Gallup polling over the past three decades shows Republican front-runners usually win their party’s nomination, but Democrats do not. Some elections:

A top U.S. Senate Democrat said on Sunday his party aims to limit the role of the nearly 140,000 American troops in Iraq and withdraw most of them from the war-torn country within a year.

David Sabbagh is quick to dismiss suggestions that his quest to become Bloomington’s first Republican mayor in 36 years is an exercise in futility. “I don’t think local races really are Republican versus Democrat,” he said.

A group of influential Christian conservatives emerged from a private meeting this month dissatisfied with the Republican presidential field and uncertain where to turn.

It is a tantalizing prospect for Senate Republicans — though a remote one. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the Democrat-turned-independent from Connecticut, suggested last week that if the Democratic Party, with whom he caucuses, doesn’t handle the Iraq issue properly, he might switch parties.

It is a tantalizing prospect for Senate Republicans — though a remote one. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the Democrat-turned-independent from Connecticut, suggested last week that if the Democratic Party, with whom he caucuses, doesn’t handle the Iraq issue properly, he might switch parties.

It is about time politicians, Republican and Democrat, started making decisions that are best for this nation as a whole and not what benefits them or their party. This non-binding resolution to withdraw troops from Iraq that has been proposed and supported by Democrats only accomplishes two things.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – The director of the Missouri Democratic Party is returning to work for her old boss, Senator Claire McCaskill. Corey Dillon has been executive director of the state party since August 2004, when McCaskill defeated Governor Holden in the party primary for governor.

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Fred Jarrett, who has warned his Republican Party for years about veering rightward, finds some bittersweet vindication. The representative is the last state Republican lawmaker standing in the suburban districts that girdle Lake Washington - turf once solidly GOP.

The director of the Missouri Democratic Party is returning to work for Sen. Claire McCaskill. McCaskill’s office announced Friday that she will have three regional directors handling matters at five offices around the state.