Obama’s Bain Attack Isn’t Working

Washington Examiner

President Obama may have spent $38.2 million on television ads attacking Mitt Romney’s tenure at Bain Capital in June, but according to a new Gallup poll, the campaign isn’t working.

USA Today reports that by a more than 2-1 margin, 63%-29%, those surveyed say Romney’s background in business, including his tenure at the private equity firm Bain Capital, “would cause him to make good decisions, not bad ones, in dealing with the nation’s economic problems over the next four years.”

Comparing pre-Bain attack numbers to post-Bain attack numbers, USA Today reports that back in February, 53 percent of Americans said Romney “had the personality and leadership qualities a president should have.” Now 54 percent do.

Most frightening for Team Obama however, has to be the revelation that “a record number of Americans express skepticism about the activist role of government Obama espouses.” According to Gallup, 61 percent of adults say the government is trying to do too many things that should be left to individuals and businesses. USA Today notes, “that’s the highest number since Gallup began asking the question in 1992.”

Romney only spent $10.4 million defending himself on television last month. After he accepts the Republican nomination in August, he’ll be allowed to spend a lot more. If these are the best poll numbers Obama’s money advantage can buy now, he is going to be in big trouble come September.

Campaign 2012

Romney: Speaking about Obama’s “you didn’t build that” line with Larry Kudlow on CNBC yesterday, Mitt Romney said, “The context is worse than the quote.” But ABC News reports that the star of the Romney campaign’s new ad attacking Obama for the “you didn’t build that” comment, has received millions in government loans and contracts.

Obama: The Obama campaign unveiled a new minute-long ad, called“The Choice,” that will air in nine battleground states: Colorado, Florida, Iowa, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. In the ad, Obama claims Romney’s policies will help the rich.

Pennsylvania: The Obama Justice Department sent a letter to Pennsylvania Secretary of State yesterday, demanding the state justify its new Voter ID law.

Around the Bigs

Associated Press, White House Responsible For Some Leaks Of Classified Information: The Democratic leader of the Senate Intelligence Committee said Monday that the White House appears to be responsible for some leaks of classified information.

The Wall Street JournalWood-Fired Plants Generate Violations:Biomass power plants that have received $700 million in federal subsidies since 2009, have also been cited 85 times by state or federal regulators for violating air-pollution or water-pollution standards.

The New York TimesIn Euro Zone, Debt Pressure Tightens Grip:Moody’s Investors Service late Monday cut the outlook for its AAA credit ratings for Germany, the Netherlands and Luxembourg to “negative” from “stable” yesterday, as doubts grew about Greece’s ability to make good on its debt payments.

ABC NewsPresident Obama Praises Self for Ending War in Iraq on Bloodiest Day of the Year in That Country: President Obama’s campaign today released a video praising the president for ending the war in Iraq. It turns out that today has proven to be the deadliest day of the year in that country. A wave of attacks throughout Iraq — IEDs, explosions, and gunmen — has resulted in more than 100 people killed and more than 200 wounded.

Righy Playbook

In The Wall Street Journal, Gordon Crovitz explains that the government did not, in fact, build the internet.

National Center for Policy Analysis‘ John Goodman details his“Healthcare Contract with America.”

University of Colorado environmental studies professor Roger Pielkecorrects Paul Krugman’s bogus claim that droughts have become more common in the United States.

Lefty Playbook

Firedoglake‘s David Dayen highlights a Tax Justice Network study purporting to show that between $21 and $32 trillion in global wealth is being hidden away in tax havens.

The American Prospect‘s Abby Rapoport says Congress should pass a new Voting Rights Act, expanding the federal government’s power over all state and local elections.

Talking Points Memo‘s Josh Marshall attacks Romney for sharing a conversation he had with Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr.

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