New French Prez Heads to Primary Country

Financial transactions to be taxed starting this summer

(NEWSER) - With the French presidential election just three months away, Nicolas Sarkozy took to the airwaves last night to tell voters about a tax hike. The president announced a sales tax rise from 19.6% to 21.2% and a new "Robin Hood" tax on financial transactions, the BBC reports. Sarkozy said he wants to "create a shockwave" with the 0.1% levy and he hopes other European countries will soon follow his lead. More»

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…

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»

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»

The big question: How much will Romney win by?

(NEWSER) - Mitt Romney is going to win the New Hampshire primary, and everyone ostensibly knows it. But that doesn't mean the results won't be interesting. Here are the contests the pundits are watching:

• Romney vs. expectations: With Romney's victory assured, pundits are speculating over his vote tally. One strategist tells Politico he has to hit at least 38%—John McCain's 2008 total. Romney himself managed 32% in that contest, but anything nearly that low would raise serious questions now.