Independent Politics

Now comes the hard part for state Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill, the political renegade running for governor. There is no roadmap or handbook for the Democrat-turned-independent. He is a virtual solo act, lacking the natural base of activists and interest groups major-party candidates enjoy. There will be no huzzahs at a convention of the faithful, few, if any, shared fund-raising lists, and little chance at major endorsements that generate publicity and volunteers. No independent candidate has won a statewide election in Massachusetts. None has come close. But none of that seems to faze Cahill, who considers himself well equipped for this combustible environment. If this campaign were a referendum on chutzpah, Cahill would be ahead in the polls, not trailing incumbent Democrat Deval Patrick and the leading GOP challenger, Charles D. Baker, as a recent Rasmussen Reports survey indicated. ``I'll outwork my opponents; I think I've shown the ability to do that,'' Cahill said in an interview

All south?s Sudan?s political parties signed an election code of conduct late on Tuesday, committing themselves to ensure upcoming polls in April are free and fair.

Clarification: Independent Contractors story. The Associated Press reported Feb. 11 that the IRS and 37 states are cracking down on a growing number of companies suspected of misclassifying full-time employees as independent contractors in order to trim costs during the economic downturn. In a reference to FedEx Ground, the story should have made clear that the company has historically treated package delivery drivers as small-business owners, or independent contractors. The story should have further noted that despite scores of challenges to the way FedEx classifies the drivers, only three court cases have been decided, two in the company's favor, one of which is on appeal.

Both men seeking the Democratic nomination for Rhode Island governor, along with an Independent candidate, say they'll back a gay marriage bill. Both men seeking the Democratic nomination for Rhode Island governor, along with an Independent candidate, say they'll back a gay marriage bill. Attorney General Patrick Lynch and General Treasurer Frank Caprio, along with Senator Lincoln Chafee, the Independent, have agreed they'll sign a gay marriage bill if elected, gay rights group Marriage Equality Rhode Island announced Monday. The three candidates will make their pledge at a Statehouse rally scheduled for March 3. The state's two Republican candidates oppose giving gay and lesbian couples the right to marry. Rhode Island is the only New England state that has not legalized gay marriage. Last year, Maine lawmakers approved a gay marriage bill, but opponents successfully repealed the law after a difficult fight that drew national attention to the tiny state. A pro-gay marriage governor co

Massachusetts' top election official says it could take weeks to certify the results of next week's Senate special election, a delay that could help President Barack Obama pass his health care bill if the Republican wins.

RI Republican leaders advance plan to close primary; push to make change for 2010 primary. Rhode Island Republican leaders are advancing a plan to close their primary to unaffiliated voters.

Chafee, former US senator, formally joins RI governor's race as an independent. Former Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee, who succeeded his father in the Senate but repeatedly broke ranks with party leadership until a Democrat defeated him, announced Monday that he will run as an independent candidate for governor of Rhode Island.

Major money issues to face new mayors being sworn in to run 2 of Ohio's largest cities. Financial and economic challenges await the new mayors taking office in two of Ohio's largest cities.

Vermont dairy farmers can expect emergency funding in next few weeks. U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders says the United States Department of Agriculture has started to process emergency payments to dairy farmers who have struggled with low milk prices.

LYNN - US Senate candidate Martha Coakley is suggesting that she will not agree to debates unless long-shot candidate Joseph L. Kennedy is involved, a strategy that appears to be an effort to make the Senate race a three-party run. ``I think it's very important at this stage in the game that everybody on the ballot be involved in these debates,'' she said yesterday afternoon following a campaign appearance. ``The campaigns are in the process of talking about that now, but there are three candidates, and everybody who's going to cast a ballot on Jan. 19 should know that.'' On Tuesday, Coakley won the Democratic nomination, and state Senator Scott Brown won the Republican nomination. Kennedy, who is not related to the famed political family, is a Libertarian who launched an independent bid for US Senate. He is the only candidate not in a major party who turned in the 10,000 signatures needed to get on the ballot. Coakley said requests have been made for eight debates, and her campaign is

LYNN - US Senate candidate Martha Coakley is suggesting that she will not agree to debates unless long-shot candidate Joseph L. Kennedy is involved, a strategy that appears to be an effort to make the Senate race a three-party run. ``I think it's very important at this stage in the game that everybody on the ballot be involved in these debates,'' she said yesterday afternoon following a campaign appearance. ``The campaigns are in the process of talking about that now, but there are three candidates, and everybody who's going to cast a ballot on Jan. 19 should know that.'' On Tuesday, Coakley won the Democratic nomination, and state Senator Scott Brown won the Republican nomination. Kennedy, who is not related to the famed political family, is a Libertarian who launched an independent bid for US Senate. He is the only candidate not in a major party who turned in the 10,000 signatures needed to get on the ballot. Coakley said requests have been made for eight debates, and her campaign is

A growing number of Americans have lost confidence in President Barack Obama's handling of the economy, despite the apparent beginnings of a recovery, according to a poll out Wednesday.

A growing number of Americans have lost confidence in President Barack Obama's handling of the economy, despite the apparent beginnings of a recovery, according to a poll out Wednesday.

A growing number of Americans have lost confidence in President Barack Obama's handling of the economy, despite the apparent beginnings of a recovery, according to a poll out Wednesday.

A growing number of Americans have lost confidence in President Barack Obama's handling of the economy, despite the apparent beginnings of a recovery, according to a poll out Wednesday.

A growing number of Americans have lost confidence in President Barack Obama's handling of the economy, despite the apparent beginnings of a recovery, according to a poll out Wednesday.

A new poll found New Jersey voters oppose gay marriage, arriving at the opposite conclusion of a poll released in April. A new poll found New Jersey voters oppose gay marriage, arriving at the opposite conclusion of a poll released in April. The poll released Wednesday by the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute shows New Jersey voters narrowly oppose legalizing gay marriage by a 49 to 46 margin. The poll of 1,615 New Jersey voters disagrees with two earlier polls. Last week's Rutgers-Eagleton Poll of 903 adults found a narrow majority of New Jerseyans supported gay marriage, as did an April Quinnipiac University poll by 6 points. ?When we asked about gay marriage in April it won narrow approval. Now that it seems closer to a legislative vote, it loses narrowly with the public,? Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institution, said in a statement. Proponents of gay marriage believe they have one last opening to approve the legislation before Governor Jon C

A Democratic senator says moderates in his party shouldn't be allowed to dictate the terms of the health care debate and that the final bill should include a government-run option for Americans lacking insurance.

Democratic senator says moderates shouldn't be allowed to dictate terms of health care bill. A Democratic senator says moderates in his party shouldn't be allowed to dictate the terms of the health care debate and that the final bill should include a government-run option for Americans lacking insurance.

Lieberman says his Senate homeland security panel will investigate shootings at Fort Hood. The chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee says he plans to begin a congressional investigation of the shootings at Fort Hood.