memeorandum: Texas Leader Calls for Rightward Tilt (Jeff Zeleny/New York Times)

11:05 AM ET, June 19, 2011

Top Items:

Obama impersonator pulled offstage after making racial, gay jokes at GOP gathering — NEW ORLEANS — A President Obama impersonator was pulled off the stage Saturday at the Republican Leadership Conference, after telling a string of racially themed jokes about the president.

Discussion: The Moderate Voice, ThinkProgress, Hotline On Call, NewsBusters.org, Outside the Beltway, iOwnTheWorld.com, americanthinker.com, The Reaction, Booman Tribune, Balloon Juice, Oliver Willis and American Power

Jeff Zeleny / The Caucus:

‘Obama’ Stuns Crowd at Republican Event — NEW ORLEANS - The Republican Leadership Conference was interrupted on Saturday by a visit from an actor impersonating President Obama, who offered a mocking assessment of the Republican presidential candidates and joked about the real president's biracial heritage.

Discussion: Washington Monthly and National Review

Jeff Zeleny / New York Times:

Texas Leader Calls for Rightward Tilt — NEW ORLEANS — Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, the latest Republican to muse openly about exploring a Republican presidential candidacy, drew booming applause here on Saturday for not only assailing President Obama but also lecturing some members of his own party …

Discussion: The Moderate Voice, Washington Post and Prairie Weather

Erik Wasson / The Hill:
‘Obama’ pushes the limit at GOP leadership conference

Discussion: The Atlantic Online, The Politico and Don Surber

Jsimoncnn / CNN:
Perry wows at Republican conference amid 2012 buzz

Discussion: The Texas Tribune, msnbc.com, Hotline On Call, Washington Post, Hugh Hewitt's TownHall Blog and The Note

Jonathan Martin / The Politico:
Ron Paul wins RLC straw poll

Discussion: CNN and GOP 12

Brian Montopoli / CBS News:
Ron Paul wins Republican Leadership Conf. straw poll; Jon Huntsman second

Discussion: Top of the Ticket, Hot Air, Outside the Beltway and Gawker

Jamie Klatell / Ballot Box: Ron Paul wins Republican Leadership Conference straw poll by wide margin

Kimberly Dozier / Associated Press:

AP sources: Pakistanis tip off militants again — WASHINGTON - U.S. officials say Pakistan has apparently tipped off militants at two more bomb-building factories in its tribal areas, giving the terror suspects time to flee, after U.S. intelligence shared the locations with the Pakistani government.

Discussion: FrumForum

John T. Bennett / The Hill:

House panel proposes slapping restrictions on aid to Pakistan — House appropriators have proposed slapping new restrictions on the aid that Washington will send to Pakistan next year amid a chill in relations following the killing of Osama bin Laden. — A provision in the 2012 Pentagon …

Discussion: americanthinker.com and FrumForum

New York Times:
Qaeda Woes Fuel Talk of Speeding Afghan Pullback

Discussion: CNN and FrumForum

New York Times:
Looking Back, Gates Says He's Grown Wary of ‘Wars of Choice’

Discussion: CNN, Los Angeles Times, Taegan Goddard's … and FrumForum

Jonathan Wynne-Jones / Telegraph:

Christians are more militant than Muslims, says Government's equalities boss — Muslims are integrating into British society better than many Christians, according to the head of the Government's equality watchdog. — Trevor Phillips, Chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission

Discussion: Outside the Beltway and Big Peace

Ben Sisario / New York Times:

Clarence Clemons, Springsteen's Soulful Sideman, Dies at 69 — Clarence Clemons, the saxophonist in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, whose jovial onstage manner, soul-rooted style and brotherly relationship with Mr. Springsteen made him one of rock's most beloved sidemen, died Saturday at a hospital in Palm Beach, Fla. He was 69.

Discussion: The Moderate Voice, Rolling Stone, Power Line, Gothamist, Washington Post, TalkLeft, PopEater, The Democratic Daily, Scared Monkeys and Pajamas Media

Signorile / The Gist:

Breaking: GLAAD President Resigns — Jarrett Barrios, the president of GLAAD, has just sent the board of GLAAD his resignation letter. A statement will be going out from GLAAD tonight, but GLAAD confirmed in an email that Barrios did resign. This comes following the report earlier today …

Discussion: Lez Get Real and Washington Blade

Ben Smith / Ben Smith's Blog:
Gay group chief under pressure over AT&T issues

Discussion: Poliglot and Towleroad News #gay

Mike Lillis / The Hill:

With Weiner gone, Democrats waste no time trying to move on — With Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) all but out the door, Democrats have wasted no time trying to shift the conversation back to the economy, healthcare and other issues of greater national consequence.

Discussion: FrumForum

Weasel Meister / Weasel Zippers:

Hold Your Nose: Islamic Holy Warriors at Gitmo Embody the Essence of Their Religion — Disgusting and fitting. … HT: Ace

Lori Ziganto / Human Events:

Lefty Feminists Expose Themselves by Putting Out for Weiner — Termus Interruptus for creepy Rep. Antony Weiner (D.-N.Y.), who finally resigned at a press conference on Thursday, to heckles of “Good-bye, Pervert.” This caused leftist feminists to once again defend him …