Remember a year ago, when the circus came to TV?

WASHINGTON — The close race for majority control of the Senate comes down to whether Republican candidates in Massachusetts and Connecticut can win over President Barack Obama's voters and Democrats from Indiana to Arizona can impress Mitt Romney's GOP backers.

TAMPA, Fla. — Mitt Romney launched his fall campaign for the White House Thursday night with a rousing, remarkably personal speech to the Republican National convention and a prime-time TV audience, proclaiming that America needs "jobs, lots of jobs" and promising to create 12 million of them in perilous economic times.

Former U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon declared victory in his battle against former state House Speaker Kirk Adams for the East Valley’s Fifth Congressional District.

As the son of two immigrants, I watched my parents work incredibly hard. But because of good public schools and federal college aid, I was able to go from a kid whose parents didn’t speak much English to working for President Clinton in the White House and serving my country in uniform in the Navy reserve. That ladder of opportunity that is the bedrock of the American middle class is eroding and Washington isn’t doing enough to save it.

WASHINGTON — Sarah Palin and George W. Bush won't be in Tampa, Fla. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Al Gore won't make the trip to Charlotte, N.C. And scores of other Republican and Democratic stars are taking a pass as their parties gather for this year's national conventions.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Five years ago, as Republicans were getting to know Mitt Romney, a Gallup poll showed 30 percent of GOP voters expressly saying they wouldn't vote for a Mormon for president.

GETTYSBURG, Pa. — Bowing to the inevitable after an improbably resilient run for the White House, Rick Santorum quit the presidential race on Tuesday, clearing the way for Mitt Romney to claim the Republican nomination.

Are President Barack Obama and the Democrats political toast?

“Since Arizona legislators can vote on laws to watch teachers’ language, what they teach and close down schools, let’s make laws for politicians that they must be 100 percent honest, moral and not waste time making stupid laws.”

Hypocrite: A person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements contradict his or her public statements.

PHOENIX — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney swept Arizona's GOP primary with support from a broad cross section of voters who said they were focused on the economy, not immigration or the equally divisive issue of immigration.

WASHINGTON — Mitt Romney added to his lead in the race for convention delegates Tuesday with a win in the Arizona Republican presidential primary. Romney also won the Michigan primary, but it was unclear who would win the most delegates in that state.

PHOENIX — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney swept Arizona's GOP primary with support from a broad cross section of voters who said they were focused on the economy, not immigration or the equally divisive issue of immigration.

WASHINGTON — Mitt Romney added to his lead in the race for convention delegates Tuesday with a win in the Arizona Republican presidential primary. Romney also won the Michigan primary, but it was unclear who would win the most delegates in that state.

PHOENIX — Arizona Republicans are heading to the polls to help pick a presidential nominee.

PHOENIX — Arizona Republicans are heading to the polls to help pick a presidential nominee.

I wonder if American voters are really paying attention to what the GOP candidates are proposing?

For Chris Udall, that fact that GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney is a fellow Mormon was “just the icing on the cake” when he decided to donate $250 to his campaign.

For Chris Udall, that fact that GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney is a fellow Mormon was “just the icing on the cake” when he decided to donate $250 to his campaign.

It’s ironic that the question would be raised about a system that has brought economic freedom and prosperity to so many. But the public image of capitalism always suffers during economic downturns. This time, populist conservatives have teamed with traditional enemies to slap around capitalism pretty badly.

On Wednesday, I got to see the four candidates from the Republican Party for president, and I am completely disgusted with the hierarchy of the party. Ron Paul is more than likely a very good gynecologist, but he is certainly not prepared to be president.

While area residents, political activists, and others just looking to be part of the scene lined the streets, local food vendors and business owners in Downtown Mesa appeared to be lining something else: their pockets.