Topic: 2012 Election

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

Briefing
Five things Ron Paul wants from the Republican National Convention

It looks as if Ron Paul is going to be an active participant in the Republican National Convention in Tampa this August. Here’s our take on the five things Paul hopes to gain from staying within his party’s tent in 2012.
Three lessons of Jeremiah Wright plan against Obama

News about a proposal to use the Rev. Jeremiah Wright against President Obama in a GOP “super PAC” ad campaign caused the political world to combust. Charges of “race-baiting” flew, and suddenly the idea was an orphan. It’s safe to say, the ads will never be made. But there are lessons to be learned.
Battle for women's votes: 6 flash points

The uproar over the Obama campaign’s 'Life of Julia' Web infographic – which made #Julia big on Twitter – highlights just how fiercely both parties are fighting for the women’s vote. The economy is by far the most important issue in November for both sexes. But there are other areas with special significance to women. Here are the main flash points.
Bill Clinton: 5 reasons he is helping Obama

Four years ago, former President Clinton got his knuckles rapped for calling Sen. Barack Obama's presidential aspirations a "fairy tale." Now the 42nd president is appearing on the stump with No. 44. Here are five reasons for Mr. Clinton to go all out for the newest member of the Presidents Club.
Mitt Romney's five biggest liabilities as GOP nominee

Typically, an election with an incumbent president on the ballot is a referendum on him. But President Obama is trying to turn the tables. So what exactly does Mitt Romney bring to the table, in both positive and negative ways? Here are the liabilities:

All Content

Romney gets Trumped by birther talk

Though the GOP candidate clinched the nomination, Donald Trump's claims about the President's statements upstaged the news.
It's official: with Texas win, Romney is the nominee

The GOP candidate clinched the nomination with more than the 1144 delegates required to win the nomination.
Tea party drools over Ted Cruz, but can he survive Texas primary?

Ted Cruz is running for the US Senate seat being vacated by Kay Bailey Huchinson, and in many ways he's the ideal tea party candidate. But his best hope Tuesday is to force a runoff.
Decoder Wire
Mitt Romney's other Vegas meeting: why Sheldon Adelson trumps The Donald

The most important meeting for Mitt Romney Tuesday may not be with Donald Trump, but with billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who had previously backed Newt Gingrich. 
Decoder Wire
Should Mitt Romney repudiate Donald Trump? (+video)

Mitt Romney is joining Donald Trump Tuesday evening in Las Vegas for a fundraiser that should raise $2 million, even as Trump is renewing his questioning of Obama's birthplace.
Romney has big lead over Obama among military veterans

A new Gallup poll shows Mitt Romney leading President Obama by 24 points among military veterans, essentially accounting for Obama's 'gender gap' among men. But as the number of vets declines, the GOP's advantage here may dwindle.
Robert Reich
Obama and Cory Booker: Fairness is essential to growth

Fairness isn’t inconsistent with growth; it’s essential to it. The only way the economy can grow and create more jobs is if prosperity is more widely shared.
Decoder Wire
Donald Trump mulls super PAC. What's next – VP?

You knew this was coming: Trump in an interview said that he should be Mitt Romney’s choice as a running mate. He was kidding. We think.
Decoder Wire
Obama blames Romney for spreading 'cow pie of distortion.' Is he right? (+video)

Mitt Romney had criticized the Obama administration's accumulation of US debt. Big numbers such as America’s debt may seem solid, but they’re not.
In Iowa, Obama on the offensive against Romney

He criticized the GOP nominee for distorting the truth and said he wasn't prepared to be President.
Federal Reserve official: If Congress dawdles, economy will fall 3 percent

Congress must sort out a raft of fiscal issues before Jan. 1, or it will cost the US economy dearly, said New York Federal Reserve President William Dudley.
Obama vs. Romney: 'World War III" for attack ads. But is that bad?

With five months to go until Election Day, the Romney and Obama campaigns are already slinging negative ads. But analysts suggest they're an essential part of voters' decision-making process.
Mitt Romney running mate search enters public audition phase

As his campaign evaluates potential running mates, Republicans with a possible shot at the No. 2 spot on the presidential ticket are starting to engage in unofficial public tryouts for the traditional vice presidential role of attack dog.
Robert Reich
Obama should attack what Bain and JPMorgan have in common

Rather than lobbing generalized  attacks at Mitt Romney and American business, Obama should attack a particular kind of capitalism that Romney and JPMorgan both practice: using other peoples’ money to make big bets which, if they go wrong, can wreak havoc on the economy.
Obama fundraises hard as super-PACs boost Romney's cash

The President has so far enjoyed a large lead in the money race, but as the GOP field solidifies more cash in flowing into the Romney camp.
Mitt Romney unveils education reform plan heavy on 'parental choice' (+video)

Mitt Romney's plan for education reform challenges President Obama and teacher's unions, including federal money for some low-income and disabled students to attend private schools.
Decoder Wire
Has Cory Booker hurt his own political career? (+video)

Don't look for a prime time speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention for Cory Booker, but his defense of Wall Street – and criticism of the Obama campaign – won't hurt his standing with moderates or Wall Street donors.
Decoder Wire
Obama loses 42 percent of Kentucky, Arkansas primary vote. Should he worry? (+video)

No and yes. The key issue here may be whether the Kentucky and Arkansas primaries are a portent of trouble for President Obama in North Carolina, a crucial swing state.
Romney still finding his legs on Bain attacks

He has yet to develop a coherent, consistent response to the President's attacks.
Romney sweeps Kentucky, Arkansas

He is now just 89 delegates short of the total needed to clinch the nomination; they are expected to come next week in Texas.
Mitt Romney's Bain problem: private equity has bad rap with public

Mitt Romney is using his record as a job creator at Bain Capital as a selling point, but – even before President Obama's attack ads – the public isn't inclined to buy it, polls suggest.
Cory Booker: Have the Democrats figured out how to respond?

Team Romney is trying to milk the rogue comments by Obama ally Cory Booker for all they're worth. But Obama's press conference in Chicago has given his own team some ammunition.
Decoder Wire
Is Congress broken? Startup Act shows what can work.

The Startup Act is a modest piece of pro-business legislation unveiled Tuesday. It won't change the world, but that's why it may pass. In a partisan Congress, 'good' may be better than 'perfect.' 
Decoder Wire
Cory Booker comments: How badly have they hurt President Obama? (+video)

Mayor Cory Booker was so far off-message about the Obama campaign that he couldn’t even see the Democratic Party message. With campaign surrogates like that, who needs election opponents?
Briefing
Five things Ron Paul wants from the Republican National Convention

It looks as if Ron Paul is going to be an active participant in the Republican National Convention in Tampa this August. Here’s our take on the five things Paul hopes to gain from staying within his party’s tent in 2012.