FALLS CHURCH Virginia Senate candidate George Allen's three conservative rivals won louder ovations from a conservative gathering at their final debate Friday, while the front-runner instead gave more seasoned and measured responses to subjects including foreign policy and an openly gay judicial nominee.

RALEIGH, N.C. North Carolina's constitutional amendment slamming the door on same-sex marriages is now in effect. But the debates on its full meaning continue.

The presidential race remains a dead heat in North Carolina, according to a poll released today. Republican Mitt Romney took 45 percent of the vote and 44 percent went to President Barack Obama in the SurveyUSA poll. The rest of those polled were undecided or supported another candidate. Independents broke 45-32 for Romney.

The two Virginia Beach men competing in the 2nd Congressional District election this year exchanged letters Monday urging each other to adopt civil rules to avoid personal attacks. But they can't agree on where to draw the line.

RICHMOND The Virginia Bar Association is planning to hold a debate in July in the state's U.S. Senate race. The group says the debate is scheduled for July 21 at The Homestead in Hot Springs as part of the bar association's summer meeting. It hopes it will be the first general election debate in the race to fill the seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Jim Webb.

President Barack Obama’s embrace of same-sex marriage was a major moment for gay-rights advocates — historic, emotional, a cause for celebration and more praise for an administration with a strong record on these issues. But they’re already starting to ask what’s next.

By Alexander Burns and Maggie Haberman With nearly six months left before Election Day, national party committees have already reserved more than $72 million in television airtime for a fall campaign that’s shaping up as a Super Bowl-like spectacle of political advertising.

By Ken Thomas WASHINGTON President Barack Obama holds a cash advantage of more than 2-to-1 over Republican challenger Mitt Romney but the president's money advantage is beginning to dwindle. Obama's campaign reported $115.1 million in the bank through April and the Democratic National Committee had about $24.2 million in its account at the end of last month.

By Larry O'Dell  RICHMOND A government lawyer has asked an appeals court in Virginia to reverse a judge's ruling that the ban on corporate campaign contributions in federal elections is unconstitutional. Justice Department attorney Michael Dreeben said today that the century-old ban serves the legitimate purpose of curbing corruption.

NORFOLK President Barack Obama's re-election campaign launched a national "Veterans and Military Families for Obama" effort on the city's waterfront Thursday night, and Republicans countered with news conferences criticizing the president's record on veterans affairs.