The Alabama Republican Party

RNC Political Director Rick Wiley: “As we move into the Nevada Caucuses tomorrow, I wanted to talk a little bit about what the state looks like for President Obama. We all know that Nevada was crucial to sending Obama to the White House four years ago, but in three years, the landscape has changed dramatically in the Silver State. “You look at Nevada today, we have the highest unemployment rate in the country, nearly 82,000 jobs have been lost in the three years since Obama took office, and unfortunately for Nevadans, 60 straight months of the highest foreclosure rate in the country. “To be fair, the economic problems didn’t start the day Obama took office of the presidency, but it is fair to remind voters that repeatedly Obama has put himself on the clock and promised relief and has gone so far as to say that if you’re not better off today than you were four years ago, then this is one term proposition. I think that Nostradamus-like prediction is going to come true as we get to November of this year. “Nevada was one of the nine battleground states that Obama won in 2008 that President Bush won in 2004, which makes…Nevada very crucial to the president’s reelection campaign…Gallup reported this week that his presidential approval ratings by state are declining sharply, and Nevada is one of the highest in decline… “So those are horrendous numbers for an incumbent trying to run for reelection in this economy…In Nevada specifically, he is trailing by 11 points in the Independent votes, 53% of Independents in Nevada…disapprove of his handling of his job…Almost more troubling for the president is nearly one in five, 17% of Democrats do not approve of his handling of his job. So, you have a problem with Independents and he has a problem with his base… “For months now the Republicans have been gaining on the Democrats there. We’ve had an advantage of about 3,200 in the month of January, and we continue to make gains to catch the Democrats. They had a huge margin after the 2008 Democratic Caucus where they invoked some same day registration and we’ve narrowed that gap down to about 47,000 now…Republicans are getting very enthused about not only about voting against Obama, but voting and supporting our eventual nominee. “If you look at what happened in 2010, we elected who was just a great rising star and a great governor, Brian Sandoval. Joe Heck won a very tight and contested race and has proven to be a great member of Congress, Dean Heller, your new United States Senator, and then Mark Amodei, a good friend of the RNC, former state chairman there…On Saturday, when the Republicans go to the caucuses, I think the momentum and the action to defeat this president will be on display…” RNC Hispanic Outreach Director Bettina Inclán: “With all eyes turning to Nevada, we find ourselves once again in a state where Latino voters will play a crucial role…Nevada has the fifth largest Latino population and one-fifth of those Latinos are eligible to vote. “Latinos in Nevada are bearing the brunt of Obama’s failed economic policies and are ready to caucus tomorrow to take their first step toward making Barack Obama a one-term president. “A majority of Latinos believe the economic downturn has hit them the hardest, more than any other group…it is especially true for Latinos in Nevada. They are facing an unemployment rate of 18.6 percent in the state and 10.5 percent nationally and they are ready to change the direction in Washington. “While today’s jobs report brings welcome news of lower unemployment, still too many Americans are out of work. The nation’s economic rate is unexpectedly low…especially for families across this country who are still struggling…Latinos in Nevada have been significantly more affected by our economy with an unemployment rate that is so high. “We are anxious to take these first steps in the Latino community in Nevada, and continue to work together to make sure we send a leader who will focus on creating jobs, rather than saving his own.” Click Here To Listen To The Full Audio: http://www.gop.com/audio/2.3.2012_Nevada.mp3     ###

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus released the following statement on the January unemployment report: “While today’s jobs report brings welcome news of lower unemployment, far too many Americans are still without work.  Our economy remains unacceptably weak, and families across the country are still struggling to make ends meet,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. “Three years ago yesterday, President Obama said that if he didn’t have the economy fixed ‘in three years,’ his presidency would ‘be a one-term proposition.’ Today’s unemployment numbers remind us that our economy is far from fixed. That, by the president’s own standard, should make him a one-term president. “After three years in office, Barack Obama has failed to produce the economic recovery he promised. His endless pursuit of regulations, mandates, taxes and deficits made economic recovery significantly more difficult.   “Our country desperately needs a change in direction. We need a president who will fight for hard-working taxpayers, not just campaign donors and his own job. As the campaigner-in-chief travels around the country, he’s making countless promises for a second term. Today’s jobs report reminds us that he could not even keep the promises from his first term.” ###

Excerpts from National Journal By: Ronald Brownstein February 2, 2012   “The Gallup state-by-state average approval numbers for 2011 released this week don't necessarily predict where President Obama will finish on Election Day, but they do measure the hill he must climb to win re-election. “The most important number in presidential elections, of course, is 270 - the number of Electoral College votes it takes to win. The best way to examine the Gallup numbers is to measure them against that yardstick. “In 2010, if you sorted down from Obama's highest approval rating to his lowest, he could reach 270 Electoral College votes by carrying the 22 states plus the District of Columbia where his approval rating stood at 46.9 percent or more… “In the 2011 numbers, the situation looks much more difficult for Obama. From 2010 to 2011, Gallup found, his average approval ratings dropped in every state except Connecticut, Maine and (oddly enough) Wyoming. As a result, to reach 270 Electoral College votes based on the 2011 numbers, he would need to win 20 states plus the District of Columbia where his approval rating stands at 44.5 percent or more…  “Obama in 2010 could reach an Electoral College majority by carrying states where his approval rating stood at least at 46.6 percent, something that would be difficult but hardly impossible. To reach a majority based on the 2011 results, he'd need to carry states where his approval stood at 43.7 percent or above. That's a much more daunting prospect… “In 2011, the states in which Obama's approval rating exceeds 50 percent-enough to make him a clear favorite-have a combined total of 159 Electoral College votes. His rating stands between 47 percent and 49.9 percent in states with another combined 56 Electoral College votes. That means he's favored at least somewhat in states with 215 Electoral College votes. That's a big decline from 2010, when he stood above 50 percent in states with 175 Electoral College votes and from 47 to 49.9 percent in states with another 84, for 259 favored votes… “The implication is that the number of states Obama can plausibly contest to reach 270 Electoral College votes is narrowing…in 2010, Obama's approval rating stood at 47 percent or above in New Mexico, Oregon, Iowa, Ohio and Nevada, all states he carried in 2008. His average 2011 ratings fell below that level in all five states… “These Gallup numbers show how much work awaits the Obama campaign, not only in states at the border of the emerging Democratic coalition like Virginia, Florida and Nevada, but some, like Pennsylvania and Oregon that have been part of its core since 1992.” Click Here To Read The Full Article: http://bit.ly/xjb00P   ###  

Excerpts from Red State By: Reince Priebus February 2, 2012   “Eric Holder testifies before Congress today on his department’s outrageous Operation Fast and Furious scandal. Eager to provide political cover for Obama’s embattled Attorney General, House Democrats…released a report attempting to exonerate Holder and his political appointees for failing to do their jobs. “Of course, their report says Holder’s innocent. The facts say he’s guilty. I say he must resign. “This cynical ploy is just the latest effort by Democrats to cover up the truth. Slowly but surely, their web of misstatements, falsehoods, and shifting blame is coming unraveled, revealing a reckless and incompetent administration… “It’s a disaster and tragedy that could have been prevented, and the Justice Department refuses to take responsibility… “Democrats will do anything to avoid blame. The DOJ withheld information. The White House accused congressmen of ‘playing politics.’…The administration sealed the court documents connected to the murder of the border patrol agent… “Obama still insisted in October that he has 'complete confidence in Attorney General Holder and how he handles his office.' That’s the biggest problem. Obama has 'complete confidence' in a scandal-ridden department… “Americans…have lost their confidence in this administration, and I, along with many other Republicans, have repeatedly called for Holder’s resignation. It’s time he heed those calls. “In his State of the Union address, President Obama said, ‘I am asking my Attorney General to create a special unit of federal prosecutors and leading state attorneys general to expand our investigations into the abusive lending and packaging of risky mortgages that led to the housing crisis.’ “A new agency run by Eric Holder? I wouldn’t get my hopes up on that one.” Click Here To Read The Op-Ed: http://bit.ly/x3me16   ###

“Why Obama Should Be Worried”  Excerpts from POLITICO: “To hear Democrats (and much of the media) tell it, President Barack Obama is a man on the rebound… “There is a big problem with this Pollyanna punditry: There are bunch of real-time numbers coming in that tell a much different tale. “In short, there’s a new Congressional Budget Office report that shows unemployment likely to climb to nearly 9 percent by the election, there’s polling data showing Obama tied or trailing…in the most important swing states…and there is mounting evidence that the assumption of a decisive Obama fundraising advantage for the fall might be flat wrong. All of this is happening while Republicans are at their worst…spending millions of dollars and using all of their air time explaining why the other is untrustworthy, deeply flawed and eminently beatable by Obama… “A new CBO report grabbed lots of headlines for projecting the deficit will top $1 trillion this year — making Obama the first president ever to pile up $1 trillion or more every year in office… “The CBO projects unemployment will rise, hitting 8.8 percent in the third quarter of the year, the heart of the campaign. That’s terrible politics. Obama advisers have told us repeatedly on background that if unemployment is above 8.5 percent in the final months of the campaign, it will be extremely hard, if not impossible, to win. The advisers say independents will not return to Obama if it looks like economic growth is anemic and uncertain and it looks like his policies did little, if anything, to create new jobs under his watch. “Economists seem divided on the question of whether robust enough economic and job growth can happen in time for Obama to benefit… “If Obama is on the rebound, someone forgot to tell swing voters in the most important up-for-grabs states in 2012. “Gallup, which both parties praise for its detailed appraisals of voters’ moods, just crunched the numbers in the 12 states that can authentically be called swing states. The results were hardly great news for Democrats… “Gallup also reported some disturbing national news Monday for Team Obama: The president had a 50 percent or better approval rating last year in only 10 states and the District of Columbia. In five states that could decide the election…Obama’s slide has been steep and uniform… “This is a 50-50 country. If Obama can’t win independents and can’t win the swing states, he can’t win reelection… “Obama fundraising has not been as strong as many Democrats had hoped or anticipate. More troubling for Democrats, there are signs that Republicans…could match the most prolific fundraiser in the history of presidential politics…” Read the Full Article Here: http://politi.co/zVlX0r     “Reelection Rumblings for Obama”  Excerpts from The Hill: “Recent economic reports could have the Obama White House worried. “All of the reports suggest the pace of economic growth is still slow, and that unemployment could rise, and not fall, by the end of the year… “Here’s why the White House should be nervous: “The Federal Reserve has announced it will keep interest rates low through 2014, a sign of its pessimism about the pace of the economic recovery. “The Commerce Department found the nation’s economy grew at a 2.8 percent rate in the fourth quarter of 2011, a faster pace than the rest of the year but worse than expected. If the economic growth slows in the next quarter, it will be tough to keep unemployment down. “The Congressional Budget Office projected a wider budget deficit and rising unemployment for the rest of the year, with the jobless rate expanding to 8.9 percent by the end of the year, when Obama goes to the polls. Rising deficits and unemployment would give Romney and Republicans potent weapons to use against the White House. “Housing remains a problem. The Case-Shiller index again found that home prices across the country fell 1.3 percent in November from October in its most recent survey. Until home prices rebound, voters will lack confidence in the economy’s future, and Obama needs them to feel better about the direction of the country… “The fight for the White House might be determined by how quickly workers return to the labor force. While the official unemployment rate is 8.5 percent, actual unemployment is much higher since the official statistics don’t include people who have dropped out of the labor force… “Zandi said some older workers who have left the workforce because their unemployment benefits have expired might never come back, an argument that suggests the labor force will not expand. “Obama three years ago said he’d be held accountable if the economy didn’t improve. ‘If I don’t have this done in three years, then there’s gonna be a one-term proposition,’ Obama told ‘Today Show’ anchor Matt Lauer, speaking on the economy. “The next 10 months will tell the story.” Read the Full Article Here: http://bit.ly/zCpQh2    ###

WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee (RNC) released a new web video “How Democrats Describe the Obama Economy” on the third anniversary of Barack Obama saying if he doesn’t have the economy turned around in three years, it’s going to be a one-term proposition. The video catalogues Democrat leaders describing the poor economy under President Obama’s leadership. The web video can be viewed here. Download the web video here. “Three years ago today President Obama said, ‘If I don’t have this done in three years, then there’s going to be a one-term proposition.’ Three years later, 12 million people don’t have jobs, home prices are at an all-time low and there is no end in sight. By his own standard, it’s obvious that this president has failed to turn the economy around. And just like Obama said, it’s time to make this a one-term proposition,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus.   ### 

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus released the following statement on December fundraising: “After breaking multiple fundraising records this year, the Republican National Committee ended 2011 with yet another strong showing, raising $11.6 million in December," said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. “2011 was indeed a record-breaking year for the RNC. We raised more major donor money this year than in any off-year in history, while our grassroots supporters continued to play a critical role in our financial success. “Thanks to the generosity of all our supporters, the RNC will a powerful force this election year. Over just the last year, we added nearly $20 million cash-on-hand and paid off $12 million of our debt. “I thank all our donors for their generosity and trust in 2011. Their support will empower us to ensure Barack Obama is a one-term president and elect Republicans up and down the ticket in November.”    ###

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus and Co-Chairman Sharon Day released the following statement commemorating Black History Month: “As we mark the beginning of Black History Month, Americans of all backgrounds join in celebrating the countless contributions African Americans have made to our nation’s history and culture,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. “Through art, politics, technological innovation and more, the African American community has uniquely shaped our country. “This month, we also recall the important influence of African Americans on the Republican Party. Our party was founded in 1854 by a group of abolitionists, and, since that time, we have remained dedicated to the principles of equal opportunity and individual liberty. We also remember and honor the many African American leaders and candidates that have strengthened the GOP over the years.” “While this month is an important opportunity to reflect on black history, our appreciation for the successes and sacrifices of the black community should not be limited to a single month,” said RNC Co-Chairman Sharon Day. “In today’s difficult economy, the African-American community has had to endure harder times than most. Recognizing that, the Republican Party will continue to advocate for policies that will rebuild our economy and create jobs for all Americans—especially those who have struggled the most.”    ###

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus and Co-Chairman Sharon Day released the following statement commemorating Black History Month: “As we mark the beginning of Black History Month, Americans of all backgrounds join in celebrating the countless contributions African Americans have made to our nation’s history and culture,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. “Through art, politics, technological innovation, and more, the African American community has uniquely shaped our country. “This month, we also recall the important influence of African Americans on the Republican Party. Our party was founded in 1854 by a group of abolitionists, and since that time we have remained dedicated to the principles of equal opportunity and individual liberty. We also remember and honor the many African American leaders and candidates that have strengthened the GOP over the years.” “While this month is an important opportunity to reflect on black history, our appreciation for the successes and sacrifices of the black community should not be limited only to a single month,” said RNC Co-Chairman Sharon Day. “In today’s difficult economy, the African-American community has had to endure harder times than most. Recognizing that, the Republican Party will continue to advocate for policies that will rebuild our economy and create jobs for all Americans—especially those who have struggled the most.”    ###  

Excerpts from Townhall By Reince Priebus February 1, 2012   “Zoo animals and art exhibits are “interesting.” Chronic unemployment is not—unless you’re President Obama. “In a Google+ video conference…Obama told a Texas woman that it was ‘interesting’ that her husband couldn’t find a job…Jennifer Weddel…wanted to know why it was so difficult for her husband, an engineer, to find a job… “Obama proceeded to lecture her that it should actually be quite easy for her husband. ‘As a basic matter…there’s a huge demand for engineers.’ “When Jennifer said that just wasn’t true, he responded with the coolness of a detached professor, intrigued by a complex case study: ‘It’s interesting to me…’… “The American people have been suffering under the Obama economy. Jennifer’s husband is hardly alone. 13 million people are out of work… “The president…has made things worse. His stimulus failed, and his regulations, mandates, and threats of tax increases have made it more difficult for job creators to hire workers. When someone dares to speak out, he wants them to ‘hush about it.’ Americans need jobs, but Obama is just out to save his… “Instead of taking responsibility for the failing economy…Obama casts blame elsewhere…If someone is out of work, Obama insists it’s not his fault. He assumes there’s something wrong with the unemployed.” Click Here To Read The Op-Ed: http://bit.ly/zEhdja   ###

Excerpts from The Hill By Amie Parnes and Jeremy Herb January 31, 2012   “The White House’s weeks-long effort to counterprogram against the GOP presidential primary fight has veered off course over the past two days… “A day before the Florida primary, the president stumbled twice in an online chat on Google+, first when he got into an awkward discussion with a woman about her unemployed husband and said it was ‘interesting’ that he hadn’t found work in the engineering field. “Almost instantly, Republicans and reporters pounced on Obama’s off-the-cuff remarks. “Kirsten Kukowski, a press secretary at the Republican National Committee (RNC), immediately fired off an email to reporters: ‘Maybe there’s a difference in how the president sees our economy and how Americans see our economy,’ she said. And in a matter of hours, the RNC created a Web ad, hammering Obama as out of touch. “Obama also earned unwanted media attention by for the first time acknowledging the classified drone program and defending the use of drone strikes to kill members of al Qaeda in countries such as Pakistan. “Newspapers overseas said Obama was ‘confirming’ and ‘admitting’ that the United States is flying drones over Pakistan, and a spokesman for Pakistan’s foreign ministry called the drone strikes ‘unlawful, counterproductive and hence unacceptable.’ “White House press secretary Jay Carney was left to field questions about Obama’s comments in Tuesday’s press briefing from reporters who asked if Obama had slipped up, revealing a little more than he might have intended.  “‘He’s the commander in chief of the armed forces of the United States,’ Carney replied. ‘I would point you to his comments. I’m not going to discuss broadly or specifically covert programs. I would just point you to what he said.’… “‘It’s hard to see what the geopolitical reason would be for doing that at this point,’ said Frederick Kagan…‘At a time when you’re trying to re-establish some kind of normalcy…it’s a little incomprehensible about how that fits into a strategy that makes any sense.’… “Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, appeared to wade into the debate at a hearing with top intelligence officials on Tuesday. “‘Once again, this committee has been put in a difficult position of trying to avoid any mention of classified matters when various parts of the executive branch may be doing somewhat the opposite,’ Feinstein said…‘I ask members to be careful in their questions and statements and to remember that public discussion of some intelligence programs and assets can lead to them being compromised.’…” Click Here To Read The Full Article: http://bit.ly/yRxC8J   ###

WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee (RNC) launched a new website “NotBetterOff.com” to highlight President Obama’s latest demonstration that he is out of touch with jobless Americans. When confronted Monday by a woman whose husband has been out of work for three years, President Obama was “surprised” to hear that jobs in his field were not readily available. It’s clear that President Obama has no idea the negative impact that his job-crushing policies have had on everyday Americans looking for work. Check out www.NotBetterOff.com and submit your own resume to President Obama so that he can see the true impact of Obamanomics. Send a message to this White House that this president truly doesn’t understand how jobs are created.  "President Obama’s exchange with a concerned woman whose husband is out of work shows exactly how out of touch this president really is when it comes to the dismal economic climate he created,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus.                                                                                     “His ivory tower view of ‘economic recovery’ is in stark contrast with the harsh reality of millions of Americans who are struggling to find jobs because of Barack Obama’s failed economic policies.”  ###

WASHINGTON – Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Reince Priebus and Co-Chairman Sharon Day released the following statement regarding the results of the Florida primary: “Tonight, Florida voters showed America once again that the electoral momentum is firmly on the Republican side,” said Chairman Reince Priebus. “The impressive turnout in the Florida primary demonstrates how energized our party is and how eager voters are for a change in direction. I congratulate Mitt Romney on his win tonight, and I commend all of our candidates for their tireless work to replace Barack Obama and put an end to his failed policies. “Americans cannot afford four more years of President Obama’s reckless spending and broken promises. Three years after taking office, he has yet to fulfill his promise to fix our failing economy. Instead of solutions, he offers slogans and recycled rhetoric. Voters have had enough, and judging by tonight’s results, they are ready to send a Republican president to the White House.”  “As a Floridian, I’ve seen firsthand the toll the Obama economy has taken on my home state,” said Co-Chairman Sharon Day. “Families are suffering through high unemployment and high foreclosure rates. Our large Hispanic community has been even harder hit, and 60 percent of Hispanic voters in the state say that Obama’s campaign promises remain unfulfilled, according to a recent poll. They feel betrayed and ignored by an increasingly out-of-touch administration.  “After tonight’s primary, I know Floridians will lead the charge in making Barack Obama a one-term president.”   ###

RNC Political Director Rick Wiley: “As Floridians go to the polls for the presidential primary, we’re excited at the RNC. It’s the next contest to retire Barack Obama. And you look at Florida, it’s hard to imagine it’s not going to be one of the most contested prizes in our path to 270, 29 electoral votes is a big haul for a battleground state… “It’s a prototypical swing state. The president only garnered 51% of the vote in 2008 over John McCain so he leaves himself very little wiggle room as he’s trying to plot his reelection campaign… “Some of the challenges that the president faces in Florida, it’s ranked number 1 in the nation in terms of the percentage of the electorate over the age of 65, 27% of registered voters are over the age of 65, it has the second largest Jewish population…, the third largest Hispanic population, those key constituencies that elected Barack Obama in 2008, he’s faltering in all of those… “You look at the Obama campaign and they are out there right now making telephone calls because they have to shore up the base whereas Republicans, when we start our voter identification program, we’re able to go straight to Independents and lay out the groundwork as to why this president shouldn’t be reelected… “A couple other key points in Florida, the Democratic Party’s advantage in party registration is shrinking…it has declined in each of the last 26 months…it’s dropped 30% from 700,000 to 500,000 today, so we’re closing that gap… “Voter participation rate amongst all age groups, the over 65 population is right now one of the weakest demographics for Obama. A new Quinnipiac poll just out last week showed he is only garnering 38% job approval rating from voters over 65, so he’s going to have a strong uphill battle…when we get into Florida. “You look at what happened in NY-9 with the election last year of Bob Turner, you have a high Jewish population in Florida, and Barack Obama it seems he has numerous embarrassing statements and a bumbling foreign policy doctrine towards Israel. And I think he’s going to have to do a lot of explaining when he gets to Florida about his policies there... “Hispanic voters have been unimpressed by this president, mainly because of his failed economic policies and broken promises when it comes to the economy. Resurgent Republic was just in the field recently, and they surveyed Florida Hispanic voters that showed he’s polling 11 points behind his 2008 performance…56% of Florida’s Hispanic voters said Obama has been weaker than expected as a leader…60% has said his campaign promises have remained unfulfilled, and two-thirds or 63% of Cuban voters have said it is time to give someone else a chance…as we get through this primary process in Florida today, you get a sense from the Republicans on the ground that there’s a lot of enthusiasm around our candidates in Florida…they’ve been criss-crossing the state talking about this president’s failed record… “Close elections are about momentum. And momentum in Florida is moving in the direction of the Republican Party right now and in spite of its nickname the Sunshine State looks awful cloudy for Obama. And I think we’re in a great place where it’s going to rain on his parade in November.” Click Here To Listen To The Full Audio: http://www.gop.com/audio/1.31.2012_Florida.mp3     ###

WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee (RNC) launched a new web video titled “Interesting” after President Obama’s awkward interaction with a woman who was asking why it was so hard for her husband to find work in this economy. After hemming and hawing about the condition he thought the economy was in, it was revealed that Barack Obama’s view of the economy is in direct contrast to what everyday Americans are dealing with. The web video can be viewed here.       “President Obama’s exchange yesterday with a concerned woman whose husband is out of work shows exactly how out of touch this president is when it comes to the dismal economic climate he has created,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus.                                                                                      “His ivory tower view of ‘economic recovery’ is in stark contrast with the harsh reality of millions of Americans who are struggling to find jobs because of Barack Obama’s failed economic policies.”   ###  

Excerpts from POLITICO By Kenneth P. Vogel and Alexander Burns January 28, 2012   “Democrats have seized on Republicans as the party of unlimited secret money. “The only problem: so are Democrats. “In recent days, Obama released an ad blasting ‘secretive oil billionaires’ for attacks on him, Nancy Pelosi unveiled a campaign slogan, calling for ‘a new politics free of special interest influence’… “Maybe that would have sounded better in 2008, when Obama put the kibosh on the Democratic outside money infrastructure—or even in 2010, when Obama led a chorus of Democrats assailing Republicans’ outside spending. “But this year, Democrats are playing the same game. Obama’s team has blessed a network of super PACs trying to raise the same seven-figure checks… “In fact, top Democrats are so ardent about the need to raise unlimited—and sometimes secret—cash this year that some operatives aren’t pleased about the recent attacks, grumbling that it makes it a whole lot tougher to get wealthy liberals to fork over mega-checks when the politicians who’d benefit are ripping Republicans for taking the same types of contributions. “Then there are doubts about the effectiveness of such attacks, considering how they went the last time Democrats tried them in 2010. Obama and his allies spent the final weeks before Election Day complaining bitterly about GOP-allied spending groups, hinting they could be awash in illegal foreign money, only to watch Republicans notch historic gains in the House. “And, beyond that, the Obama campaign’s juggernaut fundraising makes the president an especially poor messenger for the attacks, reasoned one Democratic operative familiar with the party’s outside money operation. “‘When you’ve been talking about raising $1 billion, you really shouldn’t be talking about money in the political process,’ the operative said. Democrats ‘should talk about issues that people really care about like whether their taxes are going to get raised, whether their kid is going to get sent to Afghanistan, or whether they’re going to get blown up on a plane,’ the operative said, adding ‘campaign finance isn’t a particularly resonate issue other than for those who are talking about it.’ “But party leaders suggest the secret money attacks forecast in Obama’s ad—his first of the cycle—are part of a broader messaging strategy that seeks to cast Republicans as secretive and unethical pawns of big business who couldn’t care less about the plight of regular Americans... “The special interest money theme could play a recurring role in the president’s reelection campaign, Obama allies suggest… “At a POLITICO Playbook breakfast last week, Pelosi predicted such reforms could staunch the flow of outside money into elections, but she also acknowledged that ‘most people don’t know that (the super PACs are) there and how they operate. They just see the result of it.’ Yet, the Democratic leader—who has herself raised money for super PACs—said that, as she traveled lately ‘what I get the biggest response to is…when you talk about disclose and reform, people are very ready for it.’ “In fact, Democrats believe that Republicans set the stage for a campaign debate over outside group spending because their presidential candidates repeatedly attacked one another during debates and on the trail over ads aired by rival super PACs… “Obama and his Democratic allies during the 2010 midterm elections assailed GOP-allied super PACs and other outside spending groups like Americans for Prosperity as corrupting the democratic process. But after the groups helped power Republicans to landslide victories, the White House backed away from its opposition and tacitly blessed a network of super PACs and nondisclosing 501(c)4 nonprofits run by close allies to solicit big checks from wealthy liberals to try to level the playing field. Completing the reversal: the Obama campaign recently cleared its bundlers to raise money for pro-Obama outside groups… “The attacks elevate the arguments being leveled by the GOP-allied outside groups, asserted Americans for Prosperity President Tim Phillips, whose group noted with pride that Obama’s ad was ‘in direct response’ to its Solyndra ads. “And Phillips pointed out that Democrats have long had outside groups and labor unions working on their behalf — even before Obama began targeting Americans for Prosperity during the 2010 campaign. “‘It was hypocritical two or three years ago to make that assault,’ Phillips argued. ‘It’s just times two now with all the new groups they’ve formed on their side.’” Click Here To Read The Full Article: http://politi.co/wRoYjr   ###

Excerpts from POLITICO By Kenneth P. Vogel and Alexander Burns January 28, 2012   “Democrats have seized on Republicans as the party of unlimited secret money. “The only problem: so are Democrats. “In recent days, Obama released an ad blasting ‘secretive oil billionaires’ for attacks on him, Nancy Pelosi unveiled a campaign slogan, calling for ‘a new politics free of special interest influence’… “Maybe that would have sounded better in 2008, when Obama put the kibosh on the Democratic outside money infrastructure—or even in 2010, when Obama led a chorus of Democrats assailing Republicans’ outside spending. “But this year, Democrats are playing the same game. Obama’s team has blessed a network of super PACs trying to raise the same seven-figure checks… “In fact, top Democrats are so ardent about the need to raise unlimited—and sometimes secret—cash this year that some operatives aren’t pleased about the recent attacks, grumbling that it makes it a whole lot tougher to get wealthy liberals to fork over mega-checks when the politicians who’d benefit are ripping Republicans for taking the same types of contributions. “Then there are doubts about the effectiveness of such attacks, considering how they went the last time Democrats tried them in 2010. Obama and his allies spent the final weeks before Election Day complaining bitterly about GOP-allied spending groups, hinting they could be awash in illegal foreign money, only to watch Republicans notch historic gains in the House. “And, beyond that, the Obama campaign’s juggernaut fundraising makes the president an especially poor messenger for the attacks, reasoned one Democratic operative familiar with the party’s outside money operation. “‘When you’ve been talking about raising $1 billion, you really shouldn’t be talking about money in the political process,’ the operative said. Democrats ‘should talk about issues that people really care about like whether their taxes are going to get raised, whether their kid is going to get sent to Afghanistan, or whether they’re going to get blown up on a plane,’ the operative said, adding ‘campaign finance isn’t a particularly resonate issue other than for those who are talking about it.’ “But party leaders suggest the secret money attacks forecast in Obama’s ad—his first of the cycle—are part of a broader messaging strategy that seeks to cast Republicans as secretive and unethical pawns of big business who couldn’t care less about the plight of regular Americans... “The special interest money theme could play a recurring role in the president’s reelection campaign, Obama allies suggest… “At a POLITICO Playbook breakfast last week, Pelosi predicted such reforms could staunch the flow of outside money into elections, but she also acknowledged that ‘most people don’t know that (the super PACs are) there and how they operate. They just see the result of it.’ Yet, the Democratic leader—who has herself raised money for super PACs—said that, as she traveled lately ‘what I get the biggest response to is…when you talk about disclose and reform, people are very ready for it.’ “In fact, Democrats believe that Republicans set the stage for a campaign debate over outside group spending because their presidential candidates repeatedly attacked one another during debates and on the trail over ads aired by rival super PACs… “Obama and his Democratic allies during the 2010 midterm elections assailed GOP-allied super PACs and other outside spending groups like Americans for Prosperity as corrupting the democratic process. But after the groups helped power Republicans to landslide victories, the White House backed away from its opposition and tacitly blessed a network of super PACs and nondisclosing 501(c)4 nonprofits run by close allies to solicit big checks from wealthy liberals to try to level the playing field. Completing the reversal: the Obama campaign recently cleared its bundlers to raise money for pro-Obama outside groups… “The attacks elevate the arguments being leveled by the GOP-allied outside groups, asserted Americans for Prosperity President Tim Phillips, whose group noted with pride that Obama’s ad was ‘in direct response’ to its Solyndra ads. “And Phillips pointed out that Democrats have long had outside groups and labor unions working on their behalf — even before Obama began targeting Americans for Prosperity during the 2010 campaign. “‘It was hypocritical two or three years ago to make that assault,’ Phillips argued. ‘It’s just times two now with all the new groups they’ve formed on their side.’” Click Here To Read The Full Article: http://politi.co/wRoYjr   ###

WASHINGTON – The Republican National Committee (RNC) launched a new web video entitled “Not Up To The Job” reminding the voters that during the 2008 primary campaign Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz led the charge against Barack Obama for Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Wasserman-Schultz blew the whistle on Barack Obama’s lack of experience—and even refused to endorse him in Florida. Thanks to President Obama, Florida’s unemployment rate is one of the highest in the nation at 9.9 percent and there have been 1.1 million more foreclosures since he was elected. Four short years later, it’s abundantly clear the current DNC Chairwoman was right—Barack Obama was not ready to lead. The web video can be viewed here. Download the web video here.    “I’m going to give credit where credit is due. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz was right back in 2008,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. “She knew that Barack Obama wasn’t up to the job and four years later we all know she was right.” “Just look at what Barack Obama did to her home state—9.9 percent unemployment, one of the highest in the country; 1.1 million more foreclosures and 650,000 more Floridians in poverty since he was elected. Barack Obama’s dismal record of leading this economy to recovery is a sure sign this country needs to change direction in 2012.”  ###

RNC Chairman Reince Priebus: “For years, the Michigan GOP has been a very serious Republican party in this country, always in the top 5 parties in the country concerning organization and money and knowledge and how to win and connect the dots on the ground and we’re going to need that because Michigan is going to be a battleground state, we’ll be there heavily in this election cycle, I really feel like we can really continue the momentum of 2010 in making sure that Michigan stays a red state and we help Barack Obama hit the bricks in the White House by winning Michigan… “Here we are again talking about another tax-payer paid campaign visit to Michigan and his campaign team sure does like to use the state of Michigan as a campaign prop and he’s doing it again today. “It will be a busy week for the President, he kicked it off with a recycled State of the Union speech…We put out a web video, I think it has over a half a million hits on it right now, and if you look at the 2010, 2011 and 2012 speech, man I’ve heard of being lazy before, I know he likes to get on the campaign trail, but using the same speech at the State of the Union address for three years is pretty remarkable. “Then, he hit four states important to his campaign to give more speeches to voters who’ve heard it all before. So then, he takes the Air Force One, on a taxpayer paid 747 and he runs around, and it just so happens to once again find his way in battleground states. “Here’s the problem with this President: he travels the country not promoting policies that will get Americans back to work but giving the same old stump speech full of failed economic policies and broken promises. And people across Michigan and across our great country they’re just not buying it anymore and that’s why you see his polling numbers in the tank and that’s why you see the momentum and enthusiasm on the Republican side of the aisle. “Today, you will probably hear the President tout his big government tax and spend policies and I think it’s great that Michigan and the auto industry is on the rebound and it’s great for our nation, but I mean let’s take this opportunity today to highlight two of his many broken promises: one, he said the taxpayers wouldn’t be on the hook for his bailouts, and look at where that got the taxpayers. Okay, we’ve been on the hook for his bailouts, and we’re grateful that the auto industry is slowly coming back, but the taxpayers are still on the hook for the money. He said there would be one million electric vehicles on the road by 2015, and we are far, far away from that number. So while students at Michigan will get a campaign speech from Barack Obama…They’re ready for actual policies, real solutions and a leader, not a campaigner in chief thinking about the best way to save his job or the easiest path to 270 electoral votes, but a commander in chief worried about freedom, security, and the jobs of the millions of Americans that have been out in the cold since he’s taken over in their White House. “Voters in Michigan will make their voices heard loud and clear when they go to the polls in November. They’ll reject new taxes, big government red tape, and most importantly they will reject his bid for another four years in the White House.”   Michigan Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak: “As relates to the past year in Michigan, we really got to focus on what’s going on and why things have turned around and you don’t have to do much as the President of the United States to just traveled to Lansing, and meet with Governor Schneider, to meet with our leaders in the Senate and the House. In the first year, in the first months, they’ve cut billions out of our budget, they’ve reformed our tax system, they’ve got unemployment being reduced, and people are looking at Michigan in a very favorable way for growth. “You look at the country, there’s more than 360,000 people since Obama took office that are on unemployment. His signature legislation, Obamacare, health care costs are going up. So Americans are not better off… “While the auto companies are showing some success… let’s give credit where credit is due. It’s due to the innovation, the engineering, and the folks on the line building these cars. The quality of the product is competitive worldwide and highly desired in foreign countries, and the premier choice inside the United States…It’s not a government bailout. It’s not the fact that Chapter 11 that took place was funded by the taxpayers. That was a horrible outcome, bad for America. A debtor in possession, finance, bankruptcy by the government was completely unnecessary. A normal course of refinancing should have happened on the capitol markets. “Frankly, I’m getting pretty tired of hearing the President take credit for the outcome of the automobile companies. Who deserves credit is those who design and build them and the marketing of the vehicles. “If you look further as to what’s going on, or not going on, look at what the President is not talking about. You don’t hear him talking about Social Security or Medicare. Those two programs would require presidential attention. You don’t hear him talking about the growing deficit and what he has created since his watch. We must cut spending. “Every American, any survey you look at agrees that we’re living way beyond our means and we’re bankrupting ourselves by using our credit card. So rather than using his State of the Union to show some leadership and to show some new direction for the country and to give us hope that the future can be brighter, he chooses to take credit for things that were not a result of his doing, and on top of that, doesn’t show the courage to take responsibility for those things that were not successful. “So, in Michigan, our grassroots, our county chairs, our district chairs, are appealing to the Independents and to Democrats, and there are plenty of Conservative Democrats, that we are very confident that notwithstanding that Obama.com declares 62 campaign offices in Michigan, that we will be out in force, messaging very clearly what the President has not accomplished and point out very clearly how the master of spinning the message, we will show where the truth lies.” Click Here To Listen To The Full Audio: http://www.gop.com/audio/1.27.2012_Michigan.mp3      

“GOP’s Priebus: Remember Obama’s Record on Economy Today”   By: Reince Priebus January 27, 2012  Excerpts from the Detroit News: “Michigan is the final stop on President Obama's cross-country, five-state tour. Setting aside his presidential duties, he's back to what he really loves: campaigning. “But if Obama takes some time away from politicking at the University of Michigan today, the state of Michigan could teach this ex-professor an important lesson… “Rick Snyder and his Republican colleagues have proven over the last year, it is possible for an elected official to keep his promises. It's possible to balance a budget, turn a deficit into a surplus, and implement pro-growth tax reform. Michigan Republicans have done all of that and more. Compare that to Barack Obama's record…of failed promises. “On the economy, jobs, the debt, the deficit, housing, health care, energy and ethics, the president has failed to keep his promises to Michigan and to America. It's no surprise that 62 percent of Michiganians disapproved of his job performance in a November poll… “Obama promised to change the way business is done in Washington and issued a ban on lobbyists in his administration. He then promptly broke it. After he vowed lobbyists would not "find a job in my White House," the White House hired nearly 100 of them. “The president knows he can't win an election on his record…When Michigan voters go to the polls in November, they will ask themselves the question voters always ask when an incumbent president is on the ballot: "Am I better off than I was four years ago?" In the face of a struggling national economy and exploding government debt, most Americans won't have to think twice.” Read the Full Op-Ed Here: http://bit.ly/zltO5k   “Obama’s Mission— It’s All Politics”  By: Bobby Schostak January 27, 2012   Excerpts from the Detroit Free Press: “What does a president who is worried about re-election look like? “He unveils political ads in swing states the same week as his State of the Union speech. “He visits politically active swing states within days after State of the Union. And he pushes policies that have failed middle class taxpayers across America… “In Ann Arbor, Obama will give another re-election themed speech wrapped in the context of an official visit…He will not address the national debt and federal deficit, growing health care costs due to the Affordable Health Care Act, or his inability to control unemployment. Rather, Obama will propose new programs to assist his re-election campaign… “Middle class taxpayers across Michigan are ready for a new direction, and although Obama will provide another eloquently worded address this morning, there is no hiding the fact that he has let Michigan citizens down… “Voters looking for a contrast to Obama's failed policies need to look no further than what Republican leadership has done in Michigan. “Gov. Rick Snyder and Republican leaders made dramatic progress in Michigan by doing the opposite of what Obama is doing. Republicans in Michigan balanced the budget, paid down more than $1.5 billion in long-term debt, and eliminated the job-killing Michigan Business Tax…Michigan's unemployment is the lowest it has been in more than three years. “Michigan's middle class taxpayers are beginning to see a little light at the end of the tunnel. Life in Michigan continues to improve, though we realize there's a lot of hard work ahead of us… “The president's visit today is part of his re-election strategy, a flawed strategy that relies on pretending that his first three years in office do not exist.” Read the Full Op-Ed Here: http://on.freep.com/yp4CY0     ###