Here are ten things you need to know today.
- Obama campaign launches new round of ads: Ahead of Obama’s official campaign launch Saturday, his campaign today is going up with a fresh batch of television ad buys in Ohio, Iowa, and Virginia. The Obama campaign “bought $458,883 in airtime so far in Ohio, $88,455 in Iowa and $72,845 in Virginia for ads running May 1 to May 7,” according to Politico.
- Obama launches Swiss bank account attack: Obama’s new ad campaign is called called “Swiss Bank Account.” The Romneys had a Swiss bank account, which was revealed when they released their tax returns earlier this year. Democrats have used it as symbol of Romney’s extreme wealth for months. The ad, which focuses on Romney’s jobs record, only references the account passing, but it’s certainly an attack that will continue.
- Christie could be convinced to be Romney’s VP: Speaking at a high school in New Jersey Monday, Gov. Chris Christie said he could be convinced to join Mitt Romney on the Republican ticket. “He might be able to convince me. He’s a convincing guy, but I really love this job. I really want to stay in this job,” he said. Christie then repeated his line that if Romney called him about the VP position, that he would listen to him. Christie also joked that he’s not a No. 2 kind of guy. “Do I really look like the vice presidential type?” Christie asked the students. “I don’t think that’s me.”
- Rubio addresses credit card mistake from time in Florida: In an interview on Fox News, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio responded to questions about his office’s use of a Florida Republican Party charge card during his time in the Florida legislature. “[I]f I had to do it again, I would not do it that way,” Rubio said, adding “But it’s important people understand: I did not bill personal expenses to the Republican Party of Florida.” Rubio’s almost certainly being vetted by the Romney campaign as a possible running mate.
- Insiders for Portman: Insiders want Mitt Romney to select Ohio Sen. Rob Portman as his running mate, reports the Wall Street Journal. Portman is the anti-Palin. He has years of government experience under his belt, is a disciplined speaker, and comes from a swing state. Of course, Portman also lacks energizing quality of someone like Palin that Romney may want or think he needs.
- Warren responds to attacks over her qualifications at Harvard: On Monday, Elizabeth Warren responded to attacks from the Brown campaign that implied that Warren used her American Indian heritage — rather than her qualifications — to get a position at Harvard. The Warren campaign countered that they never used her heritage in the interview process, a statement backed up by professors at Harvard, and that Scott Brown was once again questioning “the qualifications and ability of a woman.”
- Debate the debt?: The nonpartisan think tank Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has launched a “Debate the Debt” petition, calling on President Obama and Mitt Romney to dedicate on the presidential debates this fall to the issue of the debt.
- First Lady visits four western swing states: Michelle Obama is on a four-state campaign swing out West. On Monday, she stopped in Colorado and then Arizona. On Tuesday, she will be in Nevada and New Mexico. Arizona is a notable inclusion on the trip. Democrats insist they are looking hard at the red state as a possible extension of President Obama’s electoral map — Republicans say the idea of Arizona going blue in November is a Democratic pipe dream.
- Christie campaigns in Wisconsin: As reported Monday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is helping out fellow GOP Gov. Scott Walker with an appearance at a rally in Oak Creek, Wisconsin Tuesday. Walker faces a recall election June 5.
- Romney holds fundraiser in Philly: Mitt Romney will be in Philadelphia Tuesday evening for a fundraisier. He has no campaign events scheduled today.
