Wednesday, May 23, 2012 1U.S. Rep. John W. Olver, D-Amherst, said Tuesday night that he was not hurt when his car went off Route 9, over an embankment and into a stream in Williamsburg earlier in the day. WILLIAMSBURG - U.S. Rep. John W. Olver of Amherst said Tuesday night that his car went off Route 9, over an embankment and into a stream after he changed his mind about passing a vehicle while he was on his way to Pittsfield in the morning. Olver, a Democrat, said he was not hurt in the accident which occurred about 9:15 a.m. while he was headed to a meeting at Berkshire Community College. "I have driven that road hundreds of times over the years," he said. "I ... Continue reading →
By MICHAEL FALCONE (@michaelpfalcone) and AMY WALTER (@amyewalter) NOTABLES: POLL WOES: On several key measures Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is creeping up on President Obama, including on the question of which candidate better understands the problems of average Americans. To be sure, Obama still has some very important advantages, but when it comes to the number one issue of the 2012 election cycle — the economy — ABC’s Jake Tapper noted on “Good Morning America” today that gap between Romney and Obama is “very, very close” indeed. BAIN PAIN — FOR OBAMA? ABC’s Jonathan Karl reports: A top Obama donor and fundraiser had a much more direct tie to the Bain Capital/Ampad controversy, which the Obama campaign used in a web video yesterday. In ... Continue reading →
No governor in recent memory has been so controversial. No governor in America is so polarizing. Everyone has an opinion about Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin. Here's ours: We see no reason to remove Walker from office. We recommend him in the June 5 recall election. Walker's rematch with Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett was prompted by one issue: Walker's tough stance with the state's public-employee unions. It's inconceivable that the recall election would be occurring absent that. And a disagreement over a single policy is simply not enough to justify a vote against the governor. A Marquette Law School Poll in January showed that many people in the Badger State agree. In that poll, 72% of Republicans, 44% of independents and 17% of Democrats said ... Continue reading →
By MICHAEL FALCONE (@michaelpfalcone) and AMY WALTER (@amyewalter) NOTABLES: DEFINE OR BE DEFINED: With Democrats trashing Mitt Romney’s business record at Bain Capital, the presumptive Republican nominee is attempting to wage the presidential campaign on his terms. He released his first general election television ad today — a seemingly positive vision of his top priorities if elected. But as ABC News Political Director Amy Walter points out, the ad amounts to a subtle — but razor-sharp — contrast to President Obama. IN THE HOUSE: A “This Week” exclusive on Sunday. ABC’s George Stephanopoulos sits down with House Speaker John Boehner and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi about simmering tensions on Capitol Hill on the budget, taxes and other key issues. NOTE IT! In our virtual political ... Continue reading →
