All Politics
Presidential polls: Politics, like Major League Baseball, is numbers-drivenWith 23 days and two important debates before Election Day, the presidential race could see major twists and turns. Here are the latest polling data, including an apparent advantage for Obama among early voters.
Cover StoryElection 2012: How another Obama term might be differentWould four more years of Obama change the Washington dynamic?聽 A two-part election 2012 report profiles the stark differences and interesting similarities of a second-term Obama White House vs. a聽 Romney White House 鈥� either of which would have to deal with a highly polarized Congress.- History shows 鈥渃oattail鈥� effect not so crucial to presidentsThe "coattail" effect may not be key to a successuful administration: History shows US presidents have always had to deal with opposition in Congress, whether their party held sway or not.
Cover StoryElection 2012: How Romney might lead on new Washington terrainRomney White House scenarios beyond a top-down CEO approach. A two-part election 2012 report profiles the stark differences and interesting similarities of a second-term Obama White House vs. a Romney White House 鈥� either of which would have to deal with a highly polarized Congress.
FocusAre ballot initiatives broken? California offers cluesDo ballot initiatives put power in the hands of the voters, or are they another tool for special interests to dominate politics? California's experiences 鈥� both good and bad 鈥� make it an important laboratory for 'direct democracy.'
FocusElection 2012: Ballot initiatives reflect nation's moodThe 174 propositions on state ballots point to evolving opinions on marijuana, same-sex marriage, health care, and more. Do the initiatives show the power of direct democracy or lack of legislative leadership?
Joe Biden's smiling: Was there method to his madness?Vice President Joe Biden has come under some criticism for his excessive smiling during Thursday night's debate. But Biden might have set up President Obama well.
Vice presidential debate: Did Paul Ryan want $300 million embassy security cut?In the vice presidential debate Thursday, Joe Biden said a budget written by Rep. Paul Ryan sought a $300 million cut in embassy security. The facts are more nuanced.
Paul Ryan workout photos: Do they send the right message?A new Time Magazine photo shoot shows a ripped Rep. Paul Ryan pumping iron. But has the congressman been emphasizing his fitness too much?
Ann Romney on 'Good Morning America': How'd she handle burning cookies?Ann Romney was the focus of several 'GMA' segments, interviewed other guests, and cooked. There鈥檚 some evidence that she is a driving force behind the revival of her husband鈥檚 prospects.
Biden-Ryan debate: why it doesn鈥檛 matter, and why it doesVice presidential debates have no history of swinging presidential races. But after President Obama's subpar performance last week, Vice President Joe Biden faces pressure Thursday night.
Obama Big Bird ad: a mistake, or shrewd?The Obama campaign's new ad attacking Romney for promising to cut Big Bird's funding has been criticized by conservatives, the Sesame Workshop CEO, and even some Democrats.
Why watch the vice-presidential debate? Entertainment value.The vice-presidential debate Thursday might not change much in the polls, but it should provide more zingers than the first presidential debate did 鈥� and be a warm-up for Obama-Romney Round 2.
Senator prods Gang of 8 to make middle class, deficit-cutting top prioritiesAs bipartisan talks to avoid a 'fiscal cliff' renew this week, a top Senate Democratic leader, Charles Schumer, warns negotiators that any plan that aims to cut taxes on the rich and also cut deficits is 'a trap,' and won't add up.
Polls: How big a bounce did Mitt Romney get from the debate?A poll from the Pew Research Center is the best news yet for Mitt Romney, putting him ahead of President Obama by four percentage points among likely voters. But polls can be conflicting.
Presidential debate 101: How much would US save by cutting off Big Bird?Eliminating federal spending for the whole Corporation for Public Broadcasting, not just Big Bird and 'Sesame Street,' would save about $445 million a year. It is less than a speck in overall government spending, but that's not MItt Romney's point.
In dedicating C茅sar Ch谩vez monument, Obama reaches out to Latino votersOn Monday, President Obama designated the C茅sar E. Ch谩vez National Monument in Keene, Calif. Still, the tireless advocate for laborers' rights was a controversial figure, even among Latinos.
Romney foreign policy: How different from Obama's?Under President Obama, the US has 'led from behind,' Mitt Romney said Monday. He vowed that as president he would use US power to shape world events, instead of simply reacting to them.
Jon Stewart debates Bill O'Reilly: Who won?Comedian Jon Stewart and TV host Bill O鈥橰eilly delivered a pretty good clash of ideologies, spiced up with humor and leavened by the fact that the two men appear to be friends.
Mitt Romney to lay out foreign policy, national security agendaFollowing a series of rhetorical stumbles, Mitt Romney is scheduled to lay out his more muscular foreign policy and national security agenda at the Virginia Military Institute Monday. But is it really all that different from President Obama's?
