Topic: Michael Dukakis

From Willie Horton to windsurfing: Five top political attack ads

Political attacks ads: love 'em or hate 'em, but they’re here to stay, and this election year stands to be a watershed moment in their use. Here's a look at what are considered to be some of the most memorable and effective attack ads utilized over the years. 

Mitt Romney's five biggest assets 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 election into a choice, saying in effect that America's problems will get much worse under the other guy. So what does Mitt Romney bring to the table? Here are five assets. 

Hillary Clinton for president? Eight Democrats who might run next time.

Tired of the 2012 presidential race? 2016 actually isn’t that far away, especially for Democrats looking hungrily at a nomination race that will not include President Obama. Speculation has already started over who might run – fueled by no less a figure than former President Clinton, who has suggested in recent TV interviews that his wife, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, might change her mind about not running once she’s had a break. Here are some of the possible contenders.

Surge, sag, repeat: Why the Republicans are so volatile.

Super PACs, the tea party, a surging and sagging field, and a party rule requiring proportional awarding of delegates in early-voting states are contributing to an unusually unsettled GOP race. 

Mitt Romney: Does it hurt him that he's a French-speaking rich guy?

Newt Gingrich thinks Mitt Romney’s linguistic skills are a big deal. Mr. Gingrich is hoping a new French-themed ad appeals to conservative voters in South Carolina.

Rick Santorum sweater vest: 'What not to wear' or sleeveless genius?

Rick Santorum's sleeveless sweater vest has taken on a life of its own this week, even garnishing its own Twitter account. Candidates' sartorial choices many times take on special significance.

Barney Frank exit may signal the end of glory days for Mass. Democrats

Barney Frank will not seek re-election in 2012, but will there be enough Democratic fire power left in Massachusetts after he's gone?

George Will says Mitt Romney is hurting conservatism. Does it matter?

Columnist George Will's negative critique of Mitt Romney is evidence that conservatives may find Romney electable, but nominating him would be a lost opportunity for the ascendant right.

Michele Bachmann doubles down on ‘Perrycare.’ Will it work?

In a swipe at Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann took flak for suggesting that the HPV vaccine might cause “mental retardation.” But she's not backing down, and "Perrycare" is now her prime target.

Listening to the other voice in the Jackie Kennedy interviews

The voice of Jackie Kennedy's interviewer belongs to the late historian and former JFK aide Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., whose writings are again timely in this tea-party era. He noted that the Founding Fathers embraced government as a vital help, not an obstacle, to progress.

How 9/11 made Barack Obama a war president

Many expected Barack Obama to be an antiwar president. But he embraced his role as commander in chief of the world's most powerful military, escalating the fight against the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

GOP debate: Who said it? A quiz.

Many things were said at the Sept. 7 GOP presidential debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif. Can you remember who said what?

Front-runner Rick Perry plays the 'piñata' at GOP presidential debate

In his first presidential debate since entering the GOP field, Texas Gov. Rick Perry took most of the barbs from his fellow candidates on issues ranging from Social Security to jobs.

Five reasons the GOP race is so unsettled

Among the Republican candidates, Mitt Romney has emerged as the early front-runner. Yet the field remains as uncertain as any in modern times – can any of them beat Obama?

Our misplaced obsession with Sarah Palin

Sarah Palin's supporters and critics need to calm down. She’s a celebrity, not a future president.

A Complicated Man

More than 170 interviews with those who knew him present Bill Clinton – the politician and the man– in all his complicated splendor.

Top 10 time travelers

Strictly speaking, we're all one-way time travelers: plodding forward through the progress of existence second-by-second. And thanks to special relativity, you could, in principle, skip ahead into the future by traveling at a very high speed relative to your contemporaries. But that, too, would be a one-way trip.

As for travel back in time? Some physicists cautiously speculate that it is possible, but only time will tell. In the meantime, here are our top ten favorite fictional time travelers.

Sharron Angle ad: Is it racist?

Sharron Angle, the Republican Senate candidate from Nevada, has released a hard-hitting new ad on illegal immigration. But Hispanic groups say the ad is racist and accuse Sharron Angle of running 'one of the ugliest anti-illegal immigrants ad campaigns in history.'

Project Vote Smart unveils tool for the confused Election 2010 voter

Project Vote Smart's VoteEasy website compares your answers on 12 basic Election 2010 questions with answers from congressional candidates in your district. But it's not flawless.

Mike Huckabee granted clemency to suspect in cop-killing ambush

Police are looking for Maurice Clemmons in connection with the shooting deaths of four policemen in suburban Seattle Sunday. As Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee granted Clemmons clemency in 2000.

Ted Kennedy's friend Paul Kirk now favorite for Senate seat

Kirk has received the endorsement of widow Victoria Kennedy and sons Patrick and Edward Jr. He is the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

President Obama may be slumping at home, but he's surging in Europe

The US president's approval rating in Europe is 86 percent, even as he faces assaults from the right at home. But can he use that to advance his policy goals?

McCain vies with Obama over ‘change’

The campaign argument could be decided by which group of voters shows up at the polls.

Don't be swept away by hype in the Palin campaign

The media's job is to unearth facts, not repeat myths.