Topic: Election Day

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

2013 Oscar-inspired dishes

The Academy Awards are right around the corner! What better way to cheer on the Best Picture nominees than by cooking a dish inspired by your favorite film?
Senate freshmen: What the 14 new members bring to Capitol Hill

A freshman Senate class was sworn in Jan. 3, bringing diverse skills and experience – not to mention agendas – to the legislative body. Whether the 14 newest senators help break partisan gridlock, or refuse to work across the aisle, will be the test for the 113th Congress.Twelve were elected on Nov. 6, including three Republicans, eight Democrats, and an independent. In addition, a Republican and a Democrat were appointed to vacant seats after the election. Here is a look at the 14 and what they bring to the Senate:
Focus
The Monitor's top 11 US stories of 2012

From storms to politics, the year was a wild ride. What are the most meaningful US stories of 2012? Here's the Monitor's list, in roughly chronological order.
'Fiscal cliff' 101: 5 basic questions answered

President Obama and congressional leaders are working to stop the US from going over the “fiscal cliff,” a combination of higher taxes and lower spending set to take effect Jan. 1. Here are five steps to understanding what's going on.
How the world is reacting to Obama's reelection

From China to Iran, President Obama's reelection elicited everything from celebration to doubt about his second-term agenda. Here are 11 responses:

All Content

Supreme Court ruling on Medicaid tees up campaign issue

Some Republican governors and state lawmakers are eager to opt out of the expansion of Medicaid under 'Obamacare,' now that the Supreme Court has removed the penalty. But millions could remain uninsured. Expect this to play big in some state elections.
Romney vs. Obama and Bain vs. Solyndra: Who will win?

As the presidential election progresses into a July lull, concerns over health care and super PACs continue to take a backseat to the economy in voters' minds.
Why Jerry Brown's budget gambit may backfire with California voters

Gov. Jerry Brown and fellow Democrats got halfway to closing California's budget deficit by cutting. They hope voters will opt to raise taxes come November to cover the rest. But the political winds may be blowing against them, analysts say.
Obama takes bus tour to connect with average Americans

President Obama will take a break from fancy fundraisers for a two-day bus tour through swing states to try to reach out to average voters.
DNC no-show list grows, and GOP crows. But are Democrats being smart?

According to Republicans, who are keeping track, 12 major Democratic politicians are planning to skip the DNC. While the convention's timing is hard on Democrats in tight races, a long list of no-shows could embarrass Obama.
Mitt Romney immigration policy: Will it win some Latino voters? (+video)

In an address to Latino officials Thursday, Mitt Romney softened his tone as he laid out immigration policy. But he still won't say whether he would first overturn Obama's new policy to help young illegal immigrants.
Four gambits Obama could try to boost election prospects

President Obama got big headlines – and a political bounce – from his new policy protecting some young illegal immigrants from deportation and offering them temporary work permits. By a 2-to-1 margin, likely American voters support the move, according to a Bloomberg poll. So what other potential gambits does Mr. Obama have in his hip pocket, especially if he needs another jolt before Election Day? Here are four.
Immigration debate takes center stage in campaign

President Obama's recent immigration order and appearances by both candidates at a major Latino convention have made outreach to Hispanics an important part of the race.
Republicans, Democrats jockey before Supreme Court health-care ruling

The political world is waiting for the Supreme Court to hand down its ruling on President Obama’s sweeping reform of the health-insurance system. A decision could come as early as Monday.
Obama vs. Romney in Ohio: what dueling speeches were all about (+video)

In back-to-back speeches in different parts of battleground Ohio, Mitt Romney sought to cast President Obama as hurting business, and Obama sought to move past two tough weeks.
Democrats fear Obama may lose

Some of the recent talk in the media may be designed to galvanize donors, though there are growing concerns that Mitt Romney will be a real challenge.
Obama-Romney battle puts Senate race in Virginia in 'eye of the storm'

With Senate primary victories on Tuesday, George Allen (R) and Tim Kaine (D) will battle for a seat that could swing control of the Senate – in a state that could swing control of the White House.
Obama gaffe: why judging the economy is a no-win (+video)

Broad statements about the economy – good or bad – are a losing proposition for President Obama. Team Romney will exploit them either way.
Can Obama recover from his 'horrible, no-good' week?

President Obama's bad week included weak jobs numbers, the Wisconsin recall vote, less-than-helpful comments by Bill Clinton, and his own verbal gaffe. Obama has the edge in most polls, but there could be more bad weeks between now and the presidential election.
Bill Clinton suggests extending tax cuts

The former President suggested a temporary extension would give the political parties time to work out a compromise.
Wisconsin recall election: Why voters can't wait for it to end

The Wisconsin recall election is leaving many voters with a bitter taste, regardless of whom they supported. They see their state as tarnished, taxpayers' money as wasted, or divides as deepened.
Robert Reich America's high wire act: The economic recovery stalls

According to today's jobs report, the nation is perilously close to falling into another recession as the unemployment rate rises for the first time in almost a year and the latest payroll survey shows minimal growth.
Obama's take on gloomy jobs report: Congress hasn't done enough

Following the politically damaging jobs report, Obama spoke at an event near Minneapolis promoting jobs for veterans. His message to Congress: 'Now's not the time to sit on your hands.'
Obama 2012: why weak jobs report is especially painful (+video)

The economy rules as President Obama fights for his political life. Voter impressions of where the economy is heading will soon lock in, meaning he can ill afford the unemployment uptick to 8.2 percent.
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.
Why aren't more conservatives donating to Mitt Romney?

Mitt Romney raised $40 million last month. But an analysis of Romney's fundraising shows that many wealthy conservatives, who backed rivals Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich, aren't donating to Romney's campaign.
Why is Mitt Romney serving warm cookies to the media?

Mitt Romney, branded as cold by critics, is on a new charm offensive. Romney appears to be trying to win over the reporters who will travel with him through Election Day.
Decoder Wire John Boehner fires opening shot in potential debt-ceiling showdown

In a speech Tuesday, Speaker John Boehner will lay out his expectations for how the debt ceiling will be handled in the next round. His plan harks back to the House Republicans' position last year.
Gay marriage issue: Who does it hurt most, Obama or Romney?

Gay marriage is not a campaign subject either Barack Obama or Mitt Romney really needed, and it could present difficulties for both candidates as the election nears.
New Obama video slams Romney as 'backwards' on gay marriage

The Obama 2012 campaign released a new video Thursday titled "Mitt Romney: Backwards on Equality." It criticizes Mitt Romney's position on gay marriage.