The Hill Articles: April 4, 2012

Illinois Rep. Tim Johnson to retire Dems intensify attacks on oil speculators in effort to counter Republican attacks Obama, Romney see each other as vulnerable to charges of elitism Senate Health panel floats proposal for speedy FDA approval of life-saving drugs White House insists attack on GOP budget wasn’t a campaign speech Report: Falcone considers bankruptcy for LightSquared Marine sergeant files to block dismissal for his anti-Obama Facebook posts Fundraising wrap-up: Democrats post strong quarters DAY’S END ROUNDUP Obama campaign launches most direct attack yet on Romney Liberal super-PAC targets Reps. Lungren, Fitzpatrick Senate Democrats urge housing regulator to re-examine mortgage principal reductions NRCC uses Obama’s ’08 Barrow endorsement to tie them together Durbin predicts return of Sen. Mark Kirk US keeping Britain in the dark on intel issues Santorum: Pennsylvania is a must-win T-Mobile accuses competitor Verizon of exaggerating need for more airwaves Carney: Obama remark about Supreme Court was misunderstood Kaine gets wonky at Northern Virginia campaign stop Conservative watchdog flunks Democrats Geithner says Congress shouldn’t ‘limp forward’ on highway funding Mitt Romney misses ‘presence of editors’ in new media Rep. Kinzinger says GOP needs to work on replacement healthcare law ‘regardless’ of Supreme Court Russia warns against arming Syrian rebels Obama rides high popularity numbers to 8-point lead over Romney in Nevada Federal report warns of lax food and medicine safety standards in exporting nations Another bank says goodbye to TARP Supreme Court on trial US to resume Gitmo trial against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Lawmakers question Google on efforts to prevent online human trafficking Al Qaeda apparent victim of cyberattack Sen. Marco Rubio prefers Nicki Minaj to the Bee Gees Romney: Obama hiding ‘his real plans before the election’ Santorum aide: Priority is Pennsylvania or Texas; tough to win without one or both Obama: ‘The powerful shouldn’t get to create’ their own rules Hardworking taxpayers deserve a path to prosperity Rep. Wolf presses Holder for answers on human trafficking Sen. Marco Rubio prefers Nicki Minaj to the Bee Gees Romney: Obama a ‘hide-and-seek president,’ concealing real agenda Iran suggests moving nuclear talks to Iraq, Syria or China Mortgage applications increase on refinancings, purchases President Obama gives ‘Star Trek’ Vulcan salute President signs STOCK Act without mentioning television exposè WTO rules against Obama administration cigarette ban Obama at Easter Prayer Breakfast: ‘I think I heard an amen’ Bush attorney general defends judge’s probe of Obama healthcare comments Nebraska Senate candidate accuses rival of ‘creepy’ request to follow daughter’s tweets Dem: ‘Preposterous’ to suggest Obama would attack Romney’s faith Gov. Haley: Obama has become a ‘bully’ on budget, healthcare Obama to host ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ screening at White House ‘Top Chef’ winner headed 
to DC for Easter egg roll Pelosi predicts Supreme Court will uphold healthcare reform 6 to 3 NATO can’t let Macedonia fall by the wayside at Chicago Treasury watchdog says Solyndra loan review was ‘rushed’ Palin pushes for ‘rogue’ GOP vice president, suggests Fla. Rep. Allen West Rep. Holden accuses primary opponent of backing corrupt judges Mine union boss: Coal industry could suffer same fate as bin Laden Justice Scalia turns down chance to respond to Obama ‘judicial restraint’ warning Holden ad says primary opponent backed corrupt judges Santorum’s May myth Romney campaign blasts Obama for ‘slinging mud’ in energy ad Study: Most consumers ‘very concerned’ about online privacy In fight against prescription drug abuse, docs need more information
 Democratic super-PAC uses Billy Crystal to mock Romney’s ‘marvelous’ comment Watchdog: FBI, Pentagon investigating military contractor for ties to Iran US, Afghans finalizing pact on night raids Medical societies release list of 45 questionable tests and procedures McCain jokes Sarah Palin should be Romney’s VP Service sector continues growth, picks up hiring Michelle Obama brings ‘The Biggest Loser’ to the White House Obama gets laughs and ‘amens’ for remarks at Easter Prayer Breakfast Romney campaign blasts Obama ‘attack machine’ for ‘slinging mud’ in energy ad Bolstering public trust in government Michelle Obama brings ‘The Biggest Loser’ to the White House President Obama gives ‘Star Trek’ Vulcan salute Geithner: GOP budget a ‘recipe’ for US decline Nikki Haley: Politics requires high heels Payroll firm says 209K private-sector jobs were added last month Sen. Toomey take sides in Arizona’s member vs. member GOP primary News bites: Energy Department-backed automaker struggles Romney closes in on the nomination Rep. Amash: Freshmen were ‘begging’ GOP leadership for compromise on debt-ceiling deal ‘1984,’ ‘Brave New World’ and ‘The Hunger Games’ Order in the court. Here comes the judge News bites: Yahoo set to begin layoffs Democrat Cherny tops $400,000 in 7 weeks for Arizona House bid McCain says Romney campaign already in general-election mode News bites: Sledgehammer Top Santorum donor: Unlikely his candidate will be Romney VP pick Report: Ron Paul practices transparency down to the last cent Sen. Ayotte: Romney can erase gender gap before general election News bites: GOP tackles ‘replace’ Internal poll shows Rep. Bishop ahead in rematch with 2010 foe Union joins Occupy for protests against public transportation cuts Romney seals the deal with GOP base Santorum might drop out rather than lose home state primary in Pennsylvania Senate Dems shy from test on energy As justices weigh healthcare decision, lawmakers bolster high court security Rep. Cleaver backs Dem lawmaker in primary fight amid ethics controversies Female vote crucial for Obama, Romney MORNING READ Delaney wins Dem primary, will face Maryland Rep. Bartlett Gingrich issues statement about conservative platform on night of losses Triumphant Romney: On to Pennsylvania Santorum on losses: We’re beginning the ‘second half’ Romney wins Wisconsin primary, increases lead in delegates Paul Ryan uses social media to fight Obama’s budget attack First DC lobbying firm to sign with Libyan rebels is rewarded with new contract Combative Obama assails GOP, Romney for ‘radical’ vision in Ryan budget Mitt Romney wins Washington DC primary Mitt Romney wins Maryland primary Obama shows distaste for gas industry Bottom Line Following the bouncing political polls Lobbying World