Romney's healthcare plan may be more revolutionary than Obama's

"The centerpiece of Romney's plan would overhaul the way most Americans get their health coverage: at work. He would do so by giving Americans a tax break to buy their own health plans. That would give consumers more choices, but also more risk. Critics and independent analysts say the impact would probably leave a larger number of Americans without insurance. Conservative healthcare experts say changes along those lines would bring the benefits of competition to healthcare and that basic restructuring is needed." - LA Times

If the election comes down to jobs, Romney can win - despite having less charisma than previous candidates

"Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton both parlayed affability and other appealing personal qualities into political success, while George W. Bush’s capacity to exude a “regular guy” charm helped him win narrow victories against Al Gore and John Kerry, both of whom were viewed by some as stiff and patrician.  Those precedents give some Republicans pause for thought when it comes to Romney’s prospects. But they argue that if Romney can ensure the 2012 race comes down to a decision about picking the most competent leader for a country facing tough economic times, he can still prevail." - The Hill

• It's still the U.S. economy, stupid - Politico
• "The Democrats are right to presume that if the economy improves, Barack Obama will probably get re-elected. I think so myself. Objectively though, the economy looks like it will drift back down." - Erick Erickson

Ron Paul compares his campaign to the American Revolution

"Ahead of Tuesday's Pennsylvania primary, presidential hopeful Ron Paul painted his long-shot campaign as a new American revolution at a rain-soaked event outside Independence Hall. “In our early history, we had a major undertaking overthrowing an empire,” Paul said. “And in some ways that is what we are doing now.”" - CNN

Gingrich racks up more debt as his campaign disintegrates

"Newt Gingrich... racked up nearly $3 million in new debt for private jet flights, security consultants and travel costs in March even as his campaign teetered on the edge of collapse, according to new disclosures. The former House speaker entered April with $4.3 million in total debt, up from $1.5 million the month before, according to reports filed late Friday with the Federal Election Commission." - Washington Post

Mitch Daniels rules himself out of the veepstakes...

"Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels said Sunday that if Mitt Romney asked him to be his running mate, he’d send him a list of people better for the job. ... “You will remember what William F. Buckley said when he ran for mayor of New York and [was] asked what he would do if he won. He said, ‘Demand a recount.’ ” Daniels added: “I think I would demand reconsideration and send Mr. Romney a list of [other] people.”" - LA Times

...but Rubio steps back from earlier denials of VP candidacy...

"Marco Rubio declined to reiterate previous denials that he might be Mitt Romney’s running mate and said Sunday he will "be respectful of the process," a response sure to fuel speculation that Rubio is at least in contention for the No. 2 slot on the Republican ticket." - LA Times

• "What I heard was Rubio refusing to even play along with the question, although he did suggest earlier that Jeb Bush would make a great choice for Romney" - Hot Air
• "Rubio, who dismissed talk about potentially joining the ticket during a Sunday interview, is set to campaign with Romney on Monday in Aston, Pa." - AP

...and Portman sounds indecisive

"Although he did not offer a definitive "no" when asked... if he would join the GOP ticket in the next election, he opined that Rubio and Ryan have a better chance. Ultimately, Portman said the vice presidential pick will hold little clout in November. "Frankly, people vote for the person at the top of the ticket," Portman said" - CNN

Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch faces primary fight

"Sen. Orrin Hatch, a six-term Republican from Utah,  has been forced into a primary battle in June after he fell short Saturday of the votes needed for an outright nomination during balloting at the 2012 GOP state convention. Hatch, 78, who entered the Senate in 1977, will face former state Sen. Dan Liljenquist, 37, in the June 26 primary." - LA Times

• "59.1 percent sounds hopeless for Liljenquist if it’s an accurate reflection of Republican voters in Utah, but there’s bound to be a burst of tea-party enthusiasm for him now that he and Richard Mourdock are the last best chance to tilt the GOP further right at the federal level." - Hot Air
• Can the Tea Party defeat Dick Lugar? - WSJ

Is the tea party still relevant?

"Viewed broadly, it appears that the tea party may well be a victim of its own success. In 2010, it proved its powers — beating establishment-backed candidates in Senate races in Delaware, Colorado, Florida, Utah and Alaska to name a few. The result? Candidates are far more wary of crossing the tea party this time around, moving to embrace it rather than stare it down." - Chris Cillizza

Jon Huntsman likens GOP to communists

"Huntsman, the former Utah governor and once President Barack Obama's Ambassador to China, expressed disappointment that the Republican Party disinvited him from a Florida fundraiser in March after he publicly called for a third party. "This is what they do in China on party matters if you talk off script," he said." - BuzzFeed

New book says GOP freshman class turned into ‘a monster’ for Boehner

"Time and again last year, House Republican leaders faced a nearly in­trac­table opponent: the very freshman class that propelled them into the majority with the historic 2010 midterm elections. Rebelling from the outset of the 112th Congress and later wreaking internal havoc during talks to increase the Treasury Department’s ability to borrow funds, the freshman class repeatedly created problems for House Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio), according to a new book." - Washington Post

• Here's hoping GOP retreat on spending isn't permanent - Washington Examiner

Obama uses executive orders to bypass Congress - and is proud of it

"But increasingly in recent months, the administration has been seeking ways to act without Congress. Branding its unilateral efforts “We Can’t Wait,” a slogan that aides said Mr. Obama coined at that strategy meeting, the White House has rolled out dozens of new policies...
Each time, Mr. Obama has emphasized the fact that he is bypassing lawmakers." - New York Times

Obama video message booed at … Fenway Park? - Hot Air

NYT Public editor: Yes, our paper is totally in the tank for Obama

"Arthur Brisbane is the public-editor of the New York Times, it is his job to be an internal critic of how the Times covers its stories. ... Brisbane notes that one study has shown that Obama got more favorable coverage in his first year than the Times ever gave to his last three predecessors. And that frequently, left-leaning political opinions sneak into stories that have nothing to do with politics." - Business Insider

Surveys: Republicans more open-minded, better informed than Democrats

"On eight of 13 questions about politics, Republicans outscored Democrats by an average of 18 percentage points, according to a new Pew survey titled “Partisan Differences in Knowledge.” The Pew survey adds to a wave of surveys and studies showing that GOP-sympathizers are better informed, more intellectually consistent, more open-minded, more empathetic and more receptive to criticism than their fellow Americans who support the Democratic Party." - Daily Caller

American professors gather in Tehran for Occupy Wall Street conference - Weekly Standard

> CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO CONSERVATIVEHOME'S DAILY EMAIL AND GET ALL THE MOST IMPORTANT GOP NEWS BY 7:00AM EST EVERY WEEKDAY.