Topic: George Mason University

Fiscal cliff? Here are ways to cushion your fall.

Higher taxes and federal spending cuts would begin to hit all Americans Jan. 1. Here are ways to cope with the 'fiscal cliff.'

Opinion: Why Democrats have the tea party to thank for their win (+video)

The tea party had a huge impact on the election – but not the one it sought. It kept the Senate in Democratic hands by nominating far-right, losing candidates. It pushed Mitt Romney too far to the right. What Republicans need is their own Bill Clinton. Someone like New Jersey's Chris Christie.

Voter turnout: the 6 states that rank highest, and why

Which state will have the highest voter turnout on Nov. 6?

On average, about half (51.6 percent) of eligible US voters cast ballots, but six states averaged more than 60 percent. The policies and attitudes in these states may hold lessons for those trying to get out the vote around the country.

Early voting results show Obama with turnout lead (+video)

Early voting results give both Democrats and Republicans hope for a victory. Democrats have done more early voting, but Republicans note the early voting turnout is lower than in 2008.

Opinion: What if neither Mitt Romney nor President Obama wins on Nov. 6?

What if we wake up on Wednesday, and find out that in several states the outcome is in doubt, and neither President Obama nor Mitt Romney is the clear winner? America could be heading for court battles that will make Florida in 2000 look like a tussle at the local PTA.

How hurricane Sandy tests Obama, Romney

Both candidates have suspended campaigning for now, though Obama surrogates haven't. The president needs to handle the storm well, while Romney has to be careful not to politicize the event.

Wisconsin spa killings: Shooting followed tragic script of domestic violence (+video)

The events leading up to Radcliffe Haughton killing his wife, two other women, and himself at a Wisconsin spa followed a familiar path: threats, a restraining order, and police visits to their home.

Unemployment rates fall in most swing states. Why that may not help Obama.

Of nine battleground states, unemployment rates dropped in seven and held steady in two, according to the state-by-state report for September. It's good news for Obama, but he may not be able to capitalize on it.

Opinion: Obama's missed debate opportunities against Romney may cost him (+video)

Though many have declared the night a 'win' for President Obama in his second presidential debate against Mitt Romney, he let several key opportunities to call Romney on the carpet go by. Think: capital gains tax rates and 'binders full of women.' Democrats still have reason to worry.

Modern Parenthood
Next episode of Homeland? No, just a college recruiter chasing Noah

An Army general inviting my sleep-to-noon and video-game-playing son to a national leadership program sounded like something out of Homeland. But, no, it was just one more college recruiter chasing our Noah and our money.

522,719 presidential votes cast so far: Is Mitt Romney holding his own?

The Romney campaign aims to block President Obama from getting too far out in front in early voting, as he did in 2008. So far, it appears to be succeeding in three key states.

Opinion: Obama played bad defense against an articulate, high-scoring Romney (+video)

President Obama's weary cadence throughout the presidential debate last night was a sad contrast with Mitt Romney’s sunny intensity and articulate flow of figures and 'facts.' His many good lines appealed to undecided voters or responded to negative impressions.

Climate change: why it could be a hot topic on the campaign trail

Climate change had been virtually absent from the campaign until Mitt Romney and President Obama traded jabs at their conventions. Some polls say it could be a vote-getter for Democrats.

As Ethiopia looks beyond strongman Meles, fears of instability (+video)

Ethiopia was an economic success story under Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who died Monday. His two-decade authoritarian grip may complicate a peaceful political transition.

Opinion: Paul Ryan – the anti-Palin

Paul Ryan is almost as bold a choice as Sarah Palin for the Republican vice presidential pick. With Palin, the question was whether she read books. With Ryan, the question is which (he's a fan of über capitalist author Ayn Rand). Ryan's political philosophy merits debate.

In Oak Creek, Wis., hearts open to Sikhs after temple shooting

In the aftermath of Sunday's killing spree, which may have been motivated by white supremacy beliefs, some residents of Oak Creek, Wis., feel compelled to draw nearer to their Sikh neighbors.

Opinion: The best pick for Romney vice president? The one no one's talking about.

Speculation over Mitt Romney's pick for vice president repeats the same few names. But there’s another VP Mr. Romney should consider, someone who could help him with the Jewish vote and gain him support in a crucial swing state: House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia.

Defense cuts: three things Americans should know

The US House approved a bill in July that’s likely to spark a showdown on military spending.

What will federal budget cuts mean for local economies?

Former Vice President Dick Cheney visited Republican senators on Capitol Hill to convey his message that defense spending cuts will hurt the U.S. military. Local mayors are concerned that lost government contracts will threaten their local businesses. 

House may prosecute journalists for reporting leaked information

After recent New York Times stories containing information that some considered a threat to national security the House is considering revising the Espionage Act, and allowing journalists to be prosecuted for disclosing sensitive information.

Chief Justice Roberts: A more nuanced view after healthcare ruling

Had Roberts gone the other way, the court would have wiped away the entire health care overhaul, which is the outcome embraced by dissenting Justices Samuel Alito, Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Kennedy.

How John Roberts upheld health-care law while limiting congressional power (+video)

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts was with the majority on both sides of the ruling on the health-care reform law, upholding the law while finding that Congress had overstepped its authority.

Decoder Wire
Why Mitt Romney raised more money than President Obama in May (+video)

Mitt Romney raised $16 million more in campaign cash in May than Obama did. That's a reversal of fortune from April, when Obama prevailed by $11 million. Here are three reasons for the big shift.

Opinion: My final phone call with warlord Charles Taylor

Former president of Liberia Charles Taylor called me regularly in the early 1990s when I was the director of Voice of America's English-to-Africa broadcasts. I'll never forget one strange phone call from him. Unfortunately, my hunch about Taylor's connection to Sierra Leone would prove correct.

JP Morgan losses send Wall Street back to Capitol Hill (+video)

Congressional critics plan hearings to probe how America's largest bank posted $2 billion in trading losses – and whether new financial regulations, still being implemented, go far enough to rein in Wall Street abuses