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BLITZER'S BLOG: How many times will the tables turn between now and November?
By Wolf Blitzer, CNN
Mesa, Arizona (CNN) – Things appear to be moving in the right direction for President Obama and his re-election drive – at least a bit.
The unemployment rate has been steadily going down in recent months.
The Dow Jones is hovering around 13,000 – nearly double the 6,547 that existed in March 2009, shortly after he took office.
His job approval number, according to our latest CNN-ORC International Poll, is at 50%.
On top of this, the president beats each of the four GOP presidential finalists in hypothetical one-on-one matchups.
Despite those indicators, White House and Obama re-election campaign officials should be under no illusions. There is still a lot of time between now and the November election.
Where things stand in February certainly doesn’t indicate where they will be in November.
There are so many factors at play.
For one thing, we don’t know who the Republican nominee will be. It probably will be one of the four finalists, but not necessarily. This already has proven to be one wild and unpredictable race for the GOP nomination.
Most serious Democratic Party insiders fear Mitt Romney a lot more than they fear Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich or Ron Paul. They believe the former Massachusetts governor would be a very formidable opponent.
They believe they would have an easier time with Santorum. His outspoken views on social issues, they say, could alienate many moderate Republicans and independents, especially suburban women.
Then again, I have often heard Jimmy Carter aides recall that they were high-fiving each other in 1980 when they heard that Ronald Reagan would be the Republican nominee. How could an incumbent president, they thought, lose to a former Hollywood actor?
We all know how that story ended.
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Post by: Filed under: 2012 election • Barack Obama • Mitt Romney • Newt Gingtich • Rick Santorum • Ron Paul • Wolf Blitzer |
Gingrich would support an Israeli attack on Iran
(CNN) – Asked what a Gingrich administration would do should Israel decided to strike Iran, the Republican presidential candidate said Friday he would offer support for the Jewish state.
"I would say, if you believe the survival of your country is at stake, what is it we could do to help you?" Gingrich said in an interview on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer."
Gingrich: Romney didn't deserve congrats
(CNN) – In some of his harshest words yet, Newt Gingrich explained Friday why he didn't call rival Mitt Romney after the former Massachusetts pulled a decisive Florida primary victory earlier in the week.
Pointing to Romney's post-South Carolina campaign strategy, which turned noticeably negative against the former House speaker, Gingrich said Romney didn't earn any kudos.
Borger: A winning message for Gingrich
Has Newt Gingrich found a single winning message yet? CNN's Gloria Borger discusses.
RELATED STORY: Gingrich: Romney didn't deserve congrats
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Post by: Filed under: 2012 election • Gloria Borger • Newt Gingtich |
Gingrich slams Romney for "boo boo"
GOP rivals spar over the economy in Nevada. CNN's Jim Acosta reports.
RELATED STORY: Romney on ‘poor’ comment: I misspoke
McCain responds to Gingrich attack
Sen. John McCain responds to an attack by presidential candidate Newt Gingrich. CNN's Wolf Blitzer has more.
RELATED POST: Attacks continue on eve of Florida primary
Will Moon colony idea fly with voters?
CNN strategists Maria Cardona & Alex Castellanos discuss Newt Gingrich's idea to create a permanent colony on the Moon.
RELATED STORY: Santorum trashes Gingrich moon colony
Was Gingrich lobbying?
CNN's Brian Todd looks at the latest claims and counter-claims on whether Newt Gingrich lobbied.
RELATED POST: Gingrich offers explanation of Freddie Mac records.
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Post by: Filed under: 2012 election • Brian Todd • Lobbying • Newt Gingtich |
BLITZER’S BLOG: The gloves will be off in Thursday’s debate
By Wolf Blitzer, CNN
(CNN) - A week ago, the Gallup daily tracking poll of registered Republicans around the country had Mitt Romney at 37% with Newt Gingrich at only 14%. Guess what? That 23-point spread has now disappeared. The new nationwide Gallup numbers: Romney 29% to Gingrich’s 28%. That’s a statistical tie well within the 3-point sampling error.
It only goes to show you how quickly political fortunes can change. Fresh from his double-digit victory over Romney in South Carolina, Gingrich now certainly has the political momentum going with him into Florida’s January 31 primary. He seems to be on a roll.
FULL POST
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Post by: Filed under: 2012 election • Debates • Mitt Romney • Newt Gingtich • Republicans • Wolf Blitzer |
Gingrich's past becomes ammunition
Newt Gingrich has a long record in Washington which, as CNN's Lisa Sylvester explains, can have its downsides.
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The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer is the command center for breaking news, politics and extraordinary reports from around the world. Tune in weeknights from 5-7pm ET on CNN.
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