Familiar faces win Tuesday primaries: Mack in Fla., McMahon in Conn., and Thompson in Wisconsin

In the latest showdown between the two factions fighting for the soul of the GOP, both sides could claim victory in Tuesday's primaries, with tea party candidates winning races in Connecticut and Florida and "establishment" Republicans prevailing elsewhere in Florida and Wisconsin.

Obama is ready to sign up immigrants

More than 1.7 million illegal immigrants could become eligible for tentative legal status Wednesday when President Obama's non-deportation policy goes into effect, and after initial fears that the program would backfire, immigrant advocates are urging young immigrants to sign up.

Romney's defense of Medicare plan: Attack Obama

Days after tapping Paul Ryan as his running mate, Mitt Romney has sidelined the Wisconsin Republican's marquee Medicare overhaul plan and has instead gone back to attacking President Obama's health care law, which siphons more than $700 billion from the retiree health program over the next 10 years.

Biden tells Va. supporters that Romney would put blacks 'back in chains'

Injecting racial politics into an election that already turned ugly, Vice President Joseph R. Biden told a largely black audience Tuesday in Virginia that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney would put voters "back in chains" with a plan to loosen regulations on Wall Street.

Davey Johnson's pitching staff meets his high expectations

Davey Johnson's proclamation that he'd take the Nationals' pitching staff "over any staff in the league" — even the celebrated Phillies rotation — became fuel for an already burning fire of bravado that Johnson didn't shy away from all spring. His words now seem more prophetic than ever: The Nationals have the best pitching staff in baseball with a 3.25 ERA — 0.80 better than that of the Phillies.

Maryland gambling expansion passes General Assembly

The General Assembly passed legislation Tuesday night to expand gambling in the state, setting up a November referendum that will determine the proposal's ultimate fate.

HURT: Ryan knows what's wrong and how to fix it

By picking Paul Ryan as his running mate, Mitt Romney slapped the big-boy knickers right off President Obama's backside.

Inside the Beltway: The right equation

Along with his policy prowess and campaign cachet, Rep. Paul Ryan has another factor working for him as Mitt Romney's choice as running mate. Chemistry. That's what's implied, at least.

Women turn out for Ryan debut in Colorado

Julie Coffman says she's aware of what Democrats are calling the war on women, but she came to Tuesday's rally for Paul Ryan because of what Republicans are calling the war on employment.

GOP Senate hopefuls split over Ryan's prescription for Medicare reform

In selecting Paul Ryan as his running mate, Mitt Romney put Republican Senate candidates across the country on the hot seat as they decide whether to support his budget that would dramatically overhaul Medicare or to distance themselves from their party's No. 2 man.

Hail of bullets? National Weather Service says ammo request was 'clerical error'

The National Weather Service says it is not intending to arm its forecasters with high-powered weapons and ammunition — no matter how hot, cold, wet or windy it may get.

State Dept. says it's not involved in Egyptian military changes

The State Department on Tuesday denied having played an inside role in the appointment of Egypt's new defense minister, a former military intelligence chief who has long-standing ties to the U.S.

New nuclear chief pledges push for new waste site

Brushing off recent biting criticism of her colleagues, the new chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission told reporters on Tuesday morning that she'll ignore outside distractions and focus on key challenges facing the agency, chief among them pressing lawmakers to find an acceptable spot to store nuclear waste for the long term.

Stocks lose steam after confusing economic reports

Shoppers are starting to spend, but business owners aren't so sure their customers will keep coming back.

Anti-Medicaid states: Earning $11,000 is too much

Many working parents are below the federal poverty line but don't qualify for Medicaid, a decades-old state-federal insurance program. That's especially true in states where conservative governors say they'll reject the Medicaid expansion under Obama's health law.

Prime minister who defected says Syrian regime near collapse

The Syrian prime minister who defected to the opposition said Tuesday that President Bashar Assad's regime was near collapse and urged other political and military leaders to tip the scales and join the rebel side.

Commentary

PAUL: Help SEAL Team 6, go straight to jail in Pakistan

Most Americans remember where they were on 9/11/2001.

BERMAN: Union thugs crying about Democratic convention

Labor leaders have had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year, politically speaking.

NUGENT: America is on a financial suicide watch

Someone should have to answer for the financial high crimes and misdemeanors that are bankrupting our nation and financially raping the futures of our children and grandchildren.

EDITORIAL: Biden: Back on the chain gang

Vice President Joe Biden told a racially mixed audience Wednesday that if Republicans take back the White House, "They're going to put y'all back in chains." It's hard to say what is more offensive: Mr. Biden's overt use of inflammatory racial symbolism, or someone from Delaware saying "y'all."

MILLER: Ryan is first on Second Amendment

Gun owners now have one of their own on a presidential ticket. Rep. Paul Ryan recalled "deer camp over in Fairchild in Eau Claire County" in his remarks after being chosen as Mitt Romney's vice-presidential running mate. The Wisconsin Republican is an avid hunter who's been a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights.