Topic: Bob McDonnell

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

14 Republicans who might run in 2016

The GOP has a history of nominating people who have run before, which could give heart to some familiar faces. But there’s also a crop of young rising stars who could steal the show.
Battle for women's votes: 6 flash points

The uproar over the Obama campaign’s 'Life of Julia' Web infographic – which made #Julia big on Twitter – highlights just how fiercely both parties are fighting for the women’s vote. The economy is by far the most important issue in November for both sexes. But there are other areas with special significance to women. Here are the main flash points.
Rick Santorum: top 5 unorthodox views

Rick Santorum must try to prevent Mitt Romney from securing a majority of delegates before the Republican convention in August, and then have a contested convention. In many cases, his positions mirror Mr. Romney’s, but here are five of Mr. Santorum’s most unorthodox views.
In Pictures: East coast earthquake

All Content

Fiery nominee brings 'Herman Cain phenomenon' to Virginia governors race

Virginia's Republican nominee for governor, Ken Cuccinelli, is tacking to the center, but Republicans picked a strong conservative, E.W. Jackson, to run for the No. 2 slot. Democrats dub him extreme.
Alabama joins flood of states restricting abortion. What's behind this?

The Alabama and Virginia legislatures just passed new measures, following stricter actions in North Dakota and Arkansas. To understand this latest wave, look to the tea party.
Conservatives showcase diversity and divisions at annual CPAC rally (+video)

The speaker list tells the tale: Star Sens.Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Rand Paul are IN. Sarah Palin and Mitt Romney also get to speak. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie didn't get an invite.
Northeastern snowstorm sweeps 'conveyor belt' of snow into New England

The latest New England storm is bringing wind-whipped snow, rain, strong winds, big waves, and coastal flooding to the northeast.
Decoder Wire Donald Trump invited to speak at CPAC. Is that a good idea?

Donald Trump also spoke at CPAC in 2011, when he was toying with the idea of running for president. This year, CPAC has not extended invitations to GOP Govs. Chris Christie or Bob McDonnell.
Decoder Wire Obama looks for new allies in 'sequester' fight: Republican governors

The president is hoping that governors – who will have to grapple with the impact of the sequester in their states – will lean on members of Congress to avert the spending cuts.
Decoder Wire Florida Gov. Rick Scott reverses stance on Medicaid. Win for White House? (+video)

An early 'Obamacare' foe, Republican Gov. Rick Scott announced his support for expanding Florida's Medicaid program. The move pits him against conservative governors with different plans.
A state divided: Uranium mining in Virginia?

Vast uranium deposits in Virginia could make for extremely profitable mining. Opponents fiercely argue mining could lead to an environmental disaster, or water contamination. Lawmakers are expected to take the matter up in this session.
14 Republicans who might run in 2016

The GOP has a history of nominating people who have run before, which could give heart to some familiar faces. But there’s also a crop of young rising stars who could steal the show.
Guns in schools? Sandy Hook rekindles hot debate on arming teachers. (+video)

Across the country, some argue that an armed teacher could have prevented the Sandy Hook massacre. But others say having guns in schools heightens the risk of other tragedies.
Focus Obamacare countdown: States all over the map on insurance markets

States have until Dec. 14 to decide whether they will implement their own insurance exchanges under 'Obamacare' or have the federal government do it. Many governors have already refused to set up exchanges.
The Vote GOP crafts new image as it hustles Mitt Romney out the door

All the Republican Party needs to recover from its presidential defeat is a new message, a new image, and some fresh faces. And usher Mitt Romney offstage. That's it. Piece of cake.
Decoder Wire Abandon no-new-tax pledge? Some in GOP consider the unthinkable.

Exit polls showed that the GOP is seen as favoring the wealthy over the middle class. That may be leading some to reconsider the party's devotion to the no-new-tax pledge – at least for the rich.
GOP leaders Jindal, Christie, McDonnell, Walker begin jockeying for 2016

Less than two weeks after Republican nominee Mitt Romney came up short in his bid to unseat President Barack Obama, the next class of potential GOP presidential hopefuls is laying the groundwork for bids of their own.
Obamacare won't be repealed. States now must act.

As House Speaker John Boehner said this week, the presidential election confirms that the Affordable Care Act 'is the law of the land.' But the fight over 'Obamacare' is not over as states decide whether to craft their own insurance exchange program or leave it to Washington.
Battleground Virginia: Defense cuts loom large in key US Senate race

In their last debate in the Virginia Senate race, George Allen and Tim Kaine clashed over how to avoid some $55 billion in mandated defense cuts set to begin Jan. 1. Allen would take more from social programs; Kaine would raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans.
GOP convention wrap-up: The balloons fell. So how did Mitt Romney do?

At the GOP convention, Mitt Romney needed to unify and fire up his supporters and attract undecided voters. The coming weeks will show if any needed 'bounce' in the polls endures.
Are Republican convention and platform too long? John Boehner thinks so.

House Speaker John Boehner suggests that both party conventions (three days) and platforms (60 pages) need to be downsized to make them more accessible to average Americans.

Watch video
Todd Akin and Republican abortion plank: bad timing? (+video)

The GOP platform committee is meeting in Tampa, Fla., this week – and set to approve a plank opposing abortion with no exceptions. Democrats call it the 'Akin plank,' after Missouri Rep. Todd Akin, who is under pressure to quit his Senate race after a sensational comment on rape.
For a moment, at least, presidential campaigns get back to issues

On the Sunday TV talk shows, presidential campaign surrogates of both parties zeroed in on Medicare. But inevitably, Mitt Romney's so-far unreleased tax returns came up too.
In joining Romney, will Paul Ryan get his 'clear choice' campaign? (+video)

Back in February, long before he got the vice presidential nod, Rep. Paul Ryan urged Mitt Romney to run an 'affirmative' campaign, laying out how he differs from Obama. Picking Ryan may signal Romney's intent to do just that.
Romney's Paul Ryan pick energizes GOP (+video)

In his first campaign speech as Mitt Romney’s VP pick, Paul Ryan warned that the US is in a 'different, difficult, dangerous moment' which the GOP presidential team won’t shrink from. So far, Republicans say they’re very impressed.
Romney picks Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate

Conservative pundits have been urging Romney to choose Rep. Ryan because of his budget plan that seeks to curb overall entitlement spending and changes Medicare into a voucher-like system to save costs, something Democrats already are targeting for attack.
The Vote Mitt Romney VP pick: Convention speaker list offers fresh tea leaves

Pressure is mounting on Mitt Romney to 'go bold' with his VP pick, even if the assumption is that he'll play it safe. A three-day bus tour at week's end is being eyed as a good time to make an announcement.
Decoder Wire Why isn't Mitt Romney vetting Marco Rubio as a VP candidate?

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio is not being vetted as part of the Romney campaign's vice-presidential search, a report from ABC News says. Is that a snub of the GOP's most prominent Latino?