Afternoon Fix: Gingrich says Romney on VP list

Gingrich says Romney’s on his VP list, Rod Blagojevich gets sentenced to 14 years, the Obama administration shocks some allies and K street gets Occupied.

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WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:

* Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich told CNN today that he would consider former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney as a running-mate. "I think the consensus is that he'd certainly be on the list, whether he'd want to or not," Gingrich said. “He's a very competent person. This is a very serious man.” He also said he wouldn’t “pick a fight” with Romney, who took a subtle dig at Gingrich in an ad today. *Romney and Giuliani both named potential Cabinet members today; USA Today points out that it’s illegal for a candidate to promise or pledge an appointment before the election.

* Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was sentenced to 14 years in prison today. The Democrat, who was convicted on 18 corruption-related counts, received a far harsher sentence than any of the other three former Illinois governors who have gone to the clink. Prosecutors had asked for 15 to 20 years.

* Texas Gov. Rick Perry vowed to increase aid to Israel today, speaking at the Republican Jewish Coalition along with most of the major Republican presidential candidates. He called it “strategic defensive aid” rather than “foreign aid,” which he has pledged to zero out and then restore on a case-by-case basis.

* New Hampshire Tea Party activist Jerry DeLemus has endorsed Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), although the political action committee he chairs won’t make a choice until next Tuesday. DeLemus acknowledged to the Boston Globe that “she has pretty much abandoned New Hampshire politically,” but he still found Bachmann to be the best candidate.

WHAT YOU SHOULDN’T MISS:

* In a surprise blow to some allies, the Obama administration overruled a decision by the Federal Drug Administration that the emergency contraceptive Plan B be sold over-the-counter to women of all ages. The drug is currently sold at pharmacies and requires a prescription for women under 17. Health advocates, doctors, and family planning activists who supported the change were stunned.

* As expected, Rep. Betty Sutton (D-Ohio) will challenge Rep. Jim Renacci (R) next year, as redistricting has basically eliminated her seat. Ohio Reps. Marcy Kaptur and Dennis Kucinich will also fight each other in a Democratic primary thanks to the GOP-drawn map.

* Dozens were arrested today during protests that blocked off two streets in downtown Washington (right by Fix headquarters!) Along with members of the “Occupy Wall Street” movement, some demonstrators were unemployed workers organized by the Service Employees International Union. Protesters will also converge on a Gingrich fundraiser at the Willard Hotel tonight.

* A new CNN/Time poll has Gingrich at 48 percent in Florida while Romney lags at 25 — another sign of the former House Speaker’s current dominance. Romney still leads in New Hampshire by nine points, but Gingrich is also ahead in Iowa and South Carolina.

THE FIX MIX:

Amazing facial hair all around.

With Rachel Weiner and Aaron Blake