Republican leaders worry their long list of candidates may cause trouble

(Charlie Neibergall / AP)
Officials fear a long primary battle will pull candidates to the right and drain their funds before the fall election.
Latest Politics News

As he prepares to launch, O’Malley faces a steep path to nomination

As he prepares to launch, O’Malley faces a steep path to nomination
The Democrat from Maryland must find a way to get noticed — and liked — in a Clinton-dominated primary.

Iowa GOP Lincoln Dinner highlights: Walker’s throwback pic, Fiorina getting cut off and Graham’s jokes

Nearly a dozen Republican presidential hopefuls or likely contenders are pitching themselves in Des Moines.

Long-time Texas conservative activist endorses Cruz for president

Long-time Texas conservative activist endorses Cruz for president
Paul Pressler’s endorsement comes as Mike Huckabee challenges Cruz for the support of religious voters. 

In Northern Virginia, a GOP congresswoman already on the run

In Northern Virginia, a GOP congresswoman already on the run
Barbara Comstock won office easily in 2014, but 2016 is an entirely different matter — and she knows it. 

Clinton’s claim that illegal immigrants pay more in taxes than some corporations

Several readers contacted The Fact Checker asking about this assertion by the former secretary of state, made as she discussed her policy goals for tackling illegal immigration.

It turns out Ted Cruz doesn’t get his insurance through Obamacare

It turns out Ted Cruz doesn’t get his insurance through Obamacare
He wants to kill the health-care plan, but then he had said he might have to sign up for it himself.

The 10 best pictures from Friday night’s Mitt Romney-Evander Holyfield fight

The 10 best pictures from Friday night’s Mitt Romney-Evander Holyfield fight
The fight of the century.

This New Yorker cartoon is full of political wisdom

Saying nothing is often the best political strategy.

America’s biggest city halls have more gender balance than Congress, but it’s still pretty low

America’s biggest city halls have more gender balance than Congress, but it’s still pretty low
If there’s no women in state and local government, don’t expect to find them in federal government.

How Clintons went from ‘dead broke’ to rich

How Clintons went from ‘dead broke’ to rich
Hillary Rodham Clinton and former president Bill Clinton earned in excess of $25 million for delivering more than 100 speeches since January 2014, a huge infusion to their net worth as she was readying for a presidential bid. In contrast, GOP contender Marco Rubio reported a far more modest financial portfolio and at least $450,000 in mortgage debt.

How Marco Rubio’s shifting positions could hurt his presidential campaign

How Marco Rubio’s shifting positions could hurt his presidential campaign
His rhetoric on Iraq highlights what could become a bigger headache. 

Attempt to block same-sex marriages in Texas is turned back

Attempt to block same-sex marriages in Texas is turned back
Republicans failed to pass the bill before a midnight deadline.

After Boston bombings verdict, O’Malley reaffirms opposition to death penalty

After Boston bombings verdict, O’Malley reaffirms opposition to death penalty
Capital punishment was abolished in Maryland during his governorship.

Lindsey Graham, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, and the fight over what to do with terror suspects

Tsarnaev was sentenced within 760 days of his crime. The accused 9/11 mastermind has been waiting for 5,000.

House passes Pentagon measure after fights on funding, immigration

House passes Pentagon measure after fights on funding, immigration
Spending bill was slowed by debate over whether DREAM Act immigrants should be able to serve in the military.

Late night’s best jokes about Jeb Bush (Video)

Stewart, Meyers, Fallon, and Letterman all had something to say.

Columba Bush gets social (media)

Former Florida first lady branching out to help her husband as he prepares to run for president.

Best state in America: Vermont, for museum lovers (per capita)

Best state in America: Vermont, for museum lovers (per capita)
D.C. may have the most per square mile and California may have more overall, but Vermont has the most museums per capita.

The parents of the boy killed in Boston didn’t want the death penalty for Tsarnaev. Here’s why.

The parents of the boy killed in Boston didn’t want the death penalty for Tsarnaev. Here’s why.
Martin Richard’s family would rather not go through the process, which takes an average of 16 years.
VIDEO

Texas Roundup: Bills, deadlines and 'chubbing'

Texas Roundup: Bills, deadlines and 'chubbing'
The end of the week marked the end for scores of bills in the Texas House, including school finance reform legislation. Lawmakers were strategically long-winded when considering bills, leaving little time to take up legislation before a key deadline.
VIDEO

Comedians jab Bush family

Comedians jab Bush family
Late-night hosts spent the week on Jeb Bush and questions he’s facing on his brother’s legacy in Iraq.

When Barack Obama sang ‘Sweet Home Chicago’ with B.B. King

Remembering the King.

Support for international trade is at its highest level ever. But, it’s not that simple.

Support for international trade is at its highest level ever. But, it’s not that simple.
Since 2008, Democrats have been much more supportive of trade.

At officers’ memorial, Obama extends an olive branch

At officers’ memorial, Obama extends an olive branch
President Obama shifted his focus Friday from impoverished communities in crisis to the men and women who police them.

Michelle Obama takes 22 percent against Hillary Clinton in a poll of Imaginaryland voters

Michelle Obama takes 22 percent against Hillary Clinton in a poll of Imaginaryland voters
Polls are interesting! They are also sometimes dumb.

Rick Perry set to announce presidential plans

Rick Perry set to announce presidential plans
An invitation’s gone out for a June 4 event in Dallas.

Federal employee charged in defrauding scheme

Federal employee charged in defrauding scheme
Two men indicted for defrauding U.S. government by invoicing costs of nutritional supplement sales. 
VIDEO

Clinton: Immigrant detention facilities have legal requirement to fill beds

Clinton: Immigrant detention facilities have legal requirement to fill beds
During a recent immigration discussion, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton claimed that detention centers privately contracted with the federal government have a legal requirement to fill beds.

The increasingly ugly gerrymandering of America — in 7 maps

The increasingly ugly gerrymandering of America — in 7 maps
How the districts have shifted (and cragged) over time.

Hollywood ignores red states. It doesn’t seem to matter.

Hollywood ignores red states. It doesn’t seem to matter.
A look at which shows skew left and right.

GOP on defensive over charges that it’s underfunded Amtrak

Republicans say more funding for Amtrak isn’t the answer.
VIDEO

Hillary Clinton 'Hello Brooklyn' | Campaign 2016

Hillary Clinton 'Hello Brooklyn' | Campaign 2016
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton posted on Facebook a video of her greeting several pedestrians and one taxi driver in Brooklyn, N.Y.
VIDEO

Bill Clinton's 1992 ad: 'Morning' in Decaturville, Tenn.

Bill Clinton's 1992 ad: 'Morning' in Decaturville, Tenn.
Bill Clinton, then the 1992 Democratic presidential nominee, featured Decaturville, Tenn., in an ad attacking President George H.W. Bush's economic policies.

This Hillary-Clinton-in-Brooklyn video brings the Beastie Boys to Sesame Street

More New York stereotypes, please.

‘Paid for by O’Malley for President’ — and 9 other signs O’Malley is in

‘Paid for by O’Malley for President’ — and 9 other signs O’Malley is in
Aides to the former Maryland governor have been trying to maintain suspense about a May 30 event.