WRAL.com Politics

Levin: May be more troubling e-mails from Hasan

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:41:00 -0500

There may be additional e-mails that could have tipped off law enforcement or military officials to the Fort Hood shooter before he went on his deadly rampage, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said Friday.

No-bid DHHS contracts questioned

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:01:34 -0500

Lawmakers allowed the no-bid contracts so the Department of Health and Human Services could save time and money during a difficult budget year. Officials maintain that the contracts are with companies with proven track records and can provide better value.

N.C. GOP may block independents from primaries

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:10:47 -0500

Unaffiliated voters have more influence than ever in North Carolina politics, but some Republican leaders want to keep them away from the GOP primary and let party members choose their own nominees - preferably more conservative ones.

Senate Dems moving ahead on crucial health vote

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:17:33 -0500

With no margin for rebellion, Senate Democrats pushed toward a crucial weekend test vote on their sweeping health care bill Friday, and wavering moderates appeared to be falling in line on President Barack Obama's signature issue.

Wake Republicans challenge Aiken's registration

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:56:45 -0500

The head of the Republican Party in a North Carolina county wants election officials to check on Clay Aiken's registration after a political outburst.

Poll: N.C. residents like electing judges

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:56:45 -0500

A poll says North Carolina residents like electing their judges, but some are open to letting an independent commission appoint them.

More ethics rules issued for N.C. treasurer workers

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:56:45 -0500

North Carolina's state treasurer has unveiled rules banning employees from taking gifts from companies that do substantial business with the agency.

S.C. lawmakers to take up impeachment

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:56:45 -0500

South Carolina lawmakers plan to formally consider impeaching Gov. Mark Sanford for the first time next week, the chairman of the committee beginning that work said Friday.

Sources: Giuliani leaning toward run for U.S. Senate

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:29:38 -0500

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who many Republicans have been pushing to run for governor in 2010, is instead leaning more toward a run for U.S. Senate, according to two party advisers.

Gates says Iraq withdrawal on schedule

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:29:38 -0500

Defense Secretary Robert Gates says warnings that politics could push back Iraqi elections scheduled for January aren't affecting his plans for a troop withdrawal now.

Obama faces showdowns on health, Afghanistan, jobs

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:47:45 -0500

President Barack Obama will have scant time to rest up from his eight-day Asia trip. On Saturday, two days after his return to Washington, the Senate plans a make-or-break vote on his hard-fought plan to overhaul the nation's health care system. Obama also confronts a difficult choice on strategy and troop levels in Afghanistan, which will be criticized no matter what he decides.

State resets inmate release dates

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:16:20 -0500

The state has recalculated release dates for 27 inmates who should be freed following an appellate court ruling, setting the earliest date for unconditional release in 2054.

Army keeping media from Palin event

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:17:53 -0500

Army officials plan to prevent media from covering Sarah Palin's appearance at Fort Bragg on Monday, saying they fear the event will turn into political grandstanding against President Barack Obama.

Gates says Afghan surge could happen swiftly

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:51:12 -0500

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said any new U.S. forces President Barack Obama sends to Afghanistan could move into the country swiftly, despite logistical hassles that force almost all major deliveries of troops and supplies to go by air.

Pentagon looking for Fort Hood management lapses

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:31:14 -0500

The Pentagon said Thursday it will scour its procedures for identifying volatile soldiers hidden in the ranks following the Fort Hood shooting rampage and lapses that might allow others to slip through bureaucratic cracks.

GOP governors push for 2010 party rebirth

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:31:26 -0500

Thrilled with twin victories this month, Republican governors are looking to lead a party-wide resurgence in 2010 and shape the GOP for years to come.

Reid: Congress closer than ever to health overhaul

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:23:28 -0500

The Senate Democratic leader says Congress is closer than ever to overhauling the nation's health care system.

FEC fines law firm for fundraising violations

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:10:26 -0500

The law firm of a Michigan attorney has agreed to pay a $131,000 fine for campaign finance violations involving donations to former Sen. John Edwards' 2004 presidential campaign.

Gates names West, Clark to lead Fort Hood review

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:48:55 -0500

Trying to avert another tragedy like the Fort Hood shootings, Defense Secretary Robert Gates named a former Army secretary and former Navy chief to review a broad range of Pentagon programs, ranging from medical and personnel policies to how well military bases are secured.

GOP governors assail health care plans

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:24:14 -0500

GOP governors are blistering Democratic health care plans in Congress. They say the legislation will result in crippling costs to states already grappling with huge budget deficits in a recession.

S.C. governor to face ethics accusations

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:10:27 -0500

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford will face an ethics panel to answer charges that he may have violated state law, which his lawyer said would give the once-popular politician a chance to present his side in an investigation into his travel and campaign finance practices.

Obama says U.S., allies discussing Iran sanctions

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:33:08 -0500

Showing impatience with Iranian foot-dragging, President Barack Obama said Thursday that the U.S. and its allies are discussing possible new penalties against Iran for defying international attempts to halt its contested nuclear program.

Task force doctor stands by mammogram advice

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:43:52 -0500

A member of the independent panel whose new mammogram recommendations have led to confusion defended the task force's report, saying Thursday that it was based on the most up-to-date, accurate information available.

Triangle delegation defends travel as part of the job

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:02:01 -0500

Members of the local delegation flew to Iraq, visited leaders in Afghanistan and joined fact finding missions to countries like Russia. Congressmen toured African countries like Kenya and surveyed poverty in Haiti. Global warming research also landed a delegation in Antarctica.

Senate health bottom line: $849 billion overhaul

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:34:15 -0500

The political stakes enormous, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid launched long-awaited health care legislation Wednesday estimated to extend coverage to 94 percent of eligible Americans at a cost of $849 billion.

Stimulus money to 'phantom' districts?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:07:42 -0500

There are problems with the stimulus data being reported, problems that call into question how accurate the job count is. But the "phantom congressional districts" are being used as a phantom issue to suggest that stimulus money has been misspent.

Book claims Edwards tried to cut deals with Obama, Clinton for VP nod

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:04:09 -0500

A senior adviser to former North Carolina senator John Edwards approached representatives for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in an effort to secure a vice presidential nomination during the 2008 election, according to a new book by Obama’s campaign manager David Plouffe.

Watchdog calls on Perdue to clean up state government

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:12:20 -0500

Joe Sinsheimer says halting the permit for a cement plant near Wilmington, releasing details about an investigation into missing records and dismissing a member of an economic development foundation board would help restore public confidence in government.

State budget has $600M-plus for any shortfall

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:24:02 -0500

North Carolina state government has at least $620 million at its disposal so far to close any budget hole this fiscal year.

One of Watergate's enduring mysteries under review

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:29:22 -0500

The National Archives is bringing together investigators to search for scribbled secrets from the first days of the Watergate scandal that destroyed Richard Nixon's presidency.

Obama, Holder predict conviction in 9/11 case

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:46:17 -0500

From opposite ends of the globe, President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder firmly rejected criticism Wednesday of the planned New York trial of the professed Sept. 11 mastermind and predicted Khalid Sheikh Mohammed would be exposed as a murderous coward, convicted and executed.

Afghan official said to take bribe for copper deal

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:14:14 -0500

A senior Afghan official allegedly took a $20 million bribe to steer a copper mining project to a Chinese company, a glaring example of the claims of corruption clouding the Obama administration's deliberations over expanding the U.S. commitment in Afghanistan.

Perdue gives out green grants to N.C. companies

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:26:16 -0500

Gov. Bev Perdue says 18 small North Carolina companies will receive federal stimulus grants to spur development in green technology.

Another Obama nominee runs into tax problems

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:48:35 -0500

President Barack Obama's choice for a top job in the Treasury Department did not disclose all of her late tax payments until she was repeatedly prodded by Senate investigators, a congressional report issued Wednesday said.

Ex-Easley campaign manager at federal courthouse

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:40:07 -0500

The man who guided former Gov. Mike Easley's two gubernatorial campaigns appeared at a federal courthouse Wednesday as a federal grand jury met to hear more testimony about the Democratic governor.