure, while Democratic Senator Mark Pryor of Arkansas voted to block it.• A new attempt to move the Buffett Rule – requiring millionaires to pay more tax – through Congress ended in the Senate last night when Democrats were unable to get the 60 votes necessary to break a filibuster and proceed to a full consideration of the measure. Only Republican Senator Susan Collins crossed the floor and voted for the measure, while Democratic Senator Mark Pryor of Arkansas voted to block it.
• The spending scandal at the General Services Administration was probed on Capitol Hill, as House Republicans roasted the Obama administration for a 2010 Las Vegas convention for GSA staff that cost more than $800,000.• The spending scandal at the General Services Administration was probed on Capitol Hill, as House Republicans roasted the Obama administration for a 2010 Las Vegas convention for GSA staff that cost more than $800,000.
• Despite dropping his presidential bid, Rick Santorum tells supporters that he has still not spoken to Mitt Romney – suggesting an endorsement isn't coming soon. On his failed bid, Santorum said: "We all know just because God calls you to do something doesn't mean he calls you to be successful in doing it."• Despite dropping his presidential bid, Rick Santorum tells supporters that he has still not spoken to Mitt Romney – suggesting an endorsement isn't coming soon. On his failed bid, Santorum said: "We all know just because God calls you to do something doesn't mean he calls you to be successful in doing it."
• Retiring congressman Barney Frank said the Obama administration underestimated the size of the recession in passing healthcare reform in 2009. He told New York magazine: "I think we paid a terrible price for health care. I would not have pushed it as hard."• Retiring congressman Barney Frank said the Obama administration underestimated the size of the recession in passing healthcare reform in 2009. He told New York magazine: "I think we paid a terrible price for health care. I would not have pushed it as hard."