Subject: POLITICO's Morning Score: Romney, Perry head for Manchester--Cain campaign manager has checkered past--Johnson rushes to meet N.H. deadline--Obama bundlers tied to lobbying firms--Steve King struggles to get behind any of the Republican candidates
From: "Morning Score" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 28 Oct 2011 06:11:04 -0600

By James Hohmann (
mailto:[email-masked] 
[email-masked] ; Twitter: @jameshohmann)

TOP TALKER - "OBAMA BACKERS TIED TO LOBBIES RAISE MILLIONS":"Despite a pledge not to take money from lobbyists, President Obama has relied on prominent supporters who are active in the lobbying industry to raise millions of dollars for his re-election bid," Eric Lichtblau writes on the front page of today's New York Times in a story sure to generate cable chatter today. "At least 15 of Mr. Obama's 'bundlers' - supporters who contribute their own money to his campaign and solicit it from others - are involved in lobbying for Washington consulting shops or private companies. They have raised more than $5 million so far for the campaign."
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=e30e18c442384bdc3a3a6e8460c13064cb97e43bd24dbebee8a2e6c4b40b4226 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=e30e18c442384bdc3a3a6e8460c13064cb97e43bd24dbebee8a2e6c4b40b4226 

ROMNEY VS. PERRY - NEW HAMPSHIRE IS THE HUB OF POLITICAL ACTIVITY TONIGHT:"Texas Gov. Rick Perry will bring his 're-booted' presidential campaign, complete with a new organizational hierarchy and a new plan for an optional flat tax, to New Hampshire today, but he won't have the first primary state to himself," according to Union Leader. "After Perry had booked four stops in New Hampshire, Mitt Romney's campaign at midweek announced the former Massachusetts governor will hold a town hall meeting tonight, and it just happens to be at the same time Perry will appear before 450 conservatives at a fundraising dinner for the influential Cornerstone Action issues group. The simultaneous events
 will take place just a few miles apart, both in Manchester."
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=e30e18c442384bdc97d304106ad594deb159981f88a991c569888257597c1d8b 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=e30e18c442384bdc97d304106ad594deb159981f88a991c569888257597c1d8b 

ROMNEY TO BLAST PERRY ON IMMIGRATION-PREVIEW:The Romney camp knows that continuing to hit Perry's Texas immigration record is a real winner for them. So as Perry returns, they plan to ratchet up criticisms. A release going out later highlights Boston's favorite 60% statistic: "Over the past decade, the number of illegal immigrants in Texas is estimated to have grown by 60%," spokesman Ryan Williams says in a forthcoming release, shared exclusively with Score. "Governor Perry should explain to the people of New Hampshire why he thinks their opposition to his liberal immigration policies means they 'don't have a heart.'"

NH DEMS MOCK ROMNEY WITH HALLOWEEN-THEMED ATTACK:The New Hampshire Democratic Party compiled five pictures of Romney to highlight their attack that he is a shape-shifter (a veritable chameleon in plaid). "Just like Mitt Romney, the hardest part will be choosing Which Mitt you want to be," a forthcoming release says. "There's Unemployed Mitt, Millionaire Mitt, Middle Class Mitt, Mean Mitt and Career Politician Mitt." Flickr:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=e30e18c442384bdc4b47299f1152e5baa7d950898a1f907d9d83a031c15c7dc0 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=e30e18c442384bdc4b47299f1152e5baa7d950898a1f907d9d83a031c15c7dc0 .

PLANNED PARENTHOOD BRACKETING THE TRIP WITH COMEDY TOUR: Lizz Winstead, co-creator of the Daily Show, started a "Planned Parenthood, I'm Here for You" comedy tour over the summer in response to Congressional attacks defunding Planned Parenthood. She has visited a number of cities, with proceeds going to local Planned Parenthood chapters. Tonight she is in Manchester, NH, at the same time as Perry and Romney, both enemies of the abortion rights group. The Concord Monitor previews the comedy tour:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=e30e18c442384bdce424b8f037961cd6f017e5542e0bf2e3cfab9010f82a9574 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=e30e18c442384bdce424b8f037961cd6f017e5542e0bf2e3cfab9010f82a9574 .
**As Cain faces new scrutiny, tensions build between party committees outside groups and Obama goes to Clarendon, here's POLITICO's Morning Score: your daily guide to the permanent campaign.

ARE CAIN ADVISERS OVERSHADOWING THE CANDIDATE?The Los Angeles Times explores Cain's wealth, somewhere between $2.9 and $6.8 million:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=e30e18c442384bdc73143a4e0baaaff8f71ab53ba6334f2eac817f75d4981401 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=e30e18c442384bdc73143a4e0baaaff8f71ab53ba6334f2eac817f75d4981401 . The campaign claims it has raised more than $3 million since the start of October, per CNN:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=e30e18c442384bdc13ce60a35319558a7e568033748fd96d4d39ac4e0f32cf78 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=e30e18c442384bdc13ce60a35319558a7e568033748fd96d4d39ac4e0f32cf78 .

THEAP LOOKS AT CAIN'S CAMPAIGN MANAGER'S "CHECKERED PAST":The goofy web video from earlier this week is bringing scrutiny to Cain campaign manager Mark Block, better known as the guy who takes the long drag on the cigarette. "Perhaps no one is as responsible for the Georgia businessman's meteoric rise in the presidential polls than Block, a Republican strategist and tea party leader who has left a trail questionable - and possibly illegal - campaign work behind him," the Associated Press writes from Atlanta. "Block has been accused of voter suppression and was banned from running Wisconsin political campaigns for three years to settle accusations he coordinated a judge's re-election
 campaign with a special interest group. Records show Block has faced foreclosure on two different homes, a tax warrant by the IRS and a lawsuit for an unpaid bill. He's been busted for drunken driving -- twice, according to court records. On the presidential trail, some former Cain staffers say Block broke promises."
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d659cd3f5b63c3bcb70950320a2b54b320bba2793d1f597e03 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d659cd3f5b63c3bcb70950320a2b54b320bba2793d1f597e03 

9-9-9 MASTERMIND RICH LOWRIE BASKS IN HIS 15 MINUTES OF FAME:Today's Cleveland Plain Dealer has a scene story about Herman Cain's economic advisor getting lots of attention back in Ohio: "Rich Lowrie's world has turned upside down in recent weeks, from little-known financial planner in Cleveland to prominent fixture in what has become the nation's hottest -- and most surprising -- presidential campaign. The newly-famous 47-year-old Gates Mills resident took a break from the race Thursday night to address a hometown crowd at a meeting of the Cuyahoga Valley Republicans in Brecksville. He was introduced, via video, by Herman Cain...Cain credits Lowrie with helping create the much-hyped
 '9-9-9' tax reform plan... He spoke for 15 minutes, took questions for a half-hour, then left for what these days is a rare visit with his daughters and girlfriend."
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d66cf90cca26d8d6c0e8922239bff800f3389923ba411e6d3f 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d66cf90cca26d8d6c0e8922239bff800f3389923ba411e6d3f 

EXCLUSIVE - RNC BLASTS OBAMA FOR "RE-ELECTION BY EXECUTIVE ORDER":Republican National Committee communications director Sean Spicer accuses the president of caring more about looking like he's fixing the economy than actually fixing the economy. He says the plans outlined during this week's western swing will make only a marginal difference. "Policy half-measures may make for good optics temporarily, but eventually voters catch on. That's why the Obama Team is so focused on fundraising; there have been at least five just this week," Spicer writes. "But if you're such a great leader, if your policies will be so effective, why do you need $1 billion to get Americans to re-elect you? We Can't
 Wait for the answer."
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d6695c8c8dd8d0225829a0fe282ddba1f73029ceeef380db05 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d6695c8c8dd8d0225829a0fe282ddba1f73029ceeef380db05 

"A BRUTAL TWO WEEKS" - DNC ATTACKS ROMNEY ON HOUSING, IRAQ, OHIO:Democratic National Committee communications director Brad Woodhouse will send a memo later this morning that wraps up everything they have hit Romney for over the last two weeks, from the foreclosure comments in Nevada to his criticisms of Obama for withdrawing all the troops from Iraq to his tax plan to waffling on Ohio. "As Mitt Romney clings to his status as front runner of the GOP presidential field, even Republicans seem to be nervous about who Mitt Romney really is and what he actually believes," Woodhouse writes. Read all three pages:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d673a85f0e85f9c7f18a1d554ac1564b36303b8fe3f5294830 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d673a85f0e85f9c7f18a1d554ac1564b36303b8fe3f5294830 .

BRAVE NEW WORLD - ARE OUTSIDE GROUPS SURPASSING THE PARTY COMMITTEES IN CLOUT?"New outside groups that can raise unlimited cash are encroaching on the money, functions and talent of the Big Six - creating a shadow party system of super PACs and linked nonprofit groups unrestrained by the political sensitivities and fundraising limits that moderate the parties' activities," Ken Vogel and Alex Isenstadt write in the story leading POLITICO's web site this morning. "Privately, there's something of a competition brewing for top operatives, rainmakers, big donors - and credit. And it's led to mounting resentment."
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d62a2f713c596395aab9e416359f2d65f4741d5c3ad12185be 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d62a2f713c596395aab9e416359f2d65f4741d5c3ad12185be 

FROST - "DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITHIN THE SYSTEM":Martin Frost, the former chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, tells Dave Levinthal that the new campaign finance system is 'extreme,' but barring a constitutional amendment, it's here to stay. Video interview:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d60ba5233df76796225bb8c4455258f659d7dc3203ea2208a8 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d60ba5233df76796225bb8c4455258f659d7dc3203ea2208a8 .

D'OH - JOHNSON DASHES TO N.H. TO MEET FILING DEADLINE:"NBC reported Thursday night that Johnson was on the trail in Arizona and that his communications director sounded 'shocked, in a telephone interview when told the news' that the long-shot campaign missed New Hampshire's Thursday cutoff for filing by proxy," Alex Burns writes this morning. "Candidates can still file in person on Friday. So Johnson is taking matters into his own hands, tweeting overnight: 'Headed to New Hampshire to file for the primary!' NBC story:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d6102a4704587ce7cbf7e5a03684e58ccb41534ec960ddfddd 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d6102a4704587ce7cbf7e5a03684e58ccb41534ec960ddfddd .The tweet:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d672038c22d82b952521e6030e17e171e5b3fb3f14d79b411f 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d672038c22d82b952521e6030e17e171e5b3fb3f14d79b411f .

IOWA TALKER - STEVE KING STRUGGLING TO GET EXCITED ABOUT A CANDIDATE:"The fiery conservative said earlier this year that he wanted to endorse by October, at the latest. But with November rapidly approaching, King says he's unlikely to endorse this month, and is having a very difficult time selecting from the field. He said it's 'much harder than I thought,'" Jake Sherman writes, based on discussions with the Iowa congressman. "For example, King said he's having a difficult time reconciling Texas Gov. Rick Perry's views on immigration, which have been widely panned by some conservatives. The Iowan suggested that Perry - or any Republican - embrace his Illegal Deduction Elimination Act."
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d685ac4592dc16f51ba07b53b0106b7562ebd980739b4356cc 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d685ac4592dc16f51ba07b53b0106b7562ebd980739b4356cc 

CAIN VS. GINGRICH - BLEACHER SEATS WILL COST $200:"When Abraham Lincoln debated Stephen Douglas in seven counties over three months in 1858, thousands packed town squares to hear the two men face off over three hours. And no one paid a dime for the pleasure," Neil King writes in the Wall Street Journal. "Fast forward to Nov. 5th, when presidential aspirantsNewt GingrichandHerman Cain plan to meet in Texas for a one-on-one modified version of those famous debates...Bleacher seating at the Gingrich/Cain debate, hosted by the Texas Tea Party Patriots at the Woodlands Resort in Houston, costs a cool $200. The next step up, the $500 ticket, gets you 'prime seating' and a ticket to the 'Nite Cap
 party after the Debate,' says the group's website."
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d6c83d0a1842766c7ce9e107a886baab4347ccf1e031ef9bf9 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=f6c9d4c8bf89c8d6c83d0a1842766c7ce9e107a886baab4347ccf1e031ef9bf9 

WHAT THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES ARE UP TO:Perry and Romney are obviously in New Hampshire. Cain attends a tea party breakfast and hosts a rally in Alabama. Bachmann hosts town halls in Davenport and Burlington, Iowa. She's also touring a pump factory in Muscatine. Santorum speaks at a fundraiser for a state senate candidate in Council Bluffs. Paul has a town hall in Hampstead, N.H.

WHAT THE PRESIDENT IS UP TO - QUIET DAY, STAYING AT THE WHITE HOUSE: "In the morning, the President will receive the Presidential Daily Briefing in the Oval Office. The President will then meet with senior advisors...In the afternoon, the President will meet with Secretary of State Clinton in the Oval Office...In the evening, the President will attend a Diwali reception in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building."

THE LIBERTY TAVERN - OBAMA TAKES CAMPAIGN CONTEST WINNERS TO CLARENDON:"The president's motorcade arrived at approximately 6:48 p.m. at The Liberty Tavern on Wilson Boulevard in the Clarendon section of Arlington, Va," per the pool report. "It's a pleasant cafe/restaurant, with a green-and-white neon sign outside and cobwebs decorating the windows for Halloween. When the pool was ushered in, the president was upstairs, seated at a rectangular dark wood table with four supporters who won a campaign raffle contest to have dinner with him."

NEVADA-ROMNEY TIES OBAMA IN PPP:Obama's approval is 44 percent in the state. "As unpopular as Obama is, there's only one Republican who can catch up with him in the state and that's Mitt Romney," Public Policy Polling director Tom Jensen writes. "They tie at 46%. Romney has an unusual amount of appeal to Nevada Democrats- 27% of them have a favorable opinion of him and 13% say they would vote for him in a hypothetical match up with Obama."
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=4df993a0dc9fb0a5da8f279ded1d2395897da75d39b4a9431f7efa068685e49a 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=4df993a0dc9fb0a5da8f279ded1d2395897da75d39b4a9431f7efa068685e49a 

MISSOURI SENATE - BRUNNER'S COMPANY LAYS OFF WORKERS:"The campaign website for Republican businessman turned U.S. Senate hopeful John Brunner dubs him "John the Job Creator." But, less than a month after Brunner's kick-off, his company has joined the long list of firms adding to the nation's unemployment toll," the St. Louis Post Dispatch writes. "An official for Vi-Jon, which produces the hand sanitizer Germ-X, confirmed Thursday the Vinita Park company did commission a round of layoffs this week."
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=4df993a0dc9fb0a5acc1db04250aac83d676762fd64a3818ad71971e75d755d7 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=4df993a0dc9fb0a5acc1db04250aac83d676762fd64a3818ad71971e75d755d7 

VEEPWATCH - WSJ MOVES A POSITIVE RUBIO STORY:"Many Republicans see Marco Rubio as a rising star who can help them win over the fast-growing Hispanic population, but the Florida senator says toned-down rhetoric on the hot-button issue of immigration would be more likely to bring those voters to the GOP... Mr. Rubio, 40 years old, is viewed by some Republicans as almost a savior when it comes to winning over Hispanics," the Journal writes in a story in today's paper. 'The policies are important, but the rhetoric is sometimes the impediment,' Rubio said in an interview. 'Sometimes-and I'm not pointing fingers at anyone-the way the message is communicated is harmful and has hurt Republicans.'
 This is a good story as he looks to pivot past last week's flap.
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=4df993a0dc9fb0a578d4bdaa52b6f2312a2a45283396b81f31497c1aab6fa4d2 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=4df993a0dc9fb0a578d4bdaa52b6f2312a2a45283396b81f31497c1aab6fa4d2 

IT IS YOUR FATHER'S REPUBLICAN PARTY - GALLUP LOOKS AT GOP BASE:"The Republican Party in 2011 remains demographically and ideologically similar to the way it looked in 2008, although slightly more Americans call themselves Republicans today," Gallup writes in an analysis that just posted. "However, Republicans are now slightly less likely than they were in 2008 to be male and to be highly religious...From that perspective alone, it doesn't appear as if the GOP would necessarily reject a more moderate nominee (such as McCain in 2008) in favor of a more conservative one in 2012." A post looks at the seven major differences between Republicans and the larger U.S. adult population:
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=4df993a0dc9fb0a5bf2e4318488a9fb3354dc58c40830f5ded988cec0dcdaa95 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=4df993a0dc9fb0a5bf2e4318488a9fb3354dc58c40830f5ded988cec0dcdaa95 .

CODA - QUOTE OF THE DAY:"I know that 9 is a popular number in the Republican Party, but this can't possibly be the 9 that they want." - White House spokesman Jay Carney on Congress' 9 percent approval rating.
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=4df993a0dc9fb0a5f199bd1f3bde8752a1c42da06ed62e9bd5cedd58aa821d11 
http://go.politicoemail.com/?qs=4df993a0dc9fb0a5f199bd1f3bde8752a1c42da06ed62e9bd5cedd58aa821d11 

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