Newslinks for Thursday November 3, 2011
Posted on 11/03/2011Cain says Perry is orchestrating a smear campaign
"A defiant Herman Cain accused Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, a Republican rival, of orchestrating a smear campaign to destroy his presidential candidacy, as additional accusations emerged Wednesday that Mr. Cain made unwanted sexual overtures to women while he led the National Restaurant Association more than a decade ago. As he sought to contain the fallout that consumed his campaign for a third day, Mr. Cain shifted his blame from the news media to the Perry campaign. He accused a top political adviser to Mr. Perry of leaking details of one allegation, saying the adviser learned of it while working for Mr. Cain’s failed bid for the Senate in 2004." - New York Times
- Cain camp calls report of third harassment claim 'baseless' - CNN
- "On CNN last night, Newt Gingrich called a potential leak from the Rick Perry campaign about Herman Cain's sexual harassment charges 'despicable' and 'repulsive'." - The Hill
- Cain continues fundraising streak amid harassment claims - CNN
Conservative bloggers cool to Cain
"Reacting to new harassment allegations against Herman Cain on Wednesday, some conservative bloggers began tempering their defense of the embattled Republican presidential candidate. As reports surfaced of a third woman accusing Herman Cain of sexual harassment while he was head of the National Restaurant Association in the 1990s, the bloggers expressed frustration about the way the campaign has handled the claims." - New York Times
- "The fact is that Cain had ten (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10) days to prepare for this story and either couldn’t or didn’t. The fact is that Cain has changed his story at least four times since Monday. If you count the fact that he lied to the guy he’s accusing of leaking the story (no Herman there wasn’t 'one' case, there are at least three, and I’m betting some multiple of that are yet to emerge), he’s changed it five times. Cain’s sex scandal is a self-inflicted wound from the word 'go'. If he wants to blame someone and demand an apology from that person he should send Mark Block out to Dollar General to buy a mirror." - RedState
- Bachmann hears concerns about Cain - National Journal
2012 update:
- New Hampshire Republicans to defend Perry speech - CNN
- Perry: I didn't have time to prepare for debates - The Hill
- Romney’s work with liberals offers insight into his changing ideology - Washington Post
- Hill GOP gives Cain warm reception - Roll Call
- Gingrich: Record fundraising continues - The Hill
- Bachmann offers copies of her book to help fund campaign - WSJ
- New Hampshire sets primary for Jan. 10 - WSJ
- Cain reviews non-profit links - New York Times
- Linda McMahon endorses Mitt Romney - Roll Call
- "Rick Santorum has spent more time in Iowa than any of the other Republicans running for president, but so far, Iowa Republicans haven't rewarded that effort." - WSJ ($)
Fed lowers its forecast for growth
"The Federal Reserve significantly reduced its forecast of economic growth through 2013, acknowledging that it had once again overestimated the nation’s recovery from the 2008 financial crisis. Despite the bleak forecast, however, the Fed said that its policy-making committee had decided against taking new measures to stimulate growth at a two-day meeting that concluded Wednesday. The Fed’s chairman, Ben S. Bernanke, said that the central bank already was pushing hard to spur growth and create jobs. 'We have taken a lot of actions,' Mr. Bernanke said at a news conference after the announcement. He added that Congress, by contrast, was not doing enough to pull the levers of fiscal policy." - New York Times
- More Americans supporting Occupy Wall Street - CNN
Karl Rove: Conventional wisdom says GOP voters are unenthusiastic with their candidates. The evidence suggests otherwise.
"In the Aug. 18-22 Associated Press poll, 64% of Republicans said they were "satisfied" with the GOP field, up from 52% in June. The Sept. 25-27 Fox News poll found 63% of Republicans "impressed" with their choices, up from 44% in April. By comparison, in a mid-October 1991 CBS/New York Times poll, only 18% of Democrats were "satisfied" with their field and 64% wanted someone else to enter the race. And we know how the 1992 contest turned out. Bad economic news and GOP enthusiasm mean increasingly that the president's re-election hopes depend on an exceptionally weak Republican running an unusually bad campaign. The warning to Mr. Obama is this: It's always better not to depend on your opponent making big mistakes." - Karl Rove for the WSJ
E-Verify bill splits House GOP
"House Republicans are split over an immigration bill that is backed by presidential candidate Mitt Romney as the measure is attracting escalating criticism from industry groups and rank-and-file members. The rift over House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith’s (R-Texas) E-Verify bill is jeopardizing its chances of passing the Republican-controlled House. Democrats, by and large, oppose the legislation, which would mandate that employers use the E-Verify system to check their employees’ legal work status." - The Hill
Republican Study Committee unveils jobs agenda
"An influential bloc of House conservatives unveiled a jobs plan Wednesday that one leader described as 'the exact opposite' of the proposal President Obama is pushing. The Republican Study Committee plan combines a tax overhaul, reduced regulations and an expansion of domestic energy production. The architects of the proposal said they had no specific estimate of how many jobs it would create, but the panel’s chairman, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), said they thought it would 'create a lot more than President Obama has created.'" - The Hill
Postal Service rescue plan offered by senators
"A small bipartisan group of lawmakers announced a proposal to save the U.S. Postal Service that would make it possible to cut Saturday service in two years, close post offices and buy out 100,000 workers. The bill would allow the cash-strapped U.S. Postal Service tap a $6.9 billion overpayment to the Federal Employment Retirement System, a move that several House Republicans have opposed, dubbing it a bailout." - CNN
- Senators propose allowing Postal Service to ship wine and beer as part of reform plan - Fox News
Citizens United spends big in Ohio collective bargaining fight
"Citizens United, the conservative political organization best known for the eponymous Supreme Court decision that last year altered the nation’s campaign finance landscape, will on Thursday begin blasting six-figures worth of advertisements throughout Ohio in support of limiting most state workers’ collective bargaining rights. The ads, which are slated to target the Cincinnati market in particular, urge voters next week to support Issue 2, a referendum on killing a collective bargaining-curbing bill passed by the state legislature and signed by Gov. John Kasich (R)." - Politico
Arizona gives boot to redistricting leader - USA Today
- "Arizona left with no clear path in redistricting map flap" - The Hill
Conservative group launches ad campaign on Solyndra loan - LA Times
- Former Solyndra CEO got $456K severance - Businessweek
- Energy Department official says agency overwhelmed by loan program - LA Times
Obama fails to engage with supercommittee, sits out fight
"With the supercommittee's time running short ... a major player is sitting out the fight. President Barack Obama. Both politically and substantively, Obama isn't interested in getting dragged into another death match with Republicans over deficits and spending cuts after the debt ceiling debacle. ... The sidelines strategy is a notable political and tactical shift for Obama, who personally negotiated the debt-limit agreement and staked the first two years of his presidency on reaching bipartisan deals with Congress, only to see his efforts largely fail and his job approval numbers tank. Obama hasn't dialed up members of the committee. Administration officials aren't yet engaged in substantive talks with ... Boehner ... And White House aides don't have a seat at the table, either with the ... Committee ... or during Democratic strategy sessions" -Politico
- Deficit committee could seek more time, says Steny Hoyer - New York Times
- Obama says nation needs 'bold action' from Congress on jobs - LA Times
Obama’s jobs drive not moving polls - Politico
Obama administration considering faster Afghan handover
"The Obama administration is exploring a shift in the military's mission in Afghanistan to an advisory role as soon as next year, senior officials said, a move that would scale back U.S. combat duties well ahead of their scheduled conclusion at the end of 2014. Such a move would have broad implications for the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan. It could begin a phase-out of the current troop-intensive approach, which focuses on protecting the Afghan population, in favor of a greater focus on targeted counterterrorism operations, as well as training the Afghan military." - WSJ
- Gallup poll: Obama scores points with Iraq withdrawal pledge - LA Times
> CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO CONSERVATIVEHOME'S DAILY EMAIL AND GET ALL THE MOST IMPORTANT GOP NEWS BY 7:00AM EST EVERY WEEKDAY.