President Barack Obama poked fun at his likely presidential rival Mitt Romney and Republican opponents in Congress, including a dig at Romney’s treatment of a pet dog, at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

Newt Gingrich cast Mitt Romney as the most anti-immigrant candidate of the four contenders for the Republican presidential nomination in a heated campaign debate in Hispanic-heavy Florida.

MITT ROMNEY entered the final full day of campaigning in South Carolina’s primary contest scrambling to fend off challenges from more conservative rivals Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum and insisting he’s the one that Republicans can trust to “post up well” against President Barack Obama in the autumn.

NEWT GINGRICH may have won the endorsement of Texas Governor Rick Perry, but his second ex-wife, Marianne, told Americans last night her former husband sought an open marriage and was conning the electorate.

Texas Governor Rick Perry abandoned his presidential bid and endorsed Newt Gingrich today, just two days before the pivotal South Carolina primary.

NEWT GINGRICH has charged into the fray over illegal immigration, risking conservative fury just as his Republican presidential campaign — once declared all but dead — has vaulted into front-runner status.

Former US senator Rick Santorum has confirmed he is running for president, joining a crowded field of Republicans looking to challenge Barack Obama in next year’s election.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will not run for president in 2008 after determining he could not legally explore a bid and remain as head of his tax-exempt political organisation, a spokesman said today.