CBS/NYT poll shows dead heat between Obama, Romney at 46%

"Mitt Romney has closed the gap with President Obama among registered voters, a CBS News/New York Times poll released Wednesday found, putting the former Massachusetts governor in a dead heat with the president for the White House. Mr. Obama and Romney each received support from 46 percent of registered voters when asked who they would vote for if the election were held today." - CBS News

• "We’re at 46/46 without having hit a real “honeymoon” stage for Romney after the practical end of the Republican fight.  That’s bad news for Team Obama, especially while facing a slowing economy and rising gas prices, and having nothing to offer but Buffett Rules and nostalgia." - Hot Air
• "My guess, for what it’s worth, is that we will see some improvement in Mr. Romney’s favorability numbers over the next month or two." - Nate Silver
• "[I]ncumbent elections have historically looked more like referenda than choices, and so far, this election is looking like one as well. Voters who approve of the incumbent largely vote for him; those that do not approve of the incumbent vote for the challenger, except in extreme circumstances." - Sean Trende

Romney connects Obama to the Greek debt crisis

• ""We are moving toward the Greek-type numbers. My guess is at the Democratic convention, [Obama] will not be appearing in front of columns like in Denver. He won't want to remind people of Greece," Romney said. " - National Journal
• "Mitt Romney slammed President Obama's handling of the economy in remarks from Charlotte, where Democrats will formally nominate Obama for a second term. Obama is "in over his head, and he's swimming in the wrong direction," Romney said." - USA Today
• Romney plans to attend Olympics in London - USA Today

Karl Rove: How Romney can beat the Buffett Rule

"We may be at a political tipping point where acts confirm impressions that become impossible to shake. Mr. Obama is in danger of being seen as weak, inept and not up to the job. If Mr. Romney calls the president out on his small-minded political games and pivots to an ambitious reform agenda, he will make it much more likely that, come next January, Mr. Obama can turn his attention to writing his third autobiography." - Karl Rove for the WSJ

Santorum likely to meet with Romney in the next two weeks 

"Senior Strategist to the Santorum campaign John Brabender told Andrea Mitchell today on MSNBC that he just spoke with Romney’s campaign manager and started to float a few dates for a meeting to take place between the former rivals, likely in the next two weeks in Philadelphia. “It has been made clear to us that the Gov. Romney would like to have at least a discussion of a possible endorsement at that time," Brabender said." - MSNBC

• "There’s often a lag between a candidate’s dropout announcement and his or her endorsement for president. Four years ago, Romney took a week after dropping out to endorse the eventual nominee, John McCain." - Christian Science Monitor

More signs of the conservative movement rallying around Romney

"Not too long ago, it appeared this week's meeting of the Republican National Committee in Arizona might be consumed with squabbles about delegate math and anxious hand-wringing over the long and acrimonious presidential primary fight. Instead, it's looking more and more like a Mitt Romney pep rally in the making." - CNN

• Ind. Gov. Daniels endorses Mitt Romney - USA Today

Important reminder: there are still plenty of primaries left

"Some commentators have asked whether or not we may see a significant protest vote against Romney in these remaining contests. With evangelical-heavy states such as Texas and North Carolina on the docket, it could be considerable in some states." - Sabato's Crystal Ball

Gingrich’s Secret Service detail likely costing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars a day - Daily Caller

Poll: Of select potential veeps, Condoleezza Rice has highest favorability rating among Republicans - Hot Air

• To win burbs, Mitt may pick 'double-vanilla' veep - Michael Barone

House includes pipeline in transportation bill, set for Senate battle

"The Republican-controlled House on Wednesday passed a transportation bill that would advance the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, defying a White House veto threat and stoking an election-year fight over what Congress can do about gas prices." - LA Times

• Keystone pipeline builder proposes new route  - CNN
• What is the cost of EPA interference? - RedState

Obama plays class war in Ohio, hits Romney with ‘silver spoon’

"With general-election campaigns gearing up, President Obama on Wednesday aimed to craft a sharp contrast between himself and his likely GOP opponent, Mitt Romney, telling an Ohio crowd, “I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth.”" - The Hill

• "If this campaign ends up being as nasty as everyone expects, by September he’ll be referring to Romney as “Moneybags.”" - Hot Air
• Prominent environmental groups endorse Obama's reelection bid - LA Times
• Obama campaign launches Spanish-language ads in Latino vote push - LA Times

Obama admin caught flat-footed by Argentina nationalization of Spanish oil company

"The big news last week from the Summit of the Americas was the Secret Service sex scandal, which had some in the Obama administration lamenting that no one paid much attention to Barack Obama’s efforts in Cartagena, Colombia to improve relations between the US and its allies.  Today, the White House might be hoping for a little more attention to the scandal.  After punting on an opportunity to defend the UK and the principle of self-determination over the Falkland Islands dispute with Argentina, Obama and his team got caught flat-footed by the nationalization of a Spanish oil company by Argentina’s government"- Hot Air

National Guard withdrawing 900 troops from U.S.-Mexico border - LA Times

Three Secret Service agents leaving amid prostitution inquiry - LA Times

• House Republican calls for Secret Service director resignation - CNN

Poll finds support for Afghanistan war deteriorating among voters - LA Times

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