Elections 2012 – The Obama campaign has released a new ad called "Broken Promises" which attacks Mitt Romney's record as Massachusetts Governor. "When he was running for Governor in 2002, Romney made a series of promises on the campaign trail that mimic those he is making today - that he would pick up the pace of job creation, bring down the deficit, and reduce taxes, spending, and the size of government. Romney Economics didn't work then, and it won't work now." Watch here. Romney's response: "Only President Obama, who has failed to meet his own goal of 6% unemployment, would have the audacity to attack Mitt Romney's record of creating jobs. We're happy to compare the 4.7% unemployment rate Mitt Romney achieved in Massachusetts to President Obama's weak record any day."
Watch tonight – Wisconsin Rep. Gov. Scott Walker and Democratic candidate Tom Barrett debate one another at 10:00 p.m. EST in their last debate before next Tuesday's recall election. PolicyMic will be live blogging, follow along in real-time.
Politiwoops – A new website recovers tweets by politicians that were then deleted shortly after being posted for one reason or another. Check it out: http://bit.ly/Kd1uRW
No More Soda – Mayor Bloomberg has announced plans to enact a New York City-wide ban on the sale of large sodas and sugary drinks at restaurants, movie theaters, and street carts, in an effort to combat obesity. "Obesity is a nationwide problem, and all over the United States, public health officials are wringing their hands saying, 'Oh, this is terrible,' Bloomberg said in an interview on Wednesday. "New York City is not about wringing your hands; it's about doing something. I think that's what the public wants the mayor to do."
Top PolicyMic stories – After Two Years, How Successful Has the Tea Party Really Been? (Daniel Cetina) – The Tea Party remains a vocal and passionate voice in national politics, but the data shows it has not been effective movement.
China Grades the U.S. Human Rights Record in New Report (Cory Suter) – China censors free speech and jails dissidents in their own country, but their well-documented report about the United States shows how America is on shaky moral ground when we criticize others.
Post-College Friendship: Figuring Out Which Pals Will Stick Around (Annie Ferrer) – We graduate from college, enter the real world, and suddenly our existing friendships are challenged without warning. Why does this occur? And, why did nobody warn us?
Why You Shouldn't Quit Your Day Job: Confessions of a Starving Musician (Lumumba Seegars) – "In my moments of loneliness after one of my solo shows, I usually border on depression. It’s usually hard for me to get up the next morning. I measured this past year in extreme ups and extreme downs. When it was great, it was amazing. But when it was low, I often found myself questioning my self worth."
Thursday Fun – Sir, it's the President calling (The New Yorker); DNC's mock Romney Facebook Timeline (YouTube); Stop innovating, start having fun (HBR, tip-off: Sam Novey); Don't fall asleep at the wheel (GOOD).
What We're Reading – Iranian gay people speak out (VOA News); More women are writing op-eds, but they're – sigh – pink (Jezebel); Why are Democrats losing the Wisconsin recall? (The Atlantic); Return of the birthers (The Nation).
Dessert – Watch Neil deGrasse Tyson take down a guy-who-doesn't-believe-in-global warming (aka the former vice chairman of General Motors).
