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Decoder Wire Can White House help Democrats campaign this year? Paging Michelle Obama.

Arguably the most popular surrogate for her husband’s 2012 reelection campaign, the first lady is stumping in key 2013 races, untainted by the brouhahas polarizing Washington.
Decoder Wire Hillary Clinton approval plummets. Benghazi? (+video)

Approval rating for Hillary Clinton, a prospective 2016 presidential candidate, has plunged since February. Some voters – especially men, independents – may blame her at least in part for the death in Benghazi, Libya, of the US ambassador, one pollster says.
The Vote Chris Christie praises Obama (again): Is he digging himself in deeper? (+video)

Six months after his famous – some say costly – hug of the president on the Jersey Shore, Gov. Chris Christie says Obama 'kept every promise that he made' on hurricane Sandy disaster relief.
Decoder Wire Four reasons the Senate gun control bill may be kaput

The Senate is slated to vote Wednesday on nine gun control provisions, but prospects for passage for several – including expanding background checks to more gun buyers – look dim. Here's why.
Bloomberg vs. NRA: Big spending could swing Illinois race (+video)

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's 'super PAC' is spending $2.1 million to defeat a pro-gun candidate in the race to replace Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. It's part of his broader attack on NRA power.
Cover Story Future hangs on misunderstood majority of gun owners

Gun control seen through the eyes of the misunderstood majority of gun owners is more nuanced and complex than the absolutism of America's big gun lobbies. The Obama administration is courting this breed of centrist, gun-friendly Americans on the fence about gun control.
'Bump fire' devices turn rifles into machine guns: How is that legal?

One legal device turns regular semiautomatic rifles into rapid-fire weapons. Guns can't be mechanically customized to spray-fire, but a device that simply aids the shooter's own firing action remains legal.
'Fiscal cliff': Has Obama overdone the PR? (+video)

It's possible, especially to folks paying close attention to fiscal cliff negotiations. But with polls showing support for tax hikes on the wealthy, he appears to be leveraging public opinion effectively.
State legislatures: why Republican wave of 2010 is here to stay

Election 2012 is not expected to be a repeat of the historic 2010 Republican sweep, but recent redistricting might have helped the GOP cement its ascendancy for a few more years.
Election Day: Does Obama have the edge? (+video)

The final polls show President Obama with a slight lead. But Republicans show greater enthusiasm for turning out. So the race this Election Day is far from over.
Decoder Wire Polls show a dead heat. So why so many predictions of an Obama win? (+video)

Among pundits and prognosticators – as well as the public at large – there's an expectation that President Obama will win reelection, despite the fact that the race is still a virtual tie, nationally.
Could anger over superstorm Sandy response taint recovery, election?

The longer Sandy survivors suffer, the more harshly incumbent officials – from Gov. Chris Christie (R) to President Obama (D) – will be judged for their response, experts say.
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.
Could Democrats steal a Senate seat in Arizona?

Former President Bill Clinton is in Arizona Wednesday to campaign for Democratic Senate candidate Richard Carmona, who is staying close to his Republican challenger, Jeff Flake.
Decoder Wire Egypt embassy protests: Will Mitt Romney's comments matter in November? (+video)

Gaffes spoken in haste on the campaign trail can fade. But an inaccurate statement, geared for political advantage at a time of national crisis, could have a longer impact on the presidential race.
Convention bounce: How much will Romney and Obama get?

The numbers don't lie - political conventions give their respective party candidates some positive momentum going into the general election season.
Decoder Wire Could Todd Akin still win? (+video)

Todd Akin has not dropped out of the US Senate race in Missouri after his 'legitimate rape' comment. Missouri's rightward tilt gives him hope this fall, but not too much, experts say.
With Paul Ryan, Romney brings Wisconsin into play. But it's no sure bet. (+video)

Adding Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin to the GOP ticket makes that state competitive, but it's no guarantee that Romney-Ryan will win it. A closer race in Wisconsin, though, will force Team Obama to spend time and money there.
Paul Ryan: Which campaign gets the bigger boost?

Both Democrats and conservative Republicans are seeing Mitt Romney's selection of Paul Ryan as a potential game-changer for their team. But only one can win.
We know Paul Ryan is a budget hawk. But what about other issues?

As a seven-term member of Congress, Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan has a record on issues other than the federal budget – abortion, immigration, national security, and gay rights, for example.
How Bill Clinton's prime-time convention speech could hurt Obama

Democrats are excited that former President Bill Clinton will deliver a prime-time address the night before President Obama's big speech in Charlotte, N.C. But there could be a downside, which the Republicans are already trying to exploit.
Decoder Wire Wisconsin recall: Why stakes for Obama are lower than you think

If the Wisconsin recall effort fails against Gov. Scott Walker, Obama will be seen as one of the losers. The GOP will be energized to wrench Wisconsin from the Democrats, but November is five months away.
Romney, Obama send out troops to spin the bad news on jobs

The latest news on US employment is grim – fewer jobs created than expected and an unemployment rate that ticked up to 8.2 percent. On Sunday, the Obama and Romney campaigns sent surrogates to spin the news on TV talk shows.
The economy and Obama's 'grumpy voter' problem

As the US economy recovers at a snail's pace, President Obama is urging Congress to act on his 'to-do' list for creating more jobs. Republicans focus on the dangers of tax increases when tax cuts expire in January. Come November, who will voters believe?
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.