Policy-Wonk Pawlenty Steers Clear of Wackos

He's still on the defensive after Mitt Romney comments

(NEWSER) - Rick Santorum has been on the defensive ever since stating that President Obama would be better than Mitt Romney, the Etch a Sketch candidate. But last night he'd apparently had enough. After stating that "RomneyCare" is too similar to "ObamaCare" and makes Romney "the worst Republican in the country to put up against Barack Obama," reporters pressed him on the issue and Santorum got testy, Politico reports. He continued to insist his comments related only to health care, and that he would vote for the eventual GOP nominee ... ultimately telling a New York Times reporter: "Quit distorting my words. It’s bulls---." More»

He accuses Obama of trying to destroy 'Medicare as we know it'

(NEWSER) - Mitt Romney turned 65 yesterday, but unlike most Americans of his vintage, he won't be enrolling in Medicare or Social Security. A campaign aide confirmed that Romney will be keeping his private insurance plan. The candidate's Medicare policy statement says he believes wealthier seniors should receive less support, although Democrats are likely to use his decision to portray him as out of touch with the average American senior, Politico notes. More»

He will be Romney's National Co-Chair, rules out VP run

(NEWSER) - Tim Pawlenty didn’t wait long to throw his weight behind a candidate in the GOP primary race. The former Minnesota governor told Fox News today that he is endorsing Mitt Romney, adding, “I think he’s going to be a transformational and great president for this country.” And we know what you’re thinking, but Pawlenty insists he’s not angling for a VP nomination. 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.

Obama is clobbering Republican candidates in money race

(NEWSER) - Fundraising reports are starting to trickle in from the GOP presidential field, and the results look great—for Barack Obama. Even Mitt Romney’s vaunted money machine collected only $18 million in the first true quarter of fundraising, a big step back from his 2008 showing, Politico reports. The results only get uglier from there, with Tim Pawlenty and Jon Huntsman not even cracking $5 million, and the Republican National Committee $18.5 million in debt. More»