L.A. Times - Politics

Santorum dogged by donor's aspirin-as-birth-control remark

By Kim Geiger — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:02:00 PST

A wealthy backer of GOP presidential contender Rick Santorum left his interviewer scratching her head Thursday when he suggested that in the olden days, birth control was less expensive because women just squeezed an aspirin between their knees to prevent them from having sex.

Congress to vote Friday on payroll tax deal

By Lisa Mascaro — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:14:00 PST

With a final deal approved by negotiators, Congress moved toward a Friday vote to extend a payroll tax break and other expiring measures that are among President Obama’s top priorities.

Obama raises cash, stops for Chinese takeout on West Coast swing

By Kathleen Hennessey — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:54:00 PST

President Obama chased campaign cash on both ends of California on Thursday, urging donors to gear up for a tough reelection fight and trying to remind them of all that he’s done for them lately.

GM profits, but Romney maintains anti-bailout stance

By Seema Mehta — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:44:00 PST

On the same day that General Motors reported record profits, Mitt Romney stumped in Michigan, reiterating his opposition to the federal government bailout that many credit with saving GM and Chrysler.

Another Mitt Romney win could be undone in Maine caucuses

By Michael A. Memoli — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:21:00 PST

Mitt Romney has already had a caucus victory in Iowa undone. Could his win in Maine be next?

Will Massachusetts elect another Kennedy?

By Kim Geiger — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:02:00 PST

It’s been less than three years since the death of Sen. Ted Kennedy left Massachusetts without a Kennedy in Congress, something that hadn’t happened for more than 60 years.

Rick Perry eyes unused campaign cash for 'super PAC'

By Kim Geiger — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:00:00 PST

Texas Gov. Rick Perry may be out of the presidential race, but his campaign committee has some cash left in the bank -- and he wants to put it to use.

Rick Santorum: 'We have to be concerned' about the very poor

By Alana Semuels — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:18:00 PST

As new polls show him leading Mitt Romney in the Michigan primary, Rick Santorum visited the Detroit Economic Club and outlined his plan for economic growth, pledging to both cut the entitlements that were "completely consuming revenues" and help the very poor.

In Michigan, Santorum leads in polls, Romney has spending edge

By Michael A. Memoli — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:00:00 PST

A new statewide poll shows Rick Santorum has a narrow advantage over Mitt Romney among Michigan Republican primary voters. The key question is whether money will trump momentum with less than two weeks before the state's key vote.

Mitt Romney works to make inroads with Michigan 'tea party' vote

By Seema Mehta — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:46:00 PST

Mitt Romney's fate in Michigan -- his native state where he is facing an increasingly difficult race -- will rest on voters like Maribeth Schmidt.