Standard-Examiner

Conservative activists revved up -- but lukewarm on Romney

Last updated Friday, February 10, 2012 - 5:26pm

WASHINGTON -- Conservatives are fired up, convinced that this will be a big year, but they worry that Mitt Romney will make their task harder.

The foot soldiers of the American political right have been meeting in Washington this week, and stickers and signs touting the former Massachusetts governor -- who's still the favorite for the GOP presidential nomination -- are scarce here.

Conservatives, CPAC, Mitt Romney, Politics, Republicans, National Read more Comments

A fourth defeat for Romney? Lack of ads could hurt

Beth Fouhy, Steve Peoples The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, February 9, 2012 - 5:13pm

NEW YORK -- Mitt Romney is in danger of losing his fourth straight state in Saturday's caucuses in Maine, where he and his allies have been all but absent from TV.

That's no coincidence.

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Bryce Canyon National Park Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh looks out at the hoodoos of Bryce. The battle over a proposed coal mine expansion on the edge of the park reflects the politics of coal. (Kate Linthicum/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

Proposed Utah mine expansion reflects the politics of coal

Kate Linthicum Los Angeles Times

Last updated Thursday, February 9, 2012 - 11:31am

PANGUITCH -- It was the simple beauty of the sagebrush hills and the first-rate fishing that drew Vince Salvato here 15 years ago. "All I wanted was a quiet, pristine place with clean air," he said, sipping sarsaparilla inside Bronco Bobbi's curio shop in this tiny town in southern Utah. "That's why I came here."

But the tranquility has been broken by the day-and-night rumble of trucks ferrying coal from a strip mine near Bryce Canyon National Park to a power plant three hours to the north.

The gritty fuel helps satisfy the huge appetite for power more than 500 miles away in Los Angeles. But it is now stoking controversy at both ends of the transmission lines over energy policy, environmental damage and how much consumers should pay to kick the coal habit.

Business, Energy, Outdoors, Bryce Canyon National Park, Coal Mine, Coal mining, Politics, Recreation, Tourism, Utah, Featured Read more Comments

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks at a campaign rally in Atlanta, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Romney's new offensive blames Gingrich, Santorum for GOP failings

Michael Finnegan Los Angeles Times

Last updated Thursday, February 9, 2012 - 10:07am

ATLANTA -- A day after his defeats in Colorado, Missouri and Minnesota, Mitt Romney pounded Republican presidential rivals Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich on Wednesday as big-spending Washington insiders whose careers show scant evidence of fiscal restraint.

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Secret Service agents, left, grab an unidentified man, center facing agents, after he threw glitter toward Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as he was shaking hands with the audience at the conclusion of his Colorado caucus night rally in Denver, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Student charged with throwing 'glitter bomb' at Romney

Contributed The Associated Press

Last updated Thursday, February 9, 2012 - 10:13am

DENVER -- A 20-year-old college student tried to throw glitter on Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney as he greeted supporters in Denver following Colorado's caucuses.

Glitter bomb, Mitt Romney, Politics, Protests, National Read more Comments

Republican presidential candidate former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum speaks next to his wife Karen, right, during a primary night watch party Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012, in St. Charles, Mo. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Romney's bad day is Santorum's best in GOP race

Laurie Kellman The Associated Press

Last updated Wednesday, February 8, 2012 - 10:13am

WASHINGTON -- Republican Rick Santorum is looking to capitalize on a string of stunning victories that snapped his four-state losing streak and raised new questions about front-runner Mitt Romney's clout with conservatives.

Campaign, Mitt Romney, Politics, Republicans, Rick Santorum, National Read more Comments

Rep. Galvez plans constituent night

Standard-Examiner staff Standard-Examiner

Last updated Tuesday, February 7, 2012 - 11:03pm

SALT LAKE CITY — State Rep. Brad Galvez, R-West Haven, will hold a constituent night for residents of his district at 5:30 p.m. Friday at the Utah State Capitol.

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Republican presidential candidate, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich speaks at the Price Hill Chili Restaurant up to 112, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Gingrich hits Romney, Obama, on Catholic rights

Charles Babington, Philip Elliott The Associated Press

Last updated Tuesday, February 7, 2012 - 1:16pm

CINCINNATI -- Newt Gingrich thrust the reproductive rights issue into the GOP campaign spotlight on Tuesday, criticizing both Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama's records on requiring Catholic organizations to provide contraceptive aids in some circumstances. Rick Santorum vowed to make the issue a central part of his struggling campaign.

Birth Control, Catholics, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Politics, President Obama, Religion, Republicans, Rick Santorum, National Read more Comments

LDS public relations topic for Ogden SUP

Standard-Examiner staff Standard-Examiner

Last updated Monday, February 6, 2012 - 11:02pm

OGDEN -- The Ogden Pioneer Chapter Sons of the Utah Pioneers will meet at noon Monday at Comfort Suites Inn, 2250 S. 1200 West.

Blake Whalen will speak about "Public Relations for the LDS Church."

Whalen is the general manager of The Boyer Company at Business Depot Ogden. He also is the director of the Utah Public Relations Council for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The cost of one meeting for potential members is paid for by the chapter. For other guests, there is a $12.50 charge.

Business, Event, Marketing, Mormon pioneers, Politics, Religion, Utah, History, LDS Church Read more Comments

Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks at a campaign rally in Grand Junction, Colo., Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Romney slams Obama on energy, Santorum on spending

Robin Abcarian Los Angeles Times

Last updated Monday, February 6, 2012 - 5:48pm

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. -- Fresh off his victory in Nevada, Mitt Romney turned his attention to Colorado, whose voters will caucus on Tuesday. In the modest meeting room of a slightly faded motel on the Rockies' Western slope, where mining companies and environmentalists have battled over coal extraction, Romney slammed President Barack Obama's energy policies.

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Romney turns to Colorado

Robin Abcarian Los Angeles Times

Last updated Sunday, February 5, 2012 - 12:24pm

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Flanked by four young grandchildren, a buoyant-looking Mitt Romney strode across the tarmac here early Saturday afternoon, creating a perfectly posed American family tableau on the day that Nevadans voted for their choices to be the Republican presidential nominee.

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William Howard Taft back on political stage in a big way

Trish Choate Scripps Howard News Service

Last updated Sunday, February 5, 2012 - 7:34am

"TAFT 2012: A NOVEL." By Jason Keller. Quirk Books. $14.95.

WASHINGTON -- William Howard Taft was a supersized man who many contend left a puny legacy, but the nation's 27th president changes the shape of things to come in the world imagined by Jason Heller in "Taft 2012: A Novel."

Features, Alternative history, Books, Jason Keller, Politics, Taft, William Howard Taft Read more Comments

Romney rolls to easy win in Nevada GOP caucuses

David Espo, Kasie Hunt The Associated Press

Last updated Saturday, February 4, 2012 - 8:25pm

LAS VEGAS -- Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney cruised to victory in the Nevada caucuses Saturday night, notching a second straight triumph over a field of rivals suddenly struggling to keep pace.

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The Susan Komen For The Cure international headquarters are shown in the Dallas suburb of Addison, Texas, Friday, Feb. 3, 2012. After three days of controversy, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast-cancer charity says it is reversing its decision to cut breast-screening grants to Planned Parenthood. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Komen reverses decision to cut Planned Parenthood funding

Eryn Brown, Karen Kaplan Los Angeles Times

Last updated Friday, February 3, 2012 - 2:28pm

In a reversal of policy after a nationwide uproar over its decision to cut funding to Planned Parenthood, Susan G. Komen for the Cure said Friday that it will amend its new funding rules and allow continued funding of breast health programs operated by the clinic.

Breast Cancer, Charity, Planned Parenthood, Politics, Susan G. Komen, National Read more Comments