Created in 1854, the Republican Party in the United States was founded by former members of the Whig Party, Free-Soil Party, Know-Nothing Party, along with some Northern Democrats. The founders became united in opposition of each of their party’s conciliatory attitude on the slavery issue. In 1856, John Charles Fremont became the first Republican presidential candidate. The first Republican elected to the presidency was Abraham Lincoln in 1860.
Since the 1856 founding of the Republican Party through 2008, Republican presidents have governed for 85 years in total compared to 67 years for Democratic presidents.
As of August 2010 the United States Senate was comprised of 41 Republicans, 57 Democrats and 2 Independents who caucus with the Democrats for the purpose of committee assignments and Senate organization. The two independent members are Senators Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
In the House of Representatives, there are 178 Republicans and 257 Democrats.
As of January 2009, there were roughly 55 million registered Republican voters in America compared to approximately 72 million Democrats and 42 million registered Independents.
Poll: Republican voters oppose a 'brokered' convention - USA Today The poll, taken Thursday through Sunday, illustrates the battle between head-and-heart for many Republican voters: • Santorum is the current favorite, leading Romney 50%-44% in a one-on-one contest. In the separate daily Gallup Poll of the ... Publ.Date : 2012-02-20T18:53:57Z
Third Republican candidate files to run for commissioner seat - Times-News A third Republican has joined this year’s race for three seats on the Alamance County Board of Commissioners. David I. Smith, a former Alamance County manager and county attorney, filed Tuesday at the Alamance County Board of Elections. Publ.Date : 2012-02-23T02:08:14Z
No Do-Si-Dos Here: Indiana Republican Rips Girl Scouts - YAHOO! When most people think of the Girl Scouts - especially this time of year at cookie time - they think of Thin Mints and Samoas, of campfires and green uniforms, but one Indiana Republican sees something vastly different: a "radicalized" abortion rights ... Publ.Date : 2012-02-22T16:57:02Z
Ask the Question No One Is Asking: Crowdsourcing the Republican Primary Debate - Wired News Are you the type who, when watching a political debate, screams at the moderator for not asking the right question — the one you’re just dying to hear the answer to? The one that’s really important? Well, here’s a chance to get your question asked. Publ.Date : 2012-02-22T23:09:16Z
Republican Candidates See Opening on Israel and Iran - New York Times Blogs For much of the last year, the Republican candidates for president have hammered President Obama’s handling of the Middle East peace effort, hoping to drive a wedge between Mr. Obama and Jewish voters and other supporters of Israel over the ... Publ.Date : 2012-02-20T23:54:36Z
Live blog: CNN Arizona Republican Presidential Debate - CNN (CNN) - The CNN Political Ticker is live blogging the CNN Arizona Republican Presidential Debate in Mesa. Check here for live updates throughout the event and be sure to follow @PoliticalTicker, @CNNPolitics and use #CNNDebate. Participating in ... Publ.Date : 2012-02-23T00:42:20Z
Republican candidates spar over congressional spending - CBS News Republican rivals on Wednesday attacked each other over congressional spending on pet projects, with Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney each defending their past use as they vowed to oppose them as president. "While I was fighting to save the ... Publ.Date : 2012-02-23T02:44:01Z
Poll: Which Republican presidential candidate has your vote next Tuesday? - MLive.com The Republican primary presidential election is scheduled for Feb. 28. and recent polls indicate social conservative Rick Santorum is holding a slight lead over Michigan native Mitt Romney. Ron Paul, who is visiting Central Michigan University ... Publ.Date : 2012-02-22T15:52:37Z
Secret campaign contributions from corporations and foreign companies are jeopardizing the integrity of the American electoral system.
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