Here are ten things you need to know today.
- Santorum needed to win the debate, instead he left a trail of messy answers: Rick Santorum could have built momentum during last night’s debate, momentum crucial to beating Mitt Romney in Michigan and Arizona. Instead, he fell flat.
- Obama ties Romney in Arizona poll: President Obama and Mitt Romney are tied in Arizona with 47% each, according to a Public Policy Polling survey out Wednesday. The President leads Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich by 4 points each. The firm sees Arizona, where Obama’s prospects have improved dramatically over the last few months, as a good example of a state Obama could put in play and win if the economy and other issues swing in his favor.
- New poll shows trust in economy improving: Good news for President Obama, a new Quinnipiac poll finds confidence in the economy’s improvement has grown significantly over the last several months, with 54%-43% believing the economy is in recovery.
- SBA List runs radio ad for Santorum: The Susan B. Anthony List, which endorsed Rick Santorum, has put $117,050 into a radio spot in Michigan to support him, reports Politico. That’s one of the larger radio ad buys in Michigan less than a week away from the primary.
- Romney surrogates tout his plan for Michigan: Romney surrogates will hold a press conference call Thursday to tout the candidate’s “bold vision to get Michigan back on track.” On the call will be Michigan RNC National Committeeman Saul Anuzis, former Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, and Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard.
- A third Dem prepares to enter the race for Wisconsin governor: Wisconsin Secretary of State Doug La Follette is preparing to enter the race for governor as Democrats try to recall Gov. Scott Walker. Former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk and state Sen. Kathleen Vinehout have already announced they are running. La Follette says he hasn’t completely decided to run but intends to file papers this week and form a committee to help him decide.
- New Minnesota map could give Democrats another house seat, or two: The new congressional redistricting map for Minnesota handed down on Wednesday could allow Democrats to pick off one, maybe even two, seats from Republicans in November. The court-appointed redistricting panel actually pushed more swing districts toward Democrats.
- Members of Team Palin condemn ‘Game Change’ movie’s depiction of their boss: Both current and former Sarah Palin advisers criticized the upcoming HBO film “Game Change” Wednesday for its portrayal of Sarah Palin. The film, like the book, shows Palin unraveling during the 2008 campaign.
- Romney campaigns in Arizona and Michigan: Mitt Romney will hold a rally in Phoenix before heading back up north to Michigan. Romney will hold several events in Michigan over the next two days, including a speech on Friday to the Detroit Economic Club where he is likely to lay out more details of his new tax plan.
- Gingrich campaigns in Washington and Ohio: Thursday and Friday, the Gingrich campaign announced, both Newt and Callista will be campaigning in Washington State and Idaho. Washington’s caucuses are next Saturday, March 3; Idaho’s caucuses are on March 6.
