Monday Eye Openers: Romney wins big, Santorum shifts; Obama the Trekkie

Today we launch a new Monday feature. Each Monday we will feature several important stories in the political world — ones that either just occurred, are defining moments, or are key markers on the horizon. Our blog is UW Election Eye, and we call these Monday Eye Openers.

Romney is the Big Cheese
On Tuesday the Republican presidential primary hit the midway point, and Mitt Romney swept the primaries in Wisconsin, Maryland, and DC. For many, his victories signaled the end for his competitors:

The Fat Lady is singing in the Republican race. tinyurl.com/7gz6j35

— The Fix (@TheFix) April 4, 2012

Romney still needs anywhere from 486 to 571 delegates to get to the magical 1,144, depending on whose math you use, and the next round of primaries are over two weeks away.

Down, but not out, Romney’s closest competitor, Rick Santorum, met with conservative leaders last week to discuss retooling his campaign, which appears to include more involvement from his wife, Karen Santorum. This plan, however, may be put on the back burner since his youngest daughter, Bella, is in the hospital and Karen is her primary caregiver.

President Barack Obama poses with Nichelle Nichols from Star Trek (Photo courtesy of @RealNichelle).

Obama Acts the Part
This week President Barack Obama signed two acts into law: the JOBS act and the STOCK act. The JOBS act eliminates regulations on who can invest in startup companies, thereby allowing citizens to use crowdfunding websites like Kickstarter to support startups. The STOCK act makes it “clear that members of Congress cannot use confidential information they learn on the job to trade stocks or other securities for their personal benefit.”

Is Obama a Trekkie?
In an election year, any and all interest groups are coveted and Obama tries to score some nerd cred and votes by striking a pose with Nichelle Nichols, aka, the communications officer Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek’s USS Enterprise.

The Obama campaign has been searching for a new campaign slogan for 2012. With a focus on health care reform and boosting the economy, perhaps “Live Long and Prosper” should be an option.

Inslee’s Special Election Doesn’t Come Cheap
The costs to fill former U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee’s seat are on the rise. Originally, the estimate for the special election was $770,000 to help reimburse counties throughout Washington for both the August and November elections. That number has now jumped to a not-so-cool $1 million. This “bare-bones request” now includes a postcard campaign that will inform voters about the purpose of the special election.

UPDATE as of 11:45am:

State GOP Chair Kirby Wilbur holds news conference to demand Jay Inslee pay cost of special election to fill his seatlockerz.com/s/199971796

— Jim Brunner (@Jim_Brunner) April 9, 2012

And the response at Inslee campaign HQ, where Republicans delivered “invoices” for special electionlockerz.com/s/199972000

— Jim Brunner (@Jim_Brunner) April 9, 2012