Here are 10 things you need to know today:
- Obama talks veterans, youth vote, Romney attacks: Last week started off with a push by President Obama on the youth vote, spurred by legislation that would stop student loan interest from doubling. It ended with an official speech to service members at Fort Stewart in Georgia on efforts to help vets gain employment after their service has ended. Along the way, Mitt Romney seemed to be playing catch-up, sending out releases aimed at stagnant job growth during the Obama administration. “With more than 12 percent of our most recent veterans struggling to find work and nearly a million veterans unemployed, it’s clear that we need to do more to grow our economy and ensure that those who fight for America can find a job when they return home,” Romney campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul said in a statement after Obama’s speech Friday.
- American Crossroads says Obama still more image than substance: A new ad from American Crossroads recreating the “celebrity” spot from the 2008 McCain campaign was panned by none other than Donald Trump, but the organization sent out a memo praising themselves Friday. “Why did the video pop? The ‘Cool’ ad captures something that has been simmering for a while but hasn’t been given voice — not so much that Obama is ‘cool’ but that he is more image than substance. It’s all speeches and photo ops and slogans and pop culture frissons, with a chance to win dinner with the POTUS and George Clooney last week and a Rolling Stone cover next week,” wrote the group’s communications director, Jonathan Collegio.
- Biden tells donors to perk up: At a campaign event Friday, Vice President Joe Biden told a crowd of donors “you all look dull as hell,” according to a pool report. “The dullest audience I have ever spoken to,” he said. “Just sitting there, staring at me. Pretend you like me!” Despite ribbing donors, the Obama campaign hasn’t had much trouble raising money so far, notching $35 million last month.
- Senate primary in Indiana pits McCain against Palin: Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin endorsed Indiana state Treasurer Richard Mourdock for Senate on Friday. Mourdock is challenging longtime Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) in the state’s Republican primary. Mourdock is a tea party favorite, and McCain has endorsed Lugar, his colleague in the Senate, putting the 2008 ticket at odds.
- Bin Laden narrative continues: As we approach the anniversary of the successful Navy SEAL operation that took out Osama bin Laden, President Obama’s campaign has released a web video highlighting the president’s decisiveness in green-lighting the operation. NBC will broadcast a sit-down interview with Obama on bin Laden on May 2.
- Top contenders in Wisconsin recall primary release fundraising numbers: The top two contenders in the Democratic primary for the gubernatorial recall election in Wisconsin released their fundraising numbers on Friday. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett raised $750,000, while former Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk raised $1 million. Neither candidate immediately released their cash on hand. Barrett has a lead in the polls at the moment.
- Brown, Warren release taxes: Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown (R) and likely Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren both released their taxes Friday. “Brown’s family income more than doubled to nearly $840,000 after he was elected in 2010, while his likely Democratic challenger, Elizabeth Warren, has had nearly $1 million in joint earnings two of the past four years,” according to the Boston Globe.
- Mandel tries to have it both ways on Violence Against Women Act: Ohio state Treasurer Josh Mandel told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that he supports the Violence Against Women Act — just not the version that passed the Senate Thursday by 68 votes. “Josh Mandel supports a clean reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act,” his campaign press secretary, Nicole Sizemore, told the paper. “Sherrod Brown’s tactless attempt to politicize this important piece of legislation is a disservice to any person who has been a victim of domestic violence.” But Sadie Weiner, spokesperson for Friends of Sherrod Brown, said that wasn’t practical. “Mandel’s position makes clear that he would vote no on this bipartisan bill to enhance and improve domestic violence protections, and that’s not the kind of Senator Ohio’s women and families can rely on,” she said in a statement.
- Jeb Bush to campaign for N.C. governor candidate: Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) will campaign for Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory, the presumptive Republican nominee for governor in North Carolina. The pair with raise money and hold a media availability in Raleigh, N.C. on Monday.
- No campaign events today: Neither Gov. Romney nor President Obama will be on the trail today.
