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North Carolina votes on same-sex marriage – US politics live North Carolina votes on same-sex marriage – US politics live
(40 minutes later)
11.51am: So Rick Santorum finally got around to making his public endorsement of Mitt Romney as the Republican presidential candidate.
Santorum opted for the highest possible profile by emailing his entirely ungrudging backing to his supporters in the dead of night and not mentioning Romney until the 13th paragraph of a 16 paragraph statement.
Roll Call's David Drucker samples Santorum's ringing call to arms:
But like one of Santorum's trademark long, meandering campaign stump speeches, the Senator's email took awhile before finally getting to the punchline, expending 879 words before finally writing: "Above all else, we both agree that President Obama must be defeated. The task will not be easy. It will require all hands on deck if our nominee is to be victorious. Governor Romney will be that nominee and he has my endorsement and support to win this the most critical election of our lifetime."
Yes, that will do it.
11.38am: Important socio-economic demography factor for election day turnout on 6 November:
If Obama is relying on young male voters to win this election, he's screwed: Halo 4 releases on Election Day.
Indeed it is. Mitt Romney's best chance is to name Master Chief as his vice-presidential running mate. He's a combat veteran and cybernetically-enhanced supersoldier, which helps, and generally stays silent, an excellent attribute for a VP.
11.25am: When it comes to sensible analysis of the 2012 presidential contest, Sean Trende is your friend. Here he pokes holes in the idea that Mitt Romney only has a narrow route to victory thanks to the Democrats' "blue wall" of safe states – which aren't really so safe:
Recent polls have shown the race closing to a one-point Obama lead. Now Ohio joins the Republican coalition, and Romney is up to 253 electoral votes. North Carolina and Indiana are no longer close. And, critically, a number of states in the "big blue wall" are placed on the playing field as the margins in Pennsylvania and Minnesota, along with New Hampshire and Iowa, join the "less than five points" category. In other words, Romney now has multiple paths to victory (as does Obama).
11am: As North Carolina votes today on its constitutional amendment barring gay marriage or civil unions, what better time to be reminded of the state's former US senator, who has proved to be such a fine advertisement for traditional marriage.
It's former Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards, seen here leaving the federal courthouse in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he is accused of conspiring to secretly obtain more than $900,000 from two wealthy supporters to hide his extramarital affair. He has pleaded not guilty to multiple violations of campaign-finance laws.
10.44am: For the background and significance of today's Indiana Republican senate primary, ABC News's the Note has a good backgrounder.10.44am: For the background and significance of today's Indiana Republican senate primary, ABC News's the Note has a good backgrounder.
It points out that while the contest has been protrayed as "Tea Party versus moderate Republican," in fact the challenger Richard Mourdock is no Christine O'Donnell-style lightweight, according to former Democratic senator Evan Bayh:It points out that while the contest has been protrayed as "Tea Party versus moderate Republican," in fact the challenger Richard Mourdock is no Christine O'Donnell-style lightweight, according to former Democratic senator Evan Bayh:
For lack of a better comparison, he's not Christine O'Donnell, who just appeared out of nowhere. He's a two-time-elected statewide candidate, which means he's just more substantive.For lack of a better comparison, he's not Christine O'Donnell, who just appeared out of nowhere. He's a two-time-elected statewide candidate, which means he's just more substantive.
The Indiana contest has seen heavy spending: the incumbent Richard Lugar has spent $6.7m to Mourdock's $2m defending himself, with Mourdock's Pac and super Pac supporters spending $2.9m compared with Lugar's $1.7m.The Indiana contest has seen heavy spending: the incumbent Richard Lugar has spent $6.7m to Mourdock's $2m defending himself, with Mourdock's Pac and super Pac supporters spending $2.9m compared with Lugar's $1.7m.
10.31am: Presidential debates in Mexico are much the same as anywhere else: a row of people in dark suits behind podiums, former Playboy models...10.31am: Presidential debates in Mexico are much the same as anywhere else: a row of people in dark suits behind podiums, former Playboy models...
To mark the debate's start, a stunning, undeniably well-endowed model took the floor, smiling silently and carrying a box with four pieces of paper in it that candidates drew to see who went first.To mark the debate's start, a stunning, undeniably well-endowed model took the floor, smiling silently and carrying a box with four pieces of paper in it that candidates drew to see who went first.
The candidates managed a straight face, but at first sight of her, dozens of journalists inside the debate press room at Mexico City's World Trade Center gasped and jeered.The candidates managed a straight face, but at first sight of her, dozens of journalists inside the debate press room at Mexico City's World Trade Center gasped and jeered.
And now the Federal Electoral Institute, which organises the debates, has issued a statement apologising to the citizens of Mexico and the candidates for the "production error associated with the dress of an assistant."And now the Federal Electoral Institute, which organises the debates, has issued a statement apologising to the citizens of Mexico and the candidates for the "production error associated with the dress of an assistant."
10.21am: The Guardian's Karen McVeigh is in North Carolina for today's vote on the constitutional amendment known as "Amendment 1," and explains:10.21am: The Guardian's Karen McVeigh is in North Carolina for today's vote on the constitutional amendment known as "Amendment 1," and explains:
If passed, Amendment 1 would alter the state constitution to declare "marriage between one man and one woman" as "the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized."If passed, Amendment 1 would alter the state constitution to declare "marriage between one man and one woman" as "the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized."
In other words, it would not only prevent same-sex marriage but ban any state recognition of civil unions and domestic partnerships.In other words, it would not only prevent same-sex marriage but ban any state recognition of civil unions and domestic partnerships.
Campaigners against Amendment 1 have concentrated their arguments on the wider implications of the law, and its effect on those for whom it was never intended to affect, like the children of those in domestic partnerships or to lessen the protection given to victims of domestic violence who are unmarried.Campaigners against Amendment 1 have concentrated their arguments on the wider implications of the law, and its effect on those for whom it was never intended to affect, like the children of those in domestic partnerships or to lessen the protection given to victims of domestic violence who are unmarried.
The debate in North Carolina isn't just theoretical: a number of counties and towns within the state already offer partnership benefits to both gay and straight couples. But those benefits would disappear if the bill passes.The debate in North Carolina isn't just theoretical: a number of counties and towns within the state already offer partnership benefits to both gay and straight couples. But those benefits would disappear if the bill passes.
10am: The focus of politics today will be on North Carolina's vote on an amendment to the state constitution banning same-sex marriage, while conservatives and Tea Party supporters will be hoping for another scalp in Indiana, where veteran senator Richard Lugar is likely to be ousted in the GOP primary there.10am: The focus of politics today will be on North Carolina's vote on an amendment to the state constitution banning same-sex marriage, while conservatives and Tea Party supporters will be hoping for another scalp in Indiana, where veteran senator Richard Lugar is likely to be ousted in the GOP primary there.
Here's a summary of developments from Ryan Devereaux.Here's a summary of developments from Ryan Devereaux.
• Voters in North Carolina are considering a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage and civil unions. If passed, the measure would deal a blow to those advocating for nationwide expansion of gay marriage rights. Over the weekend, vice-president Joe Biden said he was "absolutely comfortable" with the idea of gay people being able to marry each other, drawing a public distinction between his views and those of Barack Obama, who claims his stance on gay marriage is "evolving". According to a Gallup poll, 50% of Americans believe same-sex marriages should be recognized by law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages.• Voters in North Carolina are considering a constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage and civil unions. If passed, the measure would deal a blow to those advocating for nationwide expansion of gay marriage rights. Over the weekend, vice-president Joe Biden said he was "absolutely comfortable" with the idea of gay people being able to marry each other, drawing a public distinction between his views and those of Barack Obama, who claims his stance on gay marriage is "evolving". According to a Gallup poll, 50% of Americans believe same-sex marriages should be recognized by law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages.
• One of the Republican party's longest-serving senators, Richard Lugar of Indiana, is facing defeat today in the face of a strong primary challenge from conservatives. The most recent poll in Indiana shows his opponent, Richard Mourdock, with a 10-point lead. Meanwhile, Democrats in Wisconsin are choosing a candidate to take on Governor Scott Walker in a recall election in July.• One of the Republican party's longest-serving senators, Richard Lugar of Indiana, is facing defeat today in the face of a strong primary challenge from conservatives. The most recent poll in Indiana shows his opponent, Richard Mourdock, with a 10-point lead. Meanwhile, Democrats in Wisconsin are choosing a candidate to take on Governor Scott Walker in a recall election in July.
• Former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum has endorsed Mitt Romney, a man he once described as "the worst Republican in the country". The former Pennsylvania senator made his endorsement in a late-night email sent Monday evening. In asking his supporters to back Romney, Santorum acknowledged divides between himself and Romney: "The primary campaign certainly made it clear that Governor Romney and I have some differences. But there are many significant areas in which we agree."• Former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum has endorsed Mitt Romney, a man he once described as "the worst Republican in the country". The former Pennsylvania senator made his endorsement in a late-night email sent Monday evening. In asking his supporters to back Romney, Santorum acknowledged divides between himself and Romney: "The primary campaign certainly made it clear that Governor Romney and I have some differences. But there are many significant areas in which we agree."
• George Soros, the billionaire financier, has pledged to donate $2m to political groups supporting progressive causes and Obama's re-election. The advocacy group America Votes will receive $1m, while the other $1m will be directed to American Bridge 21st Century, a pro-Obama Super Pac.• George Soros, the billionaire financier, has pledged to donate $2m to political groups supporting progressive causes and Obama's re-election. The advocacy group America Votes will receive $1m, while the other $1m will be directed to American Bridge 21st Century, a pro-Obama Super Pac.
• Mitt Romney believes he deserves "a lot of credit" for the success of the nation's auto industry. Speaking in Ohio on Monday, the former Massachusetts governor said the president followed his lead by pushing car makers through a managed bankruptcy not long after he took office. He did not mention that the auto industry was supported by a massive bailout that Romney opposed. Barack Obama on Tuesday will lay out an economic "to-do" list for congress in a stop at Albany, New York.• Mitt Romney believes he deserves "a lot of credit" for the success of the nation's auto industry. Speaking in Ohio on Monday, the former Massachusetts governor said the president followed his lead by pushing car makers through a managed bankruptcy not long after he took office. He did not mention that the auto industry was supported by a massive bailout that Romney opposed. Barack Obama on Tuesday will lay out an economic "to-do" list for congress in a stop at Albany, New York.