Elections

All Elections

For Romney and Obama, it all comes down to ‘the persuadables.’ Are you one?

Swaying the 6 percent of likely voters who haven't yet decided could determine the presidential election. Who's really left to convince in an election where the differences between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are so stark?
Where’s Romney’s Ryan ‘bounce’? Polls give weak report

Paul Ryan's presence on the GOP presidential ticket has given Mitt Romney a slight boost in the polls – less than Sarah Palin or Joe Biden did for John McCain and Barack Obama four years ago. But Ryan has put new spring in Romney's step, and he's helped loosen Republican wallets.
Mitt Romney says he pays 13 percent in taxes. How low is that?

Mitt Romney has tried to fend off criticism about how much he has paid in federal taxes. But his 13 percent tax rate during the past 10 years puts him in peculiar company.
Mitt Romney has 100,000 new Twitter followers. Or does he?

Mitt Romney's 100,000 new Twitter followers are fake, says Barracuda Labs. Do social media followers matter to the campaign?
Which side is winning the battle to define Paul Ryan?

So far, polls show little to no bounce for Mitt Romney since he named Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate. The wisdom of adding Ryan to the ticket could be decided by how well he and Romney resolve their unsettled message on Medicare.
Are Obama critics using 'Swift Boat' tactics?

A group with Republican and tea party ties says President Obama leaked information and took too much credit for the US Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden. It reminds some of the 'Swift Boat' attack on Sen. John Kerry when he challenged former President Bush in 2004.
Romney says he's paid at least 13% of income in taxes over last decade

While talking with reporters in South Carolina, the former Massachusetts governor declined to produce records that would back up his claim.
Pennsylvania voter ID law: Key swing states tinker with Election 2012 rules

A Pennsylvania judge refused to block a state voter ID law Wednesday, but Pennsylvania is only one of the key swing states squabbling over rules for Election 2012.
Was Biden's 'back in chains' comment to black voters intentional? (+video)

Vice President Joe Biden told an audience that included African-Americans that Mitt Romney wanted to 'unchain' Wall Street from regulations and 'put y'all back in chains.' Team Romney called it a new low for the Obama campaign. Maybe Biden knew exactly what he was doing.
Tommy Thompson in Wisconsin lifts GOP hopes for US Senate takeover

Before he won Wisconsin's Senate primary Tuesday, Tommy Thompson led Democrat Tammy Baldwin in a hypothetical matchup by 5 points, a poll showed. This marks the former governor's reentry into politics.
Stakes high for GOP as Wisconsin voters settle on a Senate matchup

Wisconsin has an open US Senate seat, and Republicans hope to pick it off on their way to a takeover of the upper chamber. Voters decide Tuesday which of four candidates will carry the GOP banner into the fall election.
'Welfare-voter' spat in Massachusetts part of larger political duel

Republican Sen. Scott Brown says Massachusetts' decision to try to expand voter registration among welfare recipients is a blatant political maneuver. But it is part of a national trend.
Paul Ryan's record: huge role in debt debate but few legislative wins

Rep. Paul Ryan's grasp of federal spending has given him an outsized role in defining the GOP position on deficits and debt, but he has a lower profile in driving the bipartisan compromises needed to pass laws.
The Paul Ryan budget: your guide to what's in it

Rep. Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney's running mate, is best known for drawing up a series of spending-and-tax plans meant to challenge the Obama administration's policies from the right. But it's been some time since his latest budget, which Mr. Ryan terms a "path to prosperity," was released. Here's a primer on what's in it.
Did girls' petition help Candy Crowley land gig as a debate moderator?

CNN's Candy Crowley was named Monday as a presidential debate moderator, the first woman in that role in 20 years. Three students who campaigned for a woman were 'exuberant, thrilled, excited.'
With Paul Ryan, Romney brings Wisconsin into play. But it's no sure bet. (+video)

Adding Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin to the GOP ticket makes that state competitive, but it's no guarantee that Romney-Ryan will win it. A closer race in Wisconsin, though, will force Team Obama to spend time and money there.
Paul Ryan: Which campaign gets the bigger boost?

Both Democrats and conservative Republicans are seeing Mitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as a potential game-changer for their team. But only one can win.
In joining Romney, will Paul Ryan get his 'clear choice' campaign? (+video)

Back in February, long before he got the vice presidential nod, Rep. Paul Ryan urged Mitt Romney to run an 'affirmative' campaign, laying out how he differs from Obama. Picking Ryan may signal Romney's intent to do just that.
Romney falling behind in polls. Will Paul Ryan help?

Recent polls have Mitt Romney slipping behind President Obama – including among men and suburbanites. Running mate Paul Ryan could help, but so far he's largely unknown to voters.
Republicans, Democrats scramble to frame Paul Ryan’s political persona

With Rep. Paul Ryan, the GOP now has a full presidential ticket. Bold move or potential disaster for Americans? Republicans and Democrats try to shape Ryan's image to their own advantage.