Flipping the primary script: GOP establishment candidate challenges tea party incumbent
Updated 11:06 p.m. ET, 8/5/2014
(CNN) - The familiar 2014 narrative - tea party challenger takes on establishment GOP incumbent - was turned on its head Tuesday as Michigan voters headed to the polls in the state's Republican primary.
Challenger Brian Ellis, a wealthy businessman who has support from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, hoping to unseat two-term Rep. Justin Amash, came up short.
Amash will beat Ellis in the GOP contest for the state's 3rd Congressional District, CNN projects.
In Iowa, Rand Paul makes case for more compassionate GOP
OKOBOJI, Iowa (CNN) - Sen. Rand Paul brought his recent crusade for a more compassionate Republican Party to the northwest part of Iowa on Monday, appealing to a crowd of social conservatives at a fundraiser for Rep. Steve King.
The Kentucky Republican made his push for sentencing reform in the criminal justice system, the laws of which "disproportionately affect African Americans and Hispanics," Paul said.
"Until you show that you care about them and that you want to do something about them, you're not going to win," he told the audience. "So if we want to win, we're going to have to change."
Ben Carson's big 2016 move
(CNN) - Ben Carson is taking a significant step toward a 2016 presidential run by forming a political action committee, CNN confirmed Friday.
The renowned neurosurgeon and a popular figure among conservatives told the Washington Times he chose Houston businessman Terry Giles to be his campaign chairman, if he decides to launch a White House bid.
Acknowledging global unrest, Obama forges ahead with fundraising swing
SEATTLE (CNN) - As President Barack Obama helped Democrats bank millions in campaign cash on Tuesday, he acknowledged his administration is confronting "some big overseas challenges" in the Middle East, Ukraine and elsewhere.
Speaking at a fundraiser in a wealthy enclave of Seattle, Obama said there is a sense among Americans "that around the world the old order isn't holding and we're not quite where we need to be in terms of a new order that's based on a different set of principles."
Overseas, Israel continues its ground invasion of Gaza and investigators continue to probe the downing of a Malaysia Air jetliner over Ukraine. Some Republicans and pundits have chastised Obama for maintaining his three-day fundraising swing on the West Coast, though his aides argue the President can do his job from anywhere.
2016 GOP Poll: Huckabee, Paul, Perry and Ryan stand out
(CNN) - Four potential Republican presidential candidates stand out above the rest of the possible field, according to new national poll.
A Gallup survey released Friday indicates that former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, and Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin are best known and most liked by Republicans right now.
Cochran’s strategy: Good or bad for the GOP?
(CNN) - A number of high-profile conservative activists are steamed over Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran’s decision to court traditionally Democratic voters – including African-Americans – in his primary runoff victory over tea party-backed challenger Chris McDaniel.
“I wonder what the campaign slogan was in Mississippi the past couple days,” Rush Limbaugh said Wednesday on his nationally syndicated radio show. “Uncle Toms for Thad?”
King on Cruz control
(CNN) - An on-going feud playing out in the Republican Party between lawmakers Rep. Peter King and Sen. Ted Cruz sounds like the very beginning of a GOP presidential primary battle.
Perhaps underscoring an establishment v. tea party division the GOP, King, a longtime congressman from New York, said Wednesday Cruz "has decided to be the center of his own universe" after the conservative powerhouse from Texas dismissed King's criticism of his style of politics.
Romney: If Clinton runs in 2016, GOP should hit record at State
(CNN) - Mitt Romney said Sunday the way to pull down a potential Hillary Clinton campaign is to attack her record as secretary of state.
The 2012 Republican presidential candidate called Clinton’s tenure as American's top diplomat a "monumental bust" and narrowed in on Clinton's recent comments on the Taliban prisoner exchange for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl.
Graham on primary victory: 'Politics is war in another form'
(CNN) - After defeating a slew of challengers from the right, Sen. Lindsey Graham on Sunday chalked up his primary win to success in messaging and a first-rate ground game.
The South Carolina Republican was asked by CNN chief political analyst Gloria Borger, guest host of “State of the Union,” what he did right last week that Rep. Eric Cantor did wrong. Cantor lost his primary to a little-known GOP opponent.
Crossfire: Is Ben Carson qualified to be president?
(CNN) - Ben Carson, a renowned neurosurgeon and a popular figure among conservatives who's considering a run for president, wouldn't say whether he's qualified to be commander in chief.
Appearing on CNN's "Crossfire” on Wednesday, Carson was asked by co-host Stephanie Cutter on the left whether he thinks he has what it takes to lead the country.
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