WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump's approval rating is holding steady as the House presses forward with an impeachment probe that could imperil his presidency, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. But there are warning signs in the survey for Trump. Though Trump remains overwhelmingly...
Democrats Push Impeachment Rules Package Through House
WASHINGTON — Democrats rammed a package of ground rules for their impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump through a sharply divided House Thursday, the chamber's first formal vote in a fight that could stretch into the 2020 election year. The vote was 232-196, with all Republicans against the resolution and two Democratic...
Despite Trump's Attacks, California Is Still a Republican State
Did da Vinci spray graffiti over the Mona Lisa? Did Hitchcock destroy reels of Vertigo? Of course not. So why are Republicans waging war against California, their party’s greatest masterpiece? For all the denunciations of California as Democratic bastion, the larger, historic truth is exactly the opposite: Modern California is...
Walters: Slanting Ballot Measure Titles
Article II Section 10(d) of California’s constitution is brief, to wit: “Prior to circulation of an initiative or referendum petition for signatures, a copy shall be submitted to the attorney general who shall prepare a title and summary of the measure as provided by law.” That sounds like a routine...
Going After Investigators: Criminal Review of Mueller Probe
WASHINGTON — Investigating the investigators, the Justice Department has shifted its scrutiny of the government's Trump-Russia review to a criminal probe, a person familiar with the matter says. It's raising Democrats' concerns that President Donald Trump may be using federal muscle to go after his opponents. The revelation comes as...
Late Rep. Cummings Hailed as 'North Star' for Democrats
WASHINGTON — The late Rep. Elijah Cummings was hailed as the "North Star" for fellow House Democrats as congressional leaders and colleagues paid tribute to him at a Capitol ceremony Thursday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., a close personal and political ally, said that not only was Cummings a guiding light, "Elijah...
GOP Stands by Trump, Gingerly, After Diplomat's Testimony
WASHINGTON — They pleaded ignorance, saying they'd not read the diplomat's damning statement. They condemned the Democrats' tactics as unfair. They complained that the allegations against President Donald Trump rested on second- or third-hand evidence. Wednesday was a day of careful counterargument by congressional Republicans, the day after America's top envoy in...
Debate Takeaways: Warren Attacked, 70s Club Avoids Age Issue
A dozen Democratic presidential candidates participated in a spirited debate over health care, taxes, gun control and impeachment. Takeaways from the three-hour forum in Westerville, Ohio: Warren's Rise Attracts Attacks Sen. Elizabeth Warren found Tuesday that her rise in the polls may come with a steep cost. She's now a clear target...
AP FACT CHECK: Dems Flub Details on Guns, Syria in Debate
WASHINGTON — A dozen Democrats seeking the presidency tussled in a debate packed with policy, flubbing some details in the process. Several gave an iffy explanation Tuesday of why they're not swinging behind a bold proposal to make people turn over their assault-style weapons. Sloppiness also crept in during robust exchanges over...
Newsom’s First Rodeo: In Year One, Governor Bucks Both Trump and Brown
Californians will soon be allowed to eat roadkill but be prohibited from buying fur coats. Abortion pills will become available on college campuses, but tiny bottles of shampoo will be banned from hotel rooms. High school and middle school kids will get a later first bell, but schools won’t be...