Arizona - After a few weeks away from each other, the four remaining Republican candidates for president will meet on stage in Mesa, Arizona tonight for a debate to be broadcast on CNN(8PET).
Once again, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney(R) finds himself struggling to retain his front runner status as former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum(R) slides past him in recent public opinion polls.
As the current “co-front runner,” Santorum is expected to face tougher questioning in tonight’s debate from Romney, the other candidates and the moderator. Santorum is being criticized by some in the Republican Party as being too far to the right on many issues and therefore unelectable in the general election. Santorum is making no apologies and says the only way Republicans can win is if they put up a candidate who can offer a stark contrast to President Obama.
Read More: Reuters – Santorum at Center Stage
Virginia - An increased focus on social issues in the Republican presidential race is making moderates in the GOP uncomfortable and those concerns may be spilling over into Virginia state politics.
There is new evidence this morning that Republican lawmakers and Governor Bob McDonnell(R) are troubled by the national and local reaction to legislation on abortion and gun laws currently making their way through the GOP controlled legislature. McDonnell has clearly backed away from his earlier unconditional support for an ultra sound bill being considered by lawmakers. Votes on a package of anti-abortion bills and a bill lifting the “one gun a month” rule for firearms sales have both been delayed as the GOP reconsiders its strategy. More.
All this serves as an unwanted backdrop for Governor McDonnell as he prepares to represent the national Republican Party this weekend in Washington during the National Governors Association Winter Meeting. McDonnell is currently the chairman of the Republican Governors Association.
Jerry Brown - As first reported by Governors Journal, California Governor Jerry Brown(D) is scheduled to attend this year’s NGA meeting. It will be one of the few out of state trips Brown has made since taking office. Last year he declined to attend any NGA events citing pressing issues in his home state.
It appears another big state governor, New York’s Andrew Cuomo(D) has decided to remain home. Cuomo, like Brown, has rarely stepped beyond his state’s borders since taking office.
Hawaii - Governor Neil Abercrombie(D) says he cannot support current state law concerning marriage, because it does not treat gay couples equally. Abercrombie’s position was made known in a court filing related to a federal lawsuit filed by a gay couple. More.
Rick Perry - A new poll from the University of Texas shows Governor Perry(R) in trouble less than two months after his return from an unsuccessful presidential campaign. The survey says 51% of those polled would not support Perry for re-election in 2014. More.
Alabama - In a long form interview with a local newspaper, Governor Robert Bentley(R) says he believes the state legislature will come around to his view on the state budget, once they understand the alternatives. Bentley also expressed a willingness to compromise in the re-writing of the state’s controversial anti-illegal immigration law, but stressed the most important part of the law is the provision requiring employers to verify they are not hiring illegal workers. More.
Vermont - Governor Peter Shumlin(D) is shooting down a plan to renovate a state building near the Capitol to include an apartment for the governor. Vermont has never had an official Governor’s Residence and won’t under Shumlin’s watch. He says it’s not an appropriate use of state resources while the state is still recovering from the devastation caused last year by Tropical Storm Irene. More.
New Jersey - Governor Chris Christie(R) unveiled his budget proposal for the next year Tuesday. The center piece of the plan is an across the board income tax cut and an increase in the earned income tax credit. Democrats have declared the budget and the tax cuts DOA. Meaning Christie has the legislature right where he wants them. More.
Storm Watch - Read the latest installment of the Storm Abernathy story. This week, Storm explains his new approach to the state budget and his budget director is not happy with it. The governor will need to do some one on one lobbying to get his own team on board.
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