The Public Religion Research Institute confirmed that the religiously unaffiliated and minority Christian vote largely went to President Obama while Mitt Romney attracted most of the white, evangelical vote in November. The group's recent surveys highlight the challenge the GOP has in attracting minority voters.

According to the surveys, 25 percent of religiously unaffiliated voters supported Obama, with Romney winning only 7 percent of the same group. However, 40 percent of white, evangelical Protestants supported Romney while Obama received only 8 percent of that vote.

Each candidate received equal support from white, Catholic voters. more >>

Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee for president this year, received the lowest level of support among evangelicals of any Republican presidential candidate since Bob Dole in 1996, according to a report by Barna Group, a Christian polling organization.

Romney received the support of 81 percent of evangelicals, compared to 88 percent for John McCain in 2008, and 83 percent and 85 percent, respectively, for George W. Bush in 2000 and 2004. Only Dole received a lower level of evangelical support at 74 percent in Barna's polling.

Barna's results differ from other polls showing Romney received a higher proportion of the evangelical vote than McCain. The exit polls for the National Election Pool, for instance, showed Romney getting a share of the white evangelical vote that was four percentage points higher, 78 to 74 percent, than McCain. The differences can be explained, though, in how "evangelical" is defined for the different polls. more >>

Former President George W. Bush who has spent the past four years out of the political limelight, addressed immigration reform in a speech in Dallas on Tuesday, saying it would help boost the economy.

"Immigrants come with new skills and new ideas," Bush told those gathered at the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas. "They fill a critical part in our labor market. They work hard for a better life."

During his second term, the former Texas governor tried to pass a comprehensive immigration reform package with the help of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) in 2007. However, it was dealt a deathblow by fellow Republicans. more >>

Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has rejoined the board of directors of Marriott International, the parent company of one of the world's largest hospitality, hotel chains, and food services companies, owned by a devout Mormon family.

"We are delighted that Gov. Romney has agreed to rejoin our board, on which he has served with distinction twice before," J.W. Marriott, Jr., the company's executive chairman, said in a statement on Monday. "We will benefit from his tremendous energy and capability to guide long-term success in an increasingly complex business environment. We look forward to working closely with him again as a member of our strong, talented and diverse board."

Romney, who has spent most of his time in his family's California home since he lost to President Barack Obama in the November election, responded by saying it was an honor for him to serve in a renowned and successful company. more >>

It was revealed Wednesday morning that President Barack Obama and former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney will be having a private lunch on Thursday, Nov. 29 at the White House, with press barred from the meeting.

"On Thursday, Governor Romney will have a private lunch at the White House with President Obama in the Private Dining Room," White House press secretary Jay Carney shared in a statement this morning.

"It will be the first opportunity they have had to visit since the election. There will be no press coverage of the meeting," Carney added. more >>

Just two weeks after the presidential election, Mitt Romney has already faded into the background and the GOP has already begun looking for new faces to take his place.

Presidential candidates usually spend decades in the trenches, coming up through their state party ranks or making the gradual climb from office to office to build a strong base. But Romney did neither. Although he was a successful entrepreneur, turn-around artist and governor, he developed virtually no following outside of a close circle of advisors.

"I just don't think Romney ever established an emotional connection with much of anybody in the party," said the University of Virginia's Larry Sabato. "He was essentially a cyborg designed to win the presidency, and when he failed he was placed in the disposal bin." more >>