NH Weighs 'Birther Bill'

Politico runs down the issues that could derail his candidacy

(NEWSER) - Mitt Romney is looking like the inevitable nominee, but there are still some elephants that have been lurking in the room since the start of his campaign. Alexander Burns of Politico runs down the issues threatening him:

• The Bain problem: So far, Romney's deflected attacks on his private equity past by vaguely equating them with attacks on free enterprise itself . That works for a GOP primary, but won't fly in the general election, given that Romney's entire message is that his private sector experience gives him job creation insight. Speaking of which…

5th-place finish in NH kills Iowa momentum

(NEWSER) - Rick Santorum has crashed back to earth in New Hampshire after his near-win in Iowa. With 95% of precincts reporting, the candidate is in fifth place in the state, a few hundred votes behind Newt Gingrich. He won just 9.3% of the vote in New Hampshire, and analysts say his decision to spend five days campaigning there instead of going straight to South Carolina looks like a mistake that could spell doom for his campaign, Politico reports. More»

He slams 'Europe-influenced' Obama in NH victory speech

(NEWSER) - "Tonight, we made history," Mitt Romney told supporters after his decisive win in New Hampshire, which makes him the first non-incumbent GOP candidate to win both the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. The former Massachusetts governor focused on President Obama instead of his GOP rivals in his victory speech. Obama "wants to turn America into a European-style entitlement society," he said. "We want to ensure that we remain a free and prosperous land of opportunity." More»

Young voters help Paul to strong NH finish

(NEWSER) - Ron Paul says his projected second-place finish in New Hampshire Tuesday night is a "victory for the cause of liberty." The strong showing has been "the victory that you have brought about." he told supporters at his primary night party. "I sort of have to chuckle when they describe you and me as being dangerous. That's one thing where they're telling the truth. We are dangerous to the status quo." More»

Wolfeboro bracing for possibility of famous resident's victory

(NEWSER) - George W. Bush had Crawford, Texas, Ronald Reagan had Rancho del Cielo, and if Mitt Romney becomes president, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, is pretty sure it's next on the list of presidential retreats, Reuters reports. Locals are imagining the rustic-yet-ritzy lakeside resort as Romney's "White House North." Romney, after all, owns a $10 million, 11-acre estate on Wolfeboro's Lake Winnipesaukee, complete with a 5,400-square-foot, three-story home. And if he wins, it could change the face of the town. More»