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Month: August 2012

Is this how Obama will portray Romney’s V-P pick?

Is this how Obama will portray Romney’s V-P pick?

Will Paul Ryan help or hinder the Romney campaign? Within the past hour it’s been announced that Mitt Romney has chosen Wisconsin congressman, Paul Ryan as his running mate. The telegenic 42 year old has made a big impact in Washington as chairman of the House Budget Committee and he’s very much seen as someone who’ll appeal to the party’s core supporters. But is there, perhaps, too much baggage around from his fights with the White House over the budget….

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Over to Rio and then where?

Over to Rio and then where?

How’s the race for the 2020 Games looking? Jacques Rogge is not given to using his Closing Ceremony speech at each Olympic Games to declare them ‘the best ever’, as his predecessor, Juan Antonio Samaranch usually did. Maybe that’s because he feels it cheapens his office and demeans previous hosts; alternatively, perhaps it’s that Athens 2004 with its organisational problems, and the spectacular but expensive and sterile Beijing 2008 don’t deserve the accolade. London, on the other hand, maybe does….

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The White House race: The polls look even worse for Romney

The White House race: The polls look even worse for Romney

Real Clear Politics average Did it start to go wrong in London? The latest from the RCP polling average says its all – it’s been a horrible August so far for Mitt Romney. This, of course, shows the national polling which had been holding up reasonably well for Mitt. The state polls particularly in the key swing states have, with just one or two exceptions, been bad for him as well. As well as the negative media coverage of his…

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Who are the Olympic political winners and losers?

Who are the Olympic political winners and losers?

Henry G Manson gives his picks Biggest losers Bronze medal: David Cameron. Booed at the boxing, initially on the back-foot over sports funding and school physical activity and recovered with some steady media performances. However that’s nothing to really worry the PM. What will disappoint so much is to have been so overshadowed in these games by Boris Johnson. Prime Ministers don’t often get such a rare window of good news and national attention. The combination with other events leading…

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Is the rush to be associated with the games a bit unseemly?

Is the rush to be associated with the games a bit unseemly?

Pic: PM in Downing St watching Nicola Adams make Olympic history by becoming first woman to win boxing gold. twitter.com/Number10gov/st… — UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) August 9, 2012 Meanwhile Nick Clegg is at the arena itself Just got the tube to the Excel Centre for the #boxing. Very excited about seeing Sheffield trained Nicola Adams go for gold. — Nick Clegg (@nick_clegg) August 9, 2012 Fantastic atmosphere here at the Excel. Congratulations to @nicolaadams2012 on a dominant win for @teamgb….

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How will the Olympics and other developments affect the polls?

How will the Olympics and other developments affect the polls?

What’s the August ICM survey going to show? What’s your forecast for the August ICM poll? Tick all the answers that apply CON share of 34% unchanged CON share more than 34% CON share less than 34% LAB share of 39% unchanged LAB share more than 39% LAB share less than 39% LD share of 14 % unchanged LD share more than 14 % LD share less than 14 %      As PB regular will know I’ve long regarded…

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The Tories are losing the coalition blame game – YouGov

The Tories are losing the coalition blame game – YouGov

Following Monday’s Clegg’s statement YouGov find 44% saying the LDs have kept to their side of coalition against 32% who say they haven’t — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) August 9, 2012 Just 30% of those sampled by YouGov say the Tories have “mostly kept to their side of the coalition deal”. 51% say they haven’t — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) August 9, 2012 52% tell YouGov that the Tories have gained more from the coalition compared with 23% saying the LDs have…

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