US Presidential Election Roundup: 12/8 – 18/8

This week’s roundup of the US presidential elections…

Ryan gives first speech [Huffington Post] Congressman Paul Ryan has given his first speech after being picked to be Mitt Romney’s running-mate.

Polls suggest Ryan ‘unknown’ [Huffington Post] Polls have shown that most Americans have either ‘never heard’ of or are ‘unsure’ about Paul Ryan.

Romney camp saves the surprise [The Guardian] The Guardian details how the Romney campaign kept their choice of Vice-Presidential running-mate a secret.

Ryan choice boosts donations [The Guardian] The Romney campaign has revealed that it has received $3.5 million in donations after the selection of Paul Ryan.

Obama criticises Ryan policies [National Journal] President Obama has attacked Paul Ryan’s economic proposals at a Chicago fundraiser.

Ryan’s legislative history scrutinised [Huffington Post] It has been reported that Paul Ryan only passed two bills during his 13-year period as a Congressman.

Ryan comments on taxes [The Hill] Paul Ryan has said that he will release two years of tax returns.

Palin absent from convention [Reuters] Sarah Palin has confirmed in a statement that she will not be speaking at the Republican Convention later in August.

Does Mitt Romney Want A Third World War? [The Risky Shift] Purav Patel argues that Mitt Romney lacks ‘pragmatism and the ability to negotiate’ on the issue of the Middle East

Adviser compares Ryan to Palin [National Journal] David Axelrod has commented on Paul Ryan’s energising of his party’s base, saying, ‘I saw that excitement four years ago when John McCain appointed Sarah Palin as well.’

Ryan rumour ‘debunked’ [Talking Points Memo] Talking Points Memo reports that a rumour suggesting Paul Ryan may have benefitted financially from insider trading ‘doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.’

Rubio to introduce Romney [CNN] Marco Rubio is expected speak at the Republican National Convention and will introduce Mitt Romney.

‘Back in Chains’ [New York Times] Vice-President Joe Biden has said that Republican economic proposals would ‘put you all back in chains’ during a speech at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.

Obama ‘waging war on coal’ says Romney [CNN] Mitt Romney has accused President Obama of failing to support coal during his presidency.

Romney attacks Obama in Medicare ad [CBS] The Romney campaign has accused President Obama of cutting $716 billion from Medicare ‘to pay for Obamacare’ in a new ad.

‘Get real, Mitt’ says college aid ad [ABC] The Obama campaign has released an ad criticising Mitt Romney’s college aid plans.

Obama leads in Ohio [Talking Points Memo] A new poll suggests that President Obama leads Mitt Romney by 3 points in Ohio.

Romney interviewed for Fortune [CNN Money] Mitt Romney has discussed his economic plans in an interview with Fortune Magazine.

Obama ‘running just to hang on to power’ says Romney [Huffington Post] Mitt Romney has accused the Obama campaign of ‘enmity and jealousy and anger,’ adding that the President is ‘running just to hang onto power.’

Ryan gives ground on Medicare [National Journal] Paul Ryan has dropped $716 billion in proposed cuts to Medicare.

Republicans advise Obama on Biden [Politico] John McCain has joined Sarah Palin in advising President Obama to replace Vice-President Joe Biden on the Democratic presidential ticket.

Univision to request presidential debate [Politico] Spanish network Univision has invited President Obama and Mitt Romney to debate.

Congress breached social media regulations [The Hill] A report has suggested that members of Congress ‘may have broken the rules regulating official use of social media’ after reacting to the selection of Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney’s running mate.

Romney comments on taxes [Reuters] Mitt Romney has said that ‘over the last 10 years, I never paid less than 13 percent’ tax, adding, ‘I think the most recent year is 13.6 or something like that.’

International economy poll supports Obama [Reuters] A new poll has found that more business executives favour President Obama than Mitt Romney over the issue of the global economy.

Compiled by Patrick McGhee.

Tagged Democrats, Obama, Paul Ryan, President, Republicans, Romney, US Election 2012