Further reading, graphics, and videos related to tonight’s stories:
ROMNEY BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
As comments made by both Mitt and Ann Romney during their recent Palm Beach visit make news rounds, Rolling Stone’s Michael Hastings join to let us know how the Obama campaign can use the sound bites to their advantage.
MSNBC -
Real Romneys of Palm Beach on display at lavish fundraiser
Why Mitt Romney Should Get Out From Behind the Backyard Fence
ABC News -
Ann Romney calls stay-at-home mom controversy ‘an early birthday gift’
GUEST
Michael Hastings – @mmhastings
michaelhastings.com
DOLLARS AND SENSE
Despite Obama advocating for the Buffet Rule and claiming to change the amount of control big banks have, the top 5 banks in the U.S. have only secured more power.
Bloomberg -
Banks Seen Dangerous Defying Obama’s Too-Big-to-Fail MoveAtlanta Journal Constitution -
From ‘too big to fail’ to even bigger in just four years
GUEST
Simon H. Johnson
Economist and author of “White House Burning”
STAND YOUR GROUND
The Atlantic -
Revelations From the Zimmerman AffidavitUSA Today -
Zimmerman seeks new judge, claiming she has conflictRaw Story -
Florida fire captain: Trayvon died because of ‘sh*tbag… welfare dependent’ parents
GUEST
Robin Sax – @robinsax
robinsax.com
POWER PANELS: DONORS AND PROSTITUTES
Writer/comedian Negin Farsad and The Nation’s Ari Berman join the Power Panel to debate whether Americans should get on Mitt Romney’s case for catering to donors any more than they do Obama’s. The answer: yes, but only because Romney caters to only the richest Americans while the Obama campaign represents a “mixed bag” of small donors and bigger spenders.
But when it comes to the Secret Service and Colombian prostitutes, the Panel disagree with one another. Berman and Farsad say they should be dealt with because the scandal’s embarrassing for the United states. Cenk says “Let ‘em go!” if they hired prostitutes where it’s legal — as it’s been reported.
1) Should we distrust Romney and his donors any more than we do Obama?
Vanity Fair -
What Mitt Romney Will Do for You for $50,000New York Times -
$53 Million Raised in March by Obama and Democratic Party
2) Should we care about the Secret Service scandal?
Politico -
Secret Service scandal rocks Obama Colombia tripThe Atlantic Wire -
Following Colombia Scandal, Secret Service Agents Stripped of Security Clearance
PANEL GUEST
NeginFarsad – @neginfarsad
neginfarsad.com
Ari Berman – @ariberman
Find more from Ari Berman on The Nation.
CLOWNS OF THE DAY
1) Allen West
The Huffington Post -
Rep. Allen West: “Eleven of Jesus’s Apostles Were Communists”Chicago Tribune -
Rep. Allen West Sees Red, Calls Democratic Caucus Communist
2) Newt Gingrich
Atlanta Journal Constituion -
When Newt lectures the NRA, hilarity ensuesThe Daily Beast -
Newt Gingrich Calls for Universal Right to Bear Arms at NRA Forum
3) Virginia Foxx
The Hill -
House Dem blasts GOP comments about tolerance for high-priced student loansSalon.com -
A huge student loan scam
SECRET DONATIONS
The Huffington Post -
Karl Rove’s Crossroads GPS Funded By $10 Million ChecksThe New Republic -
Karl Rove’s $10 Million Mystery Donor
