Democrats jubilant after bellwether election win

2011-05-25T13:30:34Z

The US Democrat Party was jubilant Wednesday after an upset victory in a congressional by-election seen as baring a potentially fatal weakness in Republican strategy ahead of 2012 national polls.

The immediate battle in upstate New York's 26th Congressional District was to fill the usually safe Republican seat vacated by

Deficit talks look at spending-cut compromises

2011-05-25T12:00:21Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Deficit-reduction negotiators have identified broad areas for saving hundreds of billions of dollars but still disagree on changing the costly but popular Medicare program, a source familiar with the talks said on Wednesday.

Vice...

Democrats score upset victory in NY election

2011-05-25T03:00:08Z

The Democratic Party scored an upset victory late Tuesday in a tight Congressional by-election seen testing Republicans' strategy on politically sensitive budget cuts ahead of 2012 nationwide vote.

The race in western New York's 26th Congressional District saw ...

Budget Battle Leaves Congress in a Bind

2011-03-04T11:30:13Z

Are lawmakers in the cut-spending camp misreading public sentiment?

You’ve seen the headlines: "Budget Deal Avoids Government Shutdown."

There’s just one little problem -- those headlines are wrong.

For sure, the move by House Republicans to fold $4 billion of spending cuts that Democrats can mo...

A Hose Divided

2010-11-29T14:54:05Z

...

Obamacare: It's All About Control

2010-11-29T14:31:06Z

...

(11/2010) Obamacare: It's All About Control

2010-11-29T14:31:05Z

...

What Bush's health plan means to you

2010-11-29T16:03:54Z

...

THE HEALTH SCARE DEBATE AND OTHER AMERICAN PROBLEMS

2010-11-03T03:13:57Z

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Congressman Fleming Opposes Government Controlled Healthcare

2010-11-03T03:14:01Z

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Barack Obama votes to pass healthcare bill

2010-11-03T00:17:19Z

...

The Healthcare Summit: ABC

2010-11-03T00:13:19Z

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Rock. Hard Place. Your Healthcare Options!

2010-11-03T00:18:56Z

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Food-Stamp Nation

2010-10-08T09:50:38Z

...

Democrats hope Medicare checks in the mail help

2010-08-14T17:45:12Z

Medicare rebate checks in the mail; nervous Democrats try to overcome mistrust of health law

A check from Uncle Sam gets your attention, even if the money doesn't help that much with the bills. More than 750,000 Medicare recipients with high prescription costs each got a $250 government check this summer, and 3 million-plus more checks are goin...

Will Medicare checks in the mail help Democrats?

2010-08-14T05:00:13Z

Medicare rebate checks in the mail; nervous Democrats try to overcome mistrust of health law

A check from Uncle Sam gets your attention, even if the money doesn't help that much with the bills.

More than 750,000 Medicare recipients with high prescription costs each got a $250 government check this summer, and 3 million-plus more checks ar...

Democrats launch push to promote Obama health law

2010-06-10T14:01:37Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats launched a new push on Thursday to promote U.S. President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul, as the first $250 rebates were mailed to seniors to help plug gaps in Medicare prescription drug coverage.

Democrat...

ObamaCare 2010: Costs To Go UP!

2010-10-27T08:18:01Z

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Senate OKs health care fix-it bill, House is next

2010-06-26T03:23:10Z

Democrats muscled legislation through the Senate on Thursday reshaping parts of the new health care overhaul law, sending it back to the House for what is expected to be final congressional approval. President Barack Obama dared Republicans to try to repeal the law.

With Vice President Joe Biden presiding...

Analysis: Republicans have simple message: No

2010-03-24T12:31:23Z

While Democrats were shaping and delivering health care change, Republicans waged a skilled and largely successful campaign to demonize the whole business.

They still are, still on message. That's not difficult when the central message is simple: No.

Answering simplicity with complexity is a political loser. That's the challenge for President Barack Ob...

It's the law of the land: Health overhaul signed

2010-06-26T03:20:56Z

Jubilant Obama signs historic health overhaul after long struggle _ political fight continues

It was a day of history for the nation — and sweet vindication for President Barack Obama. His grin seemed wider than any in recent memory.

After more than a year of arguing, struggling and dealing, Obama signed into law a nearly $1 trillion health care overhaul that ranks among the biggest changes ev...

Wanted: User manual for health care overhaul

2010-03-23T11:01:02Z

For consumers, passage of health care bill brings an array of new options and trade-offs

President Barack Obama and the Democrats have overcome their doubts and divisions to pass landmark health care legislation affecting every family and one-sixth of the economy. The president signed the main bill at a Analysis shows that Democratic bill would help Americans, reduce deficit

Congressional leaders unveiled the latest version of the health care bill Thursday, and House Democratic leadership was ecstatic.

After months of being hammered by Republicans with lies about the reform plans, Democrats cheered the nonpartisan Congressional Budget OfficeÕs initial analysis of the bill, which unde...

AUA records victories in the Senate as 21.2% cut looms

2010-10-25T11:34:34Z

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Health care odds long, but Democrats push ahead

2010-06-25T21:41:29Z

President Barack Obama argued Thursday that a sweeping overhaul of the nation's broken health care system is imperative for the nation's future economic vitality, clashing in an extraordinary live-on-TV summit with Republicans who want far more modest changes. "We believe we have a better idea," declared GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander.

With the marathon policy debate avai...

We Don't All Want the Same Thing From Health Care Reform

2010-11-03T08:56:54Z

...

Obama, GOP agree on some health areas

2010-04-16T06:57:16Z

Democrats and Republicans found plenty areas of agreement at President Barack Obama's health care summit, starting with a shared belief that the system needs fixing. When they delved into the details, though, consensus evaporated in many cases.

The dynamic illustrated the partisan divide that's riven the health care debate and underscored the difficulty of coming together even on modest measures.

Among the areas where De...

Bottom line at health summit: lots of smoke

2010-04-16T06:58:12Z

Health care summit may need a judge to sort fact from fiction, slam down gavel

Cue the cameras. President Barack Obama and his Republican arch foes will argue their case on health care overhaul at a bipartisan summit expected to stretch out for a solid six hours on live, daytime television Thursday for millions of Americans.

Expect them to collide, not come together. Without a no-nonsense referee to sla...

Failure of health care overhaul will add more woes

2010-04-16T07:07:09Z

If health overhaul fails, look for spiraling premiums, more uninsured, skimpier Medicare

What could be worse than health care overhaul? No health care overhaul.

It's anybody's guess whether President Barack Obama's health remake will survive in Congress.

But there's no doubting the consequences if lawmakers fail to address the problems of costs, cove...

No health care overhaul will bring more problems

2010-04-16T07:07:04Z

What could be worse than health care overhaul? No health care overhaul.

It's anybody's guess whether President Barack Obama's health remake will survive in Congress.

But there's no doubting the consequences if lawmakers fail to address the problems of costs, coverage and quality: surging insurance premiums, more working families without coverage, bigger out-of-pocket bills, a M...

What's worse than health care overhaul? No changes

2010-04-16T07:07:09Z

What could be worse than health care overhaul? No health care overhaul.

It's anybody's guess whether President Barack Obama's health remake will survive in Congress.

Analysis: Gov't takeover of health already reality

2010-06-25T18:37:02Z

In the long, loud argument about President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, opponents contend it would point toward a government takeover of the system. Democrats deny that. Now there's evidence that it's already happening, inexorably, whatever the outcome on the stalled health care bill.

For the first time, government programs will account for more than half of U.S.

Health Insurance Reform Easytoinsureme February 5 2010

2010-10-05T12:49:17Z

FEBRUARY 5, 2010

This Week in Health Care Reform EasyToInsureME FEBRUARY 5 2010

Despite proclaiming to focus on other issues, such as the economy and jobs, President Barack Obama injected new energy into the health care reform debate this week.

On Monday, President Obama held a Q&A session via YouTube in which he responded to questions submitted during his State of the Union address. He commented that "it is my greatest hope" to have health care reform leg...

Recalls: boys' Santa sets, horse toy figures

2010-10-22T14:42:01Z

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THE SUNÕS MOST READ STORIES*

2010-04-16T07:24:42Z

THE SUNÕS MOST

READ STORIES*

1. Behind the walls of polygamy town. Apostate turns atypical upbringing into tour business.

2. GOP victory in Massachusetts signals trouble for Democrats. Close race draws Nevadans into election in final days.

3. Taxes and fees will kick in first, most benefits come later under Dems' health care bill

The costs of health care reform being pushed through Congress by Democrats will be felt long before the benefits.

Proposed taxes and fees on upper-income earners, insurers, even tanning parlors, take effect quickly. So would Medicare cuts.

Benef...

Obama resists as liberals attack health care bill

2010-06-25T19:16:36Z

Squeezed from the right and left, White House battles critics of health care bill

The White House and its allies scrambled Thursday to quash a growing liberal assault on a much-compromised health care proposal, hoping to keep President Barack Obama's top domestic priority from being crushed between the political left and right.

In Senate spee...

Democrats vow to close Medicare 'doughnut hole'

2010-04-16T08:20:11Z

It's an annual ordeal for many seniors living on a budget.

Medicare's coverage gap for prescription drugs — $3,610 next year — has steadily gotten bigger since the benefit's inception. But if Democrats have their way on health care overhaul, the dreaded "doughnut hole" will shrink by $500 right away and go away altogether by 2019.

With the elderly worried that Medicare cuts in the health care bill will put the quality of their o...

Democrats Vow to Close Medicare 'doughnut hole'

2010-10-24T15:17:14Z

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Senate Dems weigh dropping Medicare expansion

2010-04-16T08:24:04Z

Senate Democrats say they may jettison a proposed Medicare expansion from health care legislation they are eager to pass before Christmas.

Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana, emerging from a closed door meeting, said Monday the move is probably necessary to pass the bill.

<...

Senator says opposition grows to Medicare buy-in

2010-04-16T08:26:02Z

Two senators whose support for the health care overhaul has been in question are speaking out against a proposal to let people as young as 55 buy into Medicare.

Independent Joe Lieberman of Connecticut says opposition is growing to the Medicare buy-in. Lieberman says that he'd "have a hard time voting for it."

Expanded Medicare won't provide seamless coverage

2010-06-25T19:22:14Z

Democrats want to expand Medicare to those 55-64, but private insurance may be a better deal

Think Medicare is a great deal? Better ask grandma first. Senate Democrats are talking about allowing aging baby boomers into the program, but it's far from free.

Seniors now on Medicare pay an average of $4,400 a year of their own money for supplemental insurance, premiums, prescription copays, and deductibles for inpa...

A quick vote favors ReidÕs cause

2010-04-16T08:27:32Z

SenateÕs compromise deal expands Medicare and eliminates public option

WASHINGTON To understand the next move on health care reform as the Senate cools its heels and awaits a cost assessment on this weeks proposed compromise, a quick history lesson might provide a road map.

When President Lynd...

Medicare cuts focus of Senate health care debate

2010-06-25T19:29:11Z

Senate Republicans forced Democrats to vote in favor of cutting billions from providers of home care for older people as partisan debate flared Saturday during a rare weekend session on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

Obama planned to travel to Capitol Hill on Sunday to help Democrats resolve internal disputes that stand in the way of

FACT CHECK: Unprovable claims stoke health debate

2010-04-16T08:39:07Z

FACT CHECK: Partial truths vie with inflated claims in rancorous Senate health care debate

When Republican Sen. Tom Coburn warned seniors, "you're going to die sooner" if Democrats pass health care legislation, it stood out as an memorable, unprovable moment in an opening-week debate over President Barack Obama's top domestic initiative.

But not the on...

Dems defeat GOP on restoring $40B in Medicare cuts

2010-04-16T08:38:47Z

Senate Democrats have defeated a GOP attempt to eliminate $40 billion in cuts to home health care services in the health overhaul bill.

The 53-41 vote Saturday came during a rare weekend session to debate President Barack Obama's health legislation.

The vote was the latest Republican attempt to showcase the $460 billion in cuts to projected

Senate roll vote on GOP effort to restore cuts

2010-04-16T08:39:36Z

The 57-41 roll call Friday by which the Senate turned back a Republican effort to restore $120 billion in cuts to Medicare Advantage, the private insurance plans within Medicare that provides seniors with better benefits than the traditional program.

A "yes" vote is a vote to the .

Voting yes were 2 President Barack Obama.

The Business Roundtable, which represents big company CEOs, said some of the changes being considered by Congress have the potential to reduce fut...

House Of Health Care Representatives

2010-10-22T14:26:24Z

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House Dems unveil health bill, cheered on by Obama

2010-06-25T20:08:34Z

Their work swiftly heralded by President Barack Obama, House Democrats rolled out landmark legislation Thursday to extend health care to tens of millions who lack coverage, impose sweeping new restrictions on private insurers and create a government-run insurance option for cost-conscious consumers.

The measure "covers 96 percent of all Americans, and it puts affordable coverage in reach for millions of uninsured and underinsu...

Obama adviser: health reform to ease deficit

2010-04-16T09:38:03Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Countering Republican critics' claims that healthcare reform is too costly, a top White House adviser said on Monday reforming the U.S. health insurance market will significantly reduce the federal budget deficit.

"Done correctly, health care reform can genuinely slow the growth rate of health care costs and thus put us on a path to ...

Republicans say Dems health care plans too costly

2010-04-16T09:40:18Z

GOP says Democrats' plan to overhaul health care will increase costs for the average American

With landmark health care votes expected in the coming weeks, Republicans are warning voters that the Democratic plan to expand coverage to millions who lack it will increase costs for the average American.

In the GOP's ...

Republicans bash Dems over health care proposals

2010-04-16T09:40:18Z

In the GOP's radio and Internet address Saturday, Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns said the health care legislation would mean higher monthly premiums and ...

Doctors begin TV ads pressing Congress on Medicare

2010-06-25T20:16:10Z

Doctors group begins TV offensive pressuring senators to block cuts in Medicare payments

The American Medical Association is launching a coast-to-coast TV ad campaign to press Congress to approve higher payments for doctors treating Medicare patients.

The doctors group announced the ads Thursday, a day after President Barack Obama to fill health posts until his administration stops barring insurers from telling the elderly how Democrats' health overhaul could affect their benefits.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the minority leader, and ...

Democratic chairman pushes for health care changes

2010-06-25T20:34:13Z

Bidding for support from Democrats as well as a single Republican, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee gaveled open a long-awaited debate over health care Tuesday with fresh plans to reduce costs on working-class families and impose new obligations on the insurance industry.

"This is our opportunity to mak...

White House targets insurers over healthcare premiums

2010-04-16T10:11:56Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House kept insurance companies squarely in its sights Tuesday in the push for healthcare reform by releasing research showing that health insurance premiums have risen far faster than inflation in every U.S. state.

U.S. states have experienced premium growth of 90 percent to nearly 150 percent in the past decade, while wage...

Senate Bill Would Tax Those Who Heal

2010-10-22T07:49:11Z

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Baucus says health bill should come soon

2010-06-25T20:49:40Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As President Barack Obama prepares a fresh push for U.S. healthcare reform next week, the senator leading talks to craft bipartisan legislation said he wanted to move "soon" to put a bill together.

"I am committed to getting health care reform done - done soon and done right,"

Defiant response to health protests from Dingell

2010-04-16T11:00:58Z

Congress' longest-serving member vows to continue health care fight over protests

Congress' longest-serving member and a fierce health care advocate vowed Friday to push ahead with Democratic-led efforts to extend coverage to all, saying he won't be intimidated by protesters who disrupted his town-hall meetings.

"I am eager to talk about the bill with anyone who wants to discuss it. That doesn't open the door to everyone who wants to demagogue the discussion...

Health Care Reform's Bad Sticker Shock

2010-10-22T07:33:41Z

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Health care overhaul suffers another setback

2010-06-25T21:33:44Z

The drive to remake the nation's health care system suffered yet another setback in Congress on Thursday when a pivotal group of House Democrats demanded changes in legislation the leadership was drafting on a fast track.

The emerging bill "lacks a number of elements essential to preserving what works and fixing what is broken," 40 members of the Blue Dog Coalition of moderate to conservative President Barack Obama favors, several officials said.

As discussed in the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, the surtax would apply to individuals...

Republicans: U.S. healthcare timetable may slip

2010-06-25T21:34:33Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Critics assailed the Obama administration on Wednesday for a deal with hospitals meant to cut costs, and a top Republican said the U.S. Senate may need more than a planned month to pass a bipartisan healthcare reform bill.

Senate Democrati...

Drug deal valid if Congress overhauls health care

2010-06-25T21:47:38Z

Industry pledge to narrow drug coverage gap contingent on health care overhaul

Hailed by President Barack Obama, a multi-billion-dollar promise by drug companies to narrow a Medicare drug coverage gap for seniors is valid only if Congress succeeds in passing a comprehensive health care bill encounteri...

Baucus, White House in deal with drug industry

2010-06-25T21:53:24Z

The pharmaceutical industry agreed Saturday to spend $80 billion over the next decade improving drug benefits for seniors on Medicare and defraying the cost of President Barack Obama's health care legislation, capping secretive negotiations involving key lawmakers and the White House.

"This new coverage means affordabl...

If Reform Doesn't Make The Industry Angry, It Won't Work

2010-10-26T20:55:51Z

...

If Reform Doesn't Make The Industry Angry, It Won't Work

2010-10-26T20:55:48Z

...

Obama Budget Cuts Medicare Advantage, Helps Generic Biotech

2010-10-23T21:10:57Z

...

(more…)

2010-10-23T21:11:04Z

...

U.S. Senate Democrat still crossing his fingers

2010-06-26T02:16:55Z

Filibuster-proof majority is tantalizingly close

WASHINGTON — As slim as Republican Sen. John Ensign’s chances are of stopping Senate losses this fall as head of his party’s election committee, his counterpart, Sen. Chuck Schumer of Medicare spending will be set aside for another year under a rule change approved by the House on Thursday.

The rule was approved largely along party lines, 231-184, with Democrats pushing for the change.

In response to a warning from Medicare's trustees, Pre...

Partisan fight over Medicare could render seniors victims

2010-04-16T16:52:36Z

WASHINGTON — Doctors across Nevada are weighing whether to continue accepting new Medicare patients if Congress fails to stop a 10 percent pay cut to Medicare providers scheduled to take hold next week.

In the past, Congress has been able to prevent the annual pay cut, an unintended consequence of new Medicare reimbursement formu...

Quotes from the GOP presidential debate

2010-09-10T05:26:29Z

Quotes From the Republican Presidential Debate

Quotes from the Republican debate in Orlando, Fla.:

RUDY GIULIANI

_ "It seems to me the thing that's wrong right at the core of No Child Left Behind is the enforcer of standards should not be the bureaucrat ...

Quotes from the Republican presidential debate

2010-09-10T05:26:26Z

Quotes from the Republican debate in Orlando, Fla.:

RUDY GIULIANI

_ "It seems to me the thing that's wrong right at the core of No Child Left Behind is the enforcer of standards should not be the bureaucrat in Washington...

Midterm Trade Rage

2010-10-30T02:33:17Z

FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2010 file photo, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., listens to a reporters question during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. In these angry political times, Democrats and Democratic Party, walks along with party members during the party's campaign for upcoming general elections Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010, in Yangon, Myanmar. (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win)

Copyright 2010 Priscilla Smith reviews menu changes at her cafe in Denver. The cafe is located just a short walk from where President Barack Obama signed the stimulus package into law last year. Smith keeps a picture of Obama on the wall of her cafe but says she hasn't noticed any changes from the st...

Rebounding Democrats

2010-10-08T09:27:20Z

FILE - In this Sept. 6, 2010 file photo in Los Angeles, United States Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., right, greets union members at a Labor Day Breakfast. While Democrats across the country appeared to be struggling in their election bids, Boxer and others nationwi...

Arkansas Going Red

2010-10-01T13:30:32Z

FILE - In this March 23, 2010, file photo, Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe, a Democrat, is interviewed in his Little Rock, Ark., campaign headquarters. The sagging fortunes of major Democratic campaigns in Arkansas _ highlighted by Sen. Blanche Lincoln's uphill struggle to save her job _ ar...

News on U.S. Democratic Party

Q+A: Will debt panel tackle Medicare, Social Security?

Ad hoc efforts help cut U.S. healthcare costs

Democrats jubilant after bellwether election win

Deficit talks look at spending-cut compromises

Democrats score upset victory in NY election

Budget Battle Leaves Congress in a Bind

A Hose Divided

Obamacare: It's All About Control

(11/2010) Obamacare: It's All About Control

What Bush's health plan means to you

THE HEALTH SCARE DEBATE AND OTHER AMERICAN PROBLEMS

Congressman Fleming Opposes Government Controlled Healthcare

Barack Obama votes to pass healthcare bill

The Healthcare Summit: ABC

Rock. Hard Place. Your Healthcare Options!

Food-Stamp Nation

Democrats hope Medicare checks in the mail help

Will Medicare checks in the mail help Democrats?

Democrats launch push to promote Obama health law

ObamaCare 2010: Costs To Go UP!

Senate OKs health care fix-it bill, House is next

Analysis: Republicans have simple message: No

It's the law of the land: Health overhaul signed

Wanted: User manual for health care overhaul

AUA records victories in the Senate as 21.2% cut looms

Health care odds long, but Democrats push ahead

We Don't All Want the Same Thing From Health Care Reform

Obama, GOP agree on some health areas

Bottom line at health summit: lots of smoke

Failure of health care overhaul will add more woes

No health care overhaul will bring more problems

What's worse than health care overhaul? No changes

Analysis: Gov't takeover of health already reality

Health Insurance Reform Easytoinsureme February 5 2010

Recalls: boys' Santa sets, horse toy figures

THE SUNÕS MOST READ STORIES*

Obama resists as liberals attack health care bill

Democrats vow to close Medicare 'doughnut hole'

Democrats Vow to Close Medicare 'doughnut hole'

Senate Dems weigh dropping Medicare expansion

Senator says opposition grows to Medicare buy-in

Expanded Medicare won't provide seamless coverage

A quick vote favors ReidÕs cause

Medicare cuts focus of Senate health care debate

FACT CHECK: Unprovable claims stoke health debate

Dems defeat GOP on restoring $40B in Medicare cuts

Senate roll vote on GOP effort to restore cuts

House Of Health Care Representatives

House Dems unveil health bill, cheered on by Obama

Obama adviser: health reform to ease deficit

Republicans say Dems health care plans too costly

Republicans bash Dems over health care proposals

Doctors begin TV ads pressing Congress on Medicare

Democratic chairman pushes for health care changes

White House targets insurers over healthcare premiums

Senate Bill Would Tax Those Who Heal

Baucus says health bill should come soon

Defiant response to health protests from Dingell

Health Care Reform's Bad Sticker Shock

Health care overhaul suffers another setback

Republicans: U.S. healthcare timetable may slip

Drug deal valid if Congress overhauls health care

Baucus, White House in deal with drug industry

If Reform Doesn't Make The Industry Angry, It Won't Work

If Reform Doesn't Make The Industry Angry, It Won't Work

Obama Budget Cuts Medicare Advantage, Helps Generic Biotech

(more…)

U.S. Senate Democrat still crossing his fingers

Partisan fight over Medicare could render seniors victims

Quotes from the GOP presidential debate

Quotes from the Republican presidential debate

Midterm Trade Rage

Rebounding Democrats

Arkansas Going Red