US Presidential Election Roundup: 15/7 – 21/7

This week’s roundup of the US presidential elections…

Obama campaign attacks Romney over outsourcing [The Hill] President Obama has increasingly criticised his opponent Mitt Romney over claims that the Republican contender for the presidency would out-source jobs as part of his employment plans.

Republican Super PACs raise $6.6 million [Huffington Post] ‘Mega-donors’ have helped two super PACs with close Republican ties raise $6.6 million in the second quarter of this year.

Romney’s VP announcement anticipated [Global Post] A Romney campaign adviser suggested that the Republican presidential contender could announce his running mate this week, but added that he had not yet made a decision.

Race and religion election implications explored [National Journal] A poll conducted by ABC News and the Washington Post has investigated the implications of race and religion for President Obama and Mitt Romney.

Bain Capital criticism sparks blog debate [Washington Post] Attacks on Mitt Romney’s tenure at the company Bain Capital has prompted debate over the extent to which the issue will affect his election fortunes.

Obama’s Iowa lead declines [Talking Points Memo] President Obama’s lead over Mitt Romney in the state of Iowa has fallen to 5 points, down from 10 points in May, a new poll finds.

Romney adviser hints at campaign ‘counterattacks’ [Political Wire] An adviser to the Romney campaign has said the Republican presidential contender ‘believes it’s time to vet the President’ in light of recent negative campaigning by the Obama campaign.

Romney criticises Obama’s small business remarks [Talking Points Memo] Mitt Romney has attacked President Obama for a speech the President made last week during which he said that public spending helped to develop small businesses.

Michelle Obama speaks about immigration [Huffington Post] The First Lady has spoken about President Obama’s immigration record and policies this week.

Early transition talks underway [Washington Post] The Romney campaign and the Obama administration have engaged in talks to plan for the possible post-election transition of staff should Republicans retake the White House.

‘I will not cut the military budget,’ says Romney [American Legion] In an interview for American Legion Magazine, Mitt Romney has said that he will not implement any cuts to the United States’ military, adding that he will ‘expand our essential weapons programs and our active-duty personnel.’

Romney questions lack of Jobs Council meetings [Politico] Mitt Romney has criticised President Obama after it emerged that the President’s Jobs Council has not met in six months.

Obama appeals to older voters in Florida [New York Times] President Obama has visited the battleground state of Florida, giving a speech in which he attacked Mitt Romney’s healthcare policies.

Campaign ads suspended in Colorado [CNN] Both the Obama and Romney campaigns suspended election campaign ads in Colorado after a man killed 12 people and injured 59 others in a shooting there on Friday.

Campaign financing expands [Reuters] Reuters analyses campaign spending by both Obama and Romney, comparing staff increases, salaries and supplies in June and discussing the limitations of both candidates.

Compiled by Patrick McGhee.

Tagged Bain Capital, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Jobs Council, Michelle Obama, Military Budget, Mitt Romney, Obama, outsourcing, Republicans, Super PACs, VP, White House