The four remaining rivals for the GOP presidential nomination debated in Mesa, Ariz., Wednesday night, ahead of next week's primary. It was the first debate in which Rick Santorum was featured as the main threat to former front-runner Mitt Romney. Rep. Ron Paul kept up his own line of fire against Santorum.
Virginia House Revises Controversial Abortion Bill
On February - 22 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
The amended bill requires women seeking abortions to undergo an external ultrasound, not a more invasive procedure. The state's Republican governor came out against requiring the more invasive procedure after the proposal drew national outrage. The amended bill now returns to the Senate, where it will likely be killed.
Pro-Obama SuperPAC Hits Romney On Auto Bailout In Michigan Ad
On February - 22 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Priorities USA Action has unveiled a new ad in Michigan in advance of that state's GOP primary next week. It takes former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney to task for opposing the auto industry bailout.
Obama Reaches To Black Voters At Groundbreaking
On February - 22 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
President Barack Obama spoke Wednesday at the groundbreaking ceremony for the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. Any president of any party would have been there for the occasion, but as the nation's first African American president seeks re-election, the event fit a larger paradigm for President Obama.
Oil Prices Historically Important In Elections
On February - 22 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Audie Cornish speaks with Jim Tankersley, Economics Correspondent for the National Journal, about how oil prices have affected the outcomes of elections in the past.
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As Polls Tighten, Michigan Voters Weigh Importance Of Social Issues
On February - 22 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Mitt Romney has cut deeply into the substantial lead Rick Santorum held earlier this month. Romney's campaign and superPAC are flooding the airwaves with attacks on Rick Santorum.
It’s ScuttleButton Time!
On February - 22 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
And, in the category of Best ScuttleButton Puzzle of the Week, the winner is ...
Santorum’s Social Issues Resonate With Mich. Voters
On February - 22 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Polling reveals the Republican presidential contest in Michigan is tightening dramatically. One of the keys to success in next Tuesday's primary is appealing to blue-collar Republican voters.
Protesters: GOP Candidates Don’t DREAM Halfway
On February - 22 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum have supported the DREAM Act's path to citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants through military service, but not higher education. Immigration rights activists in Arizona protested Romney's partial support of of the DREAM Act.
Super PACS Create Fairness?
On February - 21 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Super PACS have contributed millions of dollars to shape the 2012 presidential election. The "Citizens United" Supreme Court case paved the way for them. David Bossie, president of the conservative advocacy group Citizens United, speaks with host Michel Martin about how Super PACS could even the playing field.
Supreme Court To Hear Affirmative Action Case That Could Be Campaign Issue
On February - 21 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
A Texas state university admissions policy has been challenged. The Obama administration favors the program. The president's potential Republican opponents do not. So watch for much discussion.
What If Mitt Romney Loses Michigan?
On February - 21 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Once again, there are doubts about Mitt Romney's staying power and questions about whether he will win the Feb. 28 primary in Michigan, where he was born and raised. His main rival is Rick Santorum ... the latest "Not Mitt" favorite.
Georgia On His Mind, Gingrich Faces Key Primary
On February - 21 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is facing his most important challenge yet — winning Georgia on Super Tuesday. Georgia is considered Gingrich's home because he represented parts of the state in Congress for 20 years, but he hasn't lived there for more than a decade.
Romney Outspends GOP Field Combined In January
On February - 21 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
The financial battle for the Republican nomination is tightening. Candidates spent a lot of cash in January — what with contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida. And as it turns out, also spending a lot of money were the richly financed superPACS that support the candidates.
Lawsuits Flying Over Florida’s Redistricting
On February - 20 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Florida's legislature has released its new legislative and congressional maps as part of the once-every-decade redistricting process, and the lawsuits are already flying. Democrats and watchdog groups say the new maps violate constitutional amendments that require districts to be drawn without regard to political parties or incumbents. The process is likely to be tied up in the courts for months, but the proposed maps are already having an impact — including forcing Tea Party favorite, Congressman Allen West, to leave his old district for one that's friendlier to Republicans.
Candidates Hit Ground For Contests In Mich., Ariz.
On February - 20 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Host Audie Cornish talks with Don Gonyea about the week ahead in politics, including the contests in Michigan and Arizona.
Romney Ads Whittle Away At Santorum’s Mich. Lead
On February - 20 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum's popularity has been surging in Michigan lately. Rival Mitt Romney, who's native state is Michigan, is trying to put a stop to that by spending more money on ads in the state.
Broadcast Auction To Pay For Payroll Tax Holiday
On February - 20 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Congress has approved an extended payroll tax holiday. One of the ways it will be paid for is through federal auctions of sections of the broadcast spectrum to wireless companies. But consumers are not likely to see the benefits for years.
Santorum Criticizes Obama’s ‘World View,’ Not Faith
On February - 19 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Rick Santorum on Sunday said President Obama's world view "elevates the Earth above man," discouraging increased use of natural resources. A day after saying that Obama's agenda is based on "some phony theology, not a theology based on the Bible," Santorum said he wasn't criticizing the president's Christianity.
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Santorum Shows He’ll Fire Back In Michigan Ad Wars
On February - 19 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Unlike the other GOP candidates who've emerged to take on Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and the superPAC supporting him seem to have the resources to fight back. The battle is taking place on the airwaves in Michigan, which along with Arizona holds its primary Feb. 28.
Romney Loses Ariz. Co-Chairman Amid Allegations
On February - 19 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Mitt Romney parted ways with his Arizona campaign co-chairman after allegations of misconduct made by a man with whom the campaign official previously had a relationship.
The Role Of Political Spouses: Decoding An Image
On February - 18 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
One of the most talked about personalities on the Republican presidential campaign trail, Callista Gingrich, rarely says a word. That hasn't kept her out of the spotlight, though. From their hair to their home life, potential first ladies get attention on the campaign trail.
Week In News: Payroll Tax Cut, China VP Visit
On February - 18 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
In a victory for the White House, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed an extension of the payroll tax cut on Friday after weeks of refusal. Host Mary Louise Kelly speaks with James Fallows of The Atlantic about the political reasoning behind the vote.
Romney To Relive Olympic Glory As Campaign Grasps For Gold
On February - 17 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Utah is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, which Mitt Romney claims credit for rescuing. While the attention could help Romney's recently struggling presidential campaign, Democrats are just now raising questions about Romney's widely lauded stewardship of the games.
