Afternoon Fix: Gingrich explains Twitter followers
Posted in Main Blog (All Posts) on August 4th, 2011 4:35 am by HL
Afternoon Fix: Gingrich explains Twitter followers
Newt Gingrich’s campaign explains his Twitter followers, Emanuel Cleaver explains what’s in a real Satan sandwich, and Rick Santorum is offering free jelly.
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EARLIER ON THE FIX:
Gun industry sues over new ATF border rule
U.S. gunmakers filed suit Wednesday to block requirements that weapons dealers along the border with Mexico report multiple sales of semiautomatic rifles, escalating a fight with the Obama administration.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives last month ordered more than 8,000 gun dealers in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and California to report such sales to try to stem the “iron river” of firearms flowing to violent Mexican drug cartels.
Starting Aug. 14, dealers must report sales of two or more guns to the same person at one time or over any five business days for semiautomatic rifles greater than .22 caliber and with the ability to accept a detachable magazine.
White House pursues ways to boost economy
The White House is exploring new proposals to boost the struggling economy, including tax cuts to spur hiring and programs that could provide a lift to the housing market, as President Obama shifts his focus from the debate over the debt, said people familiar with the efforts.
Obama, who is planning a three-day bus tour of the Midwest this month to discuss the economy, has been searching for ways to generate economic growth that could attract broad public support.
White House officials are weighing a proposal to offer tax cuts to employers in return for hiring new workers. The administration considered this idea last year, but it gave way to a broader payroll tax deduction for workers in a bipartisan deal in December.
Poll suggests distance between Democratic voters and liberal groups bashing debt deal
Much is being made of the anger on the political left over the debt-ceiling deal struck by President Obama.
Liberal interest groups are speaking out, promising to stage protests. Some wonder if Obama will be able to count on his liberal base turning out in next year’s election or even keeping up their political donations.
The White House is taking heart from a new Gallup survey measuring public reaction to the debt-ceiling deal. The poll finds that more Americans oppose than favor the deal. But then there’s this: Most Democrats and liberals support it.
Obama set to turn 50, with sub-50 approval ratings
President Obama turns 50 tomorrow, but a less enviable milestone awaits: absent a dramatic one-night upturn, Aug. 4 will mark 60 days with job approval ratings under 50 percent in Gallup tracking polls. And an again sputtering economy threatens to keep it there for awhile.
The two-month stretch sub-50 is not Obama’s longest in Gallup data — he was below 50 from June through December 2010 — but the extended period under that mark puts clear pressure on Obama’s re-election bid.
Now, Obama’s current 43 percent percent approval rating nearly matches former president Ronald Reagan’s Gallup tally in early August 1983 (44 percent), and Reagan of course went on to a landslide victory the following year.
