Snow people, snowflakes star in White House holiday decor
National / Politics / U.S. News

Snow people, snowflakes star in White House holiday decor

WASHINGTON (AP) — New at the White House this holiday season: penguins, snowmen and snow women, and hanging snowflakes. Returning this season: larger-than-life replicas of dogs Bo and Sunny, an 18 1/2 -foot Blue Room tree dedicated to military families, and a gingerbread White House — covered in dark chocolate, instead of white chocolate as … Continue reading

Carson says he’s faced discrimination as black conservative
National / Politics / U.S. News

Carson says he’s faced discrimination as black conservative

ROCK HILL, S.C. (AP) — Republican presidential hopeful Ben Carson says he’s faced more discrimination because he’s a black conservative than because of his race alone. Carson is the only black candidate among the major Republican and Democratic contenders for 2016. The retired neurosurgeon was asked in South Carolina on Wednesday whether he’s experienced more … Continue reading

AP Conversation: Cruz’s ambitious foreign policy has limits
National / Politics / U.S. News

AP Conversation: Cruz’s ambitious foreign policy has limits

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ted Cruz says the question follows him into the hallways of foreign capitals around the world. In whispered tones, heads of state pull the Texas senator and Republican candidate for president aside to ask: “Where is America?” “We need America,” Cruz says they tell him. “The world doesn’t work without America leading.” … Continue reading

Postal workers’ union endorses Bernie Sanders for president
National / Politics / U.S. News

Postal workers’ union endorses Bernie Sanders for president

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders secured the endorsement of the 200,000-member American Postal Workers Union on Thursday, marking the largest labor union to back his Democratic presidential campaign. The union’s decision gives Sanders a boost heading into the second Democratic debate in Iowa on Saturday and comes as the Vermont senator has sought … Continue reading

AP Exclusive: Carson profits from ties with convicted felon
National / Politics / U.S. News

AP Exclusive: Carson profits from ties with convicted felon

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican presidential contender Ben Carson has maintained a business relationship with a close friend convicted of defrauding insurance companies and testified on his behalf, even as the candidate has called for such crimes to be punished harshly. Pittsburgh dentist Alfonso A. Costa pleaded guilty to a felony count of health care fraud … Continue reading

Clinton faces tough question: What to call Bill if she wins
National / Politics / TV / U.S. News

Clinton faces tough question: What to call Bill if she wins

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton is facing a question with global implications as she seeks the White House: What do you call the husband of a U.S. president? First man? First gentleman? Funnyman Jimmy Kimmel asked the Democratic presidential contender about that quandary Thursday should her husband, former President Bill Clinton, become the … Continue reading

Carson might have taken ‘different approach’ on rap ad
National / Politics / U.S. News

Carson might have taken ‘different approach’ on rap ad

MIAMI (AP) — Even Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson doesn’t seem to think his campaign ad featuring rap lyrics is the best idea. Carson said Thursday he “probably would have taken a little different approach,” when asked about the new ad during book-signing events in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The minute-long ad features rapper … Continue reading

Scorecard: How the GOP candidates fared in their 3rd debate
National / Politics / U.S. News

Scorecard: How the GOP candidates fared in their 3rd debate

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Here’s a look at how the 10 Republican presidential candidates in the main-event debate at the University of Colorado-Boulder performed Wednesday night. ___ BEN CARSON Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson was in the spotlight more than in the first two debates, having risen to the top of polls nationally and in first-voting … Continue reading

Analysis: Bush comeback strategy backfires in GOP debate
National / Politics / U.S. News

Analysis: Bush comeback strategy backfires in GOP debate

WASHINGTON (AP) — Jeb Bush sought to calm anxious donors with a comeback strategy focused on taking down rival Marco Rubio. But Bush’s plan backfired badly on national television in the third GOP presidential debate. Instead of generating much needed momentum, Bush’s attack on his onetime protege raised new questions about his underwhelming candidacy in … Continue reading