GOP fundraising letter suggests Democrats might use health overhaul to deny Republicans care

WASHINGTON — The national Republican Party has mailed a fundraising appeal suggesting Democrats might use an overhaul of the health care system to deny medical treatment to Republicans.

Kennedy, dealmaker who came of age in era of party factions, leaves a more polarized Senate

WASHINGTON — Over nearly a half-century, Ted Kennedy watched his beloved Senate change from a collegial boys’ club known for bipartisan deal-cutting to a far less friendly place dominated by polarized parties, where broad compromise is a dying art.

A torch goes out: Edward Kennedy, Senate legend and last in a storied line of brothers

HYANNIS PORT, Mass. — The greatest heights eluded Ted Kennedy over a lifetime of achievement and pain. No presidency. No universal health care, chief among his causes.

Prominent Democratic fundraiser leaves jail for house arrest in his $20M NYC apartment

NEW YORK — A prominent fundraiser for President Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton and other top Democrats left jail Wednesday for his $20 million Manhattan apartment, where he will remain under house arrest.

Unlike his brothers, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy grew old in public spotlight

WASHINGTON — In the quiet of a Capitol elevator, one of Edward M. Kennedy’s fellow senators asked whether the Massachusetts senator had plans for a family Thanksgiving away from the nation’s capital. No, he said shaking his head in reply, and mentioned something about visiting his brothers’ gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery.

Unlike his brothers, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy grew old in public

WASHINGTON — In the quiet of a Capitol elevator, one of Edward M. Kennedy’s fellow lawmakers asked whether he had plans for a family Thanksgiving away from the nation’s capital. No, the Massachusetts senator said with a shake of his head, and mentioned something about visiting his brothers’ gravesites at Arlington National Cemetery.

Investment banker who worked as Clinton fundraiser accused of faking documents for $74M loan

NEW YORK — An investment banker who has served as a key fundraiser for Bill and Hillary Clinton and other top Democrats was arrested Tuesday on charges he lied to Citibank to get a $74 million loan.

INSIDE WASHINGTON: Campaign fundraising rules being tested from all sides

WASHINGTON — Born in the political rubble of the Watergate scandal, the nation’s 34-year experiment with limiting the influence of big money in federal elections is being tested as never before.

Suburban Chicago mansion of disgraced political fundraiser sells at auction for $2.8 million

CHICAGO — The sprawling suburban Chicago mansion of a convicted fundraiser for ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been sold for $2.8 million.

Rep. Kennedy says family spending ’special time together’ with his ailing dad, Ted Kennedy

WASHINGTON — Rep. Patrick Kennedy has found something of a blessing in the curse of cancer afflicting his father: The family has been able to spend much more time with the stricken senator.

GOP Sen. Martinez of Fla. says he’ll resign before term ends; gov won’t appoint self to seat

ORLANDO, Fla. — Republican Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida said Friday he will step down from the Senate before his term ends, adding fresh intrigue over who will fill the seat. Martinez, the only Hispanic Republican in the Senate, told reporters at a news conference he was leaving office of his “own free will.” He announced in December he would not to seek to re-election in 2010.

US Senate confirms Obama nominees for ambassadors to China, Japan

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Friday confirmed Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman as ambassador to China, giving the Republican the task of nurturing a sometimes shaky relationship that President Barack Obama sees as crucial to solving many of the world’s most difficult crises.

Campaigning for candidate for Va. governor, Obama says states need pragmatic leaders

McLEAN, Va. — President Barack Obama on Thursday told fellow Democrats that the nation needs governors who focus on long-term implications and avoid petty matters that mar politics, returning to campaign mode and reviving his election-season rhetoric. He then blamed his predecessor — a Republican — for leaving behind an economic crisis.

Obama says nation needs pragmatic leaders during stop for Va. governor candidate

McLEAN, Va. — President Barack Obama says the nation needs governors who focus on long-term implications and avoid petty matters that mar politics.

Activists vow to keep up their fight against Obama’s health care overhaul plan

WASHINGTON — Conservative activists are vowing to keep up their fight against President Barack Obama’s health care plans, even as the Democratic Party pushes back hard, accusing Republicans of organizing angry mobs.

THE INFLUENCE GAME: Health insurance lobby uses money, allies to fight government coverage

WASHINGTON — Cast as a profit-hoarding villain by Democratic foes, the insurance industry still has a fighting chance to fend off the part of health care overhaul it most despises — creation of a government-run plan to compete with private insurers.

Obama heads to Va. to help governor candidate whose fortunes foreshadow his own in swing state

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is heading back on the campaign trail to give a midsummer boost to a Democratic gubernatorial candidate whose fortunes could be a viewed as a referendum on administration policies.

Loosely organized protesters intent on keeping heat on Obama health plans

WASHINGTON — Conservative activists are vowing to keep up their fight against President Barack Obama’s health care plans, even as the Democratic Party pushes back hard, accusing Republicans of organizing angry mobs.

Republican Rand Paul, son of Ron Paul, joins Ky. race for US Senate seat after Bunning retires

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Rand Paul, the son of 2008 presidential candidate Ron Paul, ended months of speculation Wednesday by saying he will run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated next year by fellow Republican Jim Bunning.

Wealthy Hollywood producer, major Clinton donor, footed bill for journalist rescue from NKorea

WASHINGTON — A wealthy Hollywood producer and a major corporation were instrumental in bringing former President Bill Clinton and two American journalists home from North Korea, prompting words of thanks Wednesday from former Vice President Al Gore and the freed reporters during an emotional airport reunion.

Senate panel endorses Obama nominees for ambassadors to China, Japan

WASHINGTON — A U.S. Senate panel has endorsed Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman as U.S. ambassador to China.

AP review shows firms handling NM investments were big political donors to Gov. Richardson

SANTA FE, N.M. — Money managers, brokers and their marketing agents that secured public investment business in New Mexico in recent years have given more than $640,000 to Gov. Bill Richardson’s campaigns and political organizations since he first ran for governor in 2002, an Associated Press analysis shows.

THE INFLUENCE GAME: Patients group one weapon in lobbying war over generic biotech drugs

WASHINGTON — With the nation’s $46 billion biological drug market at stake, the war between makers of the pricey biotech medicines and their would-be generic competitors has involved millions of dollars in lobbying, thousands in campaign contributions and uncounted visits to members of Congress. And one noteworthy letter.

Informant in NJ public corruption probe legally gave nearly $190K to political campaigns

TRENTON, N.J. — Before he helped the government snare dozens of New Jersey public officials by offering bribes, the FBI’s informant in a corruption case was a prolific on-the-books campaign donor, giving roughly $190,000 to high-level candidates over an eight-year span.

Informant in NJ corruption probe gave nearly $190K in legal donations to NJ pols’ campaigns

TRENTON, N.J. — The informant in a federal corruption case that snared several New Jersey public officials has donated approximately $190,000 to lawmakers and political candidates over an eight-year period.

Minn. Gov. Tim Pawlenty builds brand nationally while dismissing talk of GOP presidential bid

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is a man on the move. Next stop, the Republican National Committee meeting in California. Future stop? Maybe the White House.

Sen. Jim Bunning says he will not run for re-election, citing lack of campaign dollars

WASHINGTON — Sen. Jim Bunning of Kentucky says he will not run for a third term in 2010, citing a lack of campaign money.

Conn. man whose family was killed in home invasion faces long death-penalty court battle

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — At 52, Dr. William Petit faces years — perhaps decades — of emotionally draining court hearings before the two men charged with murdering his family in a 2007 home invasion may be convicted and executed.

Parnell v. Palin: Alaska’s new governor says he shares Palin’s values, not personality

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaska’s new governor, Sean Parnell, says he’ll push many of Sarah Palin’s higher profile initiatives, like the natural gas pipeline.

Conn. man whose family was killed in home invasion faces long battle in death penalty case

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — At 52, Dr. William Petit faces years — perhaps decades — of emotionally draining court hearings before the two men charged with murdering his family in a 2007 home invasion may be convicted and executed.