All DC Decoder
Why Mitt Romney trails in polls, as presidential debates beginPresident Obama got a bounce from the Democratic National Convention, and Mitt Romney has been struggling to play catchup since. There are many reasons 鈥� and the '47 percent' comment is only one possibility.
On eve of first debate, Romney floats tax proposal that hits the richIn an understated comment to a Denver radio station Tuesday, Mitt Romney suggests that one way to pay for his 20 percent cut in the tax rate is to limit itemized deductions to $17,000. For those, like himself, who itemize millions, it's a big hit.
Presidential debate: Which questions might trip up Obama, Romney?Why don't you support the DREAM Act, Mr. Romney? What economic missteps have you made, President Obama? Both candidates could face tricky questions in Wednesday's debate.
How much will your taxes go up if US falls off 'fiscal cliff'?Congress has put off dealing with the fiscal cliff 鈥� a huge suite of legislation 鈥� until after the Nov. 6 election. If it doesn't do something by Dec. 31, taxes will go up on virtually everyone.
Mitt Romney's 14 percent tax bite: your guide to deciphering what's 'fair'Many millionaires pay an effective tax rate much closer to Mitt Romney's 14 percent than to the official 35 percent top bracket. Preferential rates for investment income, including capital gains, are the reason. Is it time to change that?
First debate jitters? Obama, Romney camps maneuver for advantageAs Barack Obama and Mitt Romney rehearse for their first big debate Wednesday, both sides are playing the expectations game. Given recent polls, there鈥檚 more pressure on Romney to perform.
Fight over 鈥榖ias鈥� in political polling as numbers show clear edge for ObamaMost polls give President Obama the lead over Mitt Romney 鈥� some by a margin many find startling. Conservatives say that just proves the polls are rigged to give聽Democrats the advantage.
Obama and Romney fight for religious groups鈥� votes. Then there鈥檚 Romney鈥檚 Mormon faithSeparation of church and state may be a constitutional requirement in US government. But in Election 2012, religion has become an increasingly important factor.听President Obama and Mitt Romney are focusing on particular religious groups.
Libya attack: GOP goes after the White House, especially Susan RiceQuestions about how the Obama administration has handled the attack in Libya that killed the US ambassador on Sept. 11 have taken a harder political edge. A prominent Republican says UN Ambassador Susan Rice should resign over faulty reporting of the attack.
Polls favor Obama. A conspiracy by Democrats and the media?More voters consider themselves Democrats rather than Republicans, and this is reflected in opinion polls showing Barack Obama ahead of Mitt Romney. Critics say the results are skewed.
Where did the mammoth US budget deficits come from?Let's go back about a decade, when budget surpluses were predicted for the foreseeable future. Somehow, the math went terribly wrong, by trillions of dollars. Here's an accounting of what happened.
Romney tax plan: Is it 'mathematically impossible' or not?One study said Mitt Romney's tax-reform numbers don't add up. Another says they do. The reality: It depends a lot on the assumptions made about how deeply Romney is willing to cut tax breaks for the rich, including incentives for investment.
Poll finds high level of distrust in the media. Anybody surprised?A new Gallup survey finds most Americans have little or no trust in the media, especially Republicans and independents. Is this a dangerous trend in a democracy reliant on public information?
Sarah Palin鈥檚 advice to Mitt Romney: 'Go rogue'Mitt Romney has been getting lots of gratuitous advice from fellow Republicans worried about what they see as a presidential campaign slipping toward defeat. Some want Paul Ryan to play a more active role. Sarah Palin says the Romney campaign needs a 鈥榗ome to Jesus鈥� moment.
Romney tax returns: What鈥檚 missing in his report?Pundits, political partisans, and amateur CPA鈥檚 are poring over the numbers in Mitt Romney鈥檚 tax returns. What鈥檚 missing, tax experts say, are the details of Romney鈥檚 retirement account from Bain Capital, including investments in offshore accounts in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.
Yes, he's rich. Mitt Romney finally releases his tax returns.After months of pressure, Mitt Romney has released more tax information, which confirms that the Romneys are rich. But he'd probably be a billionaire if he hadn't gone into public service.
Who are the 47 percent? 5 jobs held by people who pay no income tax. Mitt Romney says 47 percent of Americans don't pay federal income taxes 鈥� and he was right. Half of that 47 percent are workers who hold jobs that don't pay enough for them to owe income taxes to Uncle Sam. What kinds of jobs are these?
Is Mitt Romney right about a 'good jobs' dearth in US?Under fire for writing off 47 percent of Americans as government dependents who will never vote for him, Mitt Romney clarifies that what he wants is for more people to have jobs good enough that they do pay taxes. Many agree about slippage in 'good jobs.'
Mitt Romney video fact check: Is 47 percent of US 'dependent' on government?In a secret video of a May fundraiser, Mitt Romney says 47 percent of Americans 'are dependent upon government.' One analysis suggests he might have gotten his numbers crossed.
How is Obama ahead in 8 of 9 swing states with the economy so weak?Polls show that President Obama has a lead 鈥� though in some cases very small 鈥� in most of the crucial swing states. One economist has set up a model that suggests why.
