Gary Emerling

Steele finds own ‘rock star’ path within GOP

Four years ago, a charismatic black politician called a "rock star" by some moved a partisan crowd to its feet with rhetoric focused on the strengths of his political party -- but it wasn't Barack Obama.

September 1, 2008

Protesters: March at RNC is a go

ST. PAUL, Minn. | Organizers of a massive march at the Republican National Convention on Monday say the stage is set for their protest despite the convention's scaled-back activities and a series of law enforcement raids seen by the groups as attempts to quell their right to free speech.

September 1, 2008

Police arrest RNC protest leaders

Law-enforcement authorities say a series of raids targeting protesters of the Republican National Convention turned up items including a gas mask, metal pipes, axes and buckets of urine as part of an investigation into a "criminal enterprise" aimed at causing havoc at the four-day event.

August 31, 2008

Protesters prepare to crash party

Politicians and partygoers won't be the only ones in attendance at the Republican National Convention.

August 29, 2008

Slots foes sue to alter language on ballot

Opponents of Maryland's slot-machine referendum in November filed a lawsuit Thursday against its wording, while another prominent foe addressed the State Board of Elections, also pressing to include more details about how slots revenue will be used.

August 29, 2008

Candidates woo Virginians

Supporters of presumptive presidential nominees Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama are targeting unaffiliated voters in Virginia who could make the difference in November's election.

August 28, 2008

Kaine snub rattles race for governor

Virginia's gubernatorial election is a year away, but state Democrats and Republicans on Monday were talking about the impact of Gov. Tim Kaine's absence on the Democratic presidential ticket and preparing to finish his term.

August 26, 2008

Obama’s entourage snarls traffic

Thursday got off to a rocky start for Sen. Barack Obama as police handling the Democratic presidential hopeful's massive entourage of staff, Secret Service and three press buses along for the ride blocked off commuters for at least 25 minutes.

August 22, 2008

Police catch more motorists with phone in hand

Whoever the culprit and whatever the excuse, motorists in the District are once again on pace to break the city record for tickets received for using hand-held cell phones while driving.

August 21, 2008

Obama’s return to Virginia puts focus on Kaine

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama returns Wednesday to the battleground state of Virginia, adding to speculation that Gov. Tim Kaine is still on his shortlist of running mates.

August 20, 2008

Oil debate lands on Virginia’s coastline

The national debate on offshore drilling for oil and natural gas has Virginia lawmakers taking sides on how disruptive the procedure would be to military operations in federally managed waters off the state's coast.

August 18, 2008

Schools bracing for bus fuel costs

The wheels on the buses still go round and round, and area school systems are having to pay more and more.

July 31, 2008

Kaine coy on his VP prospects

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine continued to play coy about his chances of being named Sen. Barack Obama's vice presidential running mate, saying that he had "no secret meetings" planned with the Democrat's campaign on Tuesday and declining to discuss his conversations on the topic.

July 30, 2008

Court to review abortion ruling

A federal court said Monday it will review the constitutionality of a Virginia law prohibiting a type of late-term abortion.

July 29, 2008

Failed session costs taxpayers

Virginia lawmakers' failed special session this year will cost taxpayers more than just continued headaches in traffic.

July 14, 2008

Kaine left standing in veepstakes

And then there was one.

July 13, 2008

GOP chief sees support for Obama

The leader of Virginia's Republican Party predicted Tuesday that Sen. Barack Obama will do better among Virginia voters than previous Democratic presidential candidates have but said it's highly improbable he will beat Republican Sen. John McCain in the state.

July 9, 2008

Virginia lawmakers tiptoe around tax bills

Lawmakers trying to solve Virginia's transportation crisis during a special session that resumes this week are weighing tax proposals that members of both parties say could impact future elections.

July 8, 2008

Critics of death penalty hope for a phaseout

Kevin Green was No. 99 in May. Robert Stacy Yarbrough became No. 100 last month. And next week, Kent Jermaine Jackson stands to be No. 101.

July 4, 2008

GI bill boosts Webb’s veep odds

Speculation about Sen. Jim Webb's prospects for the Democratic vice presidential nomination got a boost last week with the passage of an important GI benefits bill, a signal achievement for the freshman lawmaker.

June 29, 2008