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Version 11 Version 12
Rick Santorum launches presidential bid at Pennsylvania rally – as it happened Rick Santorum launches presidential bid at Pennsylvania rally – as it happened
(6 days later)
11.15pm BST11.15pm BST
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We’re going to wrap up our live blog politics coverage for the day. Here’s a summary of where things stand:We’re going to wrap up our live blog politics coverage for the day. Here’s a summary of where things stand:
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Why does this sound so... threatening?Why does this sound so... threatening?
RICK SANTORUM READY! http://t.co/AFm2u1vOVNRICK SANTORUM READY! http://t.co/AFm2u1vOVN
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How many times did Santorum say “American worker”?How many times did Santorum say “American worker”?
“I am proud to stand among you, and for you, the American workers who have sacrificed so much, to announce that I am running for president of the United States!”“I am proud to stand among you, and for you, the American workers who have sacrificed so much, to announce that I am running for president of the United States!”
“Four years ago, well, no one gave us much of a chance. But we won 11 states. We got 4m votes. And it’s not just because I stood for something. It’s because I stood for someone. The American worker!”“Four years ago, well, no one gave us much of a chance. But we won 11 states. We got 4m votes. And it’s not just because I stood for something. It’s because I stood for someone. The American worker!”
I think the last person to cram in as many references to the American worker in one speech as Rick Santorum was Ray Zalinsky in Tommy Boy.I think the last person to cram in as many references to the American worker in one speech as Rick Santorum was Ray Zalinsky in Tommy Boy.
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Santorum wraps: 'ricksantorum dot com!'Santorum wraps: 'ricksantorum dot com!'
Santorum finishes his speech. Here’s the big finish, verbatim:Santorum finishes his speech. Here’s the big finish, verbatim:
“Four years ago, well, no one gave us much of a chance. But we won 11 states. We got 4m votes. And it’s not just because I stood for something. It’s because I stood for someone. The American worker.“Four years ago, well, no one gave us much of a chance. But we won 11 states. We got 4m votes. And it’s not just because I stood for something. It’s because I stood for someone. The American worker.
“I promised then as I promise you now. I will take money and power out of Washington, and put it back where the Constitution says it belongs: in the people who earned it.“I promised then as I promise you now. I will take money and power out of Washington, and put it back where the Constitution says it belongs: in the people who earned it.
“The last race, we changed the debate. This race, with your help and god’s grace, we can change this nation.“The last race, we changed the debate. This race, with your help and god’s grace, we can change this nation.
Join us! Join us! ricksantorum dot com! God bless you! And god bless America!Join us! Join us! ricksantorum dot com! God bless you! And god bless America!
Then they play the “Take Back America” song.Then they play the “Take Back America” song.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.39pm BSTat 10.39pm BST
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Rick Santorum holds up being featured in an online publication sympathetic to Isis militants as a national security credential.Rick Santorum holds up being featured in an online publication sympathetic to Isis militants as a national security credential.
He says a recent feature in the “Isis magazine” included “my picture and a quote.”He says a recent feature in the “Isis magazine” included “my picture and a quote.”
“After 12 years of legislating and warning about radical Islam,” Santorum says, “They know who I am, and I know who they are.“After 12 years of legislating and warning about radical Islam,” Santorum says, “They know who I am, and I know who they are.
“In that article I described who they are, and how to defeat them. And ladies and gentleman, if I’m the next president, I will defeat them.”“In that article I described who they are, and how to defeat them. And ladies and gentleman, if I’m the next president, I will defeat them.”
Applause.Applause.
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Ben Jacobs takes in the crowd:Ben Jacobs takes in the crowd:
Crowd at Santorum event which is now chanting "Rick, Rick, Rick" pic.twitter.com/FGVtABUdlOCrowd at Santorum event which is now chanting "Rick, Rick, Rick" pic.twitter.com/FGVtABUdlO
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Santorum: 'peace comes through strength'Santorum: 'peace comes through strength'
“The Obama team, they don’t understand that peace comes through strength,” Santorum says.“The Obama team, they don’t understand that peace comes through strength,” Santorum says.
“USA! USA! USA!” the crowd chants.“USA! USA! USA!” the crowd chants.
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What does this mean, just then from Santorum? Is it an anti-adoption stance? A veiled attack on same-sex marriage?What does this mean, just then from Santorum? Is it an anti-adoption stance? A veiled attack on same-sex marriage?
“Every child in America deserves her birthright to be raised by her parents in a healthy home.”“Every child in America deserves her birthright to be raised by her parents in a healthy home.”
Then he says “stronger families and more jobs will result in better schools” and promises to “drive a stake in the heart of common core.”Then he says “stronger families and more jobs will result in better schools” and promises to “drive a stake in the heart of common core.”
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Santorum promises to “revoke every executive action and regulation that costs American jobs.”Santorum promises to “revoke every executive action and regulation that costs American jobs.”
Earlier he referred to the “shale revolution” – fracking is big business in Pennsylvania.Earlier he referred to the “shale revolution” – fracking is big business in Pennsylvania.
Santorum comes out as virulently anti-immigrant, although he declines to use the word “immigrant” or “immigration”.Santorum comes out as virulently anti-immigrant, although he declines to use the word “immigrant” or “immigration”.
Santorum says that “as a result” of “unskilled workers” entering the US economy, US wages have “flatlined.”Santorum says that “as a result” of “unskilled workers” entering the US economy, US wages have “flatlined.”
Hillary Clinton and “big business,” Santorum says, “have called for a massive influx in unskilled labor.”Hillary Clinton and “big business,” Santorum says, “have called for a massive influx in unskilled labor.”
“Business does it because they want to control costs. Hillary does it, well, because she just wants votes.”“Business does it because they want to control costs. Hillary does it, well, because she just wants votes.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.43pm BSTat 10.43pm BST
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Santorum: 'I am running'Santorum: 'I am running'
Santorum announces.Santorum announces.
“I am proud to stand among you, and for you, the American workers who have sacrificed so much, to announce that I am running for president of the United States.”“I am proud to stand among you, and for you, the American workers who have sacrificed so much, to announce that I am running for president of the United States.”
He promises a “bold vision” that is “clear and conservative” and has “a proven track record.”He promises a “bold vision” that is “clear and conservative” and has “a proven track record.”
Step one: ditch the “corrupt federal tax code and the IRS that goes with it.”Step one: ditch the “corrupt federal tax code and the IRS that goes with it.”
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Santorum is talking about lost jobs.Santorum is talking about lost jobs.
“What about those politicians, for all those years, what did they do?” says Santorum, who spent the better part of two decades in Congress and has been running for elected office ever since.“What about those politicians, for all those years, what did they do?” says Santorum, who spent the better part of two decades in Congress and has been running for elected office ever since.
“They offered no plan, and they provided no hope. And for that I say, ‘no longer!’”“They offered no plan, and they provided no hope. And for that I say, ‘no longer!’”
Applause.Applause.
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This is a piece of coal, Santorum says, holding up a piece of coal. He says his grandfather Aldo came from Italy and ended up working in coal.This is a piece of coal, Santorum says, holding up a piece of coal. He says his grandfather Aldo came from Italy and ended up working in coal.
“But he didn’t come for this,” Santorum says, shaking the coal in his left hand. “Like millions of other Americans, he came for this!”“But he didn’t come for this,” Santorum says, shaking the coal in his left hand. “Like millions of other Americans, he came for this!”
Santorum triumphantly raises his right hand, which holds a neatly folded American flag.Santorum triumphantly raises his right hand, which holds a neatly folded American flag.
Cheers!Cheers!
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Santorum event beginsSantorum event begins
Santorum takes the stage in Cabot, Pennsylvania. His family is behind him on stage. He introduces Bella, his 7-year-old daughter who has the genetic disorder Trisomy 18. He says the stage looks full of family but in fact one family member, his son Daniel, isn’t there – he’s just left for Alabama for Air Force training.Santorum takes the stage in Cabot, Pennsylvania. His family is behind him on stage. He introduces Bella, his 7-year-old daughter who has the genetic disorder Trisomy 18. He says the stage looks full of family but in fact one family member, his son Daniel, isn’t there – he’s just left for Alabama for Air Force training.
10.03pm BST10.03pm BST
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Do you follow Florida Man on Twitter?Do you follow Florida Man on Twitter?
Florida Man is a bot (we think?) that combs the Internet for headlines containing the phrase “Florida Man” and tweets the results. Thanks to the native resourcefulness, and daring, and creativity, and indeed questionable judgment of the good people of Florida, the results never disappoint:Florida Man is a bot (we think?) that combs the Internet for headlines containing the phrase “Florida Man” and tweets the results. Thanks to the native resourcefulness, and daring, and creativity, and indeed questionable judgment of the good people of Florida, the results never disappoint:
Florida Man Calls Sheriff's Office to Ask for Help Buying Drugs http://t.co/T2WcXpli5yFlorida Man Calls Sheriff's Office to Ask for Help Buying Drugs http://t.co/T2WcXpli5y
Because one good turn of wit deserves another, the folks at IJReview have found a way to apply the dependable humor of Florida Man to an even more dependable source of humor: the presidential race.Because one good turn of wit deserves another, the folks at IJReview have found a way to apply the dependable humor of Florida Man to an even more dependable source of humor: the presidential race.
There happen to be two Florida men in the 2016 presidential race or almost in the race: Senator Marco Rubio (in) and former Governor Jeb Bush (almost in). Both are accustomed to news coverage that refers to them by their well-known surnames. Until now?There happen to be two Florida men in the 2016 presidential race or almost in the race: Senator Marco Rubio (in) and former Governor Jeb Bush (almost in). Both are accustomed to news coverage that refers to them by their well-known surnames. Until now?
IJReview made a Chrome extension that makes every news story about Bush or Rubio an entry in the Florida Man honor roll. So now we have, for example,IJReview made a Chrome extension that makes every news story about Bush or Rubio an entry in the Florida Man honor roll. So now we have, for example,
Florida Man Says He Would Have Invaded Iraq, TooFlorida Man Says He Would Have Invaded Iraq, Too
andand
Florida Man Would Attend a Gay WeddingFlorida Man Would Attend a Gay Wedding
It turns out that both the candidate and the prospective candidate find the trick to be pretty funny. Both Rubio and Bush have doffed their caps on Twitter:It turns out that both the candidate and the prospective candidate find the trick to be pretty funny. Both Rubio and Bush have doffed their caps on Twitter:
You gotta hand it to those folks at @ijreview. This is pretty good. 👏👏👏 http://t.co/aOBO0QuWhgYou gotta hand it to those folks at @ijreview. This is pretty good. 👏👏👏 http://t.co/aOBO0QuWhg
.@ijreview Florida man is enjoying some of these stories a lot more with the new headlines.@ijreview Florida man is enjoying some of these stories a lot more with the new headlines
9.29pm BST9.29pm BST
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Rick Santorum’s campaign web site’s error page makes fun of Hillary Clinton for turning over 55,000 pages – as in printed-out pages – of emails from her state department years instead of submitting a, you know, electronic version that investigators actually could search:Rick Santorum’s campaign web site’s error page makes fun of Hillary Clinton for turning over 55,000 pages – as in printed-out pages – of emails from her state department years instead of submitting a, you know, electronic version that investigators actually could search:
Rick Santorum ups the ante in the "404" wars. http://t.co/bhX7LKKpU8 pic.twitter.com/IC0gDnbfBpRick Santorum ups the ante in the "404" wars. http://t.co/bhX7LKKpU8 pic.twitter.com/IC0gDnbfBp
Good one, Rick.Good one, Rick.
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Do you watch Pawn Stars? So, apparently, does a certain Florida Man:Do you watch Pawn Stars? So, apparently, does a certain Florida Man:
Marco Rubio holding an event with star of History Channel's Pawn Stars in Nevada pic.twitter.com/zZKq03zAGrMarco Rubio holding an event with star of History Channel's Pawn Stars in Nevada pic.twitter.com/zZKq03zAGr
9.10pm BST9.10pm BST
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Republican hopeful Rand Paul visited the south side of Chicago on Wednesday to talk about crime – but not about race and racism, Zach Stafford reports from the scene:Republican hopeful Rand Paul visited the south side of Chicago on Wednesday to talk about crime – but not about race and racism, Zach Stafford reports from the scene:
In his visit today to the south side of Chicago, Rand Paul let the community know that he believes that crime is not a racial issue, but a spiritual one.In his visit today to the south side of Chicago, Rand Paul let the community know that he believes that crime is not a racial issue, but a spiritual one.
Speaking to a diverse crowd of over 100 people outside the New Beginnings Church, the Kentucky senator said, “Black lives do matter.”Speaking to a diverse crowd of over 100 people outside the New Beginnings Church, the Kentucky senator said, “Black lives do matter.”
And you may be saying to yourself, ‘What does this white guy saying black lives matter? What does he know about my neighborhood?’And you may be saying to yourself, ‘What does this white guy saying black lives matter? What does he know about my neighborhood?’
“[Well] we’ve got crime in my neighborhood, too. In my little town of Kentucky, a white woman cut a baby out of another white woman. So there’s crimes’ going on all across America.“[Well] we’ve got crime in my neighborhood, too. In my little town of Kentucky, a white woman cut a baby out of another white woman. So there’s crimes’ going on all across America.
“It is not a racial thing – it is a spiritual problem.”“It is not a racial thing – it is a spiritual problem.”
Paul was invited to speak by Project HOOD, an anti-violence group started by Pastor Corey Brooks of New Beginnings, as part of a series of town halls to which the entire prospective presidential field has been invited. Paul was the first candidate to accept to invitation. Zach continues:Paul was invited to speak by Project HOOD, an anti-violence group started by Pastor Corey Brooks of New Beginnings, as part of a series of town halls to which the entire prospective presidential field has been invited. Paul was the first candidate to accept to invitation. Zach continues:
“The idea was to have candidates to speak to the community because they never really come down here,” Helene Walsh, an organizer, told the Guardian.“The idea was to have candidates to speak to the community because they never really come down here,” Helene Walsh, an organizer, told the Guardian.
New Beginnings Church is located in the Greater Grand Crossings, which has seen over 77 violent crimes in the past month alone.New Beginnings Church is located in the Greater Grand Crossings, which has seen over 77 violent crimes in the past month alone.
“I think the Senator made a good speech,” Will Calloway, a member of Project HOOD and youth organizer, told the Guardian afterward.“I think the Senator made a good speech,” Will Calloway, a member of Project HOOD and youth organizer, told the Guardian afterward.
“But I think he should have incorporated racism inside of it.”“But I think he should have incorporated racism inside of it.”
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The Iowa director for potential Democratic candidate Jim Webb whose resignation was reported earlier today is being replaced, Webb’s team tells Ben Jacobs in a statement:The Iowa director for potential Democratic candidate Jim Webb whose resignation was reported earlier today is being replaced, Webb’s team tells Ben Jacobs in a statement:
Our exploratory committee is reassigning staff to ensure people are tasked with opportunities that best serve their strengths. Joe Stanley, an accomplished professional who has worked with Jim since his 2006 Senate campaign, will be going to Iowa.”Our exploratory committee is reassigning staff to ensure people are tasked with opportunities that best serve their strengths. Joe Stanley, an accomplished professional who has worked with Jim since his 2006 Senate campaign, will be going to Iowa.”
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The Guardian’s Ben Jacobs is getting ready to watch Santorum in Cabot, Pennsylvania, just north of Pittsburgh and near where Santorum grew up.The Guardian’s Ben Jacobs is getting ready to watch Santorum in Cabot, Pennsylvania, just north of Pittsburgh and near where Santorum grew up.
Rick Santorum supporter card includes an option to "offer prayer" pic.twitter.com/UMevRvfu0xRick Santorum supporter card includes an option to "offer prayer" pic.twitter.com/UMevRvfu0x
Let's get it on briefly starts to play at Santorum rally before being switched offLet's get it on briefly starts to play at Santorum rally before being switched off
UpdatedUpdated
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He’s pointing at his gut.He’s pointing at his gut.
never forget https://t.co/RwpQypgJGfnever forget https://t.co/RwpQypgJGf
8.27pm BST8.27pm BST
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If you’re not following the Hillary Clinton propaganda Twitter feed The Briefing, you might miss video clips from her campaign appearances. Here’s one to get you started, from this afternoon’s appearance in South Carolina:If you’re not following the Hillary Clinton propaganda Twitter feed The Briefing, you might miss video clips from her campaign appearances. Here’s one to get you started, from this afternoon’s appearance in South Carolina:
What's one key way Hillary thinks we can strengthen families? Equal pay. Get the facts: http://t.co/3JfVgHTlHF pic.twitter.com/WHeqJkVH6BWhat's one key way Hillary thinks we can strengthen families? Equal pay. Get the facts: http://t.co/3JfVgHTlHF pic.twitter.com/WHeqJkVH6B
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Spoiler alert: He likes root beer floats and cutting his own hair!
What the heck are we talking about? The new US Weekly rundown of 25 interesting factoids about Republican presidential hopeful Rand Paul:
13. I’m not an expert stargazer, but I can recognize many of the constellations and am always interested to see the next eclipse.
Read all 25 here.
(h/t: @rosiegray)
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Sabrina Siddiqui unveils some of the hidden villains in Clinton’s remarks:
Without taking names, Clinton cites GOP candidates saying equal pay is "bogus issue" (Walker) and Congress is "wasting time" (Rubio).
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19:49
The Paul-Jindal smackdown continues:
Rand Paul camp hits Jindal on flip-flops: "The American people are looking for a candidate who can express a coherent viewpoint"
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Clinton event wraps
Clinton exits. Happy crowd there in South Carolina.
Updated
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Clinton closes with a pair of anecdotes she’s already told a couple times on the trail, one about getting the call from Obama to take the secretary of state slot, the other about appearing on the Awesome show in Indonesia and getting asked how she could work with Obama after their heated primary campaign.
.@HillaryClinton in SC about losing to Obama: "He won and I lost and then I went to work to make sure he'd win"
Obama walloped Clinton 55-27 in the 2008 South Carolina Democratic primary. John Edwards, who had dropped out of the race but was still on the ballot, mopped up 18%.
7.37pm BST
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Clinton: 'I've been coloring my hair for years'
Clinton brings down the house with a self-deprecating joke about her age and dying her hair.
She says being president is a tough job that takes a visible toll on the chief executive.
“Think of what they look like on inauguration day,” Clinton says. And then what happens?
They grow grayer. And grayer. And by the time they leave, they’re as white as the house they live in.
“I might not be the youngest candidate in this race, but I have one big advantage. I’ve been coloring my hair for years!
“So you’re not going to see me turn white in the White House!
The crowd loooves it.
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Clinton is on to the wage gap between men and women.
She calls on Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, which she sponsored when she was in the Senate. “It’s time to get this done,” she says. She also calls for better reporting on salary ranges so women employees know they have pay parity.
“I think transparency, when it comes to pay, is our friend.”
(When is transparency not our friend?)
Third, Clinton says, we need to raise wages for the lowest-paid jobs. And make it easier for women to enter higher-paying fields.
7.30pm BST
19:30
Clinton shares her new least-favorite statistic – and it’s another dig at hedge fund managers:
The 25 biggest hedge fund managers earn more than all the kindergarten teachers in America combined. What does that say about our values?
Could rhetoric like this create uncomfortable moments between Clinton and her son-in-law, who is.... a hedge fund manager?
Not likely! It appears he’s losing money and may not be in the really rich group. The Wall Street Journal reported in February:
Eaglevale Partners LP, founded by Marc Mezvinsky and two former colleagues from Goldman Sachs Group Inc., told investors in a letter sent last week they had been “incorrect” on Greece, helping produce losses for the firm’s main fund during two of the past three years, according to the letter. Mr. Mezvinsky married Chelsea Clinton, the former first daughter, in 2010.
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Clinton, on a rhetorical roll, lists four definitions for “middle class.” Being middle class, she says, should mean you:
– feel in control of your financial destiny
– have a little more so you can worry a little less
– can invest in the future
– can go to sleep knowing that everything you worked for won’t be lost in a flash
7.23pm BST
19:23
Clinton: 'when Democrats win, Americans win'
Clinton shifts to talk of the economy and the family unit. There’s the pat line about coming through tough economic times but only with tough sacrifices and we’re not there yet.
“Democratic presidents, and there’s two in particular I’m thinking about over the last 35 years, seem to inherit a mess of problems, and so they have to dig us out of the ditches...
“And of course I’m talking about Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.”
Clinton: "I am running to live again at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave … but I don't want to be there all by myself."
Clinton wants to elect more Democrats along the way, she says.
Clinton casts the choice between Republicans and Democrats as one between “people who want to keep the deck stacked in favor of those at the top” and people who “make sure the success of the country is shared across the economy.”
Another analogy Clinton likes on the economy: “We’re standing up, but we’re not yet running.”
Updated
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7.20pm BST
19:20
Clinton is speaking at a lectern at the Democratic Women’s Council. Behind her is a stageful of Democratic women. Clinton is cruising through introductions.
I first came to South Carolina as a young lawyer working for the children’s defense fund, started by your own Marian Wright Edelman,” she says.
“I’m back because I want to support you. The theme of the event is how to build a party, a party that really respects women” and assures them not only a place “at the table but at the head of the table,” Clinton says.
7.16pm BST
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The next stage of the Clinton trip to South Carolina is now being broadcast live on CSPAN here. Clinton is about to speak.
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19:15
The Guardian’s Sabrina Siddiqui (@sabrinasiddiqui) reports from Hillary Clinton’s first campaign visit to South Carolina, at a roundtable with a group of minority women who are small business owners in the Palmetto State.
“The event was held Wednesday afternoon at Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles, located in a strip mall northeast of downtown Columbia, the latest in a string of low-key stops as Clinton continues her quiet listening tour in key early voting states,” Sabrina reports:
Roughly 40 patrons were at the restaurant, which opened its doors in 2012 and is the first to serve chicken and waffles in the Midlands. Clinton arrived shortly after noon in a royal blue pantsuit to a round of applause from excited customers, who suspected they were in for a special visitor based on the tight security but wondered aloud if it might be South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, a Republican.
Clinton made the rounds to each table to shake hands with customers as onlookers snapped pictures. She did as most candidates do – greeted individuals while asking how they were doing, cooed at a baby girl and posed for the occasional picture.
The former secretary of state spent an extra couple of minutes chatting with two women in the army, asking them how long they had been in the service and thanking them.
Clinton also encountered a family celebrating a high school graduation. When the student, named Dayzjohna Roberts and a graduate of WJ Keenan High School, told Clinton she wanted to join the military, Clinton recommended she talk to the two service members she had spoken with moments before. She even returned to the two service women and told them about the graduate, recommending that they all speak.
The traveling press was not permitted to stay for the roundtable, Sabrina writes, but a Clinton official said it would focus on “the challenges facing minority and women business owners and how government can make it easier for these small business owners to grow their business and create jobs.”
7.10pm BST
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The GOP: the party of diversity in 2016?
Which is the party of diversity in 2016? pic.twitter.com/BIFuRnaWgT
7.07pm BST
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Santorum song: 'unleash the pride'
It’s an embarrassment of riches today on the custom campaign song front. We had a Christian Ted Cruz rap and a look back at Rick Santorum’s 2012 campaign megahit.
Now there’s a new song attached to Santorum’s current campaign launch: Take Back America.
Isn’t it time to take back America?
Isn’t it time to unleash the pride?
Santorum comes out with what is sure to be the next big radio hit: Take Back America #WatchOutTaySwift https://t.co/baeyrovewG
Updated
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19:01
As we wait for Hillary Clinton to begin speaking, we’d invite you to bone up on the political career of Rick Santorum – helpfully summarized in one of our trademark Guardian candidate resumes (click through to read all nine!):
Work experience:
Candidate, 2012 Republican presidential primaries
6.52pm BST
18:52
Fiorina on Clinton: 'Perhaps she's following me'
Speaking with reporters in Columbia, South Carolina, Republican presidential hopeful Carly Fiorina dismissed speculation that she was following Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton, also speaking today in Columbia.
“Perhaps she’s following me,” Fiorina said. “I have never been following Mrs. Clinton. The Hill has more:
“Hillary Clinton is the personification of the professional political class,” Fiorina said. “We need a nominee who can ask her these questions.”
Sarah Isgur Flores, Fiorina’s deputy campaign manager, slammed the Clinton campaign as the “Hillary for America But Against Transparency campaign” in an email to reporters Tuesday.
“Our events tomorrow are all open to the press. And by open press, we mean we’ll actually take questions,” Flores said.
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Wish there was a way to waste a couple minutes before the Clinton event starts. Like if a Christian rapper would drop a Ted Cruz track.
make DC listen
switch off the dead news
the lamestream media
feeding us the fed stew
collectivism everyone’s a victim
like the Reds do
and for our next president,
we’re all in for Ted Cruz
Circulating in Iowa: Video of a Ted Cruz campaign song by Christian rapper Joe Salant. "Grind for righteousness." https://t.co/7cUduqAIHj
woooooooooorrd
6.38pm BST
18:38
Ready to go.
"I'm ready to do this again," Rick Santorum tells me on joining the 2016 race. pic.twitter.com/ay1sQYhgwZ
6.17pm BST
18:17
When you look at it this way...
Bernie Sanders 2016 has more support than Graham, Jindal, Fiorina, and Kasich combined, @pbump notes http://t.co/2nNdSoCWvf
6.14pm BST
18:14
Where’s Hillary Clinton?
Columbia, South Carolina, where she’s scheduled to deliver remarks beginning in about a half hour to the South Carolina House Democratic Women’s Caucus and the South Carolina Democratic Women’s Council.
Clinton is also scheduled to speak this afternoon, her campaign says, with minority women small business owners in Columbia.
We’ll have it all right here.
6.09pm BST
18:09
Did Hillary Clinton just edge an inch closer to the Democratic presidential nomination? Jim Webb is the former senator from Virginia and secretary of the Navy who has been seen as positioning himself to be among the Democratic politicians who could swoop in to fight for the nomination should Clinton stumble.
It’s harder to swoop without Iowa, though.
NEW: Dem presidential hopeful Jim Webb's Iowa director, Rania Batrice, resigned last week, she confirmed to me today. @RaniaBatrice
6.02pm BST
18:02
Rand Paul is joining the “convo” on the #southside, meaning south of Chicago, where Paul spoke to a crowd on an outdoor stage moments ago. The Paul camp said the candidate visited the area on the invitation of local pastor Cory Brooks.
We must get beyond party labels to find solutions. I'm proud to be in the #southside today to be part of the convo pic.twitter.com/dFzgT7RnyN
5.52pm BST
17:52
Potentially illegal ice cream at Sanders event
As painful as the campaign process can be for voters who only experience it in endless negative ads interrupting their favorite TV or in junky fliers junking up their mailboxes, there’s something about the business of retail politics that can create these heartfelt moments of American happiness, little moments like smiling babies and I Voted buttons and ice cream, perhaps donated in bulk to mark the launch yesterday evening of Vermont senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential run.
It turns out that ice cream is ILLEGAL in this context unless it is reported as a campaign donation to the FEC.
so @BernieSanders rallies against corporations but has no problem taking @benandjerrys free handouts at kickoff
Thanks to Republican National Committee communications director Sean Spicer for flagging this incredibly flagrant abuse of campaign finance law by a candidate who was one lick away from the Democratic nomination. A candidate, no less, who would position himself as a critic of the hundreds of millions of anonymous dollars about to flow from banks and industry and maybe even foreign rich people into the 2016 race.
.@benandjerrys great. There are still laws. One is you can't donate without reporting it to the Federal Election Commission
5.34pm BST
17:34
Jindal slams Paul: 'unsuited' to be president
Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal, who is exploring a presidential run, has just unleashed some heavy-duty friendly fire on fellow Republican – and potential primary opponent – Rand Paul.
Paul has expressed reluctance about new foreign military expeditions in general and hesitancy in particular about deploying thousands of additional US troops to the Middle East to confront Isis militants or for any other reason.
Update: and in a television hit this morning, Paul said that “Isis exists and grew stronger because of the hawks in our party who gave arms indiscriminately.”
In a statement issued Wednesday, Jindal accuses Paul of taking “the weakest, most liberal Dem position”:
(1/5) Sen. Paul’s comments on ISIS take the weakest, most liberal Dem position, showing he is unsuited to be Commander-in-Chief.
Jindal continued:
It’s one thing for Senator Paul to take an outlandish position as a Senator at Washington cocktail parties, but being Commander-in-Chief is an entirely different job. We should all be clear that evil and Radical Islam are at fault for the rise of ISIS, and people like President Obama and Hillary Clinton exacerbate it.
American weakness, not American strength, emboldens our enemies. Senator Paul’s illogical argument clouds a situation that should provide pure moral clarity. Islam has a problem. ISIS is its current manifestation. And the next President’s job is to have the discipline and strength to wipe ISIS off the face of the earth. It has become impossible to imagine a President Paul defeating radical Islam and it’s time for the rest of us to say it.”
(4/5) The next President must have the discipline and strength to wipe ISIS off the face of the earth.
Jindal has moribund poll ratings and has nothing to lose, the thinking runs, from talking nationally noticeable smack. Which is not to contend that he doesn’t mean exactly what he says.
Updated
at 6.04pm BST
5.20pm BST
17:20
Carly Fiorina, the former Hewlett-Packard executive who lost big in her 2010 Senate run but who has been making them tingle in Iowa, has drawn a target on Hillary Clinton’s back, to the extent that she maintains www.readytobeathillary.com.
.@HillaryClinton must not be President. Check out our new site to learn more. http://t.co/3DUlwa16Kt. #Carly2016
Fiorina is rumbling into South Carolina today with events planned before and after Clinton is to speak.
To learn more about Fiorina, consult our handy election résumé. Did you know that her yachts are called Alchemy and Alchemy [sic] and her terriers are called Max and Snickers?
While @HillaryClinton continues to hide from tough questions, I look forward to answering more of them in Columbia, SC today. #Carly2016
Updated
at 5.22pm BST
5.08pm BST
17:08
Paul: 'first amendment is about the right to be despicable'
Rand Paul, the Republican presidential candidate, invoked the Ku Klux Klan on Tuesday to explain why he opposed the construction of a Muslim community center – pejoratively known as the “Ground Zero mosque” – near the site of the September 11 attacks in lower Manhattan.
During an appearance on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the Republican senator from Kentucky said he had been “horrified” at the Muslim community center proposal but that he opposed any law that would prevent it.
“When they told me that they were going to build a mosque at 9/11 [sic], I was horrified and thought that was a terrible thing,” Paul said. “But I’m not for a law to prevent them. If you want to march down the street and you’re a part of the KKK, I’m horrified by that, and object to it. But there are certain – the first amendment is about the right to be despicable.”
A plan to erect a 13-story Muslim community center, which would have included a space for prayer, at a site north of the World Trade Center that already hosted prayers became mired in political controversy in 2010. Prominent Republicans from Newt Gingrich to John McCain to Sarah Palin condemned the development plan.
Read our full coverage here.
Updated
at 5.10pm BST
5.06pm BST
17:06
The Guardian’s Ben Jacobs (@bencjacobs), after some robust Bernie Sanders reporting yesterday, turns to the Santorum announcement.
The Guardian confirmed with a source familiar with the former Pennsylvania senator’s thinking that Santorum will launch his second bid for the White House today, Ben reports:
Santorum will hold a rally at Penn United Technologies, a factory a few miles from the western Pennsylvania town where he grew up, to announce his decision.
The former two-term senator finished second to Mitt Romney in the 2012 GOP primary and won 11 states. An ardent social conservative, Santorum was considered an afterthought for much of the Republican primary before he surged in the run-up to the crucial Iowa caucuses. Although Romney was initially given credit for winning Iowa, a recount showed Santorum had won by a hair.
Santorum hopes to triumph in the crowded GOP field in 2016 by touting his message of “blue-collar conservatism.” However, he faces new obstacles in his second run for the White House. Unlike 2012, there are a number of strong contenders this year, such as Ted Cruz and Mike Huckabee, who appeal the Republican Party’s evangelical base.
Further, Santorum faces the possibility of being excluded from televised debates, as he is just at the national polling threshold necessary to participate.
Prior to his White House bid, Santorum served two terms in the House and two terms in the United States Senate representing his home state of Pennsylvania. The former senator lost his 2006 bid for re-election to Democrat Bob Casey by a margin of 59%-41%.
Updated
at 5.11pm BST
4.35pm BST
16:35
Rick Santorum: Game on! again
Former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum, who has made something of a career of upsetting those who would count him out, is running for president once again, AP and ABC News report.
We’re scheduled to hear from the candidate at midday.
3.57pm BST
15:57
Good morning and welcome to what promises to be a positively hopping day in the national politics. Teed up for today is nothing less than a major presidential announcement, a surprise challenge on the ground to Hillary Clinton and an effort to make sense of comments last night by Senator Rand Paul about the Ku Klux Klan, the so-called “Ground Zero mosque” in lower Manhattan and “the right to be despicable”.
We’ll be at the scene for a Paul campaign appearance in Chicago this morning, before skipping to
Pittsburgh
Cabot, Pennsylvania, where Rick Santorum, the runner-up in the 2012 Republican nominating contest, is scheduled to announce that he’s back in the saddle. Last time around he won 11 states!
The day’s liveliest action, however, may play out in South Carolina, where Carly Fiorina, the Republican hopeful who has been lighting up Iowa, has scheduled dueling events with Clinton, the Democratic standard-bearer. Will Clinton pay Fiorina any heed? Will Fiorina manage to steal some of Clinton’s steam?
We’re going to hear from Bernie Sanders, too, as he takes his message of taming the banks to the good people of New Hampshire. Read on ...
Updated
at 4.36pm BST