Obama's Grassroots Army Ponders Next Move

Hollywood VIPs will play role in Election 2012

(NEWSER) - The Obama campaign has released a list of campaign co-chairs, and it includes some big names … from Hollywood. Harold and Kumar actor Kal Penn, who has already spent some time working at the White House , and Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria are both named, Politico reports. "The president’s national co-chairs will be tremendous assets on the ground as we build the biggest grassroots campaign in history," campaign manager Jim Messina said in a statement. "They each share the president’s vision for a future where every American can have a fair shot at success, where hard work pays off, and responsibility is rewarded." More»

Almost looks like he's running for something...

(NEWSER) - Howard Dean’s return to the national stage with stinging criticism of the compromises Democratic leaders accepted on health care reform has thrilled disaffected progressives—and even sparked talk of another run for president. One liberal blogger says his dusted-off bona fides make Dean “perfectly positioned” to challenge Obama in 2012. While many think that strains credulity, Politico reports, he appears to be preparing for something. More»

(NEWSER) - One of Barack Obama's top advisers during the campaign tells Politico he's "losing patience" with the White House and wants more "bold" leadership from the president on a host of issues including health care and gay rights. “I’m not going to just sit by the curb and let these folks get away with a lack of performance for the American people,” says Steve Hildebrand, the campaign's deputy manager who helped engineer key wins in Iowa and South Carolina. More»

Dems use town hall protests to fire back

(NEWSER) - In a new online ad, Democrats return fire at “angry mobs” driven by the Republican Party, the Huffington Post reports. “They lost the election. They lost on the Recovery Act, the budget and children’s health care,” says the ad. “Now, desperate Republicans and their well-funded allies are organizing angry mobs. Their goal? Destroy President Obama and stop the change Americans voted for overwhelmingly in November.” More»

Romney emphasizes Bain, Olympics over time as governor

(NEWSER) - Four of the past six US presidents were also former governors, and the qualification is generally considered one of the best for the White House. Nevertheless, you won't hear Mitt Romney boasting of his term as governor of Massachusetts very often, preferring instead to talk about the Salt Lake City Olympics and Bain Capital. That's because Massachusetts talk equals RomneyCare, abortion-rights support, and closing tax loopholes for the rich—in other words, being a centrist, a fate worse than arugula this election cycle, reports Politico . More»