Names surface as potential Nys Gop lieutenant governor candidates

The following is the fourth item that was cut for space from the print editions of my "Albany Insider" column: The list of potential Republican lieutenant governor candidates is almost as long as Democrats considering a run for attorney general. A source close to Republican presumptive gubernatorial nominee Marcus Molinaro said the panel he created to screen potential lieutenant governor candidates has 11 possibilities who could serve as his runningmate.

Kasich unsure how much he’ll back GOP nominee for Ohio gov.

Fresh off a victory in Ohio's primary election, the Democratic nominee for the state's top office is reaching out to supporters of outgoing Republican Gov. John Kasich, whose policies have alienated many GOP supporters in recent years. Democrat Richard Cordray, who led the federal consumer protection bureau under President Barack Obama, pledged in a video his campaign released Friday that he'll maintain Kasich's expansion of Medicaid and the state's privatized economic development office, which critics say lacks accountability.

Healthcare must be top priority for next governor

Tackling Georgia's problems with health care must be a top priority of our next governor. So why did the current governor this past week veto a bill intended to bring experts together to craft solutions to those problems? Senate Bill 357 was the chief product of the Health Care Reform Task Force the Senate convened in 2017.

NY Times Again Tries and Fails to Discredit Rep. Devin Nunes’ Oversight of Russia Probe

The New York Times' attacks on the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, continued in Sunday's news section, under the byline of Nicholas Fandos and Katie Benner: "Wielding Threats, Nunes Attacks Justice Dept. " The text box featured typical liberal media weasel wording: "Some see an effort to weaponize documents and undermine the Russia inquiry."

Trump and Democrats get blame for confirmation chaos

When Mike Pompeo was confirmed by the Senate last month for secretary of state, he received just 57 votes as only six Democrats supported him. For example, Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York has voted for only two of the nominees and was the only senator to oppose the confirmation of Jim Mattis for secretary of defense.

He Was a Tireless Critic of the Iran Deal. Now He Insists He Wanted…

Trump's decision to blow up the Iran deal is a massive attack on Europe - Few ideas are as holy in President Trump's international liturgy as the concept of national sovereignty. His National Security Strategy speaks of a "beautiful vision - a world of strong, sovereign, and independent nations Trump team sends mixed signals to Europe - National security adviser John Bolton on Sunday carefully doubled down on President Donald Trump's threat that European countries could be sanctioned by the United States if they continue to be involved with Iran.

Economic optimism makes its way through South Dakota as the nation’s economy adds jobs

"In April, unemployment fell to an 18-year low, and wages are up steadily over the past year," said U.S. Senator from South Dakota John Thune in a released statement from his office. "A few months ago, Congress passed historic tax reform, and since then nearly 800,000 jobs have been created, and more than 500 companies have announced pay raises, bonuses, 401 match increases, and cuts to utility rates as a result.

Pompeo says U.S. not ‘remotely close’ to getting what it wants from …

'It's just possible we might pull off a historic undertaking': Pompeo says U.S. not 'remotely close' to a deal with North Korea and it all comes down to Trump's meeting with Kim Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that Trump and Kim Jong-un would meet in Singapore on June 12 to 'see if there is sufficient overlap' to make a deal He attempted to lower the bar for what constitutes a 'successful outcome' after Trump predicted he'd walk away with a major achievement Making his expectations known earlier this week, Trump said, 'I think that we're going to have a success.

UPDATE 2-In concession, Trump says will help China’s ZTE ‘get back into business’

U.S. President Donald Trump said in a tweet on Sunday that he has asked the Commerce Department to help Chinese technology company ZTE Corp "get back into business, fast," a concession to Beijing ahead of high-stakes trade talks that will take place this week. FILE PHOTO: A ZTE smart phone is pictured in this illustration taken April 17, 2018.

How California Could Bust Up the Two-Party System

In wide-open 2020 presidential field, Democrats are road-testing messages - and trying to redefine their party - The future of the Democratic Party has been booking late night TV gigs, waking up for morning drive-time radio and showing up at watering holes in rural counties to try out new material. Joe Biden: the liberal everyman spoiling for a fight with Trump as 2020 looms - The Democratic field is likely to be swollen but the 75-year-old could represent a likable consensus candidate for both wings of the party - Among recent pilgrims to the Arizona ranch of Senator John McCain was Joe Biden.

A Surge of Women Candidates, but Crowded Primaries and Tough Races Await

In wide-open 2020 presidential field, Democrats are road-testing messages - and trying to redefine their party - The future of the Democratic Party has been booking late night TV gigs, waking up for morning drive-time radio and showing up at watering holes in rural counties to try out new material. Joe Biden: the liberal everyman spoiling for a fight with Trump as 2020 looms - The Democratic field is likely to be swollen but the 75-year-old could represent a likable consensus candidate for both wings of the party - Among recent pilgrims to the Arizona ranch of Senator John McCain was Joe Biden.

Donald Trump’s Mommy Issues

In wide-open 2020 presidential field, Democrats are road-testing messages - and trying to redefine their party - The future of the Democratic Party has been booking late night TV gigs, waking up for morning drive-time radio and showing up at watering holes in rural counties to try out new material. Joe Biden: the liberal everyman spoiling for a fight with Trump as 2020 looms - The Democratic field is likely to be swollen but the 75-year-old could represent a likable consensus candidate for both wings of the party - Among recent pilgrims to the Arizona ranch of Senator John McCain was Joe Biden.

Lincoln Chafee, a political enigma, eyes his old Senate seat

In this Dec. 13, 2006 file photo, newly elected U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, right, speaks with the media following a transition meeting with outgoing Sen. Lincoln Chafee, left, at Chafee's office in Providence, R.I. Chafee, a Republican-turned independent-turned-Democrat, is considering a 2018 run for the Senate seat Whitehouse won from him in 2006. FILE - In this Oct. 13, 2015, file photo, former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee speaks during the a Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas.

Paul Ryan warns a blue wavea could wipe out Trump accomplishments

House Speaker Paul Ryan said Saturday he thinks President Donald Trump will be an asset to GOP candidates this fall in states like Wisconsin that he narrowly won, even as he warned fellow Republicans that a "blue wave" could wipe out advancements made during his presidency. Ryan addressed about 600 people at the Wisconsin Republican convention, his final one after 20 years in office.