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2012

By David Freedlander 2/13/12 9:44am

2012

President Obama (Photo: Getty)

Obama Launches ‘Truth Team’ For New Round of Smear-Fighting

The Obama campaign announced this morning that they will launch a new crowd-sourced initiative, to in their words, “promote the President’s achievements, respond to attacks on his record and hold the eventual Republican nominee accountable.”

The effort follows up a similar one in 2008 called “Fight The Smears” which was designed to debunk rumors that Mr. Obama was born in Kenya or was a Muslim. That decision came amid some hand-wringing over whether or not it was better to ignore the false rumors in the hopes that they would go away or confront them head on. Read More

By David Freedlander 1/31/12 5:20pm

2012

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Top Romney Backer Says Campaign Should Keep Michael Grimm Around

Eric Ulrich , the youthful Queens City Councilmember who has been deputized as Mitt Romney’s campaign chairman in New York City, defended the Massachusetts governor’s use of Congressman Michael Grimm as a top surrogate for his presidential campaign.

“These are just accusations. The last time I checked people are innocent until proven guilty,” he said.

Over the weekend, a story in The New York Times detailed how Mr. Grimm, a freshman lawmaker from Staten Island, raised more than $500,000 through an Israeli citizen now being investigated by the F.B.I over accusations that he embezzled millions of dollars from Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto, a famed Manhattan rabbi. According to the story, Mr. Grimm and the Israeli set up straw donors to secure money over the legal limit.

Mr. Grimm was in Florida last week campaigning for Mr. Romney, and had been in New Hampshire on the campaign’s behalf during the primary there.

“I believe that Michael is an asset to the Republican Party and his constituents are very lucky to have him,” Mr. Ulrich said. “In this business anybody can be accused of anything. I am sure  that his name will be cleared and his reputation will not be tarnished by this. I believe he will move on and continue to do a great job.” Read More

By David Freedlander 1/19/12 1:32pm

2012

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Peter King: If Gingrich Wins ‘The Whole Country Would Be In Danger’

It’s been something of a roller-coaster couple of hours for Newt Gingrich. Last night word leaked of an interview with his ex-wife who claimed he wanted “an open marriage.” Then he received a big endorsement from Rick Perry as the Texas governor exited the presidential race.

In the middle of all of this, Long Island Congressman Peter King, seemingly relishing his role as an attack dog for Mitt Romney, got on a conference call with reporters and slammed the former speaker as too erratic and ego-centric to become the president.

“The House is on the line this year,” Mr. King said. “I believe we can take back the Senate. We have to win the presidency. Having Newt at the top puts all of that in danger. And then, if he were elected president, to me the whole country would be in danger” Read More

By David Freedlander 1/17/12 9:30am

2012

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Candidate Emerges for Jeffries Seat

It was only this weekend that Hakeem Jeffries announced his bid to give up his Assembly seat to run for Congress, but already a candidate has emerged to take his place in the legislature.

Olanike Alabi, a veteran district leader in the 57th Assembly district is set to announce her candidacy later this morning.

“I am extremely proud to officially announce that I am a candidate for the New York State Assembly – 2012,” said  Ms. Alabi in a statement provided by her campaign.  “As the Democratic State Committeewoman/District Leader for several years, I have served the constituents of this district. I know first-hand how far we have come—and I am keenly aware of what is needed to move our district forward.” Read More

By David Freedlander 12/28/11 4:29pm

2012

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Poll: Romney Has Edge In Iowa, NH

With the Iowa caucuses now just six days away, a new poll confirms what many have suspected: Mitt Romney is surging in a state that he had once written off.

According to a Time/CNN/ORC poll, Mr. Romney leads in Iowa with 25 percent of the vote, followed by Ron Paul at 22 percent and Rick Santorum at 16.

Newt Gingrich, who seemed all but certain to win Iowa a few weeks ago, has dropped to 14 percent. Rick Perry, who, seemed likely to win Iowa a few weeks before that, scored 11 percent, and former straw poll winner Michelle Bachmann has 9 percent of the vote. Read More

By David Freedlander 12/20/11 11:08am

2012

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Romney Rolls Out Endorsements From Dozens of NY Pols

The Mitt Romney campaign rolled out this morning the endorsement of over three dozen Republican party and elected leaders from around New York State.

“I am so pleased to have the support of these New York leaders. They know how necessary it is that we create an economic climate that allows us to create jobs and rebuild the middle class,” Mr. Romney said in a statement. “I look forward to working with my New York team in the months ahead to spread my message of a ‘Simpler, Smaller, and Smarter,’ federal government.”

Many of the endorsements were announced a while ago, and their roll-out further cements Mr. Romney’s position as the establishment choice of the G.O.P. Not on the list, prominently, is Rudy Giuliani, who has been a loud advocate for Newt Gingrich over the last several days. Also not on the list are two of the last Republicans to hold statewide office–George Pataki and Al D’Amato, although a handful of surrogates of each have endorsed Mr. Romney. Read More

By David Freedlander 12/19/11 9:01am

2012

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Influential Rabbi Condemns Those Who Criticize President Barack Obama

Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum, the Satmar Grand Rabbi in Brooklyn, told a gathering of 30,000 of his followers on Saturday night that religious Jews should condemn those who “insult” President Barack Obama.

“Recently, certain self-appointed Jewish leaders have gotten up and insulted the President in the worst way, their words have been broadcast on the radio and television and all the media, why should Jews come out in public with statements like these?” the Rabbi said in remarks at the New York State Armory in Crown Heights, according to a release from the Central Rabbinical Organization. “It’s forbidden by the Torah to do so, it provokes the nations to hate us, and it brings danger upon Jews not only here but all over the globe, who knows what the effects of this irresponsible behavior could be? Therefore it is our obligation to make known that religious Jewry is completely opposed to these self-appointed leaders, we pray every day for our country and we bless its leaders with success in all their efforts to bring peace to the world.” Read More

By David Freedlander 12/15/11 3:29pm

2012

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Giuliani Goes On Media Offensive To Bash Mitt Romney [Video]

It appears as if Rudy Giuliani is auditioning for a spot on Newt Gingrich’s ticket.

The former mayor did not one but two cable morning news programs today, hammering home an “Anybody but Romney” message for his fellow Republicans. The appearances come after Mr. Giuliani made the same case to Piers Morgan earlier in the week.

“There is something wrong when you have been running as long as Mitt has and are only at 25 percent,” Mr. Giuliani told the hosts of “Morning Joe.” Read More

By David Freedlander 12/13/11 5:50pm

2012

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Iowa Pastors Call Newt Gingrich 'The Don Draper of 2012'

As comparisons go, this one seems like something of a leap.

A group of evangelical pastors in Iowa is calling on former House Speaker–and current, if nominal GOP presidential fundraiser–Newt Gingrich to sign a pledge of fidelity to his wife Callista and are mocking his previous adultery by comparing him to certain TV character.

“Mr. Gingrich is the Don Draper of 2012: When it comes to his character record, he’s a very fine, empty suit with a broken zipper,” said Dr. Albert Calaway, a retired Assemblies of God pastor who heads a 200-church Iowa group called Truth, Values & Leadership. “Christians in Iowa — and I understand many of his old U.S. House colleagues as well — desperately want to see a changed man, yet we keep on seeing a glib, wordy cheater. On all fronts, Newt should just be faithful.” Read More