Romney rakes in the dough, gives generously
Former, and perhaps future, Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney raked in some serious cash — $1.6 million — for his political action committee during the first half of 2009, despite the recession.
Romney, who dropped out of the 2008 presidential campaign after poor showings in the early primaries despite raising huge sums of money, is considered one of the untainted potential candidates for 2012. Problems saddling fellow Republicans like outgoing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Nevada Senator John Ensign have put their presidential aspirations in question.
In addition to trying to stockpile some cash in case he decides he will make another White House bid, Romney donated $5,000 to Missouri Republican Representative Roy Blunt, who is running for Senate in 2010, and Republican Bob McDonnell, who is seeking Virginia’s governorship.
Romney also gave $1,000 to Representative Mark Kirk, who has been weighing a bid for President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat in Illinois. Kirk has wavered on whether to run for the open seat being vacated by Democratic Senator Roland Burris.
One of the biggest recipients of Romney’s largess was the New Hampshire Republican State Committee, which got $10,000. He served as governor of neighboring Massachusetts.
Romney’s PAC ended the six-month period with almost $850,000 in cash on hand.
Election blowout may cost House Republican leaders
WASHINGTON – Who will be blamed if Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives get crushed in Tuesday’s election?
That’s a question being asked amid Republican fears that they may lose as many as 30 seats. That would be on top of the 30 they dropped in the 2006 election that saw Democrats win control of the House, which they now hold, 235-199.
If House Republicans have another bad night, their leaders could be in jeopardy of being replaced — just like the manager of the baseball team who’s bounced after a bad season or two.
“There’s going to be a shakeup,” predicted a senior Republican leadership aide.
A former leadership aide said another big loss would trigger “spontaneous combustion from the House Republican” members, signaling “a need for change.”
The top dog, John Boehner of Ohio, is preparing to run for another two-year term as minority leader, according to aides. So far, nobody appears to be emerging as a viable challenger. But that could change after the election as the damage is surveyed.
Boehner won high marks this summer when he crafted an election-year message that resonated with voters: the call for expanded oil drilling that morphed into “drill, baby, drill” at the Republican presidential nominating convention.
Adam Putnam has never represented me. He’s the son of a wealthy family whose priorities have always been “his kind of people”, not THE people.
But I’m liking retired Navy Master Chief Doug Tudor, who promises to represent all of us and not just play at partisan politics, as Putnam has since he rode into office on George W. Bush’s coattails.
Learn more about Doug Tudor at http://www.teamtudor.org
I did, and I voted early for Doug like most of my veteran friends. We know the difference between an American Eagle and a chickenhawk!
I think Mitt Romney for President and Mike Huckabee as v/pres would make an awesome team for 2012. I would certainly be proud to support their candidacy should we be lucky enough for them to run.