The Washington state Republican caucuses are taking place today. Here are 10 things you need to know.
- Washington GOP caucuses begin at 10 a.m. Pacific: The Washington caucuses begin at 10 a.m. Pacific Time and will wrap up around noon. The caucuses are non-binding, according to the Washington GOP website, as the delegates will be chosen at their state convention this summer. The caucus results are expected to be released at 6 p.m. Pacific.
- Santorum campaign still fuming over Michigan delegate decision: The presidential campaign of former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum continues to fume over the Michigan Republican Party’s decision to award both at-large delegates to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who didn’t win a majority of the state’s primary vote, the original requirement under their rules. Now the campaign has filed a complaint with the Republican National Committee. “This request is not about the allocation of a single delegate; it is about ensuring a transparent electoral process, avoiding unscrupulous tactics and backroom deals by establishment figures and campaigns who may have not received the result they hoped for at the ballot box,” their complaint reads.
- Paul campaign already disputing Washington: Rep. Ron Paul’s campaign is already fighting with the Washington GOP over a “lack of transparency” in the how party officials in the state’s largest county are chosen. “The Paul campaign said the King County GOP violated party rules by not revealing the names of certain party officials, known as precinct committee officers, who will take part in the caucuses,” wrote the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, whose report you can read here.
- Three candidates to appear at Huckabee forum in Ohio: Romney, Santorum and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will participate in a candidate forum in Wilmington, Ohioat noon that will be broadcast on Fox at 8 p.m. Eastern as the Washington caucus results are released. Ron Paul will be in Washington to campaign.
- Issa criticizes Dems for fundraising off of Limbaugh comments: Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) penned a letter defending his committee’s decision to not allow her to testify on new rules instituted by the Obama Administration that require insurance companies to provide birth control to women a free of charge as part of their health plans. Issa said Dems are “politicize[ing] the situation and use it to raise campaign cash.” Senate Democrats have kicked off a fundraising tour featuring female Senators and women candidates this cycle.
- More Ohio polling this weekend: New NBC/Marist College polling of the Ohio Republican primary will be out his weekend during Sunday’s Meet The Press broadcast. Santorum continues to maintain a small lead in the TPM Poll Average.
- DNC hits Romney on earmarks: Mitt Romney has been dead set against earmarks during his campaign for the presidency. But in a new web video produced by the Democratic National Committee, Romney is seen touting his ability to get money from the federal government for the state he governed in Massachusetts, and the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in in Utah. Watch it here.
- Romney pens an open letter to Alaska: Alaska’s GOP caucuses will be held on March 6th, Super Tuesday, and Romney wants Republican voters there he’s got their back. “In a Romney Administration, you will find permitting reform that will help Alaska unlock its potential, statewide. The federal government should be an ally in the effort to develop more of our nation’s resources, not an obstacle. We will respect the rights Alaska gained with Statehood — including control of Alaska lands, waters, and wildlife,” he wrote in an open letter to Alaskans.
- Scott Brown calls Limbaugh comments “reprehensible”: Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA), locked in a tough re-election fight in his very blue home state, has criticized Rush Limbaugh for calling Georgetown law student and women’s rights activist Sandra Fluke a “slut.” “He should apologize,” Brown tweeted.
- Candidates blanketing Ohio Saturday: Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich will all be campaigning in Ohio today, as its 66 delegates are the second biggest haul on Super Tuesday.
