memeorandum: Pawlenty Announces Candidacy a Day Early (Michael D. Shear/The Caucus)

11:15 AM ET, May 23, 2011

Top Items:

Josh Margolin / New York Post:

Obama digging up dirt on potential opponent Chris Christie — President Obama's re-election campaign is trying to dig up dirt in the Garden State. — Despite New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's repeated pronouncements that he will not seek the GOP presidential nomination …

Discussion: GOP 12, The Other McCain, Betsy's Page and JammieWearingFool

The Politico:

Behind the Daniels family veto — On Friday, the pieces were coming together nicely for a Mitch Daniels-for-president campaign. Some top potential staffers were told they would have a job, and to keep their powder dry just a little bit longer. Several Washington Republicans expected a declaration in the next few days.

Discussion: The Note, Taegan Goddard's …, AMERICAblog Elections, ABCNEWS, The BLT, White House Dossier, Erick's blog, Wall Street Journal, FrumForum, Indianapolis Star and Ben Smith's Blog

New York Times:

Daniels Is Out, in Another Jolt to G.O.P. Field — WASHINGTON — The announcement Sunday by Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana that he would not run for the Republican presidential nomination ended one major chapter of uncertainty in the race but ignited new debate over whether the current field contains …

Discussion: The Politico, ThinkProgress, Ben Smith's Blog, The Moderate Voice, Politics, Washington Post, Taylor Marsh, Taegan Goddard's …, Blue Mass Group and The Impolitic

William Kristol / Weekly Standard: The Next President Isn't Currently Running (Updated)

Sean J. Miller / Ballot Box: Report: Obama camp researching Gov. Christie

Mitch Daniels / Washington Post:
With Daniels out, GOP presidential field takes clearer shape

Discussion: msnbc.com, Ballot Box and Associated Press

Sen. Scott Brown / The Politico:

Why I don't back Ryan Medicare plan — As part of the 2012 budget discussions, Congress is dealing with Medicare reform. This debate is long overdue, since its increasing cost must be addressed if we are serious about the nation's growing $14 trillion debt and $1.6 trillion annual deficit.

Discussion: CNN, Washington Times, msnbc.com, TPMDC, Weasel Zippers, The Daily Caller, Talking Points Memo, National Review, Taegan Goddard's … and AmSpecBlog

The Politico:

Republicans ignored warnings on Paul Ryan plan — It might be a political time bomb — that's what GOP pollsters warned as House Republicans prepared for the April 15 vote on Rep. Paul Ryan's proposed budget, with its plan to dramatically remake Medicare. — No matter how favorably pollsters …

Discussion: Washington Monthly and Taegan Goddard's …

John Cole / Balloon Juice:
Things Done Changed

Discussion: Outside the Beltway and Eschaton

Jordan Fabian / The Hill:
Scott Brown a ‘no’ on Ryan budget

Discussion: Outside the Beltway, Boston Globe, AMERICAblog News and New York Times

Eric Cantor:

Leader Cantor's Remarks to AIPAC — Washington, D.C. - Today, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) will address the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). The following remarks are as prepared for delivery: — It's great to be here. I'm really honored to be able to address …

Discussion: Power Line and Capital J | JTA

Jennifer Rubin / Washington Post:
Obama double downs at AIPAC

Discussion: Questions and Observations, Nice Deb, The Reaction, Pajamas Media, Maggie's Farm, Power Line, Taylor Marsh, Ben Smith's Blog and The Hill

Mike Lillis / The Hill:
Cantor blames Arab ‘hatred’ for impasse

Discussion: Weasel Zippers and msnbc.com

Pamela Geller / Atlas Shrugs:
AIPAC 2011: Obama's Speech to Jews

Discussion: Jesus' General

Associated Press:

Joplin tornado death toll soars to 89 … UPDATED at 5:40 a.m. with death toll at 89; at 6:10 a.m. with information from fire chief. — JOPLIN, Mo. • A massive tornado that tore through the southwest Missouri city of Joplin killed at least 89 people, but authorities warned …

Discussion: The Hill, New York Times, Gothamist, Associated Press, Taylor Marsh, The Gateway Pundit and Gawker

Randy Turner / The Huffington Post:
Death, Destruction Hit Joplin, Missouri

Discussion: National Review

The Note:

Is Donald Trump Back in the 2012 Race? — ABC News' Sheila Marikar and Rick Klein report: Perhaps Donald Trump didn't really bow out after all. — The billionaire business mogul phoned into Fox News' “Fox & Friends” this morning to lament the state of the Republican field.

Discussion: Daniel W. Drezner, Weigel and Outside the Beltway

Juana Summers / Reuters: Donald Trump: Late entry still possible

Michael O'Brien / The Hill:

Gingrich: 'I'm not a Washington figure' — Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R) said he doesn't view himself as a “Washington figure,” positioning himself as an anti-D.C. candidate in his campaign for president. — Gingrich railed against the Washington, D.C. establishment …

Discussion: GOP 12

Richard E. Cohen / The Politico: John Boehner finds litigation suits him

Ben Smith / Ben Smith's Blog:

Biden tells donors: Keep me in mind for 2016 — Vice President Joe Biden surprised a gathering of donors in Cincinnati last week when he floated the prospect of his succeeding President Barack Obama in the White House. — Biden, who started in the Senate young and would be just 70 in 2012 …

Discussion: Hot Air, Weasel Zippers and Pundit Press

ABCNEWS:

Harold Camping ‘Bewildered’ After Apocalypse Comes and Goes Quietly — Harold Camping speaks while holding the Bible, in San Leandro, Calif., in this Dec. 12, 2002 file photo. A loosely organized Christian movement has spread the word around the globe that Jesus Christ will return to earth on Saturday, May 21, 2011, to...

Discussion: The Daily Caller, Associated Press, FrumForum and HotAirPundit

Will Kane / San Francisco Chronicle:
Harold Camping ‘flabbergasted’; rapture a no-show

Discussion: Simply Left BehindThe …, Gothamist, Runnin' Scared and Gawker

Neil Rosekrans / StateBrief Blog:

Pictures of Sarah Palin's Rumored Scottsdale House — Photos of Rumored Palin Arizona House — The rumors are still just rumors and we don't know for sure yet whether or not Sarah Palin and family have purchased a North Scottsdale house. The paper trail says that the property in question …

Discussion: Scared Monkeys, Reaganite Republican, Althouse, Pajamas Media, Pundit Press and Arizona Republic

Paul Krugman / New York Times:

When Austerity Fails — I often complain, with reason, about the state of economic discussion in the United States. And the irresponsibility of certain politicians — like those Republicans claiming that defaulting on U.S. debt would be no big deal — is scary.

Discussion: Northern Reflections, Questions and Observations, Wall Street Journal and Paul Krugman

Tom Jensen / Public Policy Polling:

Hochul continues to lead in NY-26 — Democrat Kathy Hochul continues to appear poised for an upset victory in Tuesday's special election for Congress in New York's 26th Congressional District. She is polling at 42% to 36% for Republican nominee Jane Corwin and 13% for Tea Party candidate Jack Davis.

Discussion: Firedoglake, Ballot Box, The Politico, The Nation, Daily Kos, Balloon Juice, National Review and Blue Mass Group

Mark Franchetti / TheAustralian:

Putin decides to retake presidency — RUSSIAN Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has decided to run for the presidency next year, raising the possibility of a power struggle with his protege Dmitry Medvedev, the incumbent Kremlin leader, say highly placed sources.

Discussion: Politics, The Enterprise Blog, Outside the Beltway, Hot Air, National Review and Weasel Zippers

Jason Zengerle / New York Magazine:

If I Take Down Fox, Is All Forgiven? — David Brock has spent the last decade apologizing to liberals for his role in creating the vast right-wing conspiracy. Now he's trying something more ambitious and hoping it gains him the respect he craves from the White House.

Discussion: Ben Smith's Blog