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Mitt Romney prevaricates on immigration stance - US politics live Mitt Romney prevaricates on immigration stance - US politics live
(about 2 hours later)
2.36pm: The Obama administration's embrace of much of the Dream Act may account for much new-found enthusiasm – but Mitt Romney's campaign was always going to struggle winning Latino votes after Romney's stance on immigration in the Republican primaries.
The SEIU has a string of regional Spanish-language ads reminding voters of what Romney was saying not so long ago.
2.02pm: At some point over the weekend, the indefatigable Mark Knoller noted an Obama presidential milestone:
As he plays his 100th round of golf as president, its clear Pres Obama loves the game and is also frustrated by it.
But that's nothing, according to Good Morning America, which has the facts on America's golfingist president:
That title falls to Woodrow Wilson, who reportedly played about 1,200 rounds during his presidency. Dwight Eisenhower is the runner-up at 800, according to his memorial commission.
Eisenhower's fun-loving hijinks would not have pleased Mitt Romney:
In April, Mitt Romney, who does not play the game, told a conservative radio host it displayed a poor work ethic.
"I scratch my head at the capacity of the president to take four hours off on such a regular basis to go golfing," he said. "I would think you could kind of suck it up for four years, particularly when the American people are out of work."
1.34pm: Remember that cigarette tax proposition on California's primary day election ballot? It appeared to be as healthy as a 40-a-day smoker's lungs when we last looked. But then the postal votes started coming in and now you can separate the two sides by ... well, a cigarette paper:
The gap in the vote on the tobacco tax, Proposition 29, began to narrow. And narrow. By Friday night, the margin of defeat had shrunk to 16,778 votes – or four-tenths of 1%.
"I think we're still definitely in it," said Jim Knox of the California Division of the American Cancer Society, one of the major supporters of the Yes on 29 campaign. "Either way, it appears this is going to be the closest ballot measure outcome in modern history – if not ever."
Knox remains cautious for good reason. The measure was trailing by 29,000 a week ago, by 42,000 on Thursday and then dropped to its smallest gap yet on Friday.
1pm: Unsurprisingly, the White House's decision to offer an immigration lifeline to the children of undocumented aliens has been greeted enthusiastically, according to a new poll of Latino voters:
A survey in five swing states by Latino Decisions and America's Voice found Latino voters very enthusiastic about the policy – a contrast to previous attitudes about the president.
"Prior to June 14, 2012, many immigration reform advocates had stated that the record high levels of deportations of immigrants under the Obama administration was causing some Latinos to grow weary about the Obama re-election campaign," according to a poll analysis.
A poll earlier this year found 53% of Latino voters less enthusiastic about the president in 2012 than three years ago, while 30% were more excited.
But what of Mitt Romney? When the same voters were asked about his policies on immigration, the results were bleak:
Respondents were asked whether Romney's statements calling on undocumented immigrants to self-deport back to their "home" countries, and to make immigration laws in Arizona a model for the nation, made them more or less enthusiastic about Romney. Among Latino registered voters in five key battleground states, 10% said the Romney statements made them more enthusiastic, while 59% said the statements made them less enthusiastic about Romney, a net enthusiasm deficit of -49 points.
Funny, Romney hasn't mentioned "self-deportation for a while.
12.21pm: On the eve of its potential destruction, a majority of American voters will be happy if the supreme court does indeed nuke the Affordable Care Act:12.21pm: On the eve of its potential destruction, a majority of American voters will be happy if the supreme court does indeed nuke the Affordable Care Act:
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely US Voters would like to see the Supreme Court overturn the health care law. Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree and want to see the high court uphold the law's legality instead.The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely US Voters would like to see the Supreme Court overturn the health care law. Thirty-eight percent (38%) disagree and want to see the high court uphold the law's legality instead.
12.05pm: In the annals of the GOP's wasted opportunities in the 2010 midterm elections, the Tea Party trio of Sharron Angle, Christine O'Donnell and Linda McMahon all more or less bungled winnable US senate seats.12.05pm: In the annals of the GOP's wasted opportunities in the 2010 midterm elections, the Tea Party trio of Sharron Angle, Christine O'Donnell and Linda McMahon all more or less bungled winnable US senate seats.
But while Angle and O'Donnell have all faded back into deserved obscurity, McMahon is the clear front runner in Connecticut's Republican primary for another senate seat, this time the one left by Joe Lieberman's departure.But while Angle and O'Donnell have all faded back into deserved obscurity, McMahon is the clear front runner in Connecticut's Republican primary for another senate seat, this time the one left by Joe Lieberman's departure.
McMahon is hugely wealthy, thanks to her family ownership of World Wrestling Entertainment, and she's been using that wealth to destroy her more moderate Republican opponent Chris Shays:McMahon is hugely wealthy, thanks to her family ownership of World Wrestling Entertainment, and she's been using that wealth to destroy her more moderate Republican opponent Chris Shays:
Already in a 29-point hole against McMahon, according to the most recent Quinnipiac poll, Shays raised eyebrows Thursday at the University of Connecticut in Storrs with a post-debate revelation that he doesn't have the money to air television ads before the Aug. 14 primary.Already in a 29-point hole against McMahon, according to the most recent Quinnipiac poll, Shays raised eyebrows Thursday at the University of Connecticut in Storrs with a post-debate revelation that he doesn't have the money to air television ads before the Aug. 14 primary.
"We have not placed any ad buys as of right now," Amanda Bergen, a spokeswoman for Shays, confirmed to Greenwich Time."We have not placed any ad buys as of right now," Amanda Bergen, a spokeswoman for Shays, confirmed to Greenwich Time.
Without a competitive primary, McMahon's poll ratings are making her a stronger opponent come November.Without a competitive primary, McMahon's poll ratings are making her a stronger opponent come November.
11.41am: Mitt Romney wants to avoid the fate of John McCain by applying much scrutiny and multiple dress rehearsals to his vice presidential candidates.11.41am: Mitt Romney wants to avoid the fate of John McCain by applying much scrutiny and multiple dress rehearsals to his vice presidential candidates.
But it seems as if Chris Christie isn't making the grade:But it seems as if Chris Christie isn't making the grade:
Mr Romney has formed some early impressions, according to several Republicans who spoke on the condition of anonymity: Mr Christie is often late, as he was during a $5m fund-raising dinner in New York City last month. After a few uncomfortable moments, Mr Romney finally had to take the stage and speak first. When Mr Christie did arrive, it was left to Mr Romney to introduce him to the crowd.Mr Romney has formed some early impressions, according to several Republicans who spoke on the condition of anonymity: Mr Christie is often late, as he was during a $5m fund-raising dinner in New York City last month. After a few uncomfortable moments, Mr Romney finally had to take the stage and speak first. When Mr Christie did arrive, it was left to Mr Romney to introduce him to the crowd.
Frankly, would you want to hire Chris Christie as your deputy? Every five minutes he'd be bounding into your office like a wet dog and eating all the donuts.Frankly, would you want to hire Chris Christie as your deputy? Every five minutes he'd be bounding into your office like a wet dog and eating all the donuts.
11.22am: This is an interesting sign of the times. Media giant BuzzFeed Politics is teaming up with local publication the New York Times – a daily newspaper based in New York City – as part of its coverage of the Republican and Democratic conventions this year.11.22am: This is an interesting sign of the times. Media giant BuzzFeed Politics is teaming up with local publication the New York Times – a daily newspaper based in New York City – as part of its coverage of the Republican and Democratic conventions this year.
11.03pm: In case you were wondering, the US supreme court has finished issuing opinions until Thursday, which is the earliest time we might now get a healthcare ruling.11.03pm: In case you were wondering, the US supreme court has finished issuing opinions until Thursday, which is the earliest time we might now get a healthcare ruling.
After that, the court is scheduled to sit again next Monday – 25 June – but the court will announce by the end of this week whether it will add additional opinion days next week.After that, the court is scheduled to sit again next Monday – 25 June – but the court will announce by the end of this week whether it will add additional opinion days next week.
Smart money is said to favour the ruling coming on Wednesday 27 June or Thursday 28 June. But the only people who really know are the supremes, and they aren't saying.Smart money is said to favour the ruling coming on Wednesday 27 June or Thursday 28 June. But the only people who really know are the supremes, and they aren't saying.
If you really want to know more – a lot more – on the ins and outs of supreme court scheduling, head over to the ACA Litigation blog, which deduces that the end of next week is most likely:If you really want to know more – a lot more – on the ins and outs of supreme court scheduling, head over to the ACA Litigation blog, which deduces that the end of next week is most likely:
So putting these pieces together, the earliest date for the [Affordable Care Act] decisions would seem to be Monday, June 25. And we will know a great deal more about how likely that date is by next Thursday. If the Court has handed down virtually all of the twelve opinions listed above by next Thursday, then June 25 would likely be the last day of the Term. But if the Court only hands down, say, five or six opinions next week, it will need at least two days the following week to hand down what remains. This would push the last day of the Term to Wednesday, June 27, or Thursday, June 28. And if we again assume the ACA decisions will come on the Term's last day, they would be pushed to that date.So putting these pieces together, the earliest date for the [Affordable Care Act] decisions would seem to be Monday, June 25. And we will know a great deal more about how likely that date is by next Thursday. If the Court has handed down virtually all of the twelve opinions listed above by next Thursday, then June 25 would likely be the last day of the Term. But if the Court only hands down, say, five or six opinions next week, it will need at least two days the following week to hand down what remains. This would push the last day of the Term to Wednesday, June 27, or Thursday, June 28. And if we again assume the ACA decisions will come on the Term's last day, they would be pushed to that date.
10.45am: In what has quickly become a Monday morning ritual, the US supreme court did not include its ruling on healthcare reform – Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act, depending on how you see it – in its list of announcements this morning.10.45am: In what has quickly become a Monday morning ritual, the US supreme court did not include its ruling on healthcare reform – Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act, depending on how you see it – in its list of announcements this morning.
Although there a few alternatives, informed opinion seems to favour next Monday – 25 June – as the most likely date for the court to issue its ruling.Although there a few alternatives, informed opinion seems to favour next Monday – 25 June – as the most likely date for the court to issue its ruling.
On Bloomberg Views, Noah Feldman has an excellent background piece on what's left on the supreme court's files – and why it issues its opinions in lumps. And he reminds us that healthcare reform isn't the only political blockbuster still to come:On Bloomberg Views, Noah Feldman has an excellent background piece on what's left on the supreme court's files – and why it issues its opinions in lumps. And he reminds us that healthcare reform isn't the only political blockbuster still to come:
The second huge case, reviewing whether Arizona's immigration law impinges on the federal government's authority to make immigration policy, is equally political. The Obama administration sought to depoliticize the case by declining to argue that Arizona's stop-and-question policy (sometimes called "papers, please") would surely discriminate on the basis of race.The second huge case, reviewing whether Arizona's immigration law impinges on the federal government's authority to make immigration policy, is equally political. The Obama administration sought to depoliticize the case by declining to argue that Arizona's stop-and-question policy (sometimes called "papers, please") would surely discriminate on the basis of race.
But everyone can still see that the case effectively turns on whether the Republican stalwart state of Arizona is right on tougher immigration enforcement or whether the more liberal Obama administration is.But everyone can still see that the case effectively turns on whether the Republican stalwart state of Arizona is right on tougher immigration enforcement or whether the more liberal Obama administration is.
Given last week's decision on immigration and undocumented immigrants, that case is now an even bigger deal.Given last week's decision on immigration and undocumented immigrants, that case is now an even bigger deal.
10.30am: With the US supreme court still sitting tight on its decision on healthcare reform, immigration remains the hottest topic in politics as Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney stays silent on how he would treat illegal immigrants.10.30am: With the US supreme court still sitting tight on its decision on healthcare reform, immigration remains the hottest topic in politics as Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney stays silent on how he would treat illegal immigrants.
The GOP candidate appeared to be wrong-footed by the Obama administration's decision to offer a reprieve to undocumented immigrants under the age of 30 who met certain criteria, a move which delighted Latino and Hispanic communities.The GOP candidate appeared to be wrong-footed by the Obama administration's decision to offer a reprieve to undocumented immigrants under the age of 30 who met certain criteria, a move which delighted Latino and Hispanic communities.
But four days after the announcement, the Romney campaign's position has remained vague, with Romney seemingly trapped by the hard-line stance he espoused during the Republican party primaries.But four days after the announcement, the Romney campaign's position has remained vague, with Romney seemingly trapped by the hard-line stance he espoused during the Republican party primaries.
Here's a summary of the latest news from Ryan Devereaux:Here's a summary of the latest news from Ryan Devereaux:
• Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney declined to say whether he would reverse the Obama administration's decision not to deport young, undocumented immigrants. Appearing on CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday, Romney said: "With regards to these kids who were brought in by their parents through no fault of their own, there needs to be a long-term solution so they know what their status is." The former Massachusetts governor accused the president of making the decision out of purely political motives.• Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney declined to say whether he would reverse the Obama administration's decision not to deport young, undocumented immigrants. Appearing on CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday, Romney said: "With regards to these kids who were brought in by their parents through no fault of their own, there needs to be a long-term solution so they know what their status is." The former Massachusetts governor accused the president of making the decision out of purely political motives.
• A new poll finds Latino voters are quite satisfied with the president's decision. According to a survey conducted by Latino Decisions, 49% of Latino voters said it would make them more enthusiastic about Obama, compared to 14% who were less enthusiastic, a net enthusiasm advantage of 35 points. The poll is good news for the Obama administration, which has generated harsh criticism surrounding its record levels of deportations.• A new poll finds Latino voters are quite satisfied with the president's decision. According to a survey conducted by Latino Decisions, 49% of Latino voters said it would make them more enthusiastic about Obama, compared to 14% who were less enthusiastic, a net enthusiasm advantage of 35 points. The poll is good news for the Obama administration, which has generated harsh criticism surrounding its record levels of deportations.
• In related news, the office of controversial Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio arrested an undocumented six-year-old girl on Friday, the same day president Obama made his major immigration announcement. The child was among 15 undocumented immigrants arrested by the sheriff's office. Arpaio has become the face of harsh immigration law enforcement and is currently being sued by the justice department for multiple civil rights violations.• In related news, the office of controversial Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio arrested an undocumented six-year-old girl on Friday, the same day president Obama made his major immigration announcement. The child was among 15 undocumented immigrants arrested by the sheriff's office. Arpaio has become the face of harsh immigration law enforcement and is currently being sued by the justice department for multiple civil rights violations.
• There was good news for the Romney family as Ann Romney's dressage horse, Rafalca, and her trainer, Jan Ebeling, earned a spot on the US Olympic equestrian team. The pair wowed spectators at the second of two Olympic trials at the US Equestrian Federation national dressage championships in New Jersey over the weekend, with Ebeling reportedly having "the best performance of his life". Rafalca and Ebeling will now represent the US at the Olympics in London. The Romney's love of dressage – a sport enjoyed by a wealthy elite – unhelpfully plays into candidate's image and has attracted commentary from satirist Stephen Colbert.• There was good news for the Romney family as Ann Romney's dressage horse, Rafalca, and her trainer, Jan Ebeling, earned a spot on the US Olympic equestrian team. The pair wowed spectators at the second of two Olympic trials at the US Equestrian Federation national dressage championships in New Jersey over the weekend, with Ebeling reportedly having "the best performance of his life". Rafalca and Ebeling will now represent the US at the Olympics in London. The Romney's love of dressage – a sport enjoyed by a wealthy elite – unhelpfully plays into candidate's image and has attracted commentary from satirist Stephen Colbert.