Stephen Dinan

Romney rivals brush off losses in Nevada

Mitt Romney's victory in Nevada's Republican presidential caucuses Saturday set him up for a delegate-rich run through February, but did nothing to whittle down the field of four who say there's plenty of time to catch up. Published February 5, 2012

Romney wins Nevada, builds momentum for February

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney powered to his second straight victory in the Republican presidential nomination battle Saturday, easily winning Nevada's caucuses and building momentum likely to carry him through this month's series of contests. Published February 4, 2012

Romney seeks to maintain momentum in Nevada vote

It was chaos, but voting began Saturday in Nevada's Republican presidential caucuses as Mitt Romney sought to continue his momentum and three other candidates tried to derail his bid. Published February 4, 2012

Senators join suits on recess appointments

Republican senators said this week they will file papers supporting lawsuits trying to overturn President Obama's recess appointments and demanding that the Senate's top Democrat explain his own change of heart on the constitutional questions raised by the president's move. Published February 2, 2012

Nevadans feel their issues ignored

Nevada fought hard to be the first Western state to vote in the Republican presidential primary, offering the chance to break out of East Coast issues and let candidates hone their appeals to the Wild West on everything from water rights to nuclear energy. So far, that just hasn't happened. Published February 2, 2012

Trump urges Romney to ‘go out and get ‘em’; Angle backs Santorum

After repeatedly flirting with his own presidential bid last year, business tycoon Donald Trump on Thursday picked someone else as his stand-in, endorsing fellow businessman Mitt Romney. Published February 2, 2012

Hispanics out West a tougher sell for Romney

Mitt Romney took a hard line on illegal immigration, was labeled anti-immigrant and had a national network of Hispanic Republicans come out against him, yet he won Florida's primary by carrying more than half of Hispanics who voted - better than he did among whites. Published February 1, 2012

Romney wins big among Hispanics in Florida primary

Mitt Romney took a hard-line position on immigration into the Florida primary Tuesday and emerged victorious, signaling that his stance isn't costing him yet, though it could still be a problem if he's the GOP's presidential nominee in November. Published February 1, 2012

Candidates head to Nevada for caucuses

After three big primaries that seemed to write, rewrite and then re-rewrite the 2012 GOP campaign storyline, the candidates now begin a stretch run where four of the next five contests are caucuses. Published January 31, 2012

Budget chief: Big challenges, ‘worrisome trends’ for U.S.

After years of putting off big decisions the federal government faces daunting budget challenges this year, according to Congress's chief scorekeeper, which said Tuesday that continued high unemployment, low tax rates and above-average spending are creating a volatile mixture. Published January 31, 2012

CBO says federal employees rake in much more pay

Buoyed by generous benefit packages, federal workers earn significantly better compensation than similarly educated workers in the private sector, according to a report released Monday from Congress' chief scorekeeper that threatens to reignite at the national level last year's state battles over public-employee rights. Published January 30, 2012

Bill would ban using Hill data for profit

Moving quickly on at least a part of President Obama's State of the Union program, Senate Democrats will hold their first vote Monday on a bill to prevent members of Congress from profiting from inside knowledge gained through their official duties. Published January 26, 2012

Senate clears way for hike to $16.4T debt limit

The debt fight that dominated Congress last year whimpered to a close Thursday as the Senate voted to clear the way for President Obama to raise the federal government's borrowing limit by another $1.2 trillion to $16.4 trillion, which he hopes will last past the November election. Published January 26, 2012

Senate paves way for final debt increase

The debt fight that dominated Congress last year whimpered to a close Thursday as the Senate voted to clear the way for President Obama to raise the federal government's borrowing limit by another $1.2 trillion to $16.4 trillion, which he hopes will last past the November election. Published January 26, 2012

Democrats press for Koch testimony on Keystone XL

Democrats demanded Wednesday that Koch Industries officials testify before Congress about whether they have any financial stake in the Keystone XL pipeline, as President Obama's allies sought to limit political damage from his decision this month to reject the project. Published January 25, 2012

Giffords exits, but legacy of cooperation could remain

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords had been through State of the Union addresses before. But it was the speech she missed last year where her presence was felt most — and has given her a chance at a lasting legacy. Published January 24, 2012

Inability to sway undecideds hurt Romney

Mitt Romney on Sunday downplayed his collapse in South Carolina's primary over the weekend, saying winner Newt Gingrich had "a good week." But the results of the vote show the former Massachusetts governor still hasn't overcome his problems with conservative voters searching for any candidate but him. Published January 22, 2012

Gingrich backs portion of Dream Act

Newt Gingrich on Friday backed at least a portion of the Dream Act, saying that he would grant a path to citizenship to illegal immigrant youths who agree to sign up and serve in the U.S. military. Published January 20, 2012

Gingrich assails infidelity charges in S.C. debate

Besieged by accusations from one of his former wives of marital problems, Newt Gingrich on Thursday night fired back, blaming the press for carrying the story and calling it "trash," as he and the three remaining Republican candidates held their final debate before South Carolina's primary on Saturday. Published January 19, 2012

Backers reflective of Paul’s wild-card status

Wonder Ann is a big Ron Paul supporter - so much so that during his town-hall meeting here Tuesday she urged him to consider ditching the GOP and running as an independent if he doesn't win the Republican presidential nomination. Published January 19, 2012