Mitt Romney

Romney Accuses 'Labor Stooges' At NLRB Of Political Payback

Susan Crabtree | September 12, 2011, 3:42PM

GOP Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney joined the GOP's latest anti-union salvo -- reining in the National Labor Relations Board -- at an event in South Carolina Monday.

Romney, and his latest high-profile supporter Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, toured Boeing's new manufacturing plant in North Charleston. The NLRB is suing Boeing for moving an operation to South Carolina, a right-to-work state, from Washington state after unions protested there.

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Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney Swears He's Jim DeMint's Kind Of Guy

Evan McMorris-Santoro | September 5, 2011, 7:26PM

GOP Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney (MA)

It was quite a performance. But was it enough?

Mitt Romney ended his tour through Tea Party country on Monday with a late-scheduled slot at Sen. Jim DeMint's (R-SC) Palmetto Freedom Forum. DeMint backed Romney's run for the White House in 2008, but has not extended him much love this time around.

As he did at a New Hampshire tea party rally over the weekend, Romney laid out his case that the haters on the right are wrong and, truly, the former governor of Massachusetts is just the man the angry wing of the GOP is looking for.

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Jim DeMint

Candidates Head To SC To Sit At Jim DeMint's Right Hand

Evan McMorris-Santoro | September 5, 2011, 10:38AM

Jim DeMint

Updated: September 5, 2011, 3:48PM

If you're a Republican running for president, there are few endorsements you want more than that of tea party hero Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC). And today, contenders for next year's nomination are in South Carolina to kiss DeMint's ring.

DeMint is hosting a candidate forum on Monday afternoon bringing Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul and Herman Cain to the Palmetto State. The event is a big one for the 2012 candidates, as DeMint holds sway nationally over one of the most activist branches of the GOP (he's among the tea party's favorite politicians) as well as with Republicans back home (South Carolina votes early in the primary season, and loves to say it "picks Presidents.")

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Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney's Schedule Now Has Room For Jim DeMint

Evan McMorris-Santoro | August 30, 2011, 6:13PM

GOP Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney (MA)

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) -- the one-time Mitt Romney presidential booster cum Romney presidential critic -- will soon stand near Romney once again.

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2012 Presidential Primaries

Santorum: The Gay Community Is On A 'Jihad' Against Me

Eric Kleefeld | August 29, 2011, 11:43AM

Rick Santorum at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition's Spring Kickoff Event

Rick Santorum really does not like the political activism that gay people have launched against him, ever since his 2003 remarks comparing the legalization of gay sex and gay marriage to pedophilia, bestiality and incest.

"So the gay community said, 'He's comparing gay sex to incest and polygamy, how dare he do this,' and they have gone out on a, I would argue, jihad against Rick Santorum since then," Santorum said at a campaign event in Spartanburg, S.C., on Friday, The Hill reports.

There is a certain irony here, in that radical Islamists -- like Santorum himself -- would want to see homosexuality outlawed. And it is Santorum's prior remarks on that subject that have led to the situation that he is complaining about.

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South Carolina primary

Romney Turns Down DeMint Labor Day Forum

Eric Kleefeld | August 24, 2011, 12:02PM

GOP Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney (R-MA)

Mitt Romney will not be attending a Labor Day candidate forum in South Carolina -- hosted by the very conservative Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), who had previously endorsed Romney back in the 2008 cycle.

As CNN reports, Romney spokesman Ryan Williams has cited scheduling conflicts, saying the candidate will be spending the day in New Hampshire.

Five candidates thus far have accepted invitations: Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann, Ron Paul, Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich. Invitations were also extended to Sarah Palin and Rudy Giuliani, though they are not actually in the race. Romney is thus the only active candidate to turn down the event.

Romney has become the target of many conservative attacks, mainly over his Massachusetts health care reform -- which later became the basic blueprint for President Obama's national health care reform. DeMint, of course, has reversed his own position on his past praise for Massachusetts health care reform, back when he endorsed Romney in the 2008 cycle.

Rick Perry

Rick Perry: Illegal Immigrants Who Serve In The Military Deserve Citzenship

Evan McMorris-Santoro | August 20, 2011, 2:32PM

Mexican President Vicente Fox and Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX)

ROCK HILL, SC -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) spoke for a few minutes to reporters here about his views on immigration, which have gotten him into some hot water with the conservative base he hopes to woo as his presidential campaign spools up. What he offered up was a little something for everyone.

Perry said states should be responsible for their own immigration laws, also stating that the federal government must step up border enforcement. He also spelled out his support for a national program that would allow illegal immigrants who serve in the military to become citizens.

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Rick Perry

Thumbs Up, Handshakes And Ignored Critics: Rick Perry Walks The Line

Evan McMorris-Santoro | August 19, 2011, 6:18PM

Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX)

Over the weekend TPM's Evan McMorris-Santoro was on the trail of Rick Perry as he stumped through South Carolina. The following observations of the Texas governor in action reveal much about the political force that's currently shaking up the 2012 campaign.

GREENVILLE, SC -- Remember that Texas presidential swagger? The super-sincere handshakes, the thumbs up everywhere, the short, broski-style answers and genuine charm?

Yeah, it's exactly how you remember it.

For about 30 minutes Friday evening, Texas Gov. Rick Perry walked among the good people on Main St. here, stopping to exchange a few words when his staffers pointed someone out he should meet and -- for one brief moment -- shaking hands and giving thumbs up to the staff of a hookah bar a couple blocks from City Hall. He also pet dogs. A lot of dogs. Perry likes dogs.

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Rick Perry

Rick Perry: Obama Wants To Be Your 'Caretaker'

Evan McMorris-Santoro | August 19, 2011, 3:05PM

COLUMBIA, SC -- Speaking to a crowd of Republican Party officials and activists here Friday, Texas Gov. Rick Perry didn't mention his rivals for the GOP presidential nomination, but laid out the stakes for a general election contest he says will pit advocates of the nanny state against those who follow the nation's founding documents.

"The central issue of this election is going to be an administration who believes Washington must be our caretaker," Perry said, "and the people who want Washington to only care for their constitutional responsibilities."

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Michele Bachmann

Still Singing That Same Old Song: After Ames, Bachmann As Divisive As Ever

Evan McMorris-Santoro | August 19, 2011, 6:05AM

Michele Bachmann

FLORENCE, SC -- Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) is in a tough spot. On the one hand, polls are showing her unlikely presidential candidacy is catching on, at least in Iowa, and she needs to keep that momentum going by expanding her base of support among the various Republican groups here. On the other, Bachmann needs to keep stoking the tea party fire that's gotten her as far as it has.

Speaking to a small audience of true believers and curious visitors in the Palmetto State Thursday, Bachmann made it clear that she's putting her emphasis on the latter goal. In her stump speech, Bachmann offered up an unambiguous call for the dismantling of the federal Department of Education as well as the legislation that created it, which she called "unconstitutional." (She said she'd eliminate the EPA, too, a common refrain among Republicans these days.)

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Michele Bachmann

Don't Be Cruel: Bachmann Wishes 'Happy Birthday' To Elvis -- On Anniversary Of His Death

Eric Kleefeld | August 16, 2011, 2:19PM

Michele Bachmann is continuing her campaign theme of celebrating Americana -- even if the details are a bit more macabre than she intended.

"Before we get started, let's all say 'Happy Birthday' to Elvis Presley today," Bachmann said, kicking off a rally in Spartanburg, South Carolina, CNN reports.

"We played you a little bit of 'Promised Land' when we pulled up. You can't do better than Elvis Presley, and we thought we would celebrate his birthday as we get started celebrating taking our country back to work."

In fact, Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935. Today's date, August 16, is the anniversary of his death in 1977 at age 42, likely caused by heart disease that was seriously exacerbated from prescription drug abuse.

The video is below the jump, courtesy of Politico:

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National Labor Relations Board

Judge Rules For NLRB Over Boeing, Graham Piping Mad

Susan Crabtree | June 30, 2011, 6:02PM

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

A federal judge denied Boeing's motion to dismiss a National Labor Relations Board lawsuit that charged the aerospace giant with unfairly penalizing Washington workers' collective bargaining rights by moving a new production line to South Carolina.

Administrative Law Judge Clifford Anderson is allowing the case against Boeing to proceed to trial. The NLRB charged Boeing executives with retaliating against union workers in Washington state for striking by opening up the South Carolina factory, which Boeing flat-out denies.

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2012 elections

Bachmann: I Became 'Committed To Life' After Miscarriage

Eric Kleefeld | June 30, 2011, 9:55AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

During a campaign stop in South Carolina, Michele Bachmann said that her dedication to the pro-life cause, as well as her experience of serving as a foster parent for a total of 23 children, were rooted in a miscarriage she had years ago.

"After our second was born, we became pregnant with a third baby," Bachmann told an audience of 400, CNN reports. "It was an unexpected baby, but of course we were delighted to have this child. The child was coming along and we ended up losing our child. And it was devastating to both of us, as you can imagine if any of you have lost a child."

"At that moment, we didn't think of ourselves as overly career-minded or overly materialistic but when we lost that child, it changed us, and it changed us forever," she further added. "We made a commitment that no matter how many children were brought into our life, we would receive them because we are committed to life."

2012 elections

Bachmann: Obama Should Go Back To...Hawaii!

Eric Kleefeld | June 29, 2011, 10:17AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Michele Bachmann's multi-state campaign announcement tour took her to South Carolina on Tuesday, home of some of the most right-wing Tea Partiers around. And interestingly, while she was there she made a comment that distanced herself sharply from the fringe "Birther" movement in a subtle way.

As CNN reports, Bachmann promised to run a fully national campaign. "We want to win Hawaii," she said. "And we think that there is a certain Hawaiian president who should go back to Hawaii!"

Of course, President Obama was born in Hawaii, though he made his adult life and his political career in Chicago, Illinois. Moreover, Hawaii is a heavily Democratic state, and has only voted Republican for president in the landslide re-elections of Richard Nixon in 1972 and Ronald Reagan in 1984. Obama won his birthplace state by a whopping 72%-26% margin in 2008 -- up from John Kerry's much narrower 54%-45% in 2004 -- aided by the prospect of electing the first Hawaiian president.

On the other hand, this hasn't stopped conspiracy theorists from spinning rumors that Obama was really born in Kenya, and isn't legally qualified to be president, and that the multiple Hawaiian documents attesting to his birth there are forgeries.

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2012 elections

Bachmann To Embark On Announcement Tour Next Week In Key States

Eric Kleefeld | June 22, 2011, 4:41PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Michele Bachmann's campaign has now announced the dates for their formal kickoff tour next week -- with her making stops in three of the big early primary and caucus states.

Bachmann made the interesting move of announcing her much-expected candidacy during last week's debate -- though of course, her very participation in the debate was itself an act of running for president. However, that act did seem to be a departure from her previous statements that she would announce her decision in Waterloo, Iowa, the town where she was born.

Now, her campaign announced via press release, she will be making it up with a formal kickoff event on Monday at 10 a.m. CT, in Waterloo -- an event that the campaign press couldn't escape if they wanted to.

Then on Tuesday, she will hold a 9 a.m. ET backyard event at a private residence in Raymond, New Hampshire, and then visit Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with an event at 5:30 p.m. ET. She will then make a full-day swing through South Carolina on Wednesday, with stops in Charleston, Lexington, Greenville, and Rock Hill.

unions

GOP, Dems Square Off Over NLRB Case Against Boeing

Susan Crabtree | June 17, 2011, 4:17PM

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA)

Republicans and Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee repeatedly clashed Friday over the politically charged National Labor Relations Board complaint against Boeing Co. and its decision to locate a nonunion plant in South Carolina.

Even before the field hearing in Charleston, S.C., got underway, Democrats were accusing Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) of trying to intimidate the NLRB by hauling the agency's top lawyer, Lafe Soloman, before the panel.

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2012 elections

Poll: Romney Holds Healthy Lead In South Carolina Primary

Eric Kleefeld | June 7, 2011, 11:44AM

Mitt Romney

A new survey of the South Carolina Republican primary from Public Policy Polling (D) shows Mitt Romney with the opening lead in this key Southern primary state.

It's a good sign for Romney, at least at this early juncture in the race, to be leading in a primary that often favors social conservatives. He must sill go through the ringer of the campaign, of course, and the fact that Gov. Nikki Haley has criticized his Massachusetts health care reform law. But that being said, he is starting out on top in a strong position.

The initial numbers: Romney 27%, Palin 18%, Cain 12%, Gingrich 12%, Bachmann 9%, Ron Paul 7%, Pawlenty 4%, and Huntsman 2%.

Without Palin in the race: Romney 30%, Cain 15%, Gingrich 15%, Bachmann 13%, Paul 10%, Pawlenty 5%, and Huntsman 2%.

PPP's Tom Jensen writes: "Romney's formula for success in South Carolina is the same as in Iowa: dominate with the middle, lead with the center right, and avoid getting completely blown out of the water with the far right."

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2012 elections

PPP Poll: Obama Could Make SC Close Contest In 2012 -- Or Win It Against Palin

Jon Terbush | February 3, 2011, 1:00PM

Former Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) and President Barack Obama (D)

In 2008, John McCain took perennial red state South Carolina by a nine point margin over Barack Obama in the presidential election. Looking forward to 2012 though, Obama seems poised to make that race a little tighter -- or to win it outright if Republicans nominate a particularly polarizing candidate like Sarah Palin, according to a new PPP poll.

In the poll, Obama trailed Mike Huckabee by a six point margin, 49% to 43%. He also lagged seven pints behind Mitt Romney, 49% to 42%. While neither result is really close enough to make the race a toss up, they do show the contest being slightly more competitive next year.

However, if the GOP nominates Palin or Gingrich -- or even tea partying native son Sen. Jim DeMint -- the race is a wholly different story.

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2012 Presidential Primaries

PPP Poll: Huckabee In Front For 2012 SC Primary--Unless DeMint Jumps In

Jon Terbush | February 1, 2011, 1:31PM

Former Gov of Arkansas Mike Huckabee and Sen Jim DeMint (R-SC)

If Mike Huckabee decides to seek the Republican Party's presidential nomination, a new PPP poll shows that he'd be poised to claim the key primary state of South Carolina--that is, unless the state's conservative Senator Jim DeMint enters the race as well.

When PPP polled the state with a slate of potential candidates that didn't include DeMint, Huckabee came out on top with 26% of the vote, followed by Mitt Romney at 20%, Sarah Palin at 18%, and Newt Gingrich at 13%.Yet when DeMint was added to the mix, Huckabee's support fell to 20%, dropping him to second place behind DeMint, who garnered 24% of the vote.

Adding DeMint did not shake up the order of the other candidates, with each moving one slot down to accommodate the new front runner. In that scenario, Romney's support dipped to 17%, with Palin (12%) and Gingrich (10%) losing some supporters to DeMint as well.

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Haley Barbour

Haley Barbour Heading To South Carolina Tomorrow

Jillian Rayfield | January 25, 2011, 1:47PM

Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS)

Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) is heading to South Carolina tomorrow to attend two private events with Republicans, reportedly to discuss a run for president.

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