National Elections

Pelosi says 5 states will lift House Democrats

SAN DIEGO — House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi predicts that five large states will put Democrats in striking distance of gaining control of the House after the November elections.

Social issues rule busy day in presidential race

WASHINGTON — Social issues dominated the 2012 presidential race Friday, as President Barack Obama tried to calm a storm over religion and birth control and the Republicans vying to replace him jockeyed to outdo each other in proving their conservative fervor.

Santorum opposes allowing women to serve in combat

WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum says he thinks it would be wrong to allow women to serve in combat.

Romney and Paul: Not allies but not foes, either

PORTLAND, Maine — Mitt Romney and Ron Paul rarely even acknowledge each other in the Republican presidential race, focusing their attention and attacks on rivals Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum instead. That curious detente is being tested in Maine's caucuses this week, where Romney's reputation as a political shape shifter is going head-to-head with Paul's consistent libertarian views.

Obama holds private fundraiser at Washington hotel

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is raising money for his re-election campaign from a small group of wealthy donors who each paid $35,800 to meet with him at a hotel near the White House.

Romney tries to woo skeptical conservatives

WASHINGTON — Mitt Romney says he has a "severely conservative" record as he looks to win over voters who favored his rivals in recent contests.

Santorum amplifies faith in way GOP rivals don't

TULSA, Okla. — Rick Santorum stirs his ever-growing crowds when he promises to right a country awash in "immoral debt" and to replace an administration he argues has "callousness toward life and family and faith."

At CPAC, Santorum casts self as true conservative

WASHINGTON — Rick Santorum is telling conservatives he's the only Republican presidential candidate who shares their values and implicitly attacking rival Mitt Romney as a moderate.

Romney aides to speak at super PAC events

WASHINGTON — Senior campaign aides to Republican Mitt Romney will begin appearing at fundraising events for an independent political group supporting his White House run, officials said Friday. The decision comes days after President Barack Obama gave his campaign the OK to do the same.

Alaska lawmakers plan to sell ANWR drilling during D.C. trip

A contingent of state representatives including House Speaker Mike Chenault are missing several days of the legislative session next week to head to Washington, D.C., and make a pitch — once again — for oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.