News roundup: Romney's path to 270: Ohio or bust

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Poll shows Matheson losing, Love up. Romney needs Ohio. Just 4 days until Election Day.

Happy Friday. Mitt Romney's pathway to the 270 electoral votes that he needs runs straight through Ohio. Failing to gain that state means Romney has to run the table on several other swing states and steal away some states that aren't that close right now. [WaPost] On the other side, if President Barack Obama takes Ohio, he'll only need to grab those states that are solid and leaning his way to win more than 270. [WaPost]

-> The latest cover of Bloomberg's Businessweek shows a picture of Hurricane Sandy aftermath following a large, bold heading that reads: "IT'S CLIMATE CHANGE, STUPID." A Businessweek editor tweeted, "Our cover story this week may generate controversy, but only among the stupid." [HuffPost]

Topping the news: Rep. Jim Matheson is losing to Republican Mia Love by 12 points in the newest poll by The Tribune. [Trib]

-> Meanwhile, Republican Chris Stewart has a strong lead on Democrat Jay Seegmiller in the 2nd Congressional District. [Trib]

-> A majority of Salt Lake County residents favor the parks and trails bond on the ballot Tuesday. [Trib]

Tweets of the day: From @realDonaldTrump: "President Obama missed the deadline!"

Happy birthday: To Sarah Neilson and on Saturday to SLC's Ann Ober.

In other news: The NY Times looks at the battle in Millcreek on whether to incorporate or not. [NYTimes]

Today is the last day for early voting, and about one-quarter of Utah voters have already cast their ballots. [Trib]

-> Those disturbed by Senate candidate Scott Howell's 6 a.m. robo call earlier this week will enjoy free pancakes this morning courtesy of the Howell campaign. [DNews]

-> Paul Rolly weighs in on Howell's 6 a.m. robo calls, outdated yard signs and unauthorized face paint. [Trib]

-> For those mailing in their absentee ballots, be sure to have them postmarked by Monday. [Trib]

-> Love cast her early ballot. Have you? [Fox13]

-> Bob Bernick predicts that Obama will win a second term in his second round of prognosticating. [UtahPolicy]

-> Bernick and Bryan Schott talk about predictions and the scenario with fewer Democrats in the state Legislature. [UtahPolicy]

-> Obama's impact on local Utah races in 2008 may be a guide to how Romney may tip the vote this time around. [UtahPolicy]

-> Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon says a lawsuit against the parks and trail bond issue is premature. [DNews]

-> Pat Bagley nails the concern that Democrats have about the Romney storm approaching Tuesday. [Trib]

The race for 270: The latest Electoral College predictions:FiveThirtyEight: Obama 303.4, Romney 234.6.Pollster: Obama 259, Romney 191.RealClearPolitics: Obama 290, Romney 248.

2012 watch: Obama heads back to the campaign trail as fired up as ever, making stops in all four continental U.S. time zones in the past 24 hours. [WaPost]

-> If you were waiting to see who Mr. Burns was endorsing, wait no more. [Trib]

-> Romney attacks Obama's support for a "secretary of business," claiming the president wouldn't need one if he understood how businesses work himself. [Politico]

-> White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters the president has not participated in the Benghazi investigation. [WeeklyStandard]

-> This presidential election has been the most expensive in history. [MSNMoney]

-> A look behind the scenes of Romney's advance team and how much time and energy goes into a single event. [NYTimes]

-> With all the interest in Romney's Mormon faith, the Trib's Peggy Stack offers the truth behind the 12 Mormon myths. [Trib]

-> In CNN op-eds, the presidential candidates lay out their vision for the country and why they should be in the White House the next four years. Romney: [CNN] Obama: [CNN].

-> Paul Ryan encourages Nevadans to cast their ballot by tonight. [ABCNews]

-> Romney and Obama are running on "change," but only one wants to change the man at the helm. [FoxNews] [Reuters]

-> NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg endorses Obama, saying Romney had changedfor the worse — but notes that neither candidate has been specific. [Bloomberg]

-> Several Catholic bishops have Romney on the brain, urging church members to vote in support of religious liberty. [WaPost]

-> Perhaps unsurprisingly, battleground states remain just that: total toss-ups. [CBSNews]

-> A Romney ad likens the president to Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro. [CNN]

->The Obama campaign launches their second ad attacking Romney's claims about Jeep outsourcing. [Politico]

-> The Daily Beast delves into the faithful GOP's seemingly unhinged support for a Mormon candidate. [DailyBeast]

-> Could the Affordable Care Act be headed back to the Supreme Court? [Fox]

Where are they?

Gov. Gary Herbert receives an update from the Department of Technology Services and later attends a budget discussion.

AG Mark Shurtleff testifies at the UEP Trust hearing at the Matheson Courthouse.

SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon gives the remarks at the Future of Wasatch Mountains event at the Natural History Museum of Utah.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker hits up the same Wasatch Mountains planning meeting before heading to a senior staff retreat.

WVC Mayor Mike Winder heads to a welcome meeting for personal historians at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center.

President Barack Obama spends the day in Ohio, making three separate stops before returning home.

Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to your inbox. [Trib]

— Thomas Burr and Betsy BlanchardTwitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/betsyblanchard —

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