AP Poll: Public doubts Washington’s problem-solving ability
By BILL BARROW and EMILY SWANSON As the first voting nears in the presidential race, most Americans have little to no confidence in the federal government to confront what they…
Elections
Bad Blood: Cruz-Bushes tension underscores deeper GOP divide
By WILL WEISSERT Ted Cruz once proudly wore a belt buckle borrowed from George H.W. Bush that said: “President of the United States.” He campaigned and worked for that former…
Trump campaigns with Sarah Palin endorsement, but no Palin
By JILL COLVIN Donald Trump brandished the endorsement of conservative Republican firebrand Sarah Palin at an Iowa rally Wednesday in the increasingly intense 2016 GOP presidential sweepstakes. “We had a…
Attorney General defends executive actions on guns as legal
By ALAN FRAM Attorney General Loretta Lynch defended President Barack Obama’s executive actions curbing guns, telling lawmakers Wednesday that the president took lawful, common-sense steps to stem firearms violence that…
Republican debate sure to highlight party’s fractured field
By JULIE PACE A smaller cast of Republican presidential candidates returns to the main debate stage Thursday night, one of the last high-profile opportunities for the White House hopefuls to…
Watching Obama speech? Check out political dynamics
By NANCY BENAC The White House is promising a nontraditional address for President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union. But, no, don’t look for him to slow-jam Tuesday’s speech…
A Cruz, Rubio battle over undecided Iowans intensifies
By STEVE PEOPLES and SCOTT BAUER CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz are fighting for the favor of many of the same undecided voters across Iowa.…
Democrats grapple with Trump effect as primary draws near
By LISA LERER Months of intense focus on the Republican race — and front-runner Donald Trump — have reverberated through the Democratic field, prompting front-runner Hillary Clinton to turn her…