Election News

SPIN METER: Romney backed earmarks as governor

Mitt Romney takes a hard line against congressional earmarks, but the GOP presidential front-runner had a more favorable view of federal pork-barrel spending when he was governor of Massachusetts. (full story)

From the go, roller-coaster GOP White House race

From the start, it's been a roller-coaster race for the Republican presidential nomination. (full story)

Analysis: Obama pitches middle while GOP eyes base

The dustup over contraception underscored President Barack Obama's political edge in working to attract independent voters without alienating his Democratic base. His Republican rivals are forced to keep emphasizing their conservative credentials to attract the right-leaning activists who dominate the nominating contests. (full story)

Santorum plans aggressive strategy against Romney

A day after Mitt Romney regained some momentum in the Republican presidential contest, his rival Rick Santorum went on the attack, calling the front-runner "desperate" while promising to compete aggressively to win the state where Romney grew up. (full story)

Romney wins Maine caucuses straw poll

In a reprieve after his embarrassing losses last week in three states, Mitt Romney eked out a win Saturday in the symbolic straw poll tied to Maine's multiday caucuses, narrowly defeating Ron Paul, the only other candidate to actively campaign there. (full story)

GOP primary season is one of few clear choices

At last year's Conservative Political Action Conference, activists were chasing the idea that some dreamboat Republican they could fall for - Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, perhaps, or maybe New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie or former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin or that dashing young Rep. Paul Ryan - would make quick work of President Barack Obama. (full story)

At CPAC, Palin urges fellow Republicans to unite behind eventual nominee

Sarah Palin argued Saturday that the Republican presidential nominee would only be strengthened by an extended primary battle, and she urged conservatives to unite behind whoever becomes the party's choice. (full story)

Romney's good day: wins conservatives, Maine caucus

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney got a much-needed boost Saturday, winning a key symbolic vote over former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania among some of the nation's most active Republican voters and besting the field in the Maine caucuses. (full story)

Romney's good day; wins conservatives, Maine caucus

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney got a much-needed boost Saturday, winning a key symbolic vote over former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania among some of the nation's most active Republican voters and besting the field in the Maine caucuses. (full story)

Romney edges Paul in Maine caucus to get back on winning track

Reversing his embarrassing string of setbacks earlier this week when he lost Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri to Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney eked out a narrow win in the straw poll tied to Maine's multiday caucuses Saturday, defeating Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, who was the only other candidate to actively campaign in Maine. (full story)

Romney thanks Maine voters _ in a statement

Mitt Romney is thanking Maine voters after the state party chairman declared him the winner of that state. (full story)

Romney adds to delegate lead with Maine victory

Mitt Romney added to his lead in the race for delegates Saturday with a narrow victory in the Maine Republican presidential caucuses. (full story)

Paul says Maine outcome is virtual tie

Republican presidential contender Ron Paul says he wishes all the Maine caucuses would have met on Saturday. (full story)

Romney edges Santorum in conservatives' straw poll

Mitt Romney has won The Washington Times/CPAC Presidential Straw Poll of conservative activists. (full story)

A look at Maine, where Romney and Paul are vying

A profile of Maine, site of the Republican caucus on Feb. 11: (full story)

First lady's trips boost health _ and her husband

In just the past few days, she's danced with cheering school kids, chatted with troops, swapped ideas with busy parents and engaged in a friendly cooking competition with stars from "Top Chef." (full story)

SPIN METER: Gov. Romney quiet on birth-control law

Mitt Romney faulted President Barack Obama's original push to require church-affiliated employers to pay for birth control as an "assault on religion," but as Massachusetts governor, Romney was largely silent about a state law that required virtually the same contraceptive coverage. (full story)

Faces beyond the numbers of long-term unemployed

J.R. Childress is up before the sun, bustling about in the French colonial brick house he built. He helps pack his wife's lunch, downs some eggs or cereal for breakfast, pores over online and newspaper job listings and hopes - even prays - this will be the day when his fortunes turn around. (full story)

Maine GOP chairman says Romney wins caucuses

Mitt Romney narrowly won Maine's Republican caucuses, state party officials announced Saturday, providing his campaign with a much-needed boost after three straight losses earlier this week. But the former Massachusetts governor won just a plurality of the Maine vote, suggesting he still has work to do to unite GOP voters behind his candidacy. (full story)

Santorum's surge means new strategy for Romney

Staggered by Rick Santorum's surge, Mitt Romney is trying to reset his presidential campaign by defining himself as a strict conservative. (full story)