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Gay marriage: Can Obama stay on tightrope until 2012 elections?

President Obama has increased gay rights without publicly endorsing gay marriage. Can his position on gay marriage continue 'evolving' throughout a tight campaign season?
Election 101: Ten facts about Jon Huntsman and his presidential campaign

Jon Meade Huntsman Jr. wants his boss's job. President Obama’s former China ambassador declared his candidacy for the presidency on June 21. Dubbed “the Republican Democrats fear most,” the tall, handsome, cerebral former governor of Utah often draws comparisons to Mr. Obama, the very man he’s struggling to distance himself from. Will that, and his centrist views and Mormon faith, keep him on the margins of the Republican field?
Jon Huntsman enters GOP race. Is he the one Obama fears most?

His poll numbers are poor. But former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, who announced his bid for president Tuesday, may appeal to enough moderate Republicans, independents to make a splash.
Can Jon Huntsman really carve out a path to the GOP nomination?

Jon Huntsman, set to announce his presidential bid on Tuesday, will skip the Iowa caucuses and is little-known in New Hampshire, the first primary state. His biggest hurdle: Mitt Romney.
Tim Pawlenty takes flak over GOP debate. Was his showing so tragic?

Tim Pawlenty declined to be the attack dog against front-runner Mitt Romney in Monday's GOP presidential debate. Critics assailed him, but there are risks to going negative so early in the race.
Election 101: Ten facts about Michele Bachmann and her presidential bid

With her announcement Monday that she is entering the presidential race, Michele Bachmann has given the tea party a candidate to call its own. Her conservative views and flame-throwing style have already attracted tangible support from evangelicals and the anti-Washington crowd. But is she capable of running a campaign that can withstand the rigors and scrutiny of the presidential process?
New Hampshire GOP debate belonged to Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann

Rep. Michele Bachmann used the occasion of the debate to announce that she is definitely running for president. As for front-runner Mitt Romney, no competitors inflicted damage on his campaign.
GOP debate preview: Will anyone emerge as an alternative to Mitt Romney?

Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney makes his first appearance in a GOP debate Monday night with his lead in the polls not beyond reach. How the rest of the field may jockey for position.
Mitt Romney pulling away from crowded GOP field, poll shows

Candidate Mitt Romney has the support of 24 percent of Republicans or GOP-leaning independents in his presidential bid, latest Gallup poll shows. That's a seven-point jump from a few weeks ago.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry for president? Why he could have a hard time.

Rick Perry might jump into the presidential race after all. While he would bring formidable strengths to the race, his record isn’t all sweetness and light.
Election 101: Rick Santorum makes a bid for the White House

Rick Santorum’s 16-year career in politics can be charted through his rigorous positions on hot-button issues: welfare, abortion, gay rights. His boldness has made Mr. Santorum, who announced his candidacy for president June 6, a politician that people either really like, or really don't.
Does Sarah Palin's bus tour mean she's serious about running?

The intensity of feeling about Sarah Palin would make her an atypical presidential candidate. That worries some conservatives, and it leaves some Democrats hoping she'll run.
Election 101: Nine facts about Mitt Romney and his White House bid

Mitt Romney, who declared his candidacy June 2 in New Hampshire, has been groomed to run for president. He has the look and the political lineage. He’s been a governor, the quintessential training ground. And he’s essentially never stopped running since he conceded his first White House bid three years ago.
Mitt Romney is officially in. Will he do better this time?

In 2008, Mitt Romney thought he could burst out of the starting blocks with wins in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary. But there's reason to believe he'll be more successful with this attempt.
Election 101: Tim Pawlenty as 'everyman's' candidate? Ten points about who he is.

Tim Pawlenty wants a White House ending to his rags-to-riches rise. The former governor declared his candidacy for president May 22 in a video released on his website. The grandson of German immigrants and the first in his family to attend college, Pawlenty is hoping his foes’ flaws are his ticket to victory.
Election 2012: Mitch Daniels out, where does that leave the GOP?

Citing family considerations, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels says he will not run for president. That leaves the rest of the GOP field angling for position at a time when many Republicans are less than thrilled with the current choices.
Election 101: Herman Cain

Herman Cain, who announced his candidacy for president at an Atlanta rally May 21, aims to bring a new slogan to the White House: “Yes, We Cain!” Seriously, folks. The pizza magnate, aka the ‘Hermanator,’ is staging a full-on charm offensive, hoping his Southern-fried charisma, business savvy, top performance in the first GOP debate, and media prowess are enough to offset his fundamental flaw: zero political experience.
Can Newt Gingrich save his campaign?

Some GOP strategists say his presidential campaign is as good as done following his criticism of Paul Ryan's plan for Medicare, but Newt Gingrich isn't giving up. The week ahead could be telling.
Was Newt Gingrich right about GOP's Medicare plan?

After Newt Gingrich called Paul Ryan's Medicare plan 'radical,' he accepted party demands to recant his statements. But polls show that most Americans do not want changes to Medicare.
Mitt Romney makes a fundraising splash. How much does that matter?

Mitt Romney lays down the gauntlet to Republican contenders with a one-day fundraising haul of more than $10 million. His rivals probably won't be able to keep pace, but they may not have to.