McCrory campaign asks FCC to ban campaign ad

The Associated Press | May 22, 2012 - 10:17pm

RALEIGH— Republican Pat McCrory’s gubernatorial campaign has filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission asking it to force television stations to stop airing a commercial about his connections to a Charlotte-based business.

Romney points to restored bridge as Obama failure

The Associated Press | May 19, 2012 - 7:22pm

HILLSBOROUGH, N.H. – Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney on Friday criticized a restored 19th century bridge as another “Bridge to Nowhere” and a fresh symbol of the waste he says is rampant in President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan.

Obama wants new banking rules put in place soon

The Associated Press | May 19, 2012 - 6:16pm

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama says the big trading loss at JPMorgan Chase shows the need to finally put in place banking rules he signed into law two years ago.

With cookies and conversations, Romney tries charm

The Associated Press | May 19, 2012 - 5:21pm

PALM BEACH, Fla. – Mitt Romney is on a charm offensive.

AdWatch: Romney 'day one' vows are missing caveats

The Associated Press | May 19, 2012 - 5:20pm

WASHINGTON — A new ad running in Iowa, North Carolina, Virginia and Ohio called "Day One" talks about what Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will do on his first day in office if he wins the November election.

McCrory wants campaign ad off the air

The Associated Press | May 18, 2012 - 7:11pm

RALEIGH – Pat McCrory’s gubernatorial campaign demanded Friday that television stations stop running a commercial bankrolled by a Democratic governor’s group, arguing it made false claims about his activities linked to a Charlotte-based business.

Romney’s April money suggests GOP rallying for him

The Associated Press | May 17, 2012 - 10:19pm

WASHINGTON – Mitt Romney and his Republican Party raised $40 million in April, an unexpectedly strong haul in the first month of the general campaign that illustrates enthusiasm within the GOP and threatens President Barack Obama’s overwhelming cash advantage.

Billionaire tied to Wright ad blitz a rising force

The Associated Press | May 17, 2012 - 10:19pm

WASHINGTON – The wealthy executive who considered and then dropped a proposal to revive controversy over the relationship between President Barack Obama and his former pastor is a rising conservative maverick with ties to the Chicago Cubs baseball team.

Romney denounces idea of Obama-Wright campaign ads

The Associated Press | May 17, 2012 - 10:18pm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mitt Romney swiftly and firmly distanced himself Thursday from a group exploring plans to target President Barack Obama’s relationship with a controversial former pastor.

Parties locked in tight battle for control of U.S. Senate

The Associated Press | May 16, 2012 - 10:31pm

WASHINGTON — Divisive Republican primaries, an out-of-nowhere GOP retirement in Maine and an unexpectedly competitive race in North Dakota add up to an unpredictable battle for control of the Senate this fall, confounding early forecasts that an era of Democratic rule was inevitably coming to an end.

Election winners maintain edge after canvassing

By Darla Slipke | May 15, 2012 - 9:46pm

Twin Counties elections officials certified the results of last week’s primary during canvassing Tuesday.

Dalton, McCrory start jabbing in governor's race

The Associated Press | May 14, 2012 - 6:52pm

RALEIGH – When Republican Pat McCrory ran for North Carolina governor four years ago, he tried to prod then-Democratic Lt.

North Carolina a political headache for Democrats

The Associated Press | May 12, 2012 - 8:15pm

CHARLOTTE – Once a bright spot for President Barack Obama, North Carolina is now more like a political migraine less than four months before Democrats open the party’s national convention in Charlotte.

Around world, Obama’s presidency a disappointment

The Associated Press | May 12, 2012 - 8:12pm

In Europe, where more than 200,000 people thronged a Berlin rally in 2008 to hear Barack Obama speak, there’s disappointment that he hasn’t kept his promise to close the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, and perceptions that he’s shunting blame for the financial crisis across the Atlantic.

Gay marriage, abortion back in campaign spotlight

The Associated Press | May 12, 2012 - 8:01pm

NEW YORK – Abortion and gay marriage. For years, they’ve been lumped together as the paramount wedge issues of U.S. politics – hot-button topics in the vortex of sexuality, personal freedom and public policy.

Women ponder how they became a campaign issue

The Associated Press | May 12, 2012 - 8:01pm

DENVER – Wanda Ramey stood on the University of Colorado campus, cane in one hand, “Close The Pay Gap” sign in the other.

GOP: Economy tops gay marriage as campaign issue

The Associated Press | May 12, 2012 - 8:00pm

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama delighted his liberal base by coming down on the side of gay marriage, but he cheered the opposition, too.

Elections officials report few problems

By Darla Slipke | May 11, 2012 - 9:51pm

Twin Counties elections officials will certify the results of this week’s primary election during canvassing Tuesday.

Gay marriage shift gives Obama fundraising boost

May 11, 2012 - 7:17pm

NEW YORK — President Barack Obama has seen an uptick in fundraising since he announced his shift on gay marriage, with some Democratic rainmakers citing renewed interest from gay and lesbian donors who had been urging the president to clarify his stance on the divisive social issue.

Sign at church used as polling place questioned

May 10, 2012 - 1:30pm

WILMINGTON — A Democratic Party official will try to get a Wilmington polling place moved because the church used for this week's balloting had a sign relating to the constitutional amendment on gay marriage.

Democrat who quit, then won 13th District race mulls fall run

The Associated Press | May 9, 2012 - 9:13pm

RALEIGH — A Democrat who withdrew from the 13th District congressional primary race, then won handily, said Wednesday he’s leaning toward a November run now that he feels better.

McCrory, Dalton switch focus to fall campaign

May 9, 2012 - 8:27pm

RALEIGH — Republican Pat McCrory is getting a second chance to become North Carolina’s governor, and he’ll have to try to defeat a second lieutenant governor in Walter Dalton to wrest the Executive Mansion from Democrats after 20 years.

Changes, incumbents rule in primary contests

May 9, 2012 - 5:12am

RALEIGH — Redistricting — and the retirement of one long-serving North Carolina congresswoman — injected the promise of change into Tuesday's primary elections.

Knight wins re-election in scrappy race

By Brie Handgraaf | May 8, 2012 - 11:18pm

Incumbent Andre Knight prevailed in the Rocky Mount Ward 1 election Tuesday against former Police Chief John Manley.

Poultry plant opponents win Nash board primary races

By Darla Slipke | May 8, 2012 - 11:17pm

Two poultry plant opponents will face off in the general election for the District 4 seat on the Nash County Board of Commissioners.