Newt Gingrich

In Illinois, Firefighters Counter Romney With Their Own Ad

Republican presidential candidates are making their final push in Illinois before tomorrow’s primary. They’ve flooded the airwaves with advertisements. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney alone has spent nearly $4 million in the state, according to the Chicago Tribune.

But Illinois firefighters have countered with their own anti-Romney ad, paid for by their union, the International Association of Firefighters.

The ad focuses in part on SAFER, a government program that provided $10.2 million in grants to Illinois communities last year to hire or retrain firefighters. Continue reading →

FILED UNDER: Communities, Government, Politics, firefighters, IAFF, Illinois, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Republican primary, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul

March 16, 2012 | 1:24 PM | By Micki Maynard

Illinois, The Center of The Political Universe, Overflows With Candidates

Next Tuesday is the illinois Republican primary. But today, Illinois is the center of the political universe (not that it doesn’t always think it is).

Two Republican presidential candidates and President Obama are all in the state today, looking for votes, and in the case of the president, money.

Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum makes two stops in Arlington Heights today, with three downstate on Saturday.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney hit a Rosemont restaurant Friday morning, with more stops planned ahead of Tuesday’s election.

Obama, meanwhile, spoke to a fundraising luncheon in Chicago before heading to Atlanta.

Not to be outdone, Newt Gingrich was in Illinois on Thursday. His performance in the state could determine whether the GOP race narrows to Romney and Santorum, or whether it remains a three-way contest.

FILED UNDER: Government, Politics, Barack Obama, Illinois, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Republican primary, Rick Santorum

March 14, 2012 | 1:45 PM | By Micki Maynard

Now, It’s Illinois’ Turn, With The Gingrich Factor Looming

The political world didn’t think the Republican primary season would last this long. But after Rick Santorum’s victories last night in Mississippi and Alabama, eyes are now turning to Illinois, which holds its primary next Tuesday.

A big question about Illinois is whether it will be the last stand for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich — or whether it keep him in the race longer.

He finished second behind Santorum in both southern primaries, and he is heading straight for Illinois for two days of campaigning. Gingrich told a Chicago radio station that he’s staying in the race until the August convention.

Said Gingrich: “When I was on a roll and Rick wasn’t, I was for Rick getting out of the race, too. And he correctly said no. And I’ve learned from him so I liked his answer.” Continue reading →

FILED UNDER: Communities, Government, Politics, Illinois, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, politics, Primary, Rick Santorum, Super PAC

February 24, 2012 | 10:42 AM | By Micki Maynard

Down The Stretch They Come In The Michigan Primary

It snowed overnight in Michigan, providing an icy backdrop as Republican presidential candidates kicked off the final weekend of campaigning before Tuesday’s primary.

Things got off to a quick start. United Auto Workers members gathered on a downtown Detroit parking garage rooftop Friday morning, staging a protest in advance of Mitt Romney’s speech to the Economic Club of Detroit.

Our friends at WXYZ-TV are broadcasting Romney’s speech live. The lunch is scheduled to begin at noon ET.

Romney is speaking at Ford Field, normally home to the Detroit Lions, as polls show he’s taken a slight lead over Pennsylvania’s former U.S. senator, Rick Santorum.

The Five Thirty Eight blog says Romney now has a 67 percent chance of beating Santorum on Tuesday. Its calculations show Romney taking 41.1 percent of the vote, with Santorum getting 36.4 percent. The next closest candidate is Ron Paul with 11.9 percent, followed by Newt Gingrich with 9.3 percent. Continue reading →

FILED UNDER: Government, Politics, Michigan, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Republican primary, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul

February 22, 2012 | 9:56 AM | By Dustin Dwyer

Yes, Newt, You Can Put A Gun Rack In A Chevy Volt

At a campaign rally in Georgia on Monday, Newt Gingrich tore into President Obama’s plan to provide subsidies for electric vehicles. He also decided to take a swipe at the Chevy Volt.

“Here’s my point, folks,” Gingrich said. “You can’t put a gun-rack in a Volt.”

That turned out to be a falsehood that YouTube user jtmcdole couldn’t abide.

Here’s his video response:

FILED UNDER: Industry, Innovation, Chevy Volt, gun rack, guns, Newt Gingrich, Volt

February 8, 2012 | 10:31 AM | By Micki Maynard

Here They Come: Candidates Head For Michigan, Economy In The Forefront

And now, it’s Michigan’s turn.

The political spotlight, which many people thought might have been flipped off by now, is about to shine brightly on the state as its Republican presidential primary approaches on Feb. 28.

People in the state can expect to bump into a candidate on a regular basis, whether in television ads, on local news programs, or in person.

The highest-profile appearance thus far is set to be Mitt Romney’s address to the Economic Club of Detroit on Feb. 24. Rick Santorum, who scored three wins on Tuesday, is expected at a fundraising event in Novi next week. There’s no word yet on whether Newt Gingrich or Ron Paul will be be in the state.

No matter the candidate, Michigan’s economy is likely to be front and center, and with it, discussion of the bailout for General Motors and Chrysler. Continue reading →