Unsettled Texas primary may slip into May or later

| |Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

The Texas primaries, which were once key to emerging from next month's Super Tuesday elections with the momentum and backing to win the Republican presidential race, may be pushed into May - and perhaps out of relevance for the race - because of a dispute over the state's proposed redistricting maps.Read more

Obama touting manufacturing at Wisconsin plant

| |Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

Pointing to a rebound in manufacturing, President Barack Obama on Wednesday is visiting a Milwaukee plant that has brought back jobs to the United States.Read more

Where do tea party freshmen lawmakers go from here?

| |Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

Leaving a House of Representatives Republican caucus meeting one morning, Rep. Vicky Hartzler had to pause a moment to get her bearings. She was on her way to an Armed Services Committee hearing, but navigating the maze of corridors beneath the Capitol could still puzzle her.Read more

Obama adviser: Santorum takes 'divisive positions'

|Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

A top adviser to President Barack Obama's re-election campaign says Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum has taken "divisive positions" on key social issues.Read more

US 'very closely' watching Syrian chemical weapons

| |Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

The U.S. and its allies are closely monitoring Syria's stockpiles of chemical arms and portable anti-aircraft missiles, a State Department official says, amid concerns that the country's unconventional weapons could fall into the hands of terrorist or militant groups while the 11-month-old uprising continues.Read more

Visit offers little insight into next China leader

| |Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

China's Vice President Xi Jinping's visit to Washington's power centers is boosting his international profile but offering little insight into the man destined to rule the world's most populous nation.Read more

Medicare puzzle: Big rise in artificial feet costs

| |Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

What's wrong with this picture? Medicare's bill for artificial feet rose nearly 60 percent in recent years, although foot and leg amputations due to diabetes continued a dramatic decline.Read more

Spending cuts trump farm subsidies for many voters

| |Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

Promoting farm subsidies was once a no-brainer for rural members of Congress seeking re-election. This year, it's a bit trickier.Read more

Lawmakers move to cusp of deal on payroll tax cut

|Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

Congressional leaders are gauging lawmakers' reactions to a tentative deal extending a 2 percentage-point payroll tax cut and added unemployment benefits for the rest of 2012.Read more

Gingrich hopes for another campaign resurrection

| |Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012

Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign has a history of near-death experiences, and the former House speaker insists another resurrection is on its way.Read more