Pawlenty punts, Romney rips Iowa marriage pledge

Presidential contender Tim Pawlenty declined Wednesday to sign a highly criticized marriage-themed pledge sponsored by an Iowa Christian activist group, while at the same time praising the aims of the document.

In California race, a test-run for the Obama campaign

While the political community focuses on President Obama's record fundraising haul -- all $86 million of it -- his re-election campaign is just as bullish about the massive ground game that money will help build, an operation that came to bear in Tuesday's special election in southern California.

Obama tally raises the bar for presidential fundraising

President Obama's vast campaign operation raked in $86 million for his reelection and for the Democratic Party during the last three months, breaking previous records with a total far greater than those posted by his potential Republican opponents in the 2012 election.

RNC chairman says Obama is a great fundraiser, bad president

The chairman of the Republican National Committee brushed off President Obama's record-fundraising announcement Wednesday, saying no amount of money can make up for the president's shoddy economic record.

Roger Clemens trial: Opening arguments begin in perjury case

In a Washington courtroom three blocks from Capitol Hill, one of Major League Baseball's biggest names – 11-time All Star pitcher Roger Clemens – went to trial Wednesday before a jury of 12 citizens and a court of public opinion disgusted with scandals over steroids and other banned drugs that have threatened the credibility of the game.

While Palin and Perry fiddle, it's Bachmann who's on fire

As Sarah Palin and Rick Perry wrestle with whether to join the 2012 GOP presidential field, Michele Bachmann is surging, a new poll said Wednesday.

Is Obama winning the debt-limit fight?

Has President Obama seized the upper hand in the debt-limit debate? Mark Salter, for years a top advisor to Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, said Wednesday that he has, that Obama has “outmaneuvered” congressional Republicans by appearing more daring on fiscal reforms -- and that the GOP had best find another strategy.

What's at stake in the debt-limit talks: a primer

Answering questions about the debt-ceiling talks and what could happen if both sides fail to reach an agreement:

Obama campaign's staggering haul: $86 million raised for reelection

President Obama's vast campaign operation raked in $86 million for his reelection and for the Democratic Party during the last three months, breaking previous records with a total far greater than those posted by his potential Republican opponents in the 2012 election.

Janice Hahn wins House seat

In a hard-fought special congressional election marked by sharp divisions in ideology and even sharper personal attacks, Democrat Janice Hahn defeated underdog Republican Craig Huey on Tuesday.

House GOP fails to repeal light bulb efficiency requirement

Opponents of the federal phaseout of old-style incandescent light bulbs failed in the House on Tuesday to repeal the requirement for more efficient lighting but are expected to try again soon.