The Wisconsin, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. primaries are today. TPM will have live updates, results, and analysis. Until then, here are ten things you need to know.
- Santorum up by 6 in Pennsylvania: A new poll from Quinnipiac University shows Rick Santorum leading Mitt Romney in his home state of Pennsylvania by 6 points, 41% to 35% among likely voters in the state’s April 24 Republican primary. Ron Paul has 10% and Newt Gingrich just 7%. Santorum has said that winning his home state is necessary for his campaign and insists that he will.
- Santorum plays up expectations ahead of Wisconsin: Rick Santorum on Monday was hinting that he could pull an upset in Wisconsin’s Tuesday primary, or at least have a close election, even though polls show Romney leading by about 7 points. “We’re looking at what may be a nailbiter tomorrow –least I hope it is,” Santorum said Monday.
- Romney hopes to deliver knockout punch Tuesday: Mitt Romney hopes that with wins in Wisconsin, Maryland, and D.C. Tuesday, he can deliver a knockout punch to Rick Santorum, or at least become even more inevitable.
- Romney to raise money jointly with RNC: In yet another sign that Mitt Romney has virtually got the nomination, the candidate and the RNC will begin jointly raising money this week, reports the Wall Street Journal. This way, donors can write checks to both the party and the candidate for up to $75,000, getting around the $2,500 limit to a candidate alone. Because it is still officially neutral, the RNC offered the same arrangement to the Gingrich and Santorum campaigns with little expectation they would take them up on it.
- Romney transitions to general election mode: Over the weekend, Mitt Romney attempted to transition from primary candidate to general election nominee, even though four candidates remain in the race. Campaigning in Wisconsin, the former Massachusetts governor talked about President Obama as his new rival and moderated his tone somewhat to appeal to a wider group of voters.
- Romney’s new immigration attack: Asked about immigration in Wisconsin Monday, Mitt Romney opened up a new line of attack against the president — one we’re likely to see a lot more of in the fall if he’s the nominee. President Obama, Romney said, likes to use immigration as a “political weapon,” but he hasn’t done anything about it.
- Palin guest-hosts the ‘Today’ show: Sarah Palin will guest-host the “Today” show on NBC Tuesday. Katie Couric, whose 2008 Palin interview was a disaster for the then-vice presidential candidate, will be hosting Good Morning America on ABC, making the two ratings rivals on Tuesday.
- The Gingrichs focus on Delaware: Callista Gingrich will hold two campaign events in Delaware on Tuesday. Newt, who will be in Maryland Tuesday, will spend Wednesday and Thursday in Delaware. His campaign is hoping he will appeal to the same primary voters who chose Christine O’Donnell as their Senate nominee in 2010.
- Romney holds election night party in Wisconsin: Mitt Romney will be in Wisconsin for the primary returns Tuesday, holding an event in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- Santorum holds election night party in PA: Rick Santorum will be in Mars, Pennsylvania Tuesday night where he will hold an event to watch the returns come in. Ron Paul is in California Tuesday.
