USA TODAY Poll: Optimism on the economy doesn't lift views of politicsUSA TODAYBy Susan Page, USA TODAY WASHINGTON – Americans are feeling better about the nation's economy but not about its politics, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds. By Susan Walsh, AP A USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds that more Americans see President Obama's tenure …and more » usa politics –... 

Christian Science Monitor Politics of Rick Santorum's theology: Is faith a kingmaker or deal-breaker?Christian Science MonitorMr. Santorum, the former US senator from Pennsylvania, was excoriated by pundits this week, after a 2008 speech to Ave Maria University surfaced in which he suggested that Satan is waging a “spiritual war” on the United States. Earlier in the week, …and more » usa... 

Campaign ad: Priorities USAWashington PostPost Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs. Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.and more » usa politics – Google News  Bookmark or Share Tags: Campaign, Post, priorities,... 

Unions gearing up to spend big in 2012 electionHuffington Post"Part of the Republican strategy is to try to bleed us," said Mike Podhorzer, political director of the AFL-CIO. "There are certainly more union members now who understand the importance of political engagement and are willing to go door-to-door and …and more » usa politics – Google News ... 

USA TODAY 25% of super PAC money coming from just 5 rich donorsUSA TODAYBy Fredreka Schouten, Gregory Korte and Christopher Schnaars, USA TODAY WASHINGTON – Five wealthy people, led by Dallas industrialist Harold Simmons and Las Vegas casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, have donated nearly $ 1 of every $ 4 flowing to the super …First Thoughts: The most important seven days of Romney's political... 

Christian Science Monitor Is Rick Santorum the new Teflon candidate to whom nothing sticks?Christian Science MonitorThe minute Rick Santorum clinched caucus and primary victories in Missouri, Minnesota, and Colorado two weeks ago, revamping the GOP presidential nominating race, front-runner Mitt Romney, and the "super political action committees" supporting him, …Shifting focus,... 

USA TODAY Further inquiry sought on Ariz. sheriff's alleged threatUSA TODAYSome political observers have floated the possibility of an inquiry by the Arizona Attorney General's Office or the US Department of Justice. Lydia Guzman, director of the Phoenix-based immigrant-rights group Respect Respeto, sent a letter Monday to …Claims that Ariz. sheriff abused power draw mixed reactionsDesMoinesRegister.comArizona... 

Insight: Fed housing blueprint lost in din of politicsChicago TribuneWASHINGTON (Reuters) – In mid-2011, with the US economy at risk of a new recession, top Federal Reserve officials began to explore a different way to shore up the recovery: looking for fixes for the battered housing market. The central bank had just …and more » usa politics – Google News ... 

USA TODAY Financial disclosures show power of super PACsUSA TODAYBy Fredreka Schouten, USA TODAY WASHINGTON – Presidential candidate Mitt Romney's fundraising dipped to $ 6.5 million in January, as he struggled to fend off his Republican rivals in early voting states, according to figures released Monday evening by …Pro-Romney PAC spent $ 13.5 million in JanuaryFox 13 Now –... 

USA TODAY Santorum emphasizes faith during campaign stop in OhioUSA TODAY28 Republican primary in Michigan is tightening, with Santorum, the former US senator from Pennsylvania, still in the lead but his margin over former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is shrinking. That — and the steady barrage of ads expected from …Santorum defends views on Obama's theology, prenatal testsDesMoinesRegister.comSantorum:...