President Barack Obama pauses while announcing the revamp of his contraception policy requiring religious institutions to fully pay for birth control, Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington.

Deadline nears, Obama wants payroll tax cut action

President Barack Obama is pressuring Congress to extend a payroll tax cut for the rest of the year as another deadline nears for Congress to act or see taxes go up for millions of working people. Photo Gallery Available

FILE - In this Jan. 23, 2012 file photo, Republican presidential candidates, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, right, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney share a laugh during a break in a Republican presidential debate at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla. Romney and Paul rarely acknowledge each other in the Republican presidential race, focusing their attention and attacks on rivals Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum instead. That curious detente will be tested in Maine's caucuses Saturday, where Romney's reputation as a political shape shifter is set to go head-to-head with Paul's quirky but consistent set of libertarian beliefs.

Maine GOP chairman says Romney wins caucuses

Mitt Romney narrowly won Maine's Republican caucuses, state party officials announced Saturday, providing his campaign with a much-needed boost after three straight losses earlier this week. But the former Massachusetts governor won just a plurality of the Maine vote, suggesting he still has work to do to unite GOP voters behind his candidacy. Video Available Photo Gallery Available

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks at a campaign stop, Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, in Portland, Maine.

Santorum's surge means new strategy for Romney

Staggered by Rick Santorum's surge, Mitt Romney is trying to reset his presidential campaign by defining himself as a strict conservative. Video Available Photo Gallery Available

Republican campaign is driven by a force of nature: Voters

The following editorial appeared in the Chicago Tribune on Thursday, Feb. 9:

Republican presidential candidate, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, joined by his wife Callista, arrives to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, Friday, Feb. 10, 2012.

A political tip sheet for the rest of us

A political tip sheet for the rest of us outside the Washington Beltway, Friday, Feb. 10, 2012:

Obama budget projects $1.3 trillion deficit this year

President Barack Obama expects the federal budget deficit to reach $1.33 trillion this year, administration officials said Friday evening, the fourth straight year of trillion-dollar deficits.

Obama budget projects $1.3 trillion deficit this year

President Barack Obama expects the federal budget deficit to reach $1.33 trillion this year, administration officials said Friday evening, the fourth straight year of trillion-dollar deficits.

Obama budget projects $1.3 trillion deficit this year

President Barack Obama expects the federal budget deficit to reach $1.33 trillion this year, administration officials said Friday evening, the fourth straight year of trillion-dollar deficits.

Obama compromises on contraception mandate, but reservations remain

President Barack Obama attempted to quell a political firestorm over health care and religion Friday, saying he would still assure that every woman in America gets free contraception but agreeing that religious institutions will not be forced to provide it. Instead, insurers will.

Pelosi says 5 states will lift House Democrats

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi predicts that five large states will put Democrats in striking distance of gaining control of the House after the November elections.

Politics Wires

Deadline nears, Obama wants payroll tax cut action

Maine GOP chairman says Romney wins caucuses

Santorum's surge means new strategy for Romney

Republican campaign is driven by a force of nature: Voters

A political tip sheet for the rest of us

Obama budget projects $1.3 trillion deficit this year

Obama budget projects $1.3 trillion deficit this year

Obama budget projects $1.3 trillion deficit this year

Obama compromises on contraception mandate, but reservations remain

Pelosi says 5 states will lift House Democrats

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