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In blow to Romney, court says Ohio can’t restrict 'souls to the polls' voting by blacks

A federal appeals court says an Ohio decision to allow only military personnel three days of early voting is unconstitutional. It could help Obama and hurt Romney in a critical swing state.
Will black voters give Obama what he needs in Southern swing states?

Black voters who do go to the polls are near-certain to vote for Obama. But in Virginia and North Carolina, concern is rising that the black voters who sealed the deal for Obama in 2008 will stay home.
Will jobs report give a timely lift to Obama's record on the economy?

At 7.8 percent, the US unemployment rate is now back to the point it was when President Obama took office. But Mitt Romney say it's still not a recovery – and that the real jobless rate is closer to 11 percent.
Battleground Virginia: Is Mitt Romney's debate showing a game-changer? (+video)

Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan fired up a rally of the faithful Thursday in Virginia, where polls for Romney and GOP Senate nominee George Allen have been dragging. But Mr. Romney's unexpected star turn in Wednesday's debate could change that, if undecided voters get on board, too.
Swing voters the presidential debate forgot: veterans

Wednesday's presidential debate included some love for Big Bird, but none for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, whose plight was ignored. But vets could prove an important voting bloc.
The presidential debate makes the election more interesting for one household

Obama and Romney interrupting each other and a threat to PBS kept three young viewers glued to the screen.
One presidential debate over, and still undecided in Ohio

The Monitor watched Wednesday's presidential debate with undecided voter Maggie O'Toole in Ohio – an important battleground state. Why she is still not ready to commit to either President Obama or Mitt Romney.
Presidential debate: Mitt Romney injects new life in his campaign (+video)

With the obits of his campaign all but written, Mitt Romney defies expectations and turns in a lifetime performance in the first presidential debate with rival Barack Obama. Suddenly, it's a new race.
Mitt Romney scores points in presidential debate, but will it help him?

Mitt Romney appeared more at ease and in control than did President Obama at Wednesday's presidential debate in Denver, with experts saying it might have done him 'some good.'
Why Mitt Romney trails in polls, as presidential debates begin (+video)

President Obama got a bounce from the Democratic National Convention, and Mitt Romney has been struggling to play catchup since. There are many reasons – and the '47 percent' comment is only one possibility.
On eve of first debate, Romney floats tax proposal that hits the rich (+video)

In 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.
Critics pounce after Mitt Romney says he'd honor Obama approvals for illegals

Mitt Romney says he wouldn’t alter the status of young illegal immigrants already approved for work permits. Some thought the statement was halfhearted, while others said he should have criticized the president.
Presidential debate: 7 defining moments in history (+video)

From Ronald Reagan’s one-liner, “There you go again,” to Al Gore’s heavy sighs and eye rolls, zingers and mannerisms can define a presidential debate even more than the candidates’ positions on critical issues. Here is a look back at seven defining debate moments.
Mainstream media biased against Romney? Four points to consider.

Many supporters of Mitt Romney argue that his potential path toward the White House has been made a lot steeper by the media. Here are some of the main arguments pro and con.
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?
Can Mitt Romney damage Obama over Benghazi attack?

Attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, Libya, provided an opening to question Obama's handling of an international crisis – and Mitt Romney and the GOP are making the most of it. But they'll need to avoid bellicose statements that may alienate independent voters, one expert cautions.
Battleground Virginia: Romney and Obama woo military veterans (+video)

Mitt Romney holds the advantage over Obama in key battleground states with voters who are veterans. In Virginia Thursday, Romney denounced planned cuts in military spending. Obama stressed duty to care for service members returned from war.
Mitt Romney tells voters: If I'm elected, don't expect huge tax cuts

Mitt Romney provided nuance to his proposed tax cuts, saying they must fit his goal of reducing federal deficits. But left unanswered is the question of how this will affect the middle class.
'War on coal'? Why Obama might not be industry's worst enemy.

Environmental regulations by the Obama administration come at a cost to coal plants and mines, but the rise of cheap natural gas appears to be a greater threat.
Paul Ryan to seniors: Medicare 'going bankrupt,' competition is answer

At an AARP conference Friday, GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan spoke of financial peril ahead for Medicare and contrasted his party's "competition"-based plan to fix it with Obama's plan under the health-care reform law.