Top Items:

Morning Jay: Obama's Troubled Reelection Strategy — Karl Rove had a spot-on column in the Wall Street Journal yesterday. He wrote, in part: … Exactly. If I had to offer a brief summary of Obama's campaign strategy this year, it would be this: — Clearly, this is not an ideal strategy, for any candidate.
Discussion:
Outside the Beltway and Mitt Romney Central
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The Draperizing of Mitt Romney — The Draperizing of Mitt Romney is under way. — He may not drink or cheat, and he lacks the fictional ad-maker's charisma, but Democrats, despite the potential perils of such a strategy, remain determined to paint Romney as a throwback to the “Mad Men” …


The “War on Women” Is Over — The life cycle of a political talking point, from birth to adolescence to death. — A moment of silence, please, for a talking point that was taken too soon. The “war on women” began its life in a February 2011 House speech about abortion.
Discussion:
Washington Monthly, Show Me Progress, Washington Free Beacon, Daily Kos, ABCNEWS, Weasel Zippers, The Agonist, Reuters, Politico and National Review

Obama aides say Rosen shows president will take on friends
Discussion:
Hot Air, Reuters and Weasel Zippers

NOW president: Ann Romney lacks “life experience” and “imagination” to relate to most Americans
Discussion:
NewsBusters.org blogs, NO QUARTER, Mail Online, LifeNews.com, Althouse, The PJ Tatler, neo-neocon and The Other McCain

First Thoughts: The silly season
Discussion:
The Huffington Post, Politico and The Daily Dish

Nasty comments toward Ann Romney cast light on haters who can't handle feminine role
Discussion:
ThinkProgress, The New Civil Rights Movement and Towleroad News #gay

Elections Are a Choice of Candidates
Discussion:
Alan Colmes' Liberaland, Democratic Strategist and The New Republic

Hilary Rosen flap a “win in every regard” for GOP, says Nicolle Wallace
Discussion:
The Daily Caller, RedState, ThinkProgress and Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion

President Obama and Vice President Biden's 2011 Tax Returns — Today, the President released his 2011 federal income and gift tax returns. He and the First Lady filed their income tax returns jointly and reported adjusted gross income of $789,674. About half of the first family's income …
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President Obama's Secretary Paid Higher Tax Rate Than He Did — President Obama today released his 2011 federal income tax, with he and his wife reporting an adjusted gross income of $789,674. The Obamas paid $162,074 in total tax - an effective federal income tax rate of 20.5%.
Discussion:
Mediaite, Business Insider, Weasel Zippers and White House Dossier

Americans Favor “Buffett Rule” by 60% to 37% — Majorities of Democrats, independents in favor; Republicans opposed — PRINCETON, NJ — Six in 10 Americans favor Congress' passing the so-called “Buffett Rule,” which would mandate a minimum 30% tax rate for Americans with a household income of $1 million or more per year.
Discussion:
ThinkProgress, Politico and Campaign 2012

Did Obama Pay a Lower Rate Than His Secretary?
Discussion:
Washington Free Beacon


Newark Mayor Cory Booker taken to hospital after rescuing woman from house fire — NEWARK — Newark Mayor Cory Booker was taken to a hospital tonight for treatment of smoke inhalation he suffered trying to rescue his next-door neighbors from their burning house.
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Newark Mayor Cory Booker: Race into home fire was a “come to Jesus moment” — PLAY CBS NEWS VIDEO — (CBS News) Newark Mayor Cory Booker called it his “come to Jesus moment” when he ran into a burning building to save a neighbor's life. — Booker arrived home last night to discover …
Discussion:
Business Insider, Human Rights Campaign, The Raw Story, Newsy, newsfeed.time.com, Colorlines and Gothamist

Nazis Get Their Own Lobbyist — So Rep. Allen West thinks the Democratic Party is full of communists? Wait until he gets a load of the new Nazi lobbyist. No, seriously. — On Tuesday, the same day that West was fantasizing about 80 members of Congress being card-carrying members …
Discussion:
Politico, Business Insider, Mediaite and The Raw Story
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NC Dem official sexually harrassed staffer; Party fears credibility ‘doomed’
Discussion:
JustOneMinute

Ailes lectures young journalists — CHAPEL HILL - Fox News chief Roger Ailes offered more than a few words of advice Thursday in a room filled mostly with young journalists, starting with a recommendation that elicited at least a few eye rolls: “I think you ought to change your major.”
Discussion:
TVNewser and The Political Carnival, more at Mediagazer »
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Roger Ailes: Soledad O'Brien Was ‘Named After A Prison’
Discussion:
Mediaite, Poynter and Hullabaloo


Mitt Romney And The NRA: A ‘Diss’ Before Courtship … REACT: — FOLLOW: — Mitt Romney, Video, 2012 Romney, 2012 Campaign, 2012 Obama, Gun Rights, Obama NRA, Obama Guns, Romney NRA, Romney Guns, Romney Massachusetts, Romney National Rifle Association, Romney Nra Convention, Politics News
Discussion:
Washington Monthly, The Caucus and msnbc.com
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Romney no straight shooter on NRA
Discussion:
ABCNEWS and Washington Post


GOP-On-GOP Attacks Leave Orrin Hatch Fighting Mad — Utah Republican Orrin Hatch has spent 36 years in the U.S. Senate, including stints as chairman of the Judiciary and Labor committees. He's in line to become chairman of the Finance Committee if Republicans gain control of the Senate in November.
Discussion:
Hit & Run, Mediaite, The Daily Caller and The Spectacle Blog


Failed North Korean Launch a Setback for Kim Jong-un — SEOUL, South Korea — For the new North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, his government's failure to put a satellite into orbit on Friday was a $1 billion humiliation. — Mr. Kim wanted to mark his ascension to top political power …
Discussion:
piie.com, Firedoglake, Reuters, Washington Post, The Hill, FP Passport, Guardian, Foreign Policy, Wall Street Journal, The Gateway Pundit, Questions and Observations, Washington Free Beacon, Gothamist, msnbc.com, The BLT, Outside the Beltway, Wake up America, The Stranger … and Daniel W. Drezner


Catholic group criticizes Paul Ryan — Nearly 60 progressive Catholic leaders released a statement Friday condemning Budget Chairman Paul Ryan's assertion that his budget proposal was shaped by his Catholic faith. — “When a high-profile Catholic congressman is mangling church teachings …
Discussion:
Washington Monthly, Faith in Public Life, Daily Kos and PERRspectives


If Health Insurance Mandates Are Unconstitutional, Why Did the Founding Fathers Back Them? — In making the legal case against Obamacare's individual mandate, challengers have argued that the framers of our Constitution would certainly have found such a measure to be unconstitutional.
Discussion:
Instapundit, The Volokh Conspiracy and Little Green Footballs


Six Rules for Dining Out — How a frugal economist finds the perfect lunch — A BAD OR MEDIOCRE meal is more than just an unpleasant taste, it is an unnecessary negation of one of life's pleasures—a wasted chance to refine our palates, learn about the world, and share a rewarding experience.


Shovel Ready in San Fran: $205,075 to ‘Translocate’ One Shrub from Path of Stimulus Project — (CNSNews.com) — The government spent at least $205,075 in 2010 to “translocate” a single bush in San Francisco that stood in the path of a $1.045-billion highway-renovation project that was partially funded …
Discussion:
The PJ Tatler and Conservatives4Palin


Human Rights Campaign Quietly Removes Illegally Obtained Tax Information from Website — Contact: Anath Hartmann or Elizabeth Ray (703-683-5004) — “We demand that federal authorities immediately launch an investigation into this crime...This is reminiscent of Watergate.” —Brian Brown, NOM president—
Discussion:
The New Civil Rights Movement, Joe. My. God. and Towleroad News #gay

Rick Santorum Signed Up 3-Year-Old Daughter For A Lifetime NRA Membership — The former candidate speaks to the National Rifle Association convention and brags of Bella's new membership. She is three. — by — Rosie Gray · added an hour ago · 15 responses
Discussion:
Mock, Paper, Scissors