Social Issues

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American Conservative Union Chairman Al Cardenas is among those wondering whether social conservatives and libertarians can actually get along. (American Conservative Union)

** FILE ** In this July 31, 2013, file photo, Minnesota Mayor R.T. Rybak applauds after a performance by the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus at the Minneapolis City Hall. Rybak is hitting the road to promote his state's new gay marriage law. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)

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Terry McAuliffe has made a point that Republican Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II's comments about the lesbian and gay community are inimical to economic growth. The numbers, however, say Virginia has done well in the past four years under GOP leadership. (Associated Press)

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During his 13-hour filibuster in March to protest U.S. drone policy, Sen. Rand Paul, Kentucky Republican, snacked on candy at his desk. Senate curators were called quickly afterward to clean up any messes. (Associated Press)

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The candy desk, which consistently needs the most maintenance, stands in the back row on the Republican side, close to the most heavily used entrance to the Senate chamber. (senate.gov PHOTOGRAPHS)

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** FILE ** Rep. Edward R. Royce, California Republican and chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

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March 19, 2010 "After dinner, the President returned to the Oval Office to continue pressing Congressmen to vote for the health care reform bill. In those final days before the vote, the President made hundreds of calls." (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

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Sen. James E. Risch, Idaho Republican (left) and Sen. Bob Corker, Tennessee Republican, listen to testimony from Secretary of State John F. Kerry. Mr. Risch said that he was reluctant partly because of "where this is going to go, as to the limit that we're going to put on it."

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Palestinian supporters of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine wave their red flags in Rafah Refugee Camp, southern Gaza Strip, on Sept. 3, 2013, while holding Syrian flags and pictures of late Egyptian President Gamal Abdel-Nasser and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah during a protest against a possible military attack by the United States on Syria, . Arabic on placards reads, "America and France are the enemies of the Arab nations, greetings from Gaza to the master of the Lebanese resistance, the leader Hassan Nasrallah and greetings to the Syrian, Lebanese and Palestinian resistance." (Associated Press)

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President Obama, flanked by House Speaker John Boehner (left), Ohio Republican, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, speaks to media in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Sept. 3, 2013, before a meeting with members of Congress to discuss the situation in Syria. (Associated Press)

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Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel (2) scrambles for yards during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Rice, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, in College Station, Texas. Manziel missed the first half due to an NCAA suspension. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)