Obama wants export agency, closing of Commerce Department

Facing more key votes, Romney can't afford another stumble

Obama greets China's Xi with friendly words, firm stance

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Reuters) - A group of conservative activists said on Thursday they would push for a constitutional amendment to make Ohio a "right to work" state even after residents voted overwhelmingly to block a new law that had limited collective bargaining for public sector workers.

LITTLETON, New Hampshire (Reuters) -- From Herman Cain's 9-9-9 tax plan to Ron Paul's vow to eliminate five cabinet-level agencies, every major presidential candidate claims to have bold plans to reshape U.S. policies.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senator John McCain predicted on Tuesday a third political party will emerge in response to Americans' economic frustrations and said it might as well be called "the Fed-Up Party."

President Barack Obama's Republican foes looked set for a significant defeat Tuesday in the key swing state of Ohio, where voters were expected to overturn an unpopular anti-union law in a referendum.

Anti-Wall Street protesters have a new way to pass the time: an "Occupy" coloring book complete with songs and a visit from Robin Hood.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Deep beneath the Capitol is a red-carpeted room that recently reverberated to the sound of Democrats and Republicans singing together, and then to their angry exchanges over how to fix the U.S. budget.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's fortunes rallied on Friday as the U.S. jobless rate eased, his approval rating rose and his Republican rivals battled over harassment claims against presidential hopeful Herman Cain.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has hauled $1 million in donations in recent days, a spokesman said on Thursday, despite accusations of sexual harassment that have consumed his campaign.

The head of Gibson Guitar said Wednesday he favors tougher US laws to combat illegal logging, under three months after federal agents seized rare Indian ebony from its factories.

By tapping into discontent, the new movement might lift Obama, Democrats, in 2012 races. But the road is long and obstacles abound.. By tapping into discontent, the new movement might lift Obama, Democrats, in 2012 races. But the road is long and obstacles abound.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain on Sunday said he was not promoting smoking in an ad that showed his chief of staff puffing on a cigarette.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain Sunday said he was not promoting smoking in an ad that showed his chief of staff puffing on a cigarette.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Presidential hopeful Herman Cain's quirky "smoking ad" may have mystified many Americans, but according to a new Reuters/Ipsos online poll, it has drawn a sharp line between Republicans who identify with the Tea Party and those who don't.

(Reuters) - A controversial weapon could be deployed soon in the U.S. fight against the housing crisis as states and top banks near a deal in their dispute over mortgage abuses -- cutting the mortgage debt owed by homeowners.

(Reuters) - A controversial weapon could be deployed soon in the U.S. fight against the housing crisis as states and top banks near a deal in their dispute over mortgage abuses -- cutting the mortgage debt owed by homeowners.

A prominent Tea Party activist is calling on Michele Bachmann to drop out of the race because she is too focused on social issues. A prominent Tea Party activist is calling on Michele Bachmann to drop out of the race because she is too focused on social issues such as gay marriage. Ned Ryun, president and founder of American Majority, wants Tea Party favorite Bachmann gone.? ?It's time for Michele Bachmann to go,? Ryun wrote at his group's blog. ?Every day the campaign flounders, it risks hurting the credibility of the movement.? ?It is clear that the campaign has become less about reform and more about her personal effort to stay relevant and sell books,? Ryun added. In recent weeks, Bachmann has increasingly emphasized her socially conservative views over fiscal issues, often citing her involvement in attempts to ban gay marriage in her home state of Minnesota as proof that she's the most conservative in the GOP field. However, Rick Santorum has been fighting a similar battle, arguin

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney leads his campaign rivals in the four states that kick off the 2012 Republican presidential race, according to CNN/Time/ORC polls released on Wednesday.