politics

SAN DIEGO - California Democrats, while acknowledging their solidly blue state will not be a presidential election battleground, are marshaling forces for another critical 2012 battle: maximizing the Golden State's role as a powerhouse political fundraiser.

SALT LAKE CITY - With Mitt Romney as a top GOP contender, some Americans may wonder about Mormon views on government and if they may affect a potential president.

"I don't think the rest of the world needs to be worried," said Salt Lake City, Utah, Mayor Ralph Becker, a Democrat who is a non-practicing Episcopalian.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Three Port St. Lucie teens are living their 15 minutes of fame thanks to the rap song they created for GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich.

The campaign of former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum is now surveying a broader political map than the one it saw before the trio of upsets Tuesday that sent the latest tremor through the predictably unpredictable Republican presidential nomination battle.

Former Utah Gov.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As Republican front-runner Mitt Romney solidifies his lead as the party's presidential candidate, some concerns in evangelical and other circles are surfacing that, if elected, Romney might use his post to promote his Mormon faith and protect its interests.

MINNEAPOLIS - In a bid to clip Mitt Romney's breakaway national momentum, the remaining Republican presidential candidates scrambled to Minnesota to woo voters in the closing hours before Tuesday's precinct caucuses.

LAS VEGAS - With no state income tax, a palpable mistrust of the federal government and a what-happens-in-Vegas attitude on social issues, Nevada's Republican presidential caucus on Saturday would seem to be a contest that libertarian-leaning, small government-loving Texas Rep. Ron Paul could win.

STUART, Fla. - Newt Gingrich is going to have to find a way to "tread water" during February until southern states on Super Tuesday offer him an opportunity at another win, according to close watchers of the GOP field.

Tim Pawlenty and Michele Bachmann, Minnesota Republicans with competing bids for the GOP presidential nomination, ended their quests in debt, according to campaign reports filed Tuesday.

WASHINGTON - Pawlenty, however, got a little help from current GOP front-runner Mitt Romney, who, along with relatives and staffers, contributed more than $65,000 to help the former Minnesota governor chip away