As Obama’s re-election campaign prepares for a busy summer, House Republicans will unveil the political maneuvering behind the health care bill, Roll Call reports. Obama's campaign manager, Jim Messina, is of particular interest for investigators.
Rep. Michael Burgess told Roll Call that Messina’s name was "the one that came up most consistently" in emails and other documents about the deals. The Texas Republican, a member of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, said Messina might have violated the Presidential Records Act by using a personal email account to discuss official White House business. Before joining the re-election campaign, Messina served as White House deputy chief of staff. …
White House spokesman Eric Schultz said in a statement: "Unfortunately, House Republicans remain determined to spend their time and taxpayer resources refighting two-year old political battles, instead of creating jobs or growing the economy. But the White House is committed to compliance with the Presidential Records Act."…
Asked whether he was unveiling the results of the investigation so close to the elections for political gain, Burgess said, "Dude, I’ve been asking these questions since the summer of 2009. They’ve had ample opportunity to answer our questions, to sit down for a private meeting with me, and say, ‘Look, Congressman, this is off the record, but let us tell you what we did.’ Nothing! I’ve gotten stony silence."
Last Wednesday, Messina released a video detailing Obama’s strategy for winning reelection in November. The campaign raised $43.6 million in April, about $10 million less than March. Polling shows Romney and Obama are locked in a statistical dead heat.
The Hill’s Amie Parnes also reported that Messina remains confident about Obama’s chances in North Carolina. Even as a Wednesday Rasmussen poll put Romney eight points ahead of Obama in the Tar Heel State, Messina said, "I believe that we can absolutely win North Carolina."