In State of the Union, Obama aims to influence 2016 debate
By JULIE PACE Key elements of the economic proposals President Barack Obama will outline in his State of the Union address Tuesday appear to be aimed at driving the debate…
U.S. Republican Party
Obama’s address to pitch tax proposals to help middle class
By JULIE PACE President Barack Obama is turning to his biggest television audience of the year to pitch tax increases on the wealthiest Americans and put the new Republican Congress…
Romney shows softer side in 2016 campaign preview
By STEVE PEOPLES and THOMAS BEAUMONT Mitt Romney is offering a rare glimpse of his softer side as he marches toward an unlikely third presidential bid focused on poverty and…
Rethinking the big speech that isn’t so big anymore
By JULIE PACE and NANCY BENAC The State of the Union just isn’t what it used to be. Sure, the pageantry and theatrics of the annual presidential address will all…
Diminished in Congress and many states, Dems weigh future
By CHARLES BABINGTON and ANDREW TAYLOR Congressional Democrats are in retreat in more ways than one this week. As Democratic senators gather in Baltimore to talk strategy and lick election…
Conservatives cheer on Romney as establishment field grows
By STEVE PEOPLES and BILL BARROW Mitt Romney’s unexpected step into the 2016 presidential contest is drawing enthusiasm from the GOP’s most passionate conservatives. But not because they want him…
Deciphering Obama’s chemistry with Congress _or lack of it
By NANCY BENAC He hardly ever calls. When he does, it’s all business. And that’s President Barack Obama’s vibe with top Democrats on Capitol Hill. With Republicans, there’s even less…
Boehner’s embrace of GOP rebels nudges House caucus to right
By CHARLES BABINGTON Die-hard House conservatives, after bungling a coup against House Speaker John Boehner, now look like winners who are pushing their Republican caucus farther right. Rather than punish…