SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ The wives of five presidential candidates engaged in a first-ever discussion Tuesday at the 2007 Women's Conference in Long Beach, trading thoughts on parenting during campaign season, the appropriate roles of political spouses and whether they matter to voters.

By Tom Raum Associated Press WASHINGTON -- When George Romney ran for the 1968 Republican presidential nomination, his Mormon heritage was mostly a footnote. It was scarcely mentioned in news accounts of the day. But for son Mitt Romney, the family religion presents a formidable political hurdle.

By Scott Helman The Boston Globe As abortion continues to define the Republican presidential primary, Mitt Romney's campaign said Wednesday that Romney's wife, Ann, made a $150 contribution to Planned Parenthood in 1994, the year Romney ran for Senate as a candidate supporting abortion rights.

By JESSICA HESLAM Former Gov. Mitt Romney has hundreds of unlikely friends - a motley crew of sexy ladies, spiky-haired punk rockers and gawky teenage boys who probably don't run in the polished pol's conservative (or Mormon) social circles. There's the gold-bikini-clad Melissa Lee from California.

By Jennifer Dobner; Glen Johnson, Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY -- While Mitt Romney condemns polygamy and its prior practice by his Mormon church, the Republican presidential candidate's great-grandfather had five wives and at least one of his great-great grandfathers had 12.