2012 Elections

Budget Battles

  • The Great Debate

    Five Debate Moments that Changed Elections

    By Robert Speel, The Conversation

    Every presidential election year in my American Political Campaigns and Elections course, I get an opportunity to spend a full lecture discussing with students some of the famous moments from...

  • House panel says IRS official waived rights, contempt possible

    Lois Lerner Is Cleared, Sparking Conservative Fury

    By Rob Garver

    Concluding that “poor management is not a crime,” the Justice Department on Friday informed members of Congress that it would not be filing criminal charges against anyone in what has become known as...

  • GOP Leaders Take on Far Right Pressure Groups

    By Eric Pianin

    There have been plenty of theories about why Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) strode onstage at a conservative gathering late last week carrying a rifle. Ostensibly, McConnell, the 72-...

  • Romney: If Hillary Runs, She Won’t Need Bill

    By Thomas Ferraro, Reuters

    Failed 2012 U.S. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney said on Sunday he expects Hillary Clinton to win or lose the White House on her record, not that of her husband, former Democratic...

  • Joint Session of Congress

    Voters Give a Thumbs-Down to Their Own Lawmakers

    By Eric Pianin

    In another sign of public outrage over a dysfunctional and politically divided Congress, a record low percentage of registered voters now say their own House member deserves another chance while even...

  • Obama’s ‘Buffett Rule’ Fails the Tax Reform Test

    By Liz Peek

    President Obama has a new favorite possession – the “Buffett Rule.” Like a poodle with a new chew-toy, Mr. Obama can’t leave the Buffett Rule alone; he takes it everywhere. For the president, the...

  • Santorum Wins Missouri Primary

    By John Whitesides, Reuters

    Rick Santorum won the Missouri primary on Tuesday night, beating out the other GOP challengers for the Republican nomination.

  • Will Newt Gingrich Become the GOP’s Ralph Nader?

    By Eric Pianin

    Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has spelled out his strategy to attack Mitt Romney’s reputation and record. But the Georgian’s strategy smacks of a vendetta against the former Massachusetts...

  • Private Equity Ramps Up Public Relations Fight

    By Suzanne McGee, The Fiscal Times

    The private-equity industry – a.k.a the buyouts business – is shifting into high gear as Mitt Romney moves toward sewing up the Republican presidential nomination and the election cycle moves...

  • Food Stamp Fraud: Tough New Crackdown

    By Lisa Baertlein, Reuters

    Stung by election-year criticism of a program used by one in seven Americans, administrators of U.S. food stamp benefits are intensifying efforts to combat fraud and protect the $75.3 billion plan...