UPDATED with comments from Ron Paul Texas Gov. Rick Perry stepped up his criticism of Ron Paul on Wednesday, calling him a “backbencher” in Congress who has been hypocritical by opposing federal spending but still asking for earmarks. Paul responded later in the day that he supports ...

It’s probably too late in Iowa’s first-in-the-nation precinct caucus campaign to catch up to the record spending by candidates just four years ago. Still, the campaign ad buys this week by Mitt Romney and Rick Perry will warm the year-end balance sheets of Iowa media companies. A ...

A high-profile backer of Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney said Thursday it’s “so important” that the former Massachusetts governor get off to a good start in Iowa, a state where he’s spent little time thus far but appears to be ramping up efforts. New Jersey Gov. ...