Bachmann Surges to Second in National Poll

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.

Generous of him, yeah?

(NEWSER) - After a long day of fundraising yesterday in Chicago, Mitt Romney was ready for some of the city’s famous deep-dish pizza. But what to do with the leftovers? Seeing as how Chicago is also the home of President Obama’s reelection headquarters, the GOP hopeful decided to be generous and send the pizza over to the opposition. “Great deep dish at @ginoseast. Sending the extra slices to @barackobama and his Chicago HQ team,” Romney tweeted , along with the photo shown here. An Obama campaign source confirms to ABC News that the pies did actually arrive. More»

Of course, 78% of potential GOP voters haven't entirely made up their mind

(NEWSER) - The 2012 presidential race is already heating up: A new poll shows that Mitt Romney is the frontrunner in New Hampshire, beating President Obama in a hypothetical race by 49% to 41%. Romney, not surprisingly, is also the leading Republican, coming out well ahead of other potential candidates. While a large majority of likely voters still haven't decided who they'll back, 40% said they'd vote for Romney. The second-place finisher, Rudy Giuliani, trailed at 10%, WMUR reports. More»

Campaign won't comment on the Ledbetter Act

(NEWSER) - Asked today if Mitt Romney supports an equal-pay for women law, the candidate's campaign declined to answer—a gaffe that President Obama's campaign quickly picked up and ran with. Romney's campaign was asked about the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act—the first bill Obama signed into law, which expands workers' ability to sue over pay discrepancies—on a conference call, and responded with, "We'll get back to you on that." More»

Candidates make last-minute preparations

(NEWSER) - A day ahead of Iowa voting, three candidates are within two points of each other in the latest poll: Ron Paul is leading the field at 20%, while Mitt Romney follows at 19% and Rick Santorum boasts 18%, having jumped eight points since earlier this week, notes Public Policy Polling . That gives him the clear momentum; he's also got the highest favorability rating at 60%. Meanwhile, Newt Gingrich trails at 14%, ahead of Rick Perry with 10%, Michele Bachmann with 8%, and Jon Huntsman with 4%. More»