Mitt Romney makes $8.7 million ad buy

Sarah Palin cuts radio ads and is headed to Missouri, Mitt Romney makes an $8.7 million buy, Patty Murray is dabbling in GOP primaries and the lines at Chick-fil-A are long.

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FIRST ON THE FIX:

* Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin has cut a radio ad for Sarah Steelman, and she told Fox News today that she’s headed to Missouri, likely to campaign for the Senate candidate. She’s already on TV for Steelman. If the underfunded former state treasurer wins next Tuesday’s primary and goes on to face Sen. Claire McCaskill (D), it will be a big coup for Palin.

WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:

* Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney and the Republican National Committee have made a $8.7 million ad buy in eight states, starting today. According to CNN, Ohio voters are getting attacking the bailout, Iowans see a positive spot, and in North Carolina it seems like they’re getting a “you didn’t build that” attack. The RNC is up with its own anti-stimulus ad.

* Briefing reporters this morning, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Wash.) fanned the flames in already heated GOP primaries coming up this month in Arizona, Wisconsin and Missouri. “The Republicans in those races have been pushing themselves even further to the right,” Murray said. In Missouri and Wisconsin, Democrats have been meddling in GOP races by running ads intended to elevate the candidates perceived as the weakest for the general election.

* There are huge lines at Chick-fil-A franchises across the country for “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.” While founder Dan Cathy’s comments against gay marriage appear to have hurt the brand’s standing, there are clearly many ardent Chick-fil-A supporters. Many Republicans are using the chicken sandwiches as a sort of emblem of conservatism (Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst stopped by on Monday; after beating him, Ted Cruz served Chick-fil-A at his victory party).

WHAT YOU SHOULDN’T MISS:

* Romney is resetting his media strategy after a week-long trip to Europe that inspired many complaints from the press corps and ended with one of his flacks shouting angrily at reporters. The Hill reports that the campaign is promising more press access and briefings.

* Former Republican Florida governor Charlie Crist is endorsing Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Neb.) and will attend an upcoming fundraiser for him, the AP reports. Crist hasn’t ruled out a run for governor as a Democrat in 2014. Meanwhile, Nelson is out with his first ad, a positive biographical spot.

* The House Ethics Committee has called for a reprimand of Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Calif.), accusing her of “breaking federal law, violating House rules and obstructing the committee’s investigation.” The House will vote tomorrow on the findings.

* The first rule of tracking: Don’t follow the wrong person. Kurt Holland meant to follow Rep. Joe Donnelly, the Democratic candidate for Senate in Indiana. Instead he followed Marion County Judge Jose Salinas, who called the police.

* We’re soliciting ideas about how Obama and Romney can use social media better. Let us know what you think.

THE FIX MIX:

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With Aaron Blake and Sean Sullivan