Dewey Defeats Truman!

Mitt Romney won last night's Michigan Primary.

But, just minutes after the election was called, the Michigan GOP fired off a press release congratulating Sen John McCain (R-AZ) for his win.

They had releases for both already prepared. A honcho says they just pushed the "wrong button." (CNN)

Romney News Conference in Critical Condition

Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney picked the wrong place to attack Democrat Hillary Clinton's health care plan she unveiled this week.

First, the hospital he used as a backdrop in his news conference didn't like the idea of being a political prop.

"We find it unfortunate that Mr. Romney misappropriated the image and good will of St. Vincent's Hospital to further a political agenda." -- a spokesman for New York City's, St Vincent's Hospital

Second, the hospital has a wing named for one of Governor Romney's Republican opponents. From the Washington Post:

"Maybe next time Romney will choose for a backdrop a hospital that isn't home to the Rudolph W. Giuliani Trauma Center."

No comment from any New York hospital if the Romney staffer who set this up is in intensive care. (WaPo-The Trail)

Romney Uses Radio to Reinforce YouTube Attacks

Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney has lauched an interesting cross-media attack on one of his opponents for the GOP nomination -- Rudy Giuliani.

Gov Romney has released a radio ad critical of illegal immigration -- attacking "sanctuary cities" where illegals find jobs and little local efforts to send them home.

"Sanctuary cities become magnets that encourage illegal immigration and undermine secure borders." -- announcer, Mitt Romney radio ad

As mayor of New York City, Mr Giuliani inherited a city policy from his predecessors under which city employees did not notify federal authorities of an immigrant's legal status. Mr Giuliani never changed the policy.

The ad strikes on radio -- as videos of Mr Giuliani praising immigrants while he was mayore are getting lots of hits on sites like YouTube.

Mitt's Fortunate Sons

Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney supports the Iraq War. He has five sons -- none of whom have ever served in the military.

The New York Post says the former Massachusetts Governor simply says they're showing their support for the country by "helping me get elected."

Gov Romney also avoided service in the Vietnam war by serving as a Mormon missionary in France. (NYPost)

"Ocean" -- And Oceans Apart from Pressing Issues

With the Iraq War won, every American now covered by health insurance, and terrorism a memory from the distant depths of history -- what to Presidential candidates have to campaign on?

Mitt Romney's new ad attacks violence and porn on TV. And he gets to quote Peggy Noonan, too!

Romney Goes to the Dogs -- in a Wagon Queen Family Truckster

Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney's crude Chevy Chase impersonation has landed him in the doghouse with animal lovers.

TIME reports Mr Romney once strapped the family pet -- "Seamus," an Irish Setter -- to the roof of the family car for a 12 hour trip to Canada. Seamus was at least in a dog carrier. But Massachusetts' animal cruelty laws forbid this sort of treatment. Mr Romney was governor of Massachusetts.

In "National Lampoon's Vacation," Chevy Chase's character ties a dog to the bumper of the family wagon and forgets about it until after a motorcycle cop pulls him over for speeding several miles later. (TIME)

Dadburn Varmits! Getcher Gun, Mitt!

"[Mitt Romney's immigration policy is] to get out his small varmint gun and drive those Guatemalans off his lawn." -- Sen John McCain (R-AZ)

Hear the actual soundbite at CNN. (CNN)

Romney Ad: "Secure Our Borders"

Former Gov Mitt Romney launched a new ad in New Hampshire and Iowa this weekend where he speaks out against an "amnesty" plan for illegal immigrants.

It went on the air a day after the Senate cut a bipartisan deal on a new immigration plan. From CNN:

Though the ad does not refer to the measure specifically, Romney says, "Legal immigration is great. But illegal immigration that we've got to end -- and amnesty is not the way to do it."

Mr Romney's comments in the ad were taken from a border security question raised at a town hall meeting in New Hampshire back in April. (CNN/Romney Campaign/You Tube)

Flip Flops Protest Romney

Dressed like giant flip-flops, conservative protesters hounded Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney during a campaign stop in Massachusetts.

The activists protested the former Governor's shifting positions on abortion over the years, and his wife's $150 contribution to Planned Parenthood during Mr Romney's failed 1994 Senate race.

Mr Romney's views on social issues seem to have changed dramatically since his 1994 Senate race. At the time, he was running for office in a liberal state -- and stated liberal views (see video from 1994 Senate debate below). He's become much more conservative since he started wooing the GOP base in the run for the Republican nomination. Critics have questioned the timing and sincerity of his turnaround. And he's found himself saddled with the nickname of "Multiple Choice Mitt." (ReviewJournal.com)

Romney's Poor Choice of Words

Former Gov Mitt Romney (R-MA) bungled a speech before Cuban Americans as he was campaigning for President in Miami.

The audience chuckled when he mangled the Spanish names of local politicians -- but he was greeted with groans as he declared: "Patria o muerte, venceremos!"

That's Fidel Castro's battle cry. He's been ending his speeches with that line for decades. In English, it means: "Fatherland or death, we shall overcome."

First, we find out Rudy Giuliani's law firm lobbied for Hugo Chavez. Now we have Mitt Romney quoting Fidel Castro on the campaign trail.

Remember the 1980s -- when conservatives hated communists? (MiamiHerald)

Mitt's Macaca Moment?

Not hardly, but this will come back to haunt him.

Former Governor Mitt Romney's (R-MA) got a new embarassing video on YouTube. Previously, someone posted outtakes from a 1994 Senate debate in which Gov Romney touted his liberal viewpoints.

Now this video surfaces, with Gov Romney clowning around backstage at CPAC with Ann Coulter, shortly before her slur against fmr Sen John Edwards (D-NC). (YouTube, HT: Hotline)

Republicans Distance Themselves from Coulter

Right wing screaming head Ann Coulter is drawing flak from conservatives for her remarks at the CPAC gathering outside Washington this week. Ms Coulter referred to Democratic Presidential candidate John Edwards as a "faggot":



Presidential candidates Senator John McCain, Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani denounced the comment.

Sen McCain (through a spokesman): “The comments were wildly inappropriate.”

Mr Giuliani: “The comments were completely inappropriate and there should be no place for such name-calling in political debate.”

Mr Romney (through a spokesman) “It was an offensive remark. Governor Romney believes all people should be treated with dignity and respect.” (NYT)

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Romney's Facebook Page

Former Gov Mitt Romney (R-MA) has become the first Presidential candidate to launch a recruiting drive on Facebook.com.

He's shooting for 1,000 friends in the first 24 hours.