NEW HAMPSHIRE
Romney talks positive about voice of tea party
MERRIMACK — Mitt Romney says the tea party is good for Washington.
The Republican presidential contender made his comments as the Democratic Party tries to cast all GOP hopefuls under one tea party banner.
Mr. Romney tried to walk a fine line while attempting to appeal to his party’s conservative base and moderates during a campaign event at Stanley Elevator in New Hampshire. He made positive comments about the tea party movement, which largely opposed any compromise with Democrats in the recent debt ceiling debate. Mr. Romney said the tea party has rightly helped change the agenda in Washington.
He also said political leaders need to try harder to work together and spoke about his cooperation with Democrats while Massachusetts governor, pledging to respect and regularly engage with Democrats if elected.
NEW YORK
Books to analyze Texas Gov. Perry
NEW YORK — Rick Perry has the book world’s attention.
The Texas governor and recently declared GOP presidential candidate is the subject of new book by James C. Moore, co-author of the anti-George W. Bush best-seller “Bush’s Brain,” and Texas political consultant Jason Stanford.
Metropolitan Books, an imprint of Henry Holt and Co., announced Tuesday that “Adios Mofo: Why Rick Perry Will Make America Miss George W. Bush” is scheduled for early 2012.
According to Metropolitan, the authors have “deep contacts with numerous operatives in the Perry campaign” and will present the governor as an “ideologue with scant interest or success in governing.”
The book’s title comes from remarks Mr. Perry made in 2005 after a television interview with a Houston reporter. Mr. Perry, who later apologized, said he was unaware the microphone was still activated.
Also Tuesday, Crown Publishing Group announced that an e-book about the governor will be released next week. “Rick Perry and His Eggheads,” by Sasha Issenberg, is an inside account of Mr. Perry’s successful 2006 re-election campaign and the academics who analyzed it. The e-book is based on Mr. Issenberg’s “The Victory Lab,” due in the fall of 2012.
Meanwhile, a book by Mr. Perry received a sales bump after he announced his candidacy Saturday.
NEW YORK
Trump praises Perry, keeps 2012 run open
NEW YORK — Real estate mogul Donald Trump said Tuesday that he expects Texas Gov. Rick Perry to do “very nicely” as a presidential candidate. But Mr. Trump stopped short of endorsing Mr. Perry and said he hasn’t ruled out running for president himself as an independent.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Mr. Trump said Mr. Perry was a welcome entry in the GOP field, which includes former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota. Mrs. Bachmann won the Iowa straw poll Saturday, the same day Mr. Perry announced he would seek the party’s nomination to challenge President Obama in 2012.
“I think Rick Perry is a real positive. Nobody can predict outcomes, but I think he will do very nicely,” Mr. Trump said. “We need someone in this country who is willing to shake things up.”
Mr. Trump, a billionaire reality show host, flirted publicly with joining the Republican presidential field before opting out of the race in May. He said he would consider running next year as an independent if he doesn’t think the candidate who wins the GOP nomination is strong enough to beat Mr. Obama. Mr. Trump said he would make a decision after the next season of his show, “Celebrity Apprentice,” ends in June.
“I have an obligation. We have a tremendous following — millions of people who would like to see me run,” Mr. Trump said.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Bachmann confuses Elvis’ birthday with death date
SPARTANBURG — Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann got her Elvis Presley dates all shook up during a campaign stop Tuesday in South Carolina.
The congresswoman from Minnesota played the Elvis tune “Promised Land” at a local restaurant and told the crowd of 300 that she wanted to say “happy birthday” to the king of rock ’n’ roll.
“Before we get started, let’s all say happy birthday to Elvis Presley today,” Mrs. Bachmann said.
Pressley died on Aug. 16, 1977, and someone in the crowd shouted back, “He died today.”
Mrs. Bachmann didn’t respond and launched into her speech.
She didn’t miss a beat on the Elvis front either. As she signed autographs, she paused for a brief shag dance with one of her fans.
Mrs. Bachmann corrected herself later as she spoke with reporters, noting that the date marked Presley’s passing, not his birth.
“As far as we’re concerned, he’s still alive in our hearts,” Mrs. Bachmann said.
NEW JERSEY
Olympian Carl Lewis not certified for race
TRENTON — New Jersey’s top elections official won’t certify nine-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis as a Democratic candidate for state Senate.
Secretary of State Kim Guadagno, a Republican, said the former track star doesn’t meet New Jersey’s four-year residency requirement to run.
Mr. Lewis grew up in Willingboro and said he has owned a home in New Jersey since 2005, but he attended college in Texas and also owns a home and business in California.
Mr. Lewis’ attorney asked Tuesday for immediate intervention from the federal judge hearing the case. Bill Tambussi said Ms. Guadagno’s conduct in the case raises “important issues that require urgent attention.”
An appeals panel allowed Mr. Lewis, 50, to appear on the June primary ballot. He would face Sen. Dawn Marie Addiego, a Republican, for the 8th Legislative District seat.
From wire dispatches and staff reports
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