POLITICS

02/22/12

NBC/MARIST POLL:

Romney, Santorum deadlocked in Michigan ahead of 02/28 primary

02/18/12

RICK SANTORUM:

President Obama believes in 'phony theology' not based on Bible

RON PAUL:

Paul gains ground on Romney in Maine vote

02/13/12 

PEW RESEARCH CENTER:

Santorum surging nationally versus Romney

DEMOCRATS:

Nationwide Obama 'Truth Team' aims to counter conservative attacks

02/12/12

MITT ROMNEY:

Wins straw poll at CPAC of GOP conservatives

Tops Ron Paul for Maine caucus win

02/10/12

MARYLAND:

Conservatives rally around each other at annual CPAC

Romney tells CPAC delegates he has a 'severely conservative' record

'Gingrich boasts: 'We have a conservative dream team'

 02/07/12

POLITICS:

Santorum throws GOP race wide open with 3 more victories

Wins caucuses in Minnesota & Colorado, non-binding primary in Missouri

With his wife Karen watching, GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum delivers

a victory speech in his St. Charles, Missouri campaign headquarters after winning

that state's non-binding primary Tuesday, 02/07/12. He garnered 55% of the vote

in a 3-way race that included Mitt Romney with 25% and Ron Paul with 12%. Newt

Gingrich was not on the ballot, having not qualified. Santorum also romped in the

Minnesota caucuses, with 45% to Ron Paul's 27%, with Romney running 3rd with

17% and Gingrich last with 11%. The big suprise of the day was in Colorado, where

Santorum edged Romney 40% to 35%. Romney had expected a win in that state.

Gingrich won 13% in Colorado and Paul 12%. The 3 wins Tuesday give Santorum

4 states so far, having been declared the eventual winner in Iowa's caucuses.

(Photo courtesy AP)

02/06/12

OBAMA CAMPAIGN:

Reverses stance, urges donations to super PAC

NYT: Returns 'casino czar' money

02/04/12 

INDIANA:

Republican election chief found guilty of voter fraud

Charlie White, Indiana's Republican Secretary of State and highest elections official. He

was found guilty early Saturday morning, 02/04/12 of 6 of 7 felony counts of voter fraud by

a jury that deliberated for 13-hours. White now faces forced removal from office, since

felons may not hold a public office. The case presents an interesting twist on a favorite

argument of the GOP, which is that voter-ID laws should be enacted in order to prevent

voter fraud, which is nearly non-existent. Critics maintain that such laws are merely

thinly-veiled attempts to stop minority voters from showing up at the polls.

(File photo)

02/01/12

NEVADA:

Romney gets big boost with GOP caucus win

Gingrich 'happy' with campaign despite Nevada loss

02/01/12

ROMNEY GAFF:

Romney attacked for and then defends 'poor people' remark

Says in CNN interview he's "not concerned about the very poor"

01/31/12

FLORIDA:

Romney rebounds with huge Florida primary win

Sweeps most groups

In a major shift, Romney begins to focuse attacks on Obama

ANALYSIS: Is Florida the beginning of the end for GOP race?

With his wife Ann, Mitt Romney acknowledges supporters at his campaign headquarters

in Tampa, after being declared the winner of the Florida primary Tuesday, 01/31/12. He

won 46% of the vote, far outdistancing Newt Gingrich with 32%. Rick Santorum placed

a distant 3rd with 13% and Ron Paul, who did not campaign in Florida, was last with 7%.

(Photo courtesy AFP/Getty Images)

PAC DISCLOSURES:

Romney PAC discloses $18 million

Big Perry PAC donor got help with nuke dump

Spielberg, union support Obama Super PAC

Huntsman's father gave $1.9 milliion

Comedian Colbert's Super PAC raises more than $1 million

NEWT GINGRICH:

UPDATE: Accuses Romney of denying kosher meals to Holocaust survivors

Says he would not debate Obama if it were moderated by the press

01/25/12 

SECRET SERVICE:

Begins investigation of bullet-riddled T-shirt image of Obama

Photo posted by an Arizona policeman on his FaceBook page

The T-shirt, inset, shot up by a group of Arizona teenagers, some holding the shirt, others

holding rifles and pistols. One gun, being held by youth on the right, is a semi-automatic with

a high-capacity clip. The photo was taken by a Peoria, Arizona police officer, Sgt. Pat Shearer

and posted on his FaceBook page. When questioned about it by a reporter, he said "it was

no big deal." He's been placed on administrative leave. Because of their ages, the faces

of the youths have been blurred out.

(Composite photo courtesy mailonline.com)

HERMAN CAIN:

Endorses Newt Gingrich

SUPREME COURT:

Throws out judge-drawn Texas electoral re-districting maps

NEWTS ETHICS PROBLEMS:

Gingrich's GOP foes revive his ethics failings when he served as speaker

ARIZONA:

Arizona Republican Governor Jan Brewer, Obama in 'tense' exchange

On his arrival at airport, she tries to lecture him on immigration issues

Finger-pointing time at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport just after Air Force One touched

down Wednesday. The short testy exchange had to do with immigration issues.

Governor Brewer says Obama "is out of touch" on immigration. The President accused

her of "misrepresenting" a previous White House meeting they had in a book she wrote.

Obama is holding a handwritten note she gave him, inviting him back to meet with her.

(Photo coutesy AP)

NANCY PELOSI:

'Gingrich will never be president...there is something I know"

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi being interviewed by CNN's John King Tuesday night. She responded

to Kings' question on whether nor not there was a chance Gingrich could become president by

saying: "Let me just make my prediction and stand byit. It isn't going to happen. There is

something I know." When pressed, she would not say what it was that she knew about Gingrich

that would prevent him from gaining the Oval Office. When informed of Pelosi's statement,

Gingrich challenged her to "spit it out".

(Photo from TV footage courtesy CNN)

01/24/12

STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS:

Obama declares: "We've come too far to turn back now"

"Our Union is getting stronger"

"We cannot be divided into wealthy and struggling Americans"

President calls on the wealthy to pay more

Obama stands by energy initiatives

Click here for full text of President's speech

With Vice President Joe Biden and House Speaker John Boehner in the background,

President Barack Obama acknowledges applause from the Joint Session of Congress

after his State of the Union Address Tuesday night.

(Photo courtesy EPA)

GOP RESPONSE:

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels says State of the Union "is grave"

01/24/12

01/22/12

CHICAGO:

US Senator Mark Kirk, 52, (R-Ill) suffers stroke, undergoes surgery

01/22/12

SOUTH CAROLINA:

Gingrich wins big in South Carolina GOP primary

Gingrich: ‘I articulate the deepest-felt values of the American people’

ANALYSIS: Conservatives, evangelical Christians rebuff Romney

NEWT NEWS:

Gingrich's GOP foes revive his ethics failings when he served as speaker

THE NON-CAMPAIGNS

Stephen Colbert, Herman Cain hold rally in S. Carolina

NBC/WSJ POLLS:

Members of Congress? 56% of Americans say get rid of them all and start over

Gingrich leads Romney 37% to 28%, but badly trails Obama

TENNESSEE:

Senator Rand Paul says he was 'detained' for refusing TSA pat-down

Incident occured at Nashville Airport Monday morning; Paul has been a vocal critic of TS

THE FINAL 4:

01/19/12

Romney, Gingrich battle in final GOP debate before SC primary

From left, Rick Santorum who was declared the winner after all in Iowa...Mitt Romney,

who has been steadily losing ground in advance of the primary in South Carolina on

Saturday...Newt Gingrich, stung by new allegations from a former wife...and Ron Paul

who has become even more of a sidelined curiosity. The crew for the CNN-sponsored

debate had to quickly reconfigure the stage, removing one podium after Rick Perry

announced earlier in the day he was closing down his campaign.

(Photo courtesy EPA)

PERRY PULLS OUT:

01/19/12

Perry drops out of GOP presidential race, endorses Gingrich

Flanked by his son Griffin and his wife Anita, Texas Governor Rick Perry faced the facts and the

media Thursday, 01/19/12 to announce he's pulling out of the GOP presidential sweepstakes.

At the morning news conference in North Charleston, South Carolina, Perry threw his support to

rival Newt Gingrich, offering a back-handed endorsement. Taking note of Gingrich's considerable

baggage, Perry offered: "Newt is not perfect, but who among us is?" The South Carolina

primary is Saturday, 01/21/12 and the GOP field is now reduced to 4.

(Photo courtesy EPA)

01/19/12

WISCONSIN:

Group files enough signatures to force a recall election for Governor Scott Walker

2 volunteers lug boxes filled with recall petitions signed by over 1 million people in a drive

to recall Republican Governor Scott Walker. It represents nearly twice the number that is

required by Wisconsin State law to force a recall election. A darling of anti-government

and anti-union conservatives, Walker angered unions and many others with aggressive

moves that included effectively ending collective bargaining rights for nearly all public

workers. Also targeted in the recall movements were Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch and

4 Republican state senators, including Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald.

(Photo courtesy Getty Images)

NEWT NEWS:

01/19/12

One of Gingrich's ex-wives claims he wanted 'open' relationship

During an interview on ABC TV, Gingrich's 2nd wife Marianne on the left, with whom he had an

affair while still married to his 1st wife Jackie, claimed that he wanted "an open marriage" so

that he could carry on a 7-year liason with his next mistress, Calista Bisek, now his 3rd wife

on the right. Marianne refused and said Newt then informed her in a phone call that he wanted

a divorce. After the divorce, Newt married Calista, who has been a prominent fixture during

his campaign. Marianne said she was coming forward with a number of allegations because

she wanted the American people to know that he "lacked the moral character to be president."

(Composite photo courtesy mailonline.com)

IOWA

01/19/12

Iowa GOP switches stance, declares Santorum winner

Final caucus count shows Santorum beat Romney by 34 votes

TEXAS:

150 evangelical leaders back Santorum

SOUTH CAROLINA:

Candidates pull no punches as campaign moves south

Romney concedes 'uphill climb' in South Carolina

Pro-Romney PAC makes big ad buys in SC, Fla.

ANALYSIS: Moment of truth for the GOP field in S.C.

NEW HAMPSHIRE:

Romney wins, followed by Paul, Huntsman

GOP presidential candidate and winner of Tuesday's New Hampshire primary

election, Mitt Romney greeting his campaign supporters during his victory

speech. Libertairan darling Ron Paul placed 2nd and Jon Huntsman 3rd.

(Photo courtesy AP)

NEW JERSEY:

GOP House Leader collapses, dies at Statehouse in Trenton

NEW HAMPSHIRE 01/08/12 DEBATE:

Republican rivals poke at Romney in final NH debate

Romney unruffled as rivals scrap

MEET THE PRESS/FACEBOOK DEBATE:

Romney under fire from rivals

Gingrich tells Romney ‘drop the pious baloney’

NBC POLL:

Romney leads by 20 points in New Hampshire

MICHELE BACHMANN:

Ends campaign after dismal Iowa showing

Michele Bachmann addressing her supporters early Wednesday morning after the

Iowa caucuses Tuesday, in which she placed a dismal 6th. Later Wednesday, she

said she was suspending her campaign for the GOP presidential nomination. It

represented a meteoric fall, after having won the Iowa straw poll just last summer.

(Photo courtesy AP)

MCCAIN:

Endorses 'rising star' Romney

SANTORUM:

After strong Iowa showing, his campaign looks ahead to SC

PERRY:

After reassessing 5th place finish in Iowa: 'Here we come South Carolina'

IOWA CAUCUSES:

Romney edges Santorum by 8 votes for Iowa caucuses victory

Ron Paul posts a disappointing 3rd place finish

Gingrich comes in 4th with 13% of the vote

Perry places 5th wilth 10% of vote

Bachmann, finishes 6th with only 5% of the vote

Many Iowa GOP voters undecided until last minute

NEWT GINGRICH:

Becomes tearful, breaks down speaking about his mother

GOP Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich breaks out a hanky as he tearfully recalled

his late mother's struggle with depression and mental illness. The incident occured

during a Des Moines, Iowa campaign stop where he met with mothers.

(Photo sequence courtesy Getty Images)

Ben Nelson, moderate Nebraska Democrat, won't seek re-election to US Senate

RICK PERRY:

Sues state of Virginia to get on primary ballot

Now opposes all abortion, even in rape cases

GINGRICH & PERRY:

GOP says both have failed to qualify for Virginia primary

DONALD TRUMP:

Breaks with GOP, eyes independent bid

GEORGE H.W. BUSH:

Backs Romney for president

NEWT GINGRICH:

Slips in some Iowa polls

Gingrich says GOP rivals ‘ought to be ashamed of themselves’ for negative ads

Gingrich daughter tackles innuendo about father's infidelities

IOWA:

GOP Candidates Battle Thursday night 12/15/11 in Final Iowa Debate

MITT ROMNEY:

'Zany' Gingrich an 'extraordinarily unreliable' conservative leader

IOWA:

Romney and Gingrich spar at yet another GOP debate

After debate, some GOP activists still shopping

Jon Huntsman not invited

Now an underdog, Mitt Romney makes a point during the umpteenth GOP debate Saturday night

12/11/11 in Des Moines, Iowa. Watching is the current front-runner for the GOP presidential nod,

Newt Gingrich who has opened wider leads in polls in Iowa, Florida and South Carolina. The former

Speaker of the House, Gingrich was the lightning rod for the other 4 also-rans in the debate as well,

Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum.

(Photo courtesy Getty Images)

RICK PERRY:

'I'll end Obama's war on religion' & spoofs go viral

OBAMA:

Obama accuses GOP of hypocrisy in tax fight

CBS/NYT POLL:

Gingrich, at 31%, holds lead in Iowa over Romney (17%) & Paul (16%)

NEWT GINGRICH:

Is formally recognized as being the new GOP frontrunner

HERMAN CAIN:

Ends his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination

Cain admits he gave money to affair accuser Ginger White & wife didn't know

Georgia businesswoman Ginger White claims she had a 13-year affair with Cain

Says he is a victim of 'character assassination'

BARNEY FRANK:

To retire from Congress, but not from politics

Massachusetts Democrat, Barney Frank has announced he will not run for re-election

in 2012. He said he is ending his Congressional career after 16 terms in office primarily

because his district has been redrawn as a result of census changes. He also said he

wants to write and stay active in politics. Frank made his mark as both one of the most

outspoken and intelligent members of Congress.

(Photo courtesy US Congressional Office)

NEWT GINGRICH:

Fails to file in time, won't appear on Missouri ballot

RICK PERRY:

After debate flub, support for Gov. Perry plummets

Hopes to come back from debate brain freeze

Could not remember one of the 3 federal agencies he wants to do away with

RICK PERRY:

Hopes to come back from debate brain freeze

Could not remember one of the 3 federal agencies he wants to do away with

CALIFORNIA:

Ed Lee elected mayor in San Francisco; first Chinese-American to hold post

UPDATE 11/07/11:

4th woman accuses Cain of harassment

Cain was "sexually inappropriate"

NBC/WSJ poll find most GOP voters are unconcerned

HERMAN CAIN CONTROVERSY:

Perry Camp is behind leaks about sexual harassment charges

3 women accused Herman Cain of inappropriate behavior

One Cain accuser received cash settlement

Cain denies report he was accused of sexual harassment

IOWA:

Ron Paul wins both tallies at GOP straw poll

LOUISIANA:

Governor Bobby Jindal wins re-election in landslide open primary vote

Bachmann staff quits in New Hampshire; she denies it

Eric Cantor cancels speech at University of Pennsylvania

House GOP Majority Leader cancels event because it was open to the public

CAIN:

Says Social Security is 'immoral'

STUDY:

Cain 9-9-9 plan would only help rich

OBAMA:

Obama in campaign mode on swing-state jobs tour

Obama's teleprompter, lectern stolen in Virginia

TENNESSEE:

Lawmaker who sponsored "carry" law, arrested on DUI, gun charges

Republican State Representative, Curry Todd of Collierville, Tennessee in a Nashville

booking photo shortly after he was arrested for DUI and possession of a loaded handgun

while driving impaired. Todd was the chief sponsor of a bill in the Tennessee Legislature

that, among other things, allows people to carry loaded weapons into bars. He is Chairman

of the House State and Local Government Committee.

(Photo courtesy the Nashville Police Department)

NJ:

Christie endorses Romney

OHIO:

'Joe the Plumber' plans to run for Congress

Rep. Ron Paul wins Values Voter Summit straw poll in Washington

HERMAN CAIN:

Many blacks vote Democratic because 'Too many of them are brainwashed'

NEW JERSEY:

Christie says he's not running for president saying "now is not my time"

WEST VIRGINIA:

Democrat Earl Ray Tomblin wins governor's race

Two top aides quit Bachmann's campaign

TEXAS:

Old sign seen at Gov. Perry's hunting camp: "Niggerhead"

Herman Cain says sign is 'just plain insensitive'

Cain wins another straw poll

Fox poll reveals steep fall for Perry

OBAMA TO GOP:

Don't stand silent when soldier is booed

FACEBOOK:

Files papers to form its own PAC to back candidates

Cain upsets Perry at Florida Straw Poll

RON PAUL:

Wins California GOP straw poll

MICHELE BACHMANN:

Attacks HPV vaccine

CDC: No evidence for Bachmann vaccine claims

Bachmann blames gaffes on busy speaking schedule

Veteran GOP adviser Ed Rollins leaves Bachmann campaign, citing health

GINGRICH: Says he's smarter than his GOP rivals

WISCONSIN: Gov. Walker's chief spokesman granted immunity in investigation

Probe centers on Governor Walker's current and former aides

Obama's LA campaign office vandalized

FBI, Secret Service probe vandalism at Obama campaign office in Westside LA

Long-shot GOP candidate McCotter ends presidential campaign, endorses Romney

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback endorses Perry for president

OBIT: Former Illinois Sen. Charles Percy dies at 91

OBIT: Ted Kennedy's daughter, Kara, dies at 51

OBIT: Eleanor Mondale, daughter of Walter Mondale, at 51

NYT: New document says Jackie Kennedy told JFK: "I want to die with you"

Perry on God: I was 'lost spiritually'

NEW YORK: Republican wins Weiner's Democratic House seat in special election

Victory by political novice seen as rebuke of Obama policies

NEVADA: Republican wins GOP-leaning district in Nevada House special election

Perry gets Gov. Jindal endorsement

Pawlenty endorses Romney in GOP race

OBAMA'S JOBS BILL:

Pushes Congress to act now on economy

Proposes $447 billion plan to jump-start jobs

Payroll tax cut one hub of Obama plan

Jobs plan would provide tax break for companies that hire new workers

"American Jobs Act" would repair and modernize at least 35,000 schools

ANALYSIS: Obama jobs plan may not be enough

GOP DEBATE: 

 Perry and Romney lock horns at Reagan Library debate 

FACT CHECK: Both Perry, Romney twist records during debate

ANALYSIS: New kid on the block Perry takes the heat but keeps on smiling

All-smiles, but all-business as GOP presidential hopefuls Mitt Romney (left) and

Rick Perry parry during Wednesday night's debate (09/08/11) at the Reagan

Library in California.

(Photo courtesy AFP/Getty Images)

BACHMANN:

Blames gaffes on busy speaking schedule

Veteran GOP adviser Ed Rollins leaves Bachmann campaign, citing health

PERRY:

Sticks to his guns on controversial comments

'Independent' super PAC heavily backs Rick Perry

As governor, Perry pushed stem cell bill that could boost doctor friend's firm

In foreign policy speech, Perry advocates 'taking the fight to the enemy'

JOHN EDWARDS: His lawyers ask that criminal charges be dismissed

GEORGE PATAKI: Ex-Republican N.Y. governor won't run for president

DICK CHENEY: My book will have ‘heads exploding’ in D.C.

CHENEY BOOK REACTION: Condoleezza Rice fires back at Cheney memoir

FORMER BUSH OFFICIAL: Says Cheney fears war crimes trial

Republicans backtrack on their criticism of Obama's handling of Libya

Paul Ryan not running for president

NYT: Many generous Perry supporters from both parties get state aid

WISCONSIN: Sen. Russ Feingold, (D), announces he will not run for public office in 2012

Both Wisconsin Democrats survive recall effort

'Independent' super PAC heavily backs Rick Perry

TIM PAWLENTY QUITS: Former Minnesota Governor pulls out of presidential race

IOWA: Bachmann wins Ames straw poll

Minnesota Representative, Michele Bachmann speaks to supporters after a close win in

the Iowa straw poll Saturday 08/13/11. Texas Representative Ron Paul placed 2nd

and former Minnesota Governor, Tim Pawlenty was a distant 3rd.

(Photo courtesy AP)

TEXAS: Gov. Rick Perry, likely Romney's biggest threat, announces he's in it to win it

Texas Governor Rick Perry made his expected announcement Saturday 08/13/11 as

Iowans cast their ballots in a GOP straw poll that did not include Perry's name.

(Photo courtesy Getty Images)

08/13/11: GOP presidential contender field gets 1st real test in Iowa straw poll

08/11/11: Candidates came out swinging in testy GOP debate

ANALYSIS: Winners and losers in Iowa GOP debate

DNC ad seizes on Romney's 'corporations are people' line

END OF AN ERA: Citing 'prohibitive cost' Boehner and Pelosi end House page program

GOP Congressman Doug Lamborn of Colorado likens Obama policies to 'tar baby'

ANALYSIS: Debt debacle makes Congress laughingstock

ANALYSIS: 'Bad as it gets' in dysfunctional DC

WISCONSIN: Two GOP state senators survive recall elections

Mystery million-dollar Romney donor revealed

Mystery firm gives $1 million to pro-Romney PAC, then dissolves

 2 campaign finance reform groups want Justice Depart probe

Congressman Gary Miller's 3 grandsons found with fugitive mom in Mexico

OREGON: US Congressman. David Wu, (D), resigns over sex scandal effective immediately

OBAMA: Rings in 50th with Chicago fundraiser

SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN: U.S. downgrade risk remains after debt deal

OBAMA: Signs debt-ceiling hike after Senate approves it

Moody's confirms US credit rating at AAA after debt ceiling lifted

ANALYSIS: A bill that saves US economy? It may have made it worse

Senate fails to end costly FAA shutdown

Cost of FAA shutdown could exceed $1 billion

Protesters disrupt House during debate on debt deal; 22 arrested

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords appears in House for first time since being shot in January

Lawmakers cheer Giffords on House floor

Cheers went up and there were hugs all around as Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords

returned to the floor of the House for the first time since being shot in the head and

nearly killed in her home state of Arizona in January.

(Photo courtesy AP)

ANALYSIS: Debt debacle makes Congress laughingstock

JOHN MCCAIN: Blasts what he calls 'Tea Party hobbits' in budget debate

CEOs to Congress: OK, take our tax breaks

ANALYSIS: 'Bad as it gets' in dysfunctional DC

New maps for Calif. congressional and legislative districts favor Democrats

Charles Manatt, former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, dead at 75

Obama raises $86 million — far more than GOP

Congressman David Wu (D-Ore) says he's resigning from Congress

David Wu, a 7-term Democratic congressman from Oregan, announced Tuesday 07/26/11

that he is resigning. His action comes in the wake of sexual impropriety allegations from

an 18-year-old woman. Wu was the first Chinese-American to be elected to Congress. He

is the 2nd House Democrat to resign amid sexual allegations in the past 6 weeks, the

first being Congressman Anthony Weiner of New York.

(File photo)

 The campaign manager for GOP presidential hopeful Jon Huntsman, quits

FEC: John Edwards must repay campaign funds

Former US Senator and former presidential aspirant, John Edwards has been ordered

by the Federal Election Commission to repay the Presidential Election Campaign Fund

$2.3-million in campaign matching money because of "accounting problems" within

his presidential campaign committee.

(File photo)

2012 OMEN?: Democrat defeats Tea Party-backed challenger in Calif. special election

WISCONSIN: All 'fake' Democrats lose in first of state primary recalls

RON PAUL: Announces he sill not run for reelection for his US House seat in Texas

Congressman Ron Paul will not run again for his US House seat in Texas. He explained

on his Facebook page that he will "concentrate all my energy" on winning the Presidency.

(File photo)

AUTHOR: Father planned to give Obama up for adoption

WASHINGTON: Obama, Boehner dig in as debt deadline looms

Pawlenty blasts Bachmann's 'nonexistent' record

IOWA: Low on cash and down in polls, Pawlenty bets big

Pawlenty hires Huckabee daughter as senior adviser

NEA: The nation's largest teachers union endorses President Obama's re-election bid

GOP UNKNOWN: Michigan Rep. McCotter announces presidential run

CHICAGO: Former Illinois Governor Blagojevich guilty on 17 of 20 counts

Blagojevich 'stunned' by corruption conviction

Blagojevich jurors say tapes made case against ex-governor

Following 10 days of deliberations, a Chicago jury has found former Illlinois Governor

Rod Blagojevich (D) guilty on 17 of 20 counts lodged against him, including fraud,

bribery and attempted extortion. The former one-time presidential aspirant was

convicted of trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat once held by Barack Obama.

Blagojevich, age 54, faces up to 20 years in prison.

(Photo courtesy AP)

IOWA: Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., announces she is running for president

ON THE DOLE?: Bachmann's husband got $137,000 in Medicaid funds

Michele Bachmann made her presidential bid announcement Monday, 06/27/11.

(File Photo)

Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., to retire after two decades in House

N. CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue vetoes bill that would have required voters to show photo ID

GOP's Cantor quits bipartisan budget talks

Republican Sen. Kyl also drops out of White House-led deficit talks

Florida Democrat Alcee Hastings faces ethics probe

A congressional ethics panel is investigating allegations that Congressman Alcee Hastings

of Florida sexually harrassed a member of his staff. A lawsuit in the matter is pending.

(File photo)

JON HUNTSMAN: Former Utah Governor jumps into 2012 GOP primary

Jon Huntsman joined the pack of GOP presidential nomination hopefuls Tuesday

in announcing his candidacy. Besides being a former Utah governor, Huntsman

served in the Obama Administration for a time as US Ambassador to China.

House Majority Leader, John Boehner and President Barack Obama were joined after

their round of golf at the19th hole by Ohio Governor John Kasich (back to camera) and

Vice President Joe Biden at the Joint Base Andrews Golf Club in Maryland 06/18/11.

Obama and Boehner were teamed up against Kasich and Biden and won a gentlemen's

wager of $2 each.

(Photo provided by The White House)

CONG. ANTHONY WEINER: Embattled New York Congressman resigns from Congress

Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) during his Thursday news conference, where he

announced his resignation in the wake of a sexting scandal. Still denying he did

anything wrong, Weiner, who sent lewd photos of himself to at least 6 women

over several years, decided to heed an increasing number of calls from his

Democratic colleagues and others to step down. He called the affair "a distraction."

(Photo grab from NBC News video)

John Edwards' mug shot is released

The mug shot of former U.S. Senator and former presidential candidate, John Edwards. The

composite photo was obtained by CNN by way of a Freedom of Information Act request.

Edwards has entered a not guilty plea to charges of campaign law and conspiracy violations

in connection with raising campaign money to protect the identity of his pregnant mistress.

(Image taken by U.S. Marshals Service via CNN)

POLL: GOP primary voters unsatisfied with 2012 field

REUTERS/IPSOS POLL: Obama leads all GOP challengers by double-digit margins

SOURCES: Gingrich high-livin' wife center of campaign turmoil

Gingrich had second Tiffany's credit line

POLL: Gingrich's unfavorable rating hits all-time high

NEWT ABANDONED: Gingrich campaign manager and key aides have all resigned together

Newt Gingrich has cause to be concerned. Nearly his entire campaign staff walked out

on him Thursday. Gingrich vows that he'll have a whole new staff in place in a few days,

but at least one conservative commentator, Charles Krauthammer of the Washington Post

quickly observed that Gingrich's hopes for running for the GOP presidential nomination are over.

(File photo)

PALIN EMAILS RELEASED:

Palin emails released by state of Alaska 06/10/11

No bombshells found in heavily redacted Palin emails

Public, searchable archive of Palin emails now online

RUMOR MILL: Hillary Clinton may quit State Deptartment for World Bank

BUT: Clinton spokesman denies report that Clinton wants World Bank job

REP. ANTHONY WEINER (D-NY) FESSES UP:

'I lied about photo of myself" on Twitter

Says he 'sexted' or had phone sex with about 6 women. He does not intend to resign.

'I regret not being honest about this. I was embarrassed'

RICK SANTORUM: Kicks ofF 2012 GOP presidential bid: 'We're in it to win it'

Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania has joined the growing

crowd of GOP hopefuls, announcing his candidacy Monday, 06/06/11.

(File photo)

JOHN EDWARDS: Former Senator, presidential hopeful, indicted

Former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate, John Edwards. He was indicted on 6 federal

charges Friday relating to his failed 2008 presidential campaign. He is accused of violating

federal campaign finance laws by using $925,000 in under-the-table contributions to conceal

his affair with his pregnant mistress, Rielle Hunter.

(Undated file photo)

MITT ROMNEY: Opens White House bid challenging Obama

Former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney, accompanied by his wife Ann, annnounced

his candidacy for the GOP presidential nomination in Stratham, New Hampshire.

(Photo courtesy AP)

NEW JERSEY: Critics appalled by Gov. Chris Christie's helicopter ride

NJ:  Christie, state GOP to reimburse state for personal use of police helicopter

New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie (in white shirt at the door of the chopper) gets into a

State Police helicopter that he rode to attend his son's baseball game. He left the game

early to fly back to the Governor's Mansion in Princeton where he held a meeting with a

GOP contingent from Iowa, urging him to run for the GOP presidential nomination. Critics

say his use of the State Police helicopter for personal use violated state law, and that he

should reimburse the state for the ride. Christie has been making headlines for his tough

austerity measures that have cut funding from medicaid, schools and state employees.

(Photo courtesy Star Ledger of Newark)

Christie rebuffs Iowa supporters, for now

Rep. Weiner hires lawyer after lewd photo posted online

Palin rolls out at motorcycle rally

Palin a no-show for fans at Civil War battlefield

SARAH PALIN: Former Palin aide pens scathing tell-all book

The cover of Frank Bailey's tell-all book, "Blind Allegiance." A former member of

Palin's inner circle, Bailey's book is based on a river of emails he says he kept

that cast Palin as "self-serving". In one excerpt, Bailey said: "Getting Sarah to

meetings and events was like nailing jello to a tree."

(Cover photo courtesy Simon and Schuster)

BUFFALO: Democrat wins House seat on Medicare issue in special election

 ANALYSIS: A wake-up call for the GOP

Democrat, Kathy Hochul savoring her come-from-behind win in a special election for

congress in suburban Buffalo. She overwhelmed the Republican candidate, Jane Corwin

in a district that never elects democrats, by focusing almost solely on the medicare issue

and the GOP's drive to privatize and cut the program. To illustrate how hot the issue is,

officials said voters turned out in surprisingly large numbers.

(Photo courtesy The New York Times)

INDIANA: GOP Governor Daniels gets 16 stitches after hit in head with door

GEORGE W. BUSH: Makes $15 million in speaking fees paid by conservative groups

NEWT GINGRICH:  Explains ‘mistakes,’ rejects racism charges

 Gingrich under heavy fire...from the Right

Protester dumps glittery confetti on Newt, wife at book-signing in Minneapolis

DONALD TRUMP: Announces that he is not running for president

 ANALYSIS: Trump escapes scrutiny by pulling plug on campaign

CHICAGO: Rahm Emanuel sworn in as city's first new mayor in two decades

Tea Party godfather Ron Paul declares 2012 bid

NYT:  IRS moves to tax huge gifts to nonprofit advocacy groups active in politics

Washington state suspends 2012 presidential primary

Ethics Committee refers Ensign case to Justice

Obama criticizes GOP position on immigration

Palin wins restraining orders against stalkers

Nevada's Dean Heller sworn in as newest US senator; succeeds John Ensign

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal releases his birth certificate

NEW JERSEY: Court puts Olympian Carl Lewis back on NJ primary ballot

Now that they're runnning, Fox ends contracts of Gingrich, Santorum

Pence announces campaign for Indiana governor

NEW HEAD OF DNC: Debbied Wasserman Schultz elected chairwoman

Florida Congresswoman, Debbie Wasserman Schultz is seen exiting Air Force One with

President Obama in an undated image. She was elected Wednesday to be Chairwoman

of the Democratic National Committee. Schultz, a breast cancer survivor is 44 and

replaces TIm Kaine who is mounting a campaign for U.S. Congress.

(File photo coutesy AP)

POLL:  9-point bounce for Obama after bin Laden killing

 Bin Laden's death boosts views of Obama

 ANALYSIS:  How high - and long - could Obama's approval bounce be?

Obama releases detailed birth certificate

A copy of the birth certificate of President Barack Hussein Obama,

released by the White House 04/27/11.

On birth certificate, Obama derides "birthers" as "carnival barkers"

Trump takes credit for birth certificate release

Publisher of upcoming 'birther' book makes no apologies

Obama delivers birther jokes at dinner

Huckabee criticizes Obama at NRA keynote address

RHODE ISLAND: Top Republican in House ousted after arrest for DWI & pot possession

CALIFORNIA:   Gov. Brown has surgery to remove cancerous growth

NEVADA:  Governor Sandoval appoints Congressman Dean Heller to fill Ensign seat

NEW JERSEY: Residency ruling says Olympian Carl Lewis can't run — for state Senate

White House fires back at evangelist Franklin Graham for siding with "birthers"

HALEY BARBOUR: 'I will not be a candidate for president next year'

Barbour joins long list of top-tier candidates taking a pass in 2012

Haley Barbour, 63rd Governor of Mississippi announced Monday that he will

not join the crowded field of wannabees looking for the GOP presidential

nomination. He said "I don't have the fire in my belly."

(File photo)

NYC BOARD OF ELEC: Donald Trump hasn't voted in primary since '89

NBC: Trump appears stumped by abortion question

TRUMP:  'I have a great relationship with the blacks'

Trump tied for first in new poll

GALLUP POLL: Trump tops 2012 GOP candidates

NEW MEXICO: Former GOP Governor Gary Johnson announces '12 presidential bid

NYT/CBS POLL: Finds few favorites in GOP field of potential presidential candidates

Priesthood blocked for gay ex-NJ governor, Jim McGreevey

Obamas paid $453,770 in federal taxes for 2010

Arizona Governor Brewer vetoes presidential 'birther' bill

Ex-Sarah Palin aide writing ‘chilling’ tell-all book

OBAMA: GOP budget vision 'wrong for America'

GOP official defends "chimpanzee" email about Obama; Party leader calls it 'racist'

This doctored photo, showing President Barack Obama as a child chimpanzee, was sent as an email

attachement by a California GOP official to a number of people. The official, Marilyn Davenport, a

Southern California Tea Party activist and member of the central committee of the Orange County

Republican Party also wrote with the photo the following:  "Now you know why there's no birth

certificate!"  Scott Baugh, who is Chairman of the Orange County Republican Committee

condemned the photo emailand message as "despicable" and "dripping with racism." 

He said Davenport should resign as an elected official.

(Photo grab from TV 2 Los Angeles video)

WISCONSIN: Palin visits, says governor is doing the right thing with unions

Ex-Hawaii official denounces 'ludicrous' birther claims by Trump & others

WASHINGTON: Rep. Ryan defends plan for Medicare overhaul

OBAMA:  Announces 2012 re-election bid in Web video

Gingrich's financial angel — a casino mogul with legal woes

Census data favors Obama in key states

Former VP Nominee Geraldine Ferraro Dies at 75

Geraldine Ferraro died 03/26/11 of complications from multiple myeloma, a blood cancer

that she had battled for 12 years.  Ferraro served as a U.S. Congresswoman for 6-years,

from 1979-1985 and was Walter Mondale's running mate in the 1984 presidential

election, won by incumbent Ronald Reagan.  She was 75.

(File photo)

GINGRICH:  Love of country contributed to extra-marital affair

As his 3rd wife, Calista looks on adoringly, former House Leader Newt Gingrich strikes a

presidential-aspirant pose recently.  On Wednesday, in an interview on CBN, the Rev. Pat

Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network, Gingrich said it was his passion for patriotism

that led him to have extra-marital affairs. The twice-divorced former U.S. House speaker has

said he had an affair with Callista, a former congressional aide, while married to his second

wife. It happened at the same time he was attacking President Bill Clinton for his relationship

with White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

(File photo)

Representative Michele Bachmann (R-Minn) flubs Revolutionary War geography in NH

NOT AGAIN:  Sen. Ensign, (R-NV), tainted by sex scandal, won't run again 

Two-term Republican Senator, John Ensign of Nevada says he "couldn't put my family

through this" after a sex scandal narrowed has re-election options.  He was the target

of an ethics probe involving an extra-marital affair with the wife of a former aide.

(File photo) 

GEORGIA:  Proposed law says women should be put to death if they miscarry

TENNESSEE:   State bill would make following Islamic Sharia a felony

INDIANA:  State's top election official is indicted for alleged voter fraud

Charlie White, a Republican elected in November, has been charged

with felony voter fraud, theft and perjury.

(Photo courtesy the Indianapolis Star)

Senator Daniel Akaka (D) of Hawaii won't seek re-election

 Huckabee claims Obama grew up in Kenya

INDIANA:  'Use live ammunition on Wis. unionists' tweet costs official his job

Query to congressman: 'Who is going to shoot Obama?'

ARIZONA:  Lawmakers may make Colt official state gun

AND THE WINNER IS... Rahm Emanuel wins Chicago mayoral race

Former White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel is now the Mayor-elect

of Chicago. He avoided a run-off election by nailing down over 50% of the

vote on Tuesday.  He succeeds Mayor Richard Daley who is retiring

after 22-years as head of the nation's 3rd largest city.

(Photo courtesy Reuters)

Sen. John Thune, (R-S.D.), says he won't run for president in 2012

NEW MEXICO:  U.S. Senator Bingaman (D) won't seek re-election to Senate in 2012

Judge gives Abramoff lobbyist 20 months in jail

CPAC:  Romney: 'It's going to take a new president'

Gay conservative group tests GOP unity at conference

 Arizona's Jon Kyl (R) becomes latest senator to retire

Virginia Democrat Sen. Jim Webb won't seek re-election

 Democrats choose Charlotte N.C. for 2012 convention

SPECULATION CONFIRMED:  Senator Joe Lieberman announces he won't run in 2012

Independent and former Democrat, Joe Lieberman announced

Wednesday 01/19/11 that he will not seek a fifth term. 

(File photo) 

NORTH DAKOTA:  U.S. Senator Kent Conrad (D) won't seek re-election in 2012

INTOLERANCE 101:  New Alabama governor says all non-Christians are 'not my brother'

 Alabama governor then apologizes for remarks on non-Christians

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) told a church crowd shortly after his

inauguration that if you are a non-Christian, "then you are not my brother

and your are not my sister."  He later took it back.

(Photo courtesy AP)

CHENEY INTERVIEW:  Obama finding Bush was right on terror

Cheney: Obama’s still a one-term president

In a wide-ranging interview with NBC, former Vice President Dick Cheney said

that although he "was not an Obama supporter by nature," he did credit the

President for his handling of the Tucson massacre.  Cheney also indicated

he's thinking about having a heart transplant.  At 69, he's had five heart

attacks since the age of 37, the last one last year, and he survives on

a battery-operated heart pump.

(File photo)

SLATE:  McCain praises Obama as 'patriot'

Republicans elect Reince Priebus of Wisconsin their new national chairman

TEXAS:   U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) will not run for re-election in '12

RON REAGAN'S BOOK: Says his father, President Reagan had Alzheimer's while in office

 DeLay says his conviction all about politics

 Judge sentences DeLay to 3 years in prison

Once he was one of the most powerful figures in politics, so ruthless in

how he operated that he earned the moniker, "The Hammer."  But now

former House Majority Leader, Tom DeLay of Texas is heading to jail to

serve three years on being convicted on a federal conspiracy charge.  A

five year sentence for money laundering was reduced by the judge to 10

years probation and community service.

(File photo)

SCHWARZENEGGER:  Governorship cost him $200-M

112th CONGRESS:  On Day 2, House Republicans read Constitution

Murkowski certified winner of Alaska Senate race

Specter farewell speech slams GOP 'cannibalism'

South gains eight House seats in Census tally

New census count may complicate Obama 2012 bid

BILLIONAIRE WON'T RUN:  NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg rules out 2012 presidential bid

NYC Mayor and billionaire Mike Bloomberg announced on NBC's

Meet the Press Sunday that he will not make a run for the

White House in 2012.

Christine O'Donnell forming issues-oriented PAC

THE GOP'S NEW BROOM: O'Donnell cancels from TV shows; 'witch' video arises

O'Donnell makes light of witchcraft comment

Christine O'Donnell, the unknown Tea Party candidate who shocked the GOP with a

major win in the Delaware primary election for U.S. Senate earlier this week, cancelled

scheduled appearances on two Sunday national TV news shows. It follows revelations

by TV personality, Bill Maher that she appeared on his show in 1999 and said she

"dabbled in witchcraft." Maher produced a video copy of the interview in which

O'Donnell said, quote: "One of my first dates with a witch was on a Satanic altar."

(File photo)

Palin gives over $500k to candidates, causes

DON'T DO IT SARAH:  Some Republicans urge Palin not to run

Palin says Iowa book signing stop not political

BARBARA BUSH:  Palin should stay in Alaska

GUILTY:  Texas jury convicts former Congressman Tom DeLay in money laundering trial

 REPORT:  Bush made up events and lifted quotes for his memoir

A close reading by literary critics finds that the former president plagiarized

many passages from books written by his advisors and others.  He also took

quotes from other people and adopted them as his own.  Worse, he

fabricated several events and his involvement with them.

(Photo courtesy Crown Publishing)

YET:  Bill Clinton gives thumbs-up to 'Decision Points'

INTERVIEW:  Bush to Oprah: 'I'm through with politics'

Cheney '‘angry" that I didn’t pardon Libby

MEMOIR:  Bush considered replacing VP Cheney

BUSH ON BUSH:  Katrina Air Force One photo 'huge mistake'

The offending photo, taken aboard Air Force One on August 31, 2005, two days after

Katrina hit.  Bush flew over the New Orleans area on returning from a junket in Arizona

and California where he was pitching his doomed Social Security reform plan.  He

admitted the photo made him look "uncaring," but he had nothing to say about

severe criticism that he should have cancelled the junket and taken charge of

overseeing the worst natural disaster to befall the nation in its history. When

the photo was taken, he uttered one of his countless malapropisms:  "It's

devastating...it's got to be doubly devastating on the ground."  

(File photo) 

NEWSWEEK:  In elections, rich get too much sway

KARL ROVE:  Palin lacks 'gravitas' for 2012 run

 

RECORDS:  GOP's Miller of Alaska lied about computer use

  

FAST FRAUD:  Ohio McDonald's employees told who to vote for in paychecks

 

Employees of a McDonald's in Canton, Ohio received notices in their

paychecks threatening to end raises and benefits if they did not "vote

for the right people."  The "right people" were all Republicans.  A state

investigation was launched into voting rights law violations.

(Image courtesy CBS/AP)

 

Tea Party having negative impact on GOP?

 

MONEY TALKS:  Top companies donate big to influence congressional elections

 

NYT:  "Sniper time" as wealthy Pro-GOP groups spend big

 

NEWSWEEK:  Meet America's worst politician

 

Toxic powder sent in swastika-envelope to Raul Grijalva, Dem. Arizona congressman

 

 Justice Thomas' wife asks Anita Hill for apology

 

 Anita Hill to Clarence Thomas' wife: I have no reason to apologize

  

NEWSWEEK:  How Tea Partiers get the Constitution wrong

 

Anti-Obama billboard in Colo. taken down

 

The offending billboard shows President Obama as, from left to right, a terrorist,

a gangster, a Mexican bandit and a gay man.  It was erected off I-70 in Western

Colorado and drew criticism from Republicans and Democrats alike.  The owner

of the billboard company would not say who paid for the sign.

(Photo courtesy AP)

 

CLOSE CALL:  Tossed book narrowly misses Obama's head  

 

The paperback book that was thrown at President Barack Obama can be seen sailing

past his head in the above image.  The Secret Service detained the thrower for

questioning. The man, decribed as "overly enthusiastic," was the author of the

book and apparently wanted the President to read it. The incident took place

Sunday 10/10/10 as Obama was conducting a campaign rally in Philadelphia.

(Photo courtesy Reuters)

 

"SIEG HEIL?":  Ohio candidate for U.S. Congress defends wearing Nazi uniform

 

Ohio GOP congressional candidate, Rich Lott, is seen in this group photo,

2nd from right, dressed in a Nazi Waffen-SS uniform.  He explained it was

for WWII re-enactments.  At least one GOP leader, Eric Cantor of Virginia

has condemned Lott for donning a Nazi uniform. The matter was revealed

in a story published in The Atlantic.

(Photo courtesy The Atlantic)

 

TELL US WHAT YOU REALLY THINK: N.Y. GOP gubernatorial hopeful Paladino slams gays

 

PALADINO:  No regrets over gay 'brainwashed' remarks

 

ELECTION DAY

       The day when the ignorant majority dutifully casts its vote against its own interests as it

         was instructed to do by those few with conspicuous resources, agendas and prejudices. 

 

 

 

 This page was last modified on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 08:52:06 AM