10 Election Things You Need To Know Today

Want to know what's happening on the campaign trail? Who's up and who's down in the polls? Where you can meet the candidates in person? Here you go:

1. Newt Gingrich is leading the GOP presidential race nationally with 25%, a new Economist/YouGov poll shows. Mitt Romney came in second with 17% and Herman Cain snagged a third-place slot with 15%.

2. The former House speaker has a full day of events ahead of him. He'll do interviews with Jan Mickelson, Simon Conway and Greta Van Susteren followed by three speeches in Iowa. Not surprisingly, Gingrich will also sign books following the Polk County GOP Annual Republican Victory Dinner tonight.

3. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) has clearly been paying attention to the polls, and to Gingrich's rising star. On Wednesday, the Paul campaign released a scathing video titled "Newt Gingrinch: Serial Hypocrisy":

4. Paul plans to spend the day giving speeches to voters in New Hampshire followed by a town hall meeting at the Belknap Mill in Laconia.

5. Romney may be the back-up candidate -- the one Republican voters turn to when the leading contender crashes and burns -- but he's certainly racking up the endorsements. With just six weeks to go until the first-in-the-nation primary, the former Massachusetts governor has a new ally: New Hampshire State Senate President Peter Bragdon.

6. The Romney campaign also released a new ad called "The Right Answer." It will begin airing in New Hampshire and Iowa today.

7. Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, who calls himself "a consistent and outspoken advocate for limited, efficient government and personal liberty," will cohost an online town hall meeting tonight with GOProud co-founder and executive director Jimmy LaSalvia. The topic: LGBT issues.

8. Last night, former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer took to Twitter to make a big announcement:

@BuddyRoemer
Gov. Buddy Roemer

Today I officially announce that I will seek the Americans Elect nomination: http://t.co/LMImRL6U @AmericansElect

December 1, 2011 2:54 am via Twitter for iPhone Reply Retweet Favorite

In a statement, Roemer said he will "continue to campaign for the Republican nomination and hope to surprise everyone on January 10 in New Hampshire."

9. President Barack Obama hit the campaign trail yesterday. While speaking to a group of donors at the home of Jack Rosen, chairman of the American Jewish Congress, Obama promised to remain committed to the security of Israel. "We don’t compromise when it comes to Israel’s security," he said. Obama will deliver remarks today at a World AIDS Day event and attend the National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse.

10. Lastly, another candidate has officially tossed his hat into the ring. Former Salt Lake City mayor Rocky Anderson has formed a new political party, the Justice Party, and filled out the paperwork for a presidential exploratory committee. One of Utah's most liberal politicians, Anderson reportedly renounced his affiliation with the Democratic Party in August, saying he was fed up with it along with Congress, the Obama administration and Republicans. Will a third-party candidate have a shot at the White House? Only time will tell.

 

 

Comments

[kmeccat]

03:22 PM on 12/02/2011

I'm REALLY excited about Rocky Anderson jumping into the arena!!!
I've looked up his bio and he's a hands on, TRUE progressive--amazing!!!
Finally-- a choice!
Go Rocky!
Hopefully he'll get enough media attention to give him a decent chance...we'll see!

[drmaddogs]

01:24 PM on 12/02/2011

By John E. Yang
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 22 1997; Page A01

The House voted overwhelmingly yesterday to reprimand House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and order him to pay an unprecedented $300,000 penalty, the first time in the House's 208-year history it has disciplined a speaker for ethical wrongdoing.

The ethics case and its resolution leave Gingrich with little leeway for future personal controversies, House Republicans said. Exactly one month before yesterday's vote, Gingrich admitted that he brought discredit to the House and broke its rules by failing to ensure that financing for two projects would not violate federal tax law and by giving the House ethics committee false information. Enough Said!!

[greejambri]

09:34 PM on 12/01/2011

Rocky Anderson has my vote - the one I threw away on Obama last time.

[kmeccat]

03:24 PM on 12/02/2011

Agreed! He's a TRUE progressive who actually does what he says...unlike Obama, who says one thing and then often does the opposite...or doesn't even try/fight for anything!

[kempis]

02:41 PM on 12/01/2011

Prediction: Rocky Anderson is going to be a major figure in the 2012 race. His message is going to resonate with a lot of disillusioned Americans.

[kmeccat]

03:25 PM on 12/02/2011

Agreed!
I'm excited about a candidate for the first time since Dean.
Let's hope he does better!

[tampamurray]

09:49 AM on 12/01/2011

Really? Obama promises to remain committed to Israel? Since when? He's thrown Israel under the bus at every turn. He's made it clear his allegiance will be to any Muslim Country over Israel (it's in his own book). Interesting how now, with the 2012 election looming, he decides to become a supporter of Israel. And they call Romney a flip-flopper!

[idbiker]

09:21 AM on 12/01/2011

finally a new story about Ron Paul. Go RP go 2012 and beyond.

[greejambri]

09:34 PM on 12/01/2011

RP is a libertarian loon.