2012 Hopefuls Cheer Osama's Demise

First 2012 debate for Romney, Bachmann, Gingrich

(NEWSER) - Seven top Republican presidential hopefuls will gather this month for the first New Hampshire 2012 debate. Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich, Herman Cain, Ron Paul, and Rick Santorum will meet at Saint Anselm College for the face-off, hosted by CNN ’s John King. It's the first debate of the election for Bachmann, Gingrich, and Romney, and it will be held June 13, some eight months before the state’s primary. More»

First expense reports offer a glimpse into each campaign

(NEWSER) - Want to get to know your 2012 candidates better? Take a look at what they're spending campaign cash on, courtesy of expense reports obtained by the Washington Post . The first major spending reports of the campaign reveal that the candidates have spent about $32 million so far.

• Tim Pawlenty: You can tell the "upstart" candidate is focused on Iowa because he's spent $200,000 at businesses in the state. Total spent so far: $2.5 million, and a large percentage of that went toward payroll—odd since his top aides are working for peanuts . (Funny tidbit: He spent $7.07 at a Godfather's Pizza restaurant—that, of course, is the pizza chain formerly run by his opponent, Herman Cain.)
• Mitt Romney: The "establishment" candidate spent money on, not surprisingly, security and consultants—plus $750,000 at businesses in New Hampshire. More of his budget—18%—goes to administrative expenses than any of his GOP opponents. Total spent so far: $5.7 million.

But it might not last, media note

(NEWSER) - Osama bin Laden's death is a major national security and intelligence victory for President Obama, and one that famously eluded his Republican predecessor. It's an especially notable triumph considering Obama was a foreign policy novice when he became president, the Los Angeles Times reports, and it will make it decidedly more difficult for the GOP to criticize Obama and the Democrats as weak on defense. "This is the most symbolic victory he could have," says one pollster, and it will likely boost his sagging popularity. More»

Maybe it's time for Chris Christie or Paul Ryan to take another look: Nate Silver

(NEWSER) - Attention Chris Christie, or maybe Paul Ryan? Donald Trump's strong showing in recent polls illustrates just how shaky the GOP's 2012 field is, writes Nate Silver at the New York Times . He breaks the candidates into three groups: The Fairfax Five (think establishment candidates) of Romney, Pawlenty, Huntsman, Barbour, and Daniels; the Factional Five of Trump, Palin, Bachmann, Gingrich, and Ron Paul; and a few "uncategorized" ones such as Huckabee, Giuliani, and Santorum. More»

But Obama leads Romney in general election polling

(NEWSER) - Mitt Romney leads Rick Santorum 40% to 33% in Wisconsin, according to a new NBC News-Marist poll . Ron Paul follows in third with 11% and Newt Gingrich is last with 8%. Romney leads the way with moderate and liberal Republicans, conservatives, and those earning more than $75,000 per year. Santorum, however, leads with very conservative voters, evangelical Christians, and Tea Party supporters. More»