Republican Party News Headlines - Yahoo! News

What Matters in Virginia This Election Year? Housing, Unemployment, Gay Marriage

2012-05-16T18:23:00Z

ANALYSIS | Over the next few months, President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger, Mitt Romney, will spend inordinate amounts of time and money to secure Americans' votes in the upcoming presidential election.

Pro-Republican group plans $25 million anti-Obama ad blitz

2012-05-16T18:20:47Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Crossroads GPS, a pro-Republican political group, is planning to spend $25 million in the next month on its largest ad assault against President Barack Obama yet this campaign season. The new advertising wave by the group, which supports presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, is expected to begin on Thursday with an $8 million TV ad blitz in 10 states expected to be hotly contested in the November 6 election. The formidable non-profit Crossroads GPS and its sister Super PAC American Crossroads have pledged to spend some $200 million to help defeat ...

Think Herman Cain's Romney Endorsement is Weak? #GetOverIt

2012-05-16T18:15:35Z

Herman Cain hosted a somewhat random press conference Wednesday to announce (for the second time!) that he's endorsed Mitt Romney, a man who has no Republican competitors in his race for president. For those not fortunate enough to be at the press conference in person, Cain tweeted:

Biden attacks Romney tenure as venture capitalist

2012-05-16T18:11:33Z

Vice President Joe Biden has criticized the background of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney during a speech in swing state Ohio.

Boehner tells Obama no debt increase without cuts: aide

2012-05-16T17:57:15Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican U.S. House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner told President Barack Obama during a meeting on Wednesday that he would not allow another increase of the U.S. debt limit without spending cuts, according to a Boehner aide. "The Speaker - who has warned that the growing debt is hurting U.S. job creation - asked the President if he is proposing that Congress pass an increase that does not include any spending cuts to help reduce the deficit. The President said, 'yes,'" the aide said. ...

Jim Abdnor, former US senator from SD, dies at 89

2012-05-16T17:55:23Z

Former U.S. Sen. Jim Abdnor, the South Dakota Republican who ousted George McGovern from the Senate only to lose his seat after one term to another prominent Democrat, has died. He was 89.

Crossroads announcing $25 million ad push

2012-05-16T17:50:30Z

An independent group favoring Republican Mitt Romney is launching a $25 million, monthlong advertising campaign against President Barack Obama in 10 states, further escalating an expensive TV ad war in presidential battleground states less than six months before Election Day.

Romney giving up on home state of Massachusetts

2012-05-16T17:49:31Z

Don't bet on Mitt Romney winning his home state. Or even trying.

Jim Abdnor, ex-US senator from South Dakota, dies

2012-05-16T17:25:00Z

Former U.S. Sen. Jim Abdnor, the South Dakota Republican who ousted George McGovern from the Senate, has died.

SPIN METER: Rivals airbrush anti-Romney words

2012-05-16T17:16:12Z

Remember Newt Gingrich calling Mitt Romney a liar? Michele Bachmann saying Romney's unelectable? Rick Santorum calling Romney "the worst Republican in the country" to run against President Barack Obama?

Romney Backers Criticize Obama on Debt, Compare US Economy to Greece

2012-05-16T17:15:40Z

As part of its weeklong push to criticize President Barack Obama on the economy and the deficit, the Republican National Committee and the Romney campaign today hit the president on the national debt. On an RNC conference call Wednesday, New Hampshire lawmakers never mentioned the...

THE RACE: Endorsements slow as Romney closes in

2012-05-16T17:00:14Z

As Mitt Romney closes in on nailing down the Republican presidential nomination, endorsements from prominent Republicans are slowing to a trickle. And some endorsements come with noticeable reservations.

Wisconsin governor releases better 2011 jobs data

2012-05-16T16:52:16Z

Republican Gov. Scott Walker released updated employment figures Wednesday that show Wisconsin actually added a small number of jobs during his first year in office, hoping to undermine a central argument of those trying to recall him who argue he has hurt the state economy.

Debra Fischer Nebraska Win Another Triumph for Sarah Palin

2012-05-16T16:21:00Z

COMMENTARY | Nebraska State Sen. Debra Fischer has won the Republican nomination for the United States Senate. According to Big Government, she is the second Sarah Palin endorsed candidate to have won over a candidate supported by the Republican establishment.

Democrats and Unions Make a Debacle in Wisconsin

2012-05-16T15:53:00Z

COMMENTARY | When the Democratic Party and its union allies concocted the recall election against Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker, the purpose was to punish him for daring to curb some of the public sector unions' collective bargaining rights.

The Best Estimate of Romney's Net Worth So Far: $230 Million

2012-05-16T15:49:04Z

It took a month and and work from Forbes writer Edwin Durgy, but we now have the best estimate for just how rich Mitt Romney is: the wealth-counting magazine pegs the Republican presidential candidate's net worth at $230 million. Up to now, everyone has known that Romney is rich, but the specifics have been blurry. Earlier this year Romney said the figure is "between $150 and about $200-and-some-odd million dollars." News outlets like CNN and ABC haven't done any better by relying on Romney's disclosure filings with the government. ...

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn on GOP Convention: ‘Walking a High Wire with No Net’

2012-05-16T15:30:00Z

TAMPA, Fla. -- Traditionally, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn doesn't require much sleep. But with the approach of the Republican National Convention -- and the increasing challenges to keep it safe -- he's getting a lot less shut-eye these days.

NY Assembly enlists public in minimum wage fight

2012-05-16T15:18:12Z

New York Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver on Tuesday appealed for public pressure to force a vote that would raise the minimum wage, one of his top priorities but one that has defied a political resolution. Soon after, the Senate's Republican majority dug in deeper against the raise.

Activist targeting schools, backed by big bucks

2012-05-16T14:53:40Z

(Reuters) - During her tumultuous three years at the head of the Washington D.C. public schools, Michelle Rhee set off a lot of fireworks. She's still doing it - on a national stage. Rhee has emerged as the leader of an unlikely coalition of politicians, philanthropists, financiers and entrepreneurs who believe the nation's $500 billion-a-year public education system needs a massive overhaul. She has vowed to raise $1 billion for her national advocacy group, StudentsFirst, and forever break the hold of teachers unions on education policy. ...

Obama raises $44M for campaign, Dems in April

2012-05-16T14:47:56Z

President Barack Obama raised a combined $43.6 million in April for his campaign and the Democratic Party as he faces a unifying Republican effort around Mitt Romney for the White House.

Romney Defends George W. Bush … Sort Of

2012-05-16T14:17:44Z

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney harshly criticized President Obama on Wednesday for calling “his predecessor” — former President George W. Bush — “irresponsible and unpatriotic” for adding $4 trillion to the debt and then failing to lower it once elected. But Romney failed to mention the unpopular Texas Republican by name, even though Bush had endorsed him a day earlier.

Ron Paul Backs Smith Push to Limit Military Detentions

2012-05-16T14:14:31Z

Fresh after hanging up his campaign hat, former Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul has joined the next battle over terrorism-detainee rules.

Chris Christie and Cory Booker star in new comedy clip [VIDEO]

2012-05-16T13:36:06Z

Popular Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and the sometimes-heroic Democratic Newark Mayor Cory Booker have put together what may be the year’s most refreshing political video.

Corrected: Senator seeks expanded visas for foreign high-tech workers

2012-05-16T13:23:40Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A leading Republican in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday unveiled legislation to raise the number of permanent visas for skilled technical workers from foreign countries, but prospects of passage this year could be clouded by election-year politics. Senator John Cornyn, the senior Republican on a panel that oversees immigration, introduced a bill that would make an additional 55,000 visas available each year for graduates with master's and doctoral degrees who have studied at U.S. research institutions. ...

Obama's April fundraising drops to $43.6 million

2012-05-16T12:10:44Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama's re-election campaign and Democratic groups affiliated with it raised $43.6 million in April, a decrease from the previous month despite the start of a robust general election campaign against Republican Mitt Romney. Ninety-eight percent of the donations were less than $250 in April and the average donation came in at $50.23, campaign manager Jim Messina said in a video released on Twitter. ...

Romney Wins Nebraska, Oregon Primaries

2012-05-16T12:10:31Z

Mitt Romney won the Republican presidential primaries in Nebraska and Oregon, the Associated Press projected Tuesday night, continuing his march toward the GOP nomination. Romney’s wins came a day after Ron Paul, his lone remaining rival, announced the effective halt of his presidential bid. Paul...

Romney Needs a Restive Base

2012-05-16T12:02:31Z

If unemployment was the only factor driving this election, Mitt Romney would not have spent any time campaigning in Iowa, where the state’s agricultural economy is relatively healthy, and the state boasts a 5.2 percent unemployment rate, the lowest for any battleground state.

Obama raises $44 million for campaign, Dems in May

2012-05-16T11:32:00Z

President Barack Obama raised a combined $43.6 million in April for his campaign and the Democratic Party as he faces a unifying Republican effort around Mitt Romney for the White House.

Deb Fischer Wins Republican Nomination In Nebraska Senate Race

2012-05-16T10:40:29Z

State senator Deb Fischer won Nebraska’s Republican Senate primary, the Associated Press projected late Tuesday night. With about 100 percent of precincts reporting, Fischer defeated Nebraska attorney general Jon Bruning 41 percent to 36 percent. State treasurer Don Stenberg- the tea party candidate- was in third...

Romney inches closer to clinching GOP nomination

2012-05-16T10:27:38Z

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has won most of the delegates in the Oregon primary, leaving him 155 delegates shy of the number of delegates needed to win the Republican nomination for president.

FACT CHECK: Romney oversimplifies debt 'inferno'

2012-05-16T08:35:57Z

When Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney decried the "prairie fire" of U.S. debt Tuesday, he ignored some of the sparks that set it ablaze.

House votes on violence bill, draws veto threat

2012-05-16T08:11:06Z

The House is taking up a Republican-written bill to protect women from violence, but the Obama White House says it doesn't go far enough and is threatening a veto.

Romney Wins Oregon and Nebraska Primaries

2012-05-16T06:54:59Z

Mitt Romney won the Oregon and Nebraska primaries Tuesday night, inching ever closer to securing the needed delegates to claim the Republican nomination.

Super PAC to Launch $25 Million Ad Buy Attacking Obama

2012-05-16T06:52:17Z

Crossroads GPS, one of the super PACs backing Mitt Romney, will spend $25 million on ads attacking President Obama in 10 states this month, the Associated Press reported.The super PAC, affiliated with Republican strategist Karl Rove, will kick off the campaign on Thursday with an $8 million ad buy on a spot to run in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Pro-Romney Super PAC to Launch $25 Million Ad Buy

2012-05-16T06:47:21Z

White supremacist far behind in Idaho sheriff race

2012-05-16T06:31:30Z

SALMON, Idaho (Reuters) - A white supremacist who ran a long-shot campaign for sheriff in Idaho was trailing far behind his incumbent opponent late on Tuesday, according to early returns in the three-way race for the Republican nomination. Shaun Winkler, an avowed Ku Klux Klan member and convicted batterer, had received only 40 votes in northern Idaho's Bonner County, versus 1,072 votes for incumbent Sheriff Daryl Wheeler, with 10 of 33 precincts reporting. Tim Fry, a police officer, had 353 votes. ...

Nebraska rancher scores upset in Senate primary

2012-05-16T04:25:18Z

Omaha, Nebraska (Reuters) - Rancher and state Senator Deb Fischer overcame two longtime state office holders to win the Nebraska Republican primary for the Senate on Tuesday, the second Republican primary upset in a week after an insurgent ousted longtime Indiana Republican Senator Richard Lugar. Powered by some high-profile endorsements in the final two weeks of the Nebraska campaign, Fischer roared from third place to victory over veteran Attorney General Jon Bruning and state Treasurer Don Stenberg. ...

Nebraska sets stage for Kerrey, Fischer race

2012-05-16T04:16:33Z

An insurgent Republican lawmaker in Nebraska will square off against former Sen. Bob Kerrey this fall in the state's U.S. Senate race, as Democrats look to hold onto the Senate seat and control of one part of Capitol Hill.

Senate leaders move toward vote on Fed nominees

2012-05-16T03:32:17Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's two stalled nominees for the Federal Reserve are likely to clear a Senate procedural hurdle on Thursday, paving the way for anticipated confirmation, the chamber's leaders said on Tuesday. Democratic and Republican aides said they expect Senate approval of the pair as early as Thursday, shortly after the procedural vote, which would take the Fed's Washington-based board up to its full seven-person strength for the first time since April 2006. "We've been waiting months and months. ...

Neb. GOP nominates Fischer to face ex-Sen. Kerrey

2012-05-16T03:15:42Z

Nebraska state Sen. Deb Fischer has won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, setting the stage for a high-stakes November election against former Democratic Sen. Bob Kerrey.