Hoax Claims SEIU Not Endorsing Obama

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) is still endorsing President Obama in the 2012 election, despite claims in a fake press release that circulated Tuesday night.

“We stand by our Nov. 16, 2011 endorsement of President Obama as part of a broader ‘99 percent’ strategy to create good jobs now, end devastating cuts to Medicare and Medicaid and require everyone to pay their fair share,” read a statement on the SEIU blog.

The fake press release quoted SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry as saying, “Our members gave $60.7 million dollars to the Obama campaign in 2008 and fought hard for his election because we were promised change. We’re still waiting.”

No word yet on the identity of the prankster or the purpose of the hoax.

Romney PAC Raises $1.7 Million

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has rasied $1.7 million dollars between June and September through political operations that include a political action committee at a federal and state level, reports Politico Thursday. Romney is expected to run for the presidency in 2012, following his loss to John McCain for the Republican nomination in 2008.   

The committees all share the same title of Free and Strong America and have been created in Iowa, Alabama, Michigan, South Carolina and New Hampshire.  Each of these states is seen as a strategic move because of their importance in the presidential race.  

Santorum To Run In 2012?

Politico.com reports that former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum has formed a Political Action Committee in Iowa to help candidates running in that state.

Though Santorum has not officially thrown in his hat for a 2012 presidential run, many are taking notice at the formation of this committee because it is often an early sign.  The creation of a PAC in Iowa gets people in the caucus state interested in the candidates and there are no limits on monetary contributions.

Santorum has made several visits to Iowa in the past year and will return next week for more events.