N2K Presidential Race: His Honor's 'Very Uncomfortable' Concerns

Any hint of quarrel with one?s own party is inevitably refashioned and used by the opposition to cleave the variation deep, deeper, down to the bone, exploiting other areas of disagreement and shaped to portray a party at odds with itself.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker just didn?t have to make it so easy.

Booker?s criticism of President Obama?s argument against Mitt Romney?s private equity record as ?nauseating,? followed by his subsequent walk-back and the puckish Republican ?I Stand with Cory? petition obscures what some Democrats believe is Obama?s best line of attack on Romney: that he is a callous plutocrat who, given control of the levers of government, would ply the same techniques as he did in the private sector.

The ?very uncomfortable? queasiness of Democrats such as Booker ? a moderate Democratic mayor who has received wildly admiring national press ? is unlikely to draw Obama onto another target, this one?s effectiveness already proven. But, in luring the debate onto the legitimacy of the attack rather than its substance, they?ve already cut into its efficacy.

-- Jim O?Sullivan
@JOSullivanNatJo

NATIONAL JOURNAL?S PRIMARY REPORT

Obama the Number One Divider? Tell That to Lincoln or Bush?NEW!
[National Journal, 5/21/12] The GOP often accuses Obama of being divisive, whether he?s talking about tax rates for the wealthy or the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. But National Journal?s Jill Lawrence writes that several of the most divisive presidents in history are now considered our greatest presidents ? maybe the GOP shouldn?t try so hard to hang that word on Obama.?

Ten Revelations From the New Chris Christie Biography?NEW!
[Daily Caller, 5/21/12] A biography of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is about to hit the bookshelves. The Daily Caller has ten revelations that you may not have known about the potential GOP veep pick: He once donated to Planned Parenthood, and is bothered by those that say his weight shows he is undisciplined.

Ex-Rivals' Donors Didn't Flock to Romney in April
[USA Today, 5/21/12] Donors to former Romney rivals have still kept their purse strings shut tight, despite the fact that he is the clear GOP nominee at this point, further illustrating the work Romney will have to do to win over much of the Republican party's conservative base before November.

Cory Booker Commits the Classic Washington Gaffe NEW!
[Washington Post, 5/21/12] It's when you tell the truth, writes Chris Cillizza, who argues that it?s a minor moment, but one that will make life difficult for the campaign. Oh, and the Obama camp is out with a new attack on a different Bain entity -- Ampad.

In Presidential Race, Republicans Narrowing Money Gap?NEW!
[National Journal, 5/21/12]?While Obama is currently enjoying a cash advantage over Romney, outside groups have helped the presumptive GOP nominee narrow the gap in the race for money. A?Politico analysis?shows that super PACs, party committees and the campaign supporting Romney have actually raised more money since the beginning of the cycle than Obama and his backers.

Romney Faced Leadership Test in Big Dig Tragedy ?
[Associated Press, 5/21/12] When a construction project disaster in Boston killed a woman in 2006, it posed a challenge to then-Governor Romney. The Big Dig collapse offers insights into the kind of leader the expected Republican nominee would be if elected president; his stiffest leadership test as governor produced mixed results.?

Own It Like a (Rich) Man
[National Review, 5/21/12] Melissa O?Sullivan says Romney should use his wealth to talk about the good things he?s done ? like the time he helped save a lost girl; or how he?s creating jobs with all those workers constructing his mansion in California.

Priorities USA Action Continues Lackluster Fundraising
[Huffington Post, 5/21/12] Priorities USA Action, the pro-Obama super PAC, has not been able to match Romney?s super PAC in fundraising. In April, the committee brought in only $1.58 million, according to April FEC reports. Restore Our Future and American Crossroads super PACs have been dominant thus far.

J.T. Jezierski?Connects Congress to Mitt Romney Campaign
[Roll Call, 5/21/12] J.T. Jezierski, Romney's top staffer for legislative affairs, has the task of serving as the chief conduit between hundreds of GOP Members and Romney's campaign. He tells Roll Call, "My job is to coordinate, communicate and inform Members of Congress and the campaign about what each other is doing."

Worst Market Since Reagan Greets Obama Before Election
[Bloomberg, 5/21/12] In part because Obama's hands are tied on spending government funds to boost the economy at this point, he's facing one of the worst markets in modern election history, which won't help him win come November.

Cheney to Host Fundraiser For Romney?NEW!
[National Journal, 5/21/12] Former Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife, Lynne, will host a fundraiser for Romney at Cheney?s home in Jackson Hole, Wyo. The two men have not always agreed on policy matters, particularly the size of American military presence abroad and the need for harsh interrogation methods.

Can Obama Beat Back the Anti-Incumbent Fervor?
[The Daily Beast, 5/21/12] There's an anti-incumbent wave sweeping not just much of the U.S. but Europe as well, causing many to wonder whether Obama can turn the trend around and win in November. Paul Begala writes that the only way for Obama to pull it off might be to go extremely negative against Romney.

Romney Faces Foreign Policy Powerhouse in Race Against Obama
[The Hill, 5/21/12] Though Romney has been largely focused on the economy, the recent international summits give Obama yet another opportunity to flex his foreign policy muscle, an area in which Romney remains weak against the president.

Meet the Romney Campaign?s Snarkiest Wonk
[The New Republic, 5/21/12] Chicago politics are tough. But Romney has a few members of his team who know how to hit back. Joining Eric Fehrnstrom in his brass knuckles-style politics is wonk and heavy hitter Lanhee Chen, the campaign?s policy director.

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