Yahoo! News: Elections 2012

Elections 2012

• Justice Dept. turns over docs in Fast and Furious (AP)

  AP - Newly released Justice Department emails sent to Capitol Hill for a congressional inquiry into a gun-smuggling operation indicate that the head of the department's criminal division suggested letting some illicit "straw" weapons buyers in the U.S. transport their guns across the border into Mexico where they could be arrested.

• Paul braves snowy Maine in hunt for GOP delegates (AP)

  AP - Ron Paul braved Maine's snow and ice Friday in a quest to pick up delegates, vowing he and his loyal band of supporters would be a factor in the Republican nominating contest for weeks to come.

  
  

• Could another Republican join the 2012 race? (Reuters)

  Reuters - Is it too late for another Republican to jump into the 2012 U.S. presidential race?

• Dates set for elections to replace Giffords (AP)

  AP - Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has picked dates in April and June for the special elections to choose a replacement for Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

• GOP insiders rise up to cut Gingrich down to size (AP)

  AP - Republican insiders are rising up to cut Newt Gingrich down to size, testament to the GOP establishment's fear that the mercurial candidate could lead the party to disaster this fall.

  
  

• Romney, Gingrich focus on Hispanic voters in Fla. (AP)

  AP - Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney urged conservatives to back off aggressive anti-immigration policies as the Republican presidential candidates vied for Hispanic votes Friday, a day marked by heightened tensions entering the final weekend before Florida's primary.

  
  

• Washington state marijuana legalization headed for ballot (Reuters)

  Reuters - Supporters of legalizing marijuana for recreational use have submitted enough signatures to put the matter to voters in Washington state in a bold move that, if successful, could put Olympia on a collision course with the federal government.

• Arizona candidate appeals English ability court decision (Reuters)

  Reuters - A woman barred from seeking elected office in an Arizona border town by a judge who ruled she did not have a sufficient grasp of English has decided to fight the controversial ruling, and filed an appeal on Friday, her lawyer said.

• At home in Texas, Perry gets rocky welcome (Reuters)

  Reuters - Governor Rick Perry has gotten a rocky welcome home to Texas, facing low poll numbers and criticism over state expenses related to his failed campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.

• Obama administration bolsters homeowner lifeline (Reuters)

  Reuters - The Obama administration, in an election-year bid to help distressed homeowners, on Friday expanded its main foreclosure prevention program, and pushed for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to forgive mortgage debt.

  
  

• Obama meets with George H.W. and Jeb Bush (AP)

  AP - President Barack Obama met with former President George H.W. Bush and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in the Oval Office on Friday, joining in a bipartisan gathering in an election year.

• Settlement talks under way in Texas redistricting (AP)

  AP - A lengthy and contentious fight over Texas redistricting plans took a new twist Friday when the state and a minority group opposing the redrawn maps started negotiating over the disputed districts in hopes of preserving its April 3 primary.

• Republican senator wants Keystone XL bill (Reuters)

  Reuters - Republican Senator John Hoeven is set to introduce legislation on Monday seeking to bypass President Barack Obama and empower Congress to approve the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, an aide said on Friday.

• Gingrich's Grandiose Moon Base Good Idea at the Wrong Time? (ContributorNetwork)

  ContributorNetwork - COMMENTARY | Sometimes being "grandiose" can become a bit of a problem. Take, for instance, Newt Gingrich's comments about establishing a moon base during his presidency. As reported by CBS News, although there have been plans for moon outposts made in the past, the former Speaker's moon shot became a topic at the CNN debate in Florida Thursday evening and might have hit his campaign in the foot just as the Florida Primary looms.

• Fading Gingrich attacks Romney in ad (Reuters)

  Reuters - Newt Gingrich struggled to regain momentum in the Republican presidential race on Friday as two new polls showed him falling behind rival Mitt Romney, who was seen as the winner of the final debate before the Florida primary.

• Tired and trailing, Santorum goes home to do taxes (AP)

  AP - Rick Santorum is tired, trailing — and going home.

  
  

• Two Florida Republicans say time to temper immigration rhetoric (Reuters)

  Reuters - Two prominent Florida Republicans urged their party to tone down its rhetoric on illegal immigration or risk driving away Latino voters who may be a important bloc in this year's presidential election.

• A political tip sheet for the rest of us (AP)

  AP - A political tip sheet for the rest of us outside the Washington Beltway, for Friday, Jan. 27, 2012:

  
  

• Paul denies report that he approved newsletters (AP)

  AP - Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul on Friday flatly denied a Washington Post report that he was deeply involved in the company that produced provocative, racially charged newsletters and that he signed off on articles.