Here are some of the stories we are watching today in The War Room:
Rick Santorum’s controversial statements on birth control have brought the culture wars back to the spotlight in the election. The Washington Post takes a look at the history on the issue and the details surrounding this latest battle. TIME Magazine takes it another step in Jon Meacham’s “The Problem with Rick Santorum’s Holy War.” Turns out starting a ‘holy war’ is not a good campaign strategy overall.
On the other hand, when you have people who think that the Girl Scouts are a “radical” organization that is merely an arm of Planned Parenthood, you get an idea of the crowd Rick is playing to.
The Year of the SuperPac. The New York Times breaks down the numbers from campaign statements filed with the FEC, and it shows that if you have a bunch of rich friends and corporations in your back pocket, you too can run for president. Newt’s buddy Sheldon Adelson tells Forbes that he’s “against very wealthy people attempting to or influencing elections,” but he is going to give up to $100 million to the Republicans anyway.
Mitt Romney’s position on the auto bailout comes under further scrutiny when it is revealed that Obama’s auto task force asked Bain Capital “if it was interested in investing in General Motors’ European operations.” They declined. So, who was it again that was willing and able to provide the auto industry with a rescue loan? Might be a good question for the debate this Wednesday.
The AP runs a fact check on the candidates claims on the auto rescue loans. Worth a read.
We’re following new polls from over the weekend, and today as well:
- PPP Michigan: Santorum 37, Romney 33, Paul 15, Gingrich 10.
- Mitchell/Rosetta Stone Michigan: Romney 32, Santorum 30, Gingrich 9, Paul 7
- PPP Arizona: Romney 36, Santorum 33, Gingrich 16, Paul 9.
- PPP Washington: Santorum 38, Romney 27, Paul 15, Gingrich 12.
- Gallup National: Santorum 36, Romney 26, Gingrich 13, Paul 11.
And no, it’s not you, it really is that bad. This year’s GOP primary has featured ads that are nastier than before, and they are running a lot more often. “Four years ago, just 6 percent of campaign advertising in the GOP primaries amounted to attacks on other Republicans; in this election, that figure has shot up to more than 50 percent, according to an analysis of advertising trends,” according to the Washington Post.
But if you think Big Foot is cute, there’s one ad worth checking out. Talking Points Memo alerts us to the new Ron Paul ad playing in Michigan, and James Hohmann at Politico reports the Paul ad buy is “low six-figures.”
Tune in to Current TV tonight for more on ‘The War Room with Jennifer Granholm’ — LIVE at 9/8c.
