News on U.S. Republican Party

Congress poised to pass payroll tax cut deal

2011-12-22T22:30:11Z

(Reuters) - Congress, after months of bitter fighting, is poised on Friday to pass a payroll tax cut extension that President Barack Obama argues is vital to the health of the economy.

The legislation would continue for two months a 4.2 percent payroll tax rate that otherwise would expire on December 31 and ratchet up to 6.2 percent for...

Senate Republican tries to end tax impasse

2011-12-22T09:30:24Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top Senate Republican on Thursday sought to break a year-end impasse over extending a payroll tax cut for 160 million Americans, an issue that has deeply divided his party and raised the risk of an economic downturn in 2012.

Mitc...

Republicans stick to guns despite scorn

2011-12-21T17:30:45Z

US Republican lawmakers faced a torrent of political pressure and media scorn Wednesday after triggering an uproar by blocking a compromise plan to extend a tax break for 160 million Americans.

The conservative editorial page of the Wall Street Journal, normally a bastion of support for House of Repres...

Republicans under pressure over payroll tax cut

2011-12-21T09:30:29Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Congressional Republicans were under growing pressure on Wednesday to agree to a 60-day extension of an expiring payroll tax cut for 160 million workers and end a stand-off with Democrats that threatens to undercut a fragile U.S. economic recovery.

The Repub...

Obama, Boehner lock horns in payroll tax fight

2011-12-20T15:30:19Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama demanded on Tuesday that Republicans in the House of Representatives pass a short-term extension of a payroll tax cut, showing an unwillingness to back down in a fight that could res...

Mitt Romney Most Trusted On Gay Marriage, Poll Says

2011-12-20T09:00:21Z

A new poll has Mitt Romney edging out Newt Gingrich as the most trusted GOP presidential candidate on gay marriage

A new poll has Mitt Romney edging out Newt Gingrich as the most trusted GOP presidential candidate on gay marriage.

According to the Washington showdown.

Time is running out for Congress to act on President Barack Obama's demand for a plan to alleviate the pain of the middle class and help the jobless: if lawmakers cannot pro...

Payroll tax cut extension stuck in partisan fight

2011-12-19T18:00:24Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With a tax cut for 160 million U.S. workers set to expire in less than two weeks, Republicans and Democrats in Congress on Monday were mired in a last-ditch battle over extending it.

In a surprise turnabout, Republicans in the House of Representatives are...

House Republicans oppose Senate payroll tax bill

2011-12-18T14:00:25Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The fate of an expiring tax break for 160 million American workers was in doubt on Sunday after the top Republican lawmaker declared his opposition to a two-month extension passed overwhelmingly by the Senate.

House of Representatives Minnesota state Senator Amy Koch on Thursday resigned from her post as Senate majority leader over an alleged 'inappropriate relationship'

Minnesota state Senator Amy Koch on Thursday resigned from her post as Senate majority leader over allegations she was involved in an “inappropriate relationship,” Fox affiliate COLUMBUS, Ohio (Reuters) - Ohio lawmakers this week settled a fight over a congressional redistricting map, eliminating the possibility of a referendum vote over the issue in 2012.

State lawmakers approved a new map, along with a plan to avert two primaries next spring, which will save the s...

Special Report: Tea Party grassroots army readies for battle

2011-12-14T21:30:09Z

MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina (Reuters) - For insight into the conservative Tea Party movement's battle plan in 2012, check out Joe Dugan's Google spreadsheets.

Dugan, 66, a retired manufacturing executive and chairman of the Myrtle Beach T...

Tea Party Roils Republican Bid to Control Senate

2011-12-14T11:30:21Z

Some mainstream GOP candidates might sit out 2012 races, much to the delight of incumbent Democrats.

The tea party is throwing a snag into Republican plans for a slam-dunk 2012 Senate election season, scaring off Republicans who were considered solid contenders in some states and forcin...

It's boilerplate vs. ethics in federal races

2011-12-13T02:31:19Z

For months now, Democrats have been bludgeoning Sen. Dean Heller and Rep. Joe Heck with familiar and tiresome rhetoric to frighten old people into voting for their opponents.Cutting Medicare. Cutting Social Se...

Lawmakers rush to broker spending bill

2011-12-08T15:00:40Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top lawmakers are aiming to forge a deal to keep the government operating beyond next week, even as Republican measures to restrict funding for abortions and the Obama administration's health care act threaten to derail it.

If Congress fails to iron out differences before December 16, lawmakers will b...

In Hispanic-heavy Colorado, Obama must work to win

2011-12-08T09:00:13Z

DENVER (Reuters) - Though demographic trends lean in his favor, President Barack Obama has work to do in Colorado to woo Hispanics, the voting bloc that holds the key to victory in this battleground state and, potentially, nationwide.

Strong support from Latinos helped Democrats win the governorshi...

Can Gingrich Derail Romney?

2011-12-05T11:30:29Z

He’ll make it interesting, but GOP voters will find Romney the better bet to beat President Obama.

It's hard to ignore Newt Gingrich’s return fr...

Rick Santorum: Newt Gingrich Has Pushed Social Issues To The Back Of The Bus

2011-12-04T11:30:05Z

Rick Santorum continues to champion social values as the key to winning the GOP presidential nomination

Rick Santorum continues to champion social values as the key to winning the GOP presidential nomination.

Despite polling in the single digits in early caucus state Iowa, Santorum hit...

Tea Party support falling in US: poll

2011-11-30T19:30:49Z

Support for the conservative Tea Party is slipping across America, even in areas that a year ago swept the movement's first lawmakers to power in a devastating blow for Democrats, a new poll says.

And in a worrying sign for Republicans ahead of the November 2012 elections, the mainstream party's image has fallen more dramatically in Tea Party districts than around the country as a whole, the Barack Obama's campaign has been assiduously reactivating the formidable infrastructure that helped drive him to victory four years ago.

Obama and the Democratic Party have been pouring organizing resources into battleground states such as Nevada

Is GOP missing chance to grow?

2011-11-23T02:31:09Z

Rick Perry, the immigration moderate, is sinking in the Republican presidential polls. GOP Sen. Dean Heller is ditching scheduled campaign appearances at Latin Chamber of Commerce meetings. And even conservatives in the Hispanic community are gaga for Democratic congressional candidate Ruben Kihuen.

So as Latino Republican leaders in Reuters) - The top Democrat in Congress said on Tuesday he saw few signs of progress on a deficit-cutting deal as negotiators struggled to bridge their differences on tax increases and benefit cuts.

His Republican counterpart, meanwhile, predicted that Congress would approve a deal that might emerge from a 12-member "super committee" tasked with finding $1.2 trillion in budget sa...

Gingrich tops Republican field in poll

2011-11-14T13:30:28Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich leads the field in a national survey released on Monday, the latest boost for the former house speaker's surging campaign for the White House.

Gingrich's bid for the Republican no...

Former house speaker Gingrich tops Republican field in poll

2011-11-14T13:00:25Z

Gingrich's bid for the Republican no...

State GOP fumbles away advantage

2011-11-10T02:30:40Z

Only two months ago, Nevada Republicans were seeing red — in a good way.The party was finally getting professional, the GOP prospects to win the presidential and U.S. Senate races here were looking good and they believed the redistricting court fight was going their way. (I was impressed: See http://tinyurl.com/NVGOPin2012.)

But now, a year...

Insight: In 2012, some "Obamacons" turn back to Republicans

2011-10-31T22:30:07Z

WASHINGTON/CHICAGO (Reuters) - In contrast to 2008, Democratic President Barack Obama cannot count on a wave of support for his re-election bid next year from well-known moderate Republicans.

Unhappy with Obama's handling of the economy, conservative backers from three years ago...

Rick Santorum: Mitt Romney To Blame For Gay Marriage

2011-10-30T07:30:17Z

Rick Santorum on Saturday told a crowd of Republicans that he's finished making apologies for his opposition to gay marriage

Rick Santorum on Saturday told a crowd of conservative Republicans that he's finished making apologies for his opposition to gay marriage and blamed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney for its legalization.

Speaking...

Cain's smoking ad divides Republicans: Reuters/Ipsos poll

2011-10-28T16:30:08Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Presidential hopeful Herman Cain's quirky "smoking ad" may have mystified many Americans, but according to a new Reuters/Ipsos online poll, it has drawn a sharp line between Republicans who ident...

Top Obama aide vents frustration with Congress

2011-10-28T14:00:13Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A top aide to President Barack Obama expressed frustration on Friday with his fellow Democrats as well as Republican members of Congress for resisting the White House's domestic agenda.

The comments by Obama's chief of staff

Election worries give momentum to deficit talks

2011-10-28T07:30:35Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The congressional "super committee" charged with slashing the U.S. deficit have heard from legions of lobbyists and lawmakers bent on influencing the outcome. Now members are getting an earful from Republican and Democratic leaders who want them to reach a deal and help restore voters' faith in Congress before the 2012 elections.

The panel's six Republican...

House passes minor element of Obama jobs plan

2011-10-27T10:00:17Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republican-led House of Representatives on Thursday passed a minor element of President Barack Obama's jobs bill as consensus remained elusive on other efforts to boost the struggling economy.

Wi...

Jon Stewart Mocks Pat 'Gay People Cause Hurricanes' Robertson's GOP Concern

2011-10-27T07:30:12Z

Jon Stewart has mocked Pat Robertson's call for GOP candidates to tone down their rhetoric

Jon Stewart has mocked Pat Robertson's call for GOP candidates to tone down their rhetoric.

During his Tuesday opening monologue of Nevada, the Battle Born State that prides itself on a combative, Western attitude toward a sometimes-overbearing federal government, is about to surrender to a miniature, Eastern monarchy.So one of the most colorful, vibrant states in the country, having asserted itself as a national political player last presidential cycle, will capitulate to white-as-the-driven-snow Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich and Michele Bachmann's stuck poll numbers leave them effectively out of a GOP debate

Rick Santorum, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich ...

Republican senator McCain rivals Obama jobs bill

2011-10-13T18:30:54Z

Veteran Republican Senator John McCain on Thursday unveiled an alternative employment plan after his party this week blocked President Barack Obama's jobs bill in the Senate.

McCain presented proposals drawn up with fellow Senator Rand Paul, a member of the conservative Tea Party movement, pledging to halt new r...

White House vows to push job bill "piece by piece"

2011-10-11T09:30:27Z

PITTSBURGH (Reuters) - The White House vowed to push forward with President Barack Obama's jobs package "piece by piece" if a vote fails on Tuesday in the U.S. S...

Democrats wary of their unpopular president

2011-10-10T22:30:09Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Four years ago, Senator Claire McCaskill was one of Barack Obama's biggest boosters in his presidential campaign. But when he recently visited her state of Missouri, she did not have time to join him.

Many of McC...

Majority Support DADT Repeal, Including Most Republicans

2011-10-06T09:00:13Z

A majority of Americans and a plurality of Republicans support repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

A majority of Americans and a plurality of Republicans support repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell.”

The military ended its 18-year-old policy that banned gay and bisexual troops from serving openly on September 20, nine months after Congress repealed the law with the help of...

Perry plummets, Cain climbs in US 2012 race: poll

2011-10-04T11:30:29Z

Texas Governor Rick Perry's popularity has plummeted following some weak debate showings as former pizza company executive Herman Cain has risen to tie him, a new poll showed Tuesday.

The Washington Post/ABC News poll of...

Obama says expects jobs bill vote by end of October

2011-10-03T09:30:16Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said on Monday he expects the Congress to vote on his $447 billion jobs package by the end of October.

"It's been several weeks now since I sent up the American Jobs Act, and as I have been saying on the road, I want it back. I am ready to sign it," he told reporters.

"My ...

Inmates prepare to take over GOP asylum

2011-09-29T02:30:17Z

Republicans in Nevada have a lot to smile about these days. But, in the comedy show that is this state's politics, they are poised to give Democrats the last laugh.Riding an artificial high after Rep. Mark Amodei's crushing victory in the House special election, salivating over President B...

Joe Biden Calls Booing Of Gay Soldier 'Reprehensible'

2011-09-27T12:00:35Z

Vice President Joe Biden has called the booing of a gay service member during Thursday night's GOP presidential debate 'reprehensible'

Vice President Joe Biden has called the booing of a gay service member during Thursday night's GOP presidential debate “reprehensible.”

During the televised President Barack Obama has spoken out against the booing of a gay service member during Thursday night's GOP presidential debate

President Barack Obama has spoken out against the booing of a gay service member during Thursday night's GOP presidential debate.

During the televised CINCINNATI (Reuters) - President Barack Obama sought on Thursday to ratchet up pressure for congressional approval of his $447 billion jobs plan, taking his pitch to the backyard of his two top Republican foes and using an aging bridge as a prop.

In the latest stop on what...

Republicans vying to take on Obama in 2012

2011-09-22T13:00:23Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential hopefuls gathered in Florida on Thursday for a debate that is likely to see front-runners Rick Perry and Mitt Romney jockeying for the lead.

The debate sponsored by

GOP spins election as referendum on president

2011-09-16T02:33:04Z

Democrats dismiss Amodei's victory in district that has always gone to Republican candidates

Mark Amodei's win in the 2nd Congressional District special election is the latest sign that the 2012 election could be a full-throttle struggle between Republicans and Democrats in Nevada, where neither party has a decisive edge.

That Am...

Rhode Island GOP Drops Anti-Gay Rep. Dan Gordon

2011-09-14T07:30:14Z

Rhode Island State Rep. Dan Gordon has been ousted by the state's GOP caucus

Rhode Island State Rep. Dan Gordon has been ousted by the state's GOP caucus.

Gordon, who stirred up controversy in March when he condemned the formation of a gay-straight club at a local high school, is no longer allowed to attend the gatherings of fellow Reuters) - Eight Republican presidential hopefuls will meet on Monday in a debate co-sponsored by CNN and the fiscally conservative Tea Party movement, which helped elect dozens of Republicans to Congress in 2010.

Here are four keys to the debate among candidates vying to become the Republican presidential nomi...

Top Republican urges no boycott of Obama speech

2011-09-08T13:30:42Z

US House Speaker John Boehner urged fellow Republicans not to boycott President Barack Obama's jobs speech on Thursday and said he hoped for "common ground" with the President Barack Obama will try to co-opt the anger of Americans stifled by the stagnant economy to punish Republicans at the polls if they kill the jobs plan he unveils Thursday, Democrats said.

But even before Obama basks in the pomp of a joint session of Congress to debut the plan at 7 pm (2300 GMT) Republicans are warning that Obama's policies on iss...

Nevada GOP could give Democrats fits in 2012

2011-09-07T02:31:41Z

In 2008, the state Republican Party was a painful joke.The GOP had a governor (Jim Gibbons) who was a national laughingstock, and a senator (John Ensign) who was, ahem, otherwise occupied. The party had no money and no credibility.

Result: Barack Obama won

Obama poll ratings dive as job speech looms

2011-09-06T18:30:29Z

President Barack Obama's poll numbers crashed to new lows ahead of his crucial speech Thursday aimed at tackling zero US job growth and reviving his own political fortunes.

Opinion polls revealed a mood of deep pessimism in the American electorate, amid high unemployment and economic anxiety, and suggested an unpredictable run-up to the 2012 election with Republic...

Analysis: Republican "Young Guns" make history, draw fire

2011-09-06T01:30:12Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A year after declaring themselves "Young Guns" ready to clean up Washington, these budget-slashing Republicans are drawing more jeers than cheers -- and raising Democrats' hopes for next year's election.

Having rejected compromise and ...

Deficit panel names Republican as staff director

2011-08-30T09:30:16Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A high-level Republican aide on the U.S. Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday was named staff director of the new congressional committee that will look for at least $1.2 trillion in government savings over the next decade.

Mark Prater, who has serve...

Foreign policy thicket

2011-08-26T02:30:12Z

Complaints about U.S. role in Libya show divide, difficulty of issue

Mitt Romney, a Republican presidential candidate, complained last month about President Barack Obama's handling of the situation in Libya.As Reuters) - For presidential hopefuls in a campaign that is all about the U.S. economy, the Republican contenders have offered few clear plans for what they would do to get the country's finances back on track.

The candidates generally agree on a basic set of strongly conservative financial principles: they want to cut government spending, lower taxes, reduce regulation and balanc...

Analysis: Republicans turn sights on "activist" EPA

2011-08-16T11:30:14Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Emboldened by their success wresting concessions from the Obama administration in debt-limit talks, House Republicans now plan an assault of similar vigor on the Environmental Protection Agency

Obama seeks bounce back on jobs bus tour

2011-08-13T19:30:37Z

Mired in one of the bleakest patches of his presidency, Barack Obama hits the US heartland Monday, seeking to rekindle the spirit of hope which swept him to the White House but has been crushed by a lame economy.

Obama will embark on a fabled ritual of American politics -- a bus tour to rural areas of Minnesota, Iowa and Maggie Gallagher and Frank Cannon are outraged over the GOP response to New York legalizing gay marriage

Maggie Gallagher, board chair of the Republicans in Wisconsin recall elections that were closely watched for signs of a backlash against Tea Party conservatives in a presidential battleground state, results showed Wednesday.

Republican candidates successfully defended four seats in the Wisconsin state senate in Tuesday's elections, retaining control of the senate and hol...

Reid's influence hidden by his role behind the scenes

2011-08-10T02:30:28Z

Washington

Barely two days after passing a historic agreement to avoid defaulting on the national debt, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is one of the few lawmakers left on Capitol Hill.

It's vacation time in Washington, but not quite yet in Reid's office, which on Thur...

US Republicans face record disapproval: poll

2011-08-09T19:30:27Z

Nearly three out of five Americans have an unfavorable view of Republicans, an all-time high, and two in five do not want their own member of Congress reelected, according to a poll out Tuesday.

Overall, 70 percent of respondents to a CNN/ORC International survey said most US<...

Speaking of candor, candidates and conflicts

2011-08-06T02:30:29Z

Catching up on some stuff left in the reporter's notebook in your Friday Flash:¥ You don't hear this very often: It's relatively unusual for a political operative to come on "Face to Face" and impart the unvarnished truth when it hurts his cause. But this week, Tim Williams, the political director for the Clark County

Analysis: Obama, Boehner face more tests of uneasy ties

2011-08-05T12:30:12Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - They bonded over golf, bickered over debt, and now President Barack Obama and House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner face even more tests of a...

Analysis: Republican leaders heed Tea Party but risk backlash

2011-08-04T09:30:12Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Emboldened by concessions wrung from their own leadership and President Barack Obama during the debt limit fight, Tea Party-affiliated lawmakers will likely remain a driving force in the Republican Party -- and possibly induce gridlock until the 2012 elections.

The several dozen fiscally conservative,...

Special report: How Washington took the U.S. to the brink

2011-08-04T08:30:20Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The world's largest economy was headed toward an unprecedented default, and all Washington wanted to talk about was the manner in which the president had left a room.

A White House meeting in mid-July between President Barack Obama and cong...

Might the House special be special, after all?

2011-08-04T02:30:41Z

Is that fear I smell or is the National Republican Congressional Committee just happy to be here?Is Kate Marshall a financial genius or the worst investor in history?

Is Mark Amodei a tax-happy lawmaker or our last bulwark against a Chinese invasion?

Most importantly: Who would have guessed the first special House election in

Thoughtless proposals

2011-08-04T02:30:39Z

Tea Party adherents in Congress show their disdain for the public

Republicans in the House of Representatives have called for imposing legal limits on the amount Congress can spend and a constitutional amendment to mandate a balanced budget.Backed by the Tea Party movement, Republicans have...

US Tea Party at crossroads after debt deal

2011-08-02T17:30:27Z

The US Tea Party stood at a political crossroads Tuesday, split by a vote on raising the US debt limit after fractious negotiations that saw them declared both the big winners and losers.

At issue was the role that the young movement, born of anger at the sour US economy and stoked by establishment Republicans eager to harness its energy, could play in Reuters) - The chaotic and often ugly debt-ceiling talks managed to avert a potential economic catastrophe but inflicted new damage to the political reputations of most of the key players.

The 11th-hour deal to raise the federal government's debt ceiling and avoid default was a rare Washington compromise -- it produced...

Analysis: Tea Party proves clout, but at what cost?

2011-08-01T22:30:16Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Tea Party conservatives scored their biggest political triumph with a debt-ceiling deal that cuts federal spending, but their hardline tactics could risk a voter backlash in the 2012 elections.

The Tea Party members who swept into Congress in last year's elections by vowing to slash spending have transformed the Republican Party and raised deficit reduction to the top ...

US House votes to avert imminent default

2011-08-01T17:30:11Z

With barely a day to act, the polarized US House of Representatives have approved a massive austerity plan to avert a debt default that would have wreaked havoc through the global economy.

After eight months of often angry negotiations, the Republican-led House voted 269-161 on a package backed by President Barack Obama to ra...

Snapshot: Lawmakers to vote on debt deal

2011-08-01T10:30:14Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Here is what is happening on Monday as lawmakers prepare to vote on a deal to raise the $14.3 trillion limit on U.S. borrowing, just a day before the deadline to avert an unprecedented default.

* The White House and some congressional leaders start the process of selling the debt de...

Snapshot: Lawmakers close to deal on debt

2011-07-31T16:30:12Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Here is what is happening on Sunday as U.S. lawmakers and the White House race to broker a deal to raise the country's $14.3 trillion borrowing ceiling by Tuesday's deadline and avoid default on obligations.

* Senate Democratic L...

Majority Of Americans Approve Of New York's Gay Marriage Law

2011-07-29T08:30:12Z

A majority of Americans believe New York's gay marriage law is a positive development

A majority of Americans believe New York's gay marriage law is a positive development.

According to a new Reuters) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid on Friday said that he "cannot wait any longer" for the Republican-led House of Representatives to act on a debt limit increase and he will begin taking steps to move legislation.

Re...

So Long, Speaker Boehner?

2011-07-28T10:30:26Z

With tea partiers reluctant to negotiate, he has only bad choices as the default deadline looms.
With tea partiers reluctant to negotiate, he has only bad choices as the default deadline looms.
House Speaker John Boehner is stuck between the tea party and a hard place. No matter what happens in the debt ceiling debate, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if the Ohio Republican is the top dog...

Timeline: How the debt talks spiraled into crisis

2011-07-24T14:00:09Z

(Reuters) - With financial markets on edge, White House officials and Republican leaders scrambled to reassure them that the United States will avert default and lift its $14.3 trillion borrowing limit before August 2.
Following is a timeline of the U.S. debt d...

Congress working on new debt legislation: McConnell

2011-07-23T10:30:14Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Saturday congressional leaders were working on fresh legislation to prevent the United States d...

Can moderate Romney win Republican hearts?

2011-07-21T11:30:25Z

Ex-Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is an early front-runner among Republican presidential contenders, but many are wondering if his legacy as a centrist may taint his White House hopes.
Romney as raised more money than his Republican rival and is topping the polls, but as ultraconservative Michele Ba...

Obama to meet House Republican leaders Wednesday: White House

2011-07-20T12:00:28Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will meet with Republican House of Representatives leader John Boehner and

Analysis: McConnell plan may be reckoning for Republicans

2011-07-18T22:30:10Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senator Mitch McConnell's plan to avert an imminent U.S. debt default could lead to a day of reckoning for his Republicans as they weigh the prospect of fiscal disaster against the demands of Tea Party activists.
With othe...

Analysis: Latest House debt plan may lead to compromise

2011-07-18T05:30:24Z

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The latest Republican plan to avert a looming default is a fierce statement of conservative principles that pushes the party's negotiating position farther to the right.
That's why it may be the first step on the road to compromise.
By giving Tea Party conservatives in the

Boehner New Congress

2011-01-04T15:01:56Z
House Speaker-designate John Boehner of Ohio arrives for a closed GOP conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio celebrates the GOP's victory that changes the balance of power in Congress and will likely elevate him to speaker of the House, during an election night gathering hosted by the President Barack Obama, joined by Republican and Democratic lawmakers including Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky at right, looks up after signing the bipartisan tax package that extends tax cuts for families at all income levels, during a s...

Texas Redistricting

2010-12-03T11:35:42Z
File - In this Nov. 10, 2009 file photo, Texas state Rep. Tommy Merritt, R-Longview, questions John Bradley during a hearing by members of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee in Austin, Texas. Fast-...

Pushing Social Issues

2010-11-26T12:01:23Z
FILE - In this Dec. 5, 2005, file photo Jennifer Frane, a technician at the WiCell Research Institute, checks on the growth and viability of embryonic stem cells in Madison, Wis. Although fixing the economy is the top priority, incoming