Thursday night, TPM will have live coverage of the CNN debate at 8pm ET. Here are the 10 things you need to know today.
- In Iowa vote recount, Santorum ahead by 34 votes: Almost three weeks after the Iowa caucuses, a recount shows that Rick Santorum actually had 34 votes more than Mitt Romney; despite this development, the Iowa state GOP has decided to call it a “split decision” or “tie.” The Des Moines Register explains why.
- Gingrich’s second wife unloads on Newt: Newt Gingrich’s second wife, Marianne, says she has enough dirt on her ex-husband to end his campaign. Well, she’s decided now is that time to provide that information, and gave an interview to ABC News that is set to air after at 11:35 ET, after Thursday’s debate (after some controversy at ABC over when to air the interview).
- Gingrich’s two daughters respond to news of ex-wife’s interview: Newt Gingrich’s two daughters, Kathy Lubbers and Jackie Cushman provided a statement about Marianne’s interview, stating that the break-up of a marriage is a terrible thing, but that their father has already expressed remorse for any bad feelings and now it’s time to take on Barack Obama.
- Gingrich Gaining on Romney: A new NBC/Marist Poll out Thursday shows Romney leading Gingrich 34%-24%; that lead is five points less than it was before Monday night’s debate. A CNN/Time/ORC International poll confirms the 10 point lead, as well as the fact that it’s a lead that is rapidly shrinking.
- An InsiderAdvantage poll shows Gingrich leading in South Carolina: A new poll by InsiderAdvantage, conducted by phone Wednesday evening, showed Gingrich leading South Carolina for the first time since his initial surge, with 32% to Romney’s 29%. The poll is an outlier among other polls showing Romney ahead by at least ten points.
- Gingrich scores evangelical endorsement: Dr. Michael Youssef endorsed Newt Gingrich Wednesday, and Dr. Youssef will be joining the Gingrich Faith Leaders Coalition as a National Co-Chair, the campaign announced. Youssef is the Founder and President of the worldwide ministry, Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef.
- Gingrich releases new ad about Romney called “Desperate”: Newt Gingrich has a new ad out against Mitt Romney, hitting on the idea that Romney gets desperate and lashes out at opponents. To prove his point, the ad deploys clips of former rivals John McCain, Mike Huckabee, and Fred Thompson saying so themselves. Watch here.
- Sen. Rob Portman endorses Romney: In an email sent out around midnight, Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) announced he would endorse Mitt Romney on Thursday. Portman believes what everyone but Sarah Palin does: that the sooner this primary ends, the better: “I had not planned on endorsing this early in the primary process. However, I feel one candidate’s policy positions, debate performances, and character make him the best candidate to take on President Obama, and I feel our chances in November will be improved by coalescing around one candidate and stopping the political attacks among Republicans.”
- Obama will travel to 5 battleground states next week: As a sign that the general election is heating up, after the State of The Union Address next Tuesday, President Obama will travel to 5 swing states.
- Stephen Colbert’s super PAC releases ad attacking Colbert: Stephen Colbert’s super PAC releases an ad attacking Colbert, but the narrator – Samuel L. Jackson – notes that the attack is meant to make people think that Colbert isn’t in cahoots with his super PAC even though he is. The ad ends by urging voters to vote Herman Cain. Watch here.
