National Elections

Vote on Obama labor nominee spells trouble for unions

The Senate Tuesday failed to advance President Barack Obama's nomination of a union lawyer to the National Labor Relations Board, even though 52 senators vote to shut down a GOP filibuster. But that wasn't enough in a Senate where 60 votes are required to cut off debate.

When Washington freezes over: Work with me, Obama asks GOP

President Barack Obama urged Republicans Tuesday to work with him and Democratic lawmakers on ways to create jobs, saying that it's critical to agree on something even if neither side gets all it wants. Republicans countered that they've yet to see the Democrats' complete jobs proposal or its price tag.

Alaska debates ethics rules raised during Palin's tenure

Attorney General Dan Sullivan has proposed new state rules establishing when it's appropriate for the state to pay for the travel of family members of the governor. Another proposal sets out when the state should pay legal bills for state officials defending against ethics complaints. Those issues came up during Gov. Sarah Palin's tenure as governor.

S.C. Republican calls anonmymous Web postings 'lynching'

North Carolina Republican Tim D'Annunzio's "Machine Gun Social" announcement elicited plenty of attacks on the 8th District congressional candidate. So he fired back.

Obama budget details little ways the feds could save money

Unless you're rich, you're probably tightening your belt these days, reducing the extras. Financial types call it the "latte factor," the little stuff that eats at your budget. Looks like the federal government has a latte list all its own, including minting pennies that cost less than 1.8 cents to make.

Florida GOP seethes over more word of uncontrolled spending

The recently departed chairman, Jim Greer had long been known to enjoy entourages, charter jets and belting out Elvis at party galas. But even the biggest critics of Gov. Charlie Crist's hand-picked chairman are stunned by new revelations of spending. His most loyal aide, Delmar Johnson, earned a million American Express points with the cash-strapped party's credit card.

Palin's Tea Party speech sparks debate over movement

In the wake of Sarah Palin's speech Saturday at the National Tea Party Convention in Nashville, the movement's factions continue to debate whether she and the convention captured their spirit.

Obama's health summit faces long odds against success

Don't count on President Barack Obama's upcoming health care summit to thaw the bitter political climate that's stalled legislation for months, analysts said Monday, not least because Republicans remain wary of the plan.

Latinos say their votes could tip 40 congressional races

Overhauling the nation's immigration system is a backburner issue for Congress and President Barack Obama, but a group that supports new immigration policies says the issue could be a defining one in as many as 40 congressional races in areas with sizeable Latino populations.

S.C. tea party activists find it hard to turn outrage into action

While thousands have gathered at tea party rallies around South Carolina over the past 12 months, organizers are finding it difficult to turn their outrage into action. Leaders of tea party and similar groups say their members disagree on the best way to build the movement.