Rick Santorum today defended his use of earmarks while he was in Congress, calling the special spending clauses that he inserted into congressional bills “good earmarks.” “There are good earmarks and bad earmarks,” Santorum, who is campaigning in Oklahoma City, said today. “And when the...

What a week in politics. This Republican primary is full of surprising twists and turns, even for someone who has been watching politics as long as I have. So, this week for the Bottom Line I asked you on Twitter and Facebook what you want...

Political news from today's Times, and a look at what's happening in Washington.

AP - Mitt Romney and Ron Paul are the undisputed favorites in Maine, the next state weighing in on the Republican presidential race. They're the only candidates who have made much of an effort in the state.

The Obama administration, and the rest of Washington, is delighted to welcome Prime Minister Mario Monti after years of arms-length dealings with Silvio Berlusconi.