It’s the weekend before the the January 31st Florida primary. Here are ten things you need to know today.
- PPP starts nightly tracking polls of the state: Public Policy Polling (D) will start tracking the Republican field every night until Tuesday, starting on Saturday night. But as the firm tweeted, it may not be necessary — former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has opened up a solid lead in the state. Our current TPM Poll Average shows Romney with a near double digit lead in Florida.
- Sen. Whitehouse to introduce legislative ‘Buffett Rule’: In a Washington development that will definitely have repercussions on the campaign trail, Greg Sargent at the Washington Post reports that Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) will introduce the ‘Buffett Rule’ as outlined by President Barack Obama in the State of the Union address. Sargent also reports that Democratic leaders are looking for a way to actually hold a vote on the issue, hoping to find a way to avoid a filibuster. Whether it becomes law or not, the implications in the campaign are clear — the proposal drives a national conversation about economic inequality and allows President Obama to talk up populist themes.
- Dole continues slamming Gingrich: Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole made a cameo in the 2012 presidential primaries, serving as an surrogate for the Romney campaign. Dole took aim at former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, saying Newt was responsible for Republican losses in the 1996 elections, the same year Dole was the GOP nominee for President. In a CBS interview airing Sunday, Dole was asked if Gingrich could be President, saying “I hope not.”
- Santorum leaves Florida before primary: Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum may have belatedly won the Iowa caucuses, but he’s had a hard time repeating that success subsequently. Santorum is heading back to his home in Virginia this weekend, although has not said he will stop campaigning totally.
- Gingrich, Boehner will appear on ABC’s This Week: Gingrich will give an interview to ABC’s Jake Tapper on This Week, broadcast Sunday. Also on the program will be current House Speaker John Boehner.
- Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson to hold online town hall: Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, now the Libertarian Party’s candidate for president, is holding an online town hall on his website at five eastern. “I need your input, I want you to be a key part of our campaign strategy, and I want to insure that you have the opportunity to share your views directly with me,” Johnson says in a press release.
- Gingrich ad: “What Kind Of Man”: The Gingrich campaign is attempting to remedy a subpar performance by the candidate in CNN’s Jacksonville debate with a new ad hitting Romney on his worst moments from the same night. Titled “What Kind Of Man,” the ad goes after Romney for intentionally sidestepping questions about his campaign tactics, among numerous charges. “What kind of man would mislead, distort, and deceive just to win an election?” the ad asks. “This man would. Mitt Romney. Romney said he has always voted Republican when he had the opportunity.”
- Romney fights back on Space program: Newt Gingrich basically outdid Mitt Romney on the rejuvenation of the US Space Program, saying if he were President he would initiate an attempt to create a manned base on the Moon by the end of his second term. Romney then said in a debate that if an employee of his brought him that idea at the cost of hundreds of billions, he’d fire them. Romney’s campaign is now out with a letter signed by scientists and leaders from the space industry that say Romney’s space program would be fine too, even without the Moon base. “We support Mitt’s candidacy and believe that his approach to space policy will produce results instead of empty promises,” the letter reads.
- Candidates crisscross Florida on Saturday: Romney will hold two public rallys in Pensacola, Florida and Panama City Beach today. Newt Gingrich will hold seven events, including a meet and greet at the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance, Port St. Lucie.
- GOP candidate announces for Giffords seat: Arizona state Sen. Frank Antenori (R) has announced that he will seek the 8th congressional seat just vacated by Gabrielle Giffords, who resigned to focus on her recovery from being shot in the head while at a listening session in her district a little over a year ago. Roll Call reports: “Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) is expected to announce the dates of the primary and special election by 7 p.m. Saturday. By law, the primary must take place some time in April and the general will occur in June.”
