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Romney apologizes for high school stunt. Harry Reid supports gay marriage. Obama raises $15 million in Hollywood shindig.
Happy Friday. Mitt Romney led a group of high schoolers who held down a student presumed to be gay and cut off his bleached blond hair, according to five people who saw the incident. Romney says he doesn't remember it. [WaPost]
But in a TV interview he apologized: "I don't recall the incident myself, but I've seen the reports and I'm not going to argue with that. There's no question but that I did some stupid things when I was in high school and obviously if I hurt anyone by virtue of that, I would be very sorry for it and apologize for it." [FoxNews] [WaPost] [CBSNews]
-> See Romney's yearbook photos. [WaPost]
Topping the news: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he'd vote to legalize gay marriage, a political position at odds with his Mormon faith. [Trib] [Review-Journal]
-> Romney says he's "fine" with gay adoption. [ABCNews] [FoxNews]
-> Herbert names former LDS Presiding Bishop David Burton to UTA board. [Trib] [DNews]
Happy Birthday: To Ashlee Buchholz, environmental adviser in the Gov's office.
Tweets of the Day: From @WestWingReport: "Pres. spent just under four hours at tonight's mega-fundraiser. Leaving, pool saw neighbors in bathrobes outside hoping for a glimpse."
From @SenJohnMcCain: "Really enjoyed meeting @MiaBLove this afternoon - great candidate from #Utah. Learn more: love4utah.com"
In other news: Tim DeChristopher's legal team argues his bogus bids on oil and gas leases stopped bigger crimes. [Trib] [DNews]
-> Pat Bagley draws President Obama throwing the gay marriage bouquet. [Trib]
-> Paul Rolly reports that Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon is still having his annual fundraiser even though his name won't appear on the ballot this year, a strong indication that he plans to run for office in the future. [Trib]
-> State wants to keep public at a distance during tar sands hearing. [Trib]
-> Ad campaign looks to attract people to National Parks. [DNews]
-> Bureau of Land Management Director Bob Abbey announces he will retire at the end of the month. [Trib]
-> AG Mark Shurtleff uses his Twitter account to bear witness on his trip to Israel. [SLMag]
-> Shurtleff and other states urge Hollywood to snuff out smoking in movies. [APviaTrib] [DNews] [Fox13]
-> Cedar Hills mayor says he expects he will be cleared of Ponzi charges. [Herald]
-> Utah students rally in support of Dream Act. [Trib]
-> Mia Love is among the first dozen "Young Guns" selected by the National Republican Congressional Committee. [TheHill]
-> Upset over the Justice Department's reaction to the Fast and Furious scandal, Rep. Jason Chaffetz pushes an amendment that would block the department from using federal funds to lie to Congress. [TheHill]
-> Sen. Mike Lee creates his own budget resolution that would slash spending and government health programs. [DailyCaller]
2012 Watch: Obama sees a massive increase in fundraising after he announces his support for legalizing gay marriage. [WaPost] The campaign is continuing to push the issue. [NYTimes] GOP leaders aren't going there. [Politico] But it lets Romney unite his base. [Politico]
-> And even after all of that, there remains some inconsistencies in Obama's gay marriage stance. [WaPost]
-> Vice President Joe Biden apologized to the president for forcing his hand on gay marriage. [Bloomberg] [WaPost]
-> Obama spiritual adviser says: "I've had better days" and expresses his disagreement with the president on gay marriage. [WaPost]
-> Utahns continue to react to Obama's new stand, but say it won't sway the debate. [DNews]
-> Romney will give the commencement address at the conservative Liberty University on Saturday and is expected to use the speech to reach out to evangelicals. [USAToday]
-> Obama attends fundraiser in Los Angeles and pulls in $15 million. [Politico] [NYTimes] While Romney was in Kansas City raising $1.2 million. [KCStar] Though, we should point out that George Clooney only hosted one of those fundraisers.
-> President Barack Obama called Romney's recent auto claim "one of his Etch-a-Sketch moments." [DetNews]
Where are they?
Sen. Mike Lee will hold a dinner for Utahns appointed to the military academies at the Alta Club.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz presents youth service awards in Provo.
Gov. Gary Herbert gives an interview to The Economist, recognizes the new poet laureate, discuses alcohol policy with the Utah Restaurant Association, stops by the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce meeting, meets with Andover CEO Gordon Blankstein, receives the Commission on Aging's annual report and lastly goes to the grand opening of the Utah Valley Convention Center.
SLC Mayor Ralph Becker meets with the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, then with LGBT community leaders. He plans to see the "This Light of Ours" exhibit at the Leonardo and then meet with SLCC Vice President Tim Sheehan before going to the Human Rights reception.
SL Co. Mayor Peter Corroon speaks at the American Society for Public Administration event.
WVC Mayor Mike Winder meets with the Utah-Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce.
President Barack Obama meets with a family in Reno, Nevada, then gives a speech on his "to do list" for Congress before flying back to Washington, D.C.
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 you inbox. [Trib]
— Matt Canham and Robert Gehrke Twitter.com/mattcanham and Twitter.com/RobertGehrke