Elections

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The final GOP debate before Iowa: what each candidate needs to do

It’s anybody’s guess who will win the Iowa caucuses. In Thursday’s debate, each candidate has a final chance to impress Iowa Republicans – and the rest of America.
Barbara Walters scoop: Herman Cain wants to be SecDef!

Herman Cain could see himself as Defense secretary, the ex-GOP presidential candidate told Barbara Walters during an interview for her program, '10 Most Fascinating People of 2011.' He's been reading up.
Newt Gingrich: 8 of the GOP idea man's more unusual ideas

Newt Gingrich is a big ideas guy. Ask anybody. Some of the ideas end up working, like the one a couple of decades ago that the Republican Party could actually take control of the House after 40 years of Democratic rule. Others are a little out there. An elaborate system of space mirrors to light highways? Check. Say what you will, but at least the former House speaker – and now the clear front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination – has a fertile imagination. Here are some of his more unusual ideas.
Election 101: Where the GOP candidates stand on immigration, abortion and other social issues

Social policies are a defining issue in this, or any, Republican race. With the GOP electorate increasingly focused on social issues in recent decades, their leaders' views have shifted in kind. At stake: the support of the powerful evangelical conservatives, so-called values voters for whom social issues like abortion are deciding factors. While they have their differences, all the main candidates espouse conservative social values. Take a look at where each of them stands.
Sarah Palin speaks, but are Americans heeding her anymore?

Sarah Palin is speaking out about alleged insider trading by members of Congress and is shopping a new reality TV series. But networks aren't biting, and some analysts doubt her star can rise again.
Mitt Romney gaffes: 11 times the button-down candidate should have buttoned up

In politics, a gaffe is often described as a "truth told by accident." Mitt Romney has had relatively few of them during his time in politics, but lately, the former governor of Massachusetts has had a bunch. The most recent: a leaked video that shows Mr. Romney dismissing President Obama’s supporters as ‘victims,’ dependent on government. The video stoked criticism of how the candidate’s unforced errors are preempting debate on Mr. Obama’s record, especially on jobs and the economy. Here’s a list of the most memorable verbal missteps.
Following his solid debate performance, can Newt Gingrich be stopped?

In the crucial Iowa debate, Newt Gingrich came across as steady and principled, flexible or unwavering as he saw the need. The one major gaffe was Mitt Romney's $10,000 challenge to Rick Perry.
As debate approaches, Republicans, conservatives target Newt Gingrich

As front-runner in the Republican presidential nominating race, Newt Gingrich is a natural target for critics. At this point, it's mainly conservatives and fellow Republicans questioning his character and leadership qualities.
Stephen Colbert almost bought naming rights to South Carolina GOP primary

Along with naming rights, Stephen Colbert wants to place a referendum on the South Carolina GOP primary ballot asking voters to decide if 'corporations are people,' or if 'only people are people.'
Romney camp shifts into attack mode as Gingrich threatens (Video)

A new Romney ad released Friday lambasts Newt Gingrich for his criticism last spring of a fellow Republican. The gloves are off, but the Romney campaign is so far using surrogates for the fight.
Digging for political dirt? Twitter could be the source for you.

As the presidential race picks up the pace, Twitter has become the go-to meeting place for those dealing in political dirt. A Pew center study finds it a far more negative medium than blogs or the mainstream press.
Why Republican efforts to corral Jewish vote may come up short

As expected, Republican presidential candidates courting the Jewish vote made mention Wednesday of Israel and Iran, but experts say it's unrealistic to expect they'll make major inroads on Jewish support for Obama.
In Kansas, a combative Obama tries on his Teddy Roosevelt hat

In the Kansas town where Teddy Roosevelt called for a progressive 'New Nationalism,' Obama delivered a populist appeal fairness through taxes and regulation and an indictment of the GOP agenda as he sees it.
Time for Mitt Romney to take on Newt Gingrich?

With Newt Gingrich passing Mitt Romney in the polls, some politicos say the affable Romney must ramp up attacks on Gingrich. But others say that could ruin Romney's brand.
Romney staff spent nearly $100,000 to hide records

The effort to purge the records was made a few months before Romney launched an unsuccessful campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. He is again competing for the party's nomination, this time to challenge Barack Obama for the presidency in 2012.
Why Newt Gingrich is likely to win Iowa

Newt Gingrich doesn't have a big campaign staff or lots of money. But Newt Gingrich has got several things going for him in Iowa, notes DCDecoder.
Newt Gingrich surges in Iowa. Will it last?

Newt Gingrich leads the Republican pack of presidential hopefuls in the key state of Iowa, according to a new poll out Sunday, and he seems likely to pick up Herman Cain's endorsement.
Herman Cain 'suspends' presidential campaign, effectively ending it

Herman Cain continues to deny any wrong doing involving other women. But the "continued distraction" has led him to suspend his campaign, ending what had been a meteoric political rise.
Political sex scandals: Who survived – and who didn't

Revelations of an extramarital affair ended the political career of David Petraeus, who resigned as CIA director Nov. 9. But sex scandals are not necessarily fatal to political ambition. Against all odds, some politicians survive them. How do they do it? Here’s a list of notable politicos whose careers continued in spite of their slips – and some who didn’t, and found themselves looking for work in the private sector.
Newt Gingrich stomps Mitt Romney in Florida poll

Newt Gingrich is ahead of Mitt Romney by a wide margin in Florida, a key GOP primary state. Will the surge last?