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| Obama campaign roasts Trump's 'birther' statements - US politics live | Obama campaign roasts Trump's 'birther' statements - US politics live |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| 1pm: The other fantastic idea that Donald Trump's brain-hole came out with this morning is that he still wants to set up his own super pac, "We're thinking about putting up five or ten million dollars". As if Donald Trump has $10m. | |
| There's video of Trump's interview here. The only thing more delightful than Trump in this interview is the clown-presenters on CNBC's early morning show. Note how deftly Trump links inner city poverty to the state of Newark airport. And then... | |
| There's a whole lot of things. His mother was never in the hospital, they don't even know what hospital it was, his grandmother said he was born in Kenya.... I'm not fanning flame. | |
| 12.32pm: Donald Trump: the gift that keeps on giving. And what is his gift, exactly? Stupidity, it would seem, based on Trump's comments on business news channel CNBC this morning. | |
| After claiming "I walk down the street and people are screaming, 'Please don't give that up'," and repeating the most recent idiocy about Obama really being born in Indonesia, Trump went on: | |
| I've been known as being a very smart guy for a long time. I don't consider myself birther or not birther, but there are some major questions here that the press doesn't want to cover. Now, if that were somebody else they'd be covering it and they'd be throwing people out of office, but they don't want to cover it. | |
| As George Will said the other day: "Donald Trump is redundant evidence that if your net worth is high enough, your IQ can be very low and you can still intrude into American politics." Then again, in 2009 George Will said the same thing about people who wear denim. | |
| 12.21pm: Thanks to the Chicago Tribune, we learn that Mark Kirk, who won Barack Obama's former US Senate seat in Illinois, asked his ex-wife not to post about him on blogs and hired her to work for his campaign for $40,000: | 12.21pm: Thanks to the Chicago Tribune, we learn that Mark Kirk, who won Barack Obama's former US Senate seat in Illinois, asked his ex-wife not to post about him on blogs and hired her to work for his campaign for $40,000: |
| hey, can I ask you to not post on the blogs? You have unique authority and power with our message, wasting it on the blogosphere is beneath you and me — there will be moments for you to comment but I would not add your name to a post — sort of like Jackie O cmmenting [sic] on a blog ... | hey, can I ask you to not post on the blogs? You have unique authority and power with our message, wasting it on the blogosphere is beneath you and me — there will be moments for you to comment but I would not add your name to a post — sort of like Jackie O cmmenting [sic] on a blog ... |
| Now Kimberly Vertolli, the non-blogging ex-wife, is complaining to the Federal Elections Committee that Kirk broke campaign financing rules by paying his then girlfriend more than $140,000 for her work on the campaign. | Now Kimberly Vertolli, the non-blogging ex-wife, is complaining to the Federal Elections Committee that Kirk broke campaign financing rules by paying his then girlfriend more than $140,000 for her work on the campaign. |
| Meanwhile, Kirk himself is recovering from a stroke. But he denies everything, and says all the payments were above board. Well thank goodness for that. | Meanwhile, Kirk himself is recovering from a stroke. But he denies everything, and says all the payments were above board. Well thank goodness for that. |
| 12.05pm: Awesome: a nuclear attack submarine in the US Navy crewed entirely by women? Yes, according to this headline: "Michelle Obama sponsors Navy's first submarine with all-female crew". | 12.05pm: Awesome: a nuclear attack submarine in the US Navy crewed entirely by women? Yes, according to this headline: "Michelle Obama sponsors Navy's first submarine with all-female crew". |
| But no, according to this correction on the same article: "An earlier version of this story mis-stated the crew of the USS Illinois would be all female." | But no, according to this correction on the same article: "An earlier version of this story mis-stated the crew of the USS Illinois would be all female." |
| 11.50am: California remains a Democratic stronghold, despite it also being the home of GOP luminaries such as Ronald Reagan and, er, Richard Nixon. | 11.50am: California remains a Democratic stronghold, despite it also being the home of GOP luminaries such as Ronald Reagan and, er, Richard Nixon. |
| But Mitt Romney could have had a shot at winning in California – 2002 Mitt Romney vintage, that is, not 2012 Mitt Romney: | But Mitt Romney could have had a shot at winning in California – 2002 Mitt Romney vintage, that is, not 2012 Mitt Romney: |
| Depending on the opponent, a hypothetical Republican could sell in California, which is not as harshly blue as its reputation suggests. But it would have to be a Republican with a measured fiscal approach, moderation on social issues like abortion and credibility on the environment and immigration. That Republican has all but ceased to exist in California and elsewhere. | Depending on the opponent, a hypothetical Republican could sell in California, which is not as harshly blue as its reputation suggests. But it would have to be a Republican with a measured fiscal approach, moderation on social issues like abortion and credibility on the environment and immigration. That Republican has all but ceased to exist in California and elsewhere. |
| The irony is that Mitt Romney, in his earlier iteration as a more moderate candidate for Senate and governor in Massachusetts, more closely fit the bill, backing abortion rights and gay rights and playing up his independence from party orthodoxy. | The irony is that Mitt Romney, in his earlier iteration as a more moderate candidate for Senate and governor in Massachusetts, more closely fit the bill, backing abortion rights and gay rights and playing up his independence from party orthodoxy. |
| 11.31am: The Republican senate primary in Texas between David Dewhurst and Ted Cruz – with former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert an outsider – sees an interesting split within the state's GOP: | 11.31am: The Republican senate primary in Texas between David Dewhurst and Ted Cruz – with former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert an outsider – sees an interesting split within the state's GOP: |
| The conservative-activist establishment in Washington DC, eyeing an opportunity to bolster the ranks of tea-party-friendly Senators, has invested heavily in this primary in both cash and reputation and has much riding on the outcome. Republicans in Texas have long considered Dewhurst a stalwart conservative. He has the strong support of several Texas-based conservative groups, not to mention [Texas governor Rick] Perry. | The conservative-activist establishment in Washington DC, eyeing an opportunity to bolster the ranks of tea-party-friendly Senators, has invested heavily in this primary in both cash and reputation and has much riding on the outcome. Republicans in Texas have long considered Dewhurst a stalwart conservative. He has the strong support of several Texas-based conservative groups, not to mention [Texas governor Rick] Perry. |
| But tea party activists who see Cruz as in the mold of Senator Marco Rubio – both are ethnic Cubans – have targeted the lieutenant governor [Dewhurst] for being too cozy with the GOP establishment. The former solicitor general's backers include the Club for Growth, FreedomWorks, [Sarah] Palin and senators Jim DeMint and Rand Paul. Though Cruz has struggled at times, his supporters are optimistic about his chances in a runoff. | But tea party activists who see Cruz as in the mold of Senator Marco Rubio – both are ethnic Cubans – have targeted the lieutenant governor [Dewhurst] for being too cozy with the GOP establishment. The former solicitor general's backers include the Club for Growth, FreedomWorks, [Sarah] Palin and senators Jim DeMint and Rand Paul. Though Cruz has struggled at times, his supporters are optimistic about his chances in a runoff. |
| The big question, as Roll Call notes, is whether Dewhurst can be kept below 50% and so avoid a run-off with the second-place finisher, most likely Cruz. | The big question, as Roll Call notes, is whether Dewhurst can be kept below 50% and so avoid a run-off with the second-place finisher, most likely Cruz. |
| How nasty has the Dewhurst v Cruz campaign been? Here's a taste from a Cruz attack ad – kicking off with the phrase "Moderate David Dewhurst...." In Texas you say "moderate" like other places say "serial killer". | How nasty has the Dewhurst v Cruz campaign been? Here's a taste from a Cruz attack ad – kicking off with the phrase "Moderate David Dewhurst...." In Texas you say "moderate" like other places say "serial killer". |
| 11.15am: Bloomberg News explores the double-edged sword for Mitt Romney's campaign that is posed by the support of famous genealogist Donald Trump: | 11.15am: Bloomberg News explores the double-edged sword for Mitt Romney's campaign that is posed by the support of famous genealogist Donald Trump: |
| The appearance with Trump brings with it some political risk for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee and former Massachusetts governor. | The appearance with Trump brings with it some political risk for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee and former Massachusetts governor. |
| Aside from the funds raised for his campaign, "there's no real advantage for Romney to appear with Trump," said Tobe Berkovitz, a communications professor and longtime Romney watcher at Boston University. "Anything Trump does is to benefit Trump. At this point, it's not like Romney needs publicity. | Aside from the funds raised for his campaign, "there's no real advantage for Romney to appear with Trump," said Tobe Berkovitz, a communications professor and longtime Romney watcher at Boston University. "Anything Trump does is to benefit Trump. At this point, it's not like Romney needs publicity. |
| Publicity, no. But as a fundraising vehicle? That's more like it. | Publicity, no. But as a fundraising vehicle? That's more like it. |
| 11am: The tales of Mitt Romney's interaction with normal people are legion but the New York Times's Caucus blog captures it all here. | 11am: The tales of Mitt Romney's interaction with normal people are legion but the New York Times's Caucus blog captures it all here. |
| Post Memorial Day, Romney goes and chats with reporters on his campaign plane. After a question about the support of noted anthropologist Donald Trump – which is where Romney's quote "I don't agree with all the people who support me" comes from – the candidate attempts to make small talk. Very small talk. | Post Memorial Day, Romney goes and chats with reporters on his campaign plane. After a question about the support of noted anthropologist Donald Trump – which is where Romney's quote "I don't agree with all the people who support me" comes from – the candidate attempts to make small talk. Very small talk. |
| With that, Mr Romney turns around, clutching a seat to brace himself. Talk time is evidently over. | With that, Mr Romney turns around, clutching a seat to brace himself. Talk time is evidently over. |
| "OK" he says. "Off we go!" | "OK" he says. "Off we go!" |
| Then he pauses to inspect the airplane seat. | Then he pauses to inspect the airplane seat. |
| "This is an upgrade, you know. You notice this? This is leather. It's not Naugahyde, huh?" | "This is an upgrade, you know. You notice this? This is leather. It's not Naugahyde, huh?" |
| A reporter suggests it might be pleather. "Pleather?" Mr Romney asks. | A reporter suggests it might be pleather. "Pleather?" Mr Romney asks. |
| But he quickly returns to his original assessment of Naugahyde, which he punctuates with a joke. | But he quickly returns to his original assessment of Naugahyde, which he punctuates with a joke. |
| "Kill a lot of naugas for this," Mr Romney deadpans. | "Kill a lot of naugas for this," Mr Romney deadpans. |
| The reporters chuckle. | The reporters chuckle. |
| Pass me a stapler, etc. Political gain is stand-up comedy's loss, America. | Pass me a stapler, etc. Political gain is stand-up comedy's loss, America. |
| 10.35am: In case you were wondering, ABC News's Republican presidential delegate count shows Mitt Romney just 58 delegates away from wrapping up the nomination – meaning he needs to win just 37% of the 155 delegates awarded in today's Texas primary. | 10.35am: In case you were wondering, ABC News's Republican presidential delegate count shows Mitt Romney just 58 delegates away from wrapping up the nomination – meaning he needs to win just 37% of the 155 delegates awarded in today's Texas primary. |
| 10.20am: American Crossroads – Karl Rove's super pac – is making its own attempt to hit back at the tussle between Romney and Obama's campaigns over job creation and the role of private equity, with this slick effort: | 10.20am: American Crossroads – Karl Rove's super pac – is making its own attempt to hit back at the tussle between Romney and Obama's campaigns over job creation and the role of private equity, with this slick effort: |
| And we'll be seeing a lot more ads just like this in the coming months, as the super pacs spend all that money they've been raising. | And we'll be seeing a lot more ads just like this in the coming months, as the super pacs spend all that money they've been raising. |
| 10am: So we know that Mitt Romney has the Republican nomination sewn up as soon as Texas votes this evening – but the real race is in the US Senate primary, where a slew of Republicans are vying to replace Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is stepping down after nearly 20 years in the post. | 10am: So we know that Mitt Romney has the Republican nomination sewn up as soon as Texas votes this evening – but the real race is in the US Senate primary, where a slew of Republicans are vying to replace Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is stepping down after nearly 20 years in the post. |
| All the attention is on the battle between the state's current lieutenant governor David Dewhurst and former Texas solicitor general Ted Cruz. While Dewhurst is backed by the big money Texas party establishment and his own considerable wealth, Cruz is a Tea Party conservative favourite and underdog – making this a fascinating test. | All the attention is on the battle between the state's current lieutenant governor David Dewhurst and former Texas solicitor general Ted Cruz. While Dewhurst is backed by the big money Texas party establishment and his own considerable wealth, Cruz is a Tea Party conservative favourite and underdog – making this a fascinating test. |
| Dewhurst hopes to pass the 50% threshold in today's election and so skip the need for a further run-off in July. But recent polls have shown Cruz to be catching up, and he is hoping to hold Dewhurst to below 50% and make a fight of it. | Dewhurst hopes to pass the 50% threshold in today's election and so skip the need for a further run-off in July. But recent polls have shown Cruz to be catching up, and he is hoping to hold Dewhurst to below 50% and make a fight of it. |
| The Democrats are also hold a primary for their candidates but at least in this electoral cycle aren't given much of a chance, no matter who the Republicans choose. | The Democrats are also hold a primary for their candidates but at least in this electoral cycle aren't given much of a chance, no matter who the Republicans choose. |
| 9.30am: It's primary day voting in Texas – with a closely watched Senate race being the major attraction, along with the moment that Mitt Romney assumes the mantle of Republican presidential nominee in the certain event of his winning the Lone Star state this evening. | 9.30am: It's primary day voting in Texas – with a closely watched Senate race being the major attraction, along with the moment that Mitt Romney assumes the mantle of Republican presidential nominee in the certain event of his winning the Lone Star state this evening. |
| Here's a summary of the latest news from Ryan Devereaux: | Here's a summary of the latest news from Ryan Devereaux: |
| • Mitt Romney is poised to become the Republican party's official presidential nominee following today's Texas GOP primary. The former governor is just 58 delegates shy of the 1,144 needed to become the nominee. Texas has 152 delegates up for grabs, and the election is expected to result in an uncontested victory for Romney. His official nomination was all but secured when his top contender, Rick Santorum, dropped out of the race in April. | • Mitt Romney is poised to become the Republican party's official presidential nominee following today's Texas GOP primary. The former governor is just 58 delegates shy of the 1,144 needed to become the nominee. Texas has 152 delegates up for grabs, and the election is expected to result in an uncontested victory for Romney. His official nomination was all but secured when his top contender, Rick Santorum, dropped out of the race in April. |
| • Mitt Romney won't be granted much time to celebrate, as he heads north of Texas to court voters in Colorado and Nevada. The two-day tour will culminate in an appearance with real estate mogul, Donald Trump, at Trump's International Hotel in Las Vegas. The appearance comes at a time when Trump is facing renewed criticism for his false insistence that Barack Obama was born in Kenya. Romney has refused to denounce Trump's claim. When asked about the matter on Monday, Romney said, "I don't agree with all the people who support me. And my guess is they don't all agree with everything I believe in. But I need to get 50.1% or more. And I'm appreciative to have the help of a lot of good people." | • Mitt Romney won't be granted much time to celebrate, as he heads north of Texas to court voters in Colorado and Nevada. The two-day tour will culminate in an appearance with real estate mogul, Donald Trump, at Trump's International Hotel in Las Vegas. The appearance comes at a time when Trump is facing renewed criticism for his false insistence that Barack Obama was born in Kenya. Romney has refused to denounce Trump's claim. When asked about the matter on Monday, Romney said, "I don't agree with all the people who support me. And my guess is they don't all agree with everything I believe in. But I need to get 50.1% or more. And I'm appreciative to have the help of a lot of good people." |
| • Romney's closeness to Trump has raised the eyebrows of more than a few conservative commentators including George Will who, over the weekend, said: "I do not understand the cost benefit here. The cost of appearing with this bloviating ignoramus is obvious, it seems to me." | • Romney's closeness to Trump has raised the eyebrows of more than a few conservative commentators including George Will who, over the weekend, said: "I do not understand the cost benefit here. The cost of appearing with this bloviating ignoramus is obvious, it seems to me." |
| • The Obama campaign team has seized on Romney's refusal to challenge Trump. This morning the Obama team released a new ad accusing Romney of failing to stand up to "the voices of extremism" in his party. The ad opens with a clip of John McCain brushing aside a woman who raised the citizenship issue at a town hall-style meeting, and asks, "Why won't Mitt Romney do the same?" | • The Obama campaign team has seized on Romney's refusal to challenge Trump. This morning the Obama team released a new ad accusing Romney of failing to stand up to "the voices of extremism" in his party. The ad opens with a clip of John McCain brushing aside a woman who raised the citizenship issue at a town hall-style meeting, and asks, "Why won't Mitt Romney do the same?" |
| • President Obama spent Memorial Day at the Vietnam War Memorial and at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday. The president said the nation would remain committed to providing for the families of fallen soldiers by providing jobs for returning service members, as well as higher education or health care benefits for veterans. Romney, meanwhile, appeared at memorial service in San Diego, where he argued that the US military should continue to be the most powerful in the world. A Gallup poll released Monday revealed 58% of veterans support Romney and 34% back Obama. | • President Obama spent Memorial Day at the Vietnam War Memorial and at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday. The president said the nation would remain committed to providing for the families of fallen soldiers by providing jobs for returning service members, as well as higher education or health care benefits for veterans. Romney, meanwhile, appeared at memorial service in San Diego, where he argued that the US military should continue to be the most powerful in the world. A Gallup poll released Monday revealed 58% of veterans support Romney and 34% back Obama. |
| • Much of the president's Memorial Day address focused on the US pulling out of Iraq and winding down the war in Afghanistan. A new report from the New York Times, however, takes a close look at the Obama administration's war-making apparatus and suggests the United States is still doing a considerable amount of killing abroad. The lengthy article explores how a secretive kill list constructed by the president's national security team is used to target alleged militants for drone strikes in number of countries, including Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia, where the US is not officially at war. The story indicates the president himself has inserted himself in the decision-making process in a significant way and has overseen the killing of at least one US citizen. | • Much of the president's Memorial Day address focused on the US pulling out of Iraq and winding down the war in Afghanistan. A new report from the New York Times, however, takes a close look at the Obama administration's war-making apparatus and suggests the United States is still doing a considerable amount of killing abroad. The lengthy article explores how a secretive kill list constructed by the president's national security team is used to target alleged militants for drone strikes in number of countries, including Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia, where the US is not officially at war. The story indicates the president himself has inserted himself in the decision-making process in a significant way and has overseen the killing of at least one US citizen. |