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...

  • Romney's Tax Returns: More Questions than Answers

    By Merrill Goozner, The Fiscal Times

    While Mitt Romney may have lifted the veil of secrecy on his latest tax returns, his relatively low effective tax rate – under 15 percent – will raise pressure on one of the richest men to ever run...

  • Gingrich's Food Stamp Digs May Backfire

    By TERRY WADE, Reuters

    Newt Gingrich calls Democrat Barack Obama the "Food Stamp President," in casting his economic record as a failure, and bemoaning what Gingrich sees as a poor work ethic among those dependent on...

  • Romney Reports $6.2M Tax Bill

    By Steve Holland and Kim Dixon, Reuters

    Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney bowed to political pressure and cracked the books on his personal finances on Tuesday, releasing tax returns showing he will pay $6.2 million in taxes on...

  • State of the Union: Experts Predict Obama's Message

    By Eric Pianin

    s President Obama prepares to deliver his fourth State of the Union Address tonight amid a highly toxic political atmosphere, The Fiscal Times asked eight budget and political experts to spell out...

  • Romney's Taxes Spur Obama's Call to Tax the Rich

    By Michelle Hirsch, The Fiscal Times

    Mitt Romney’s tax return saga didn’t only help catapult former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to a South Carolina primary win—it may also help Obama breathe new life into a tune he’s been singing for...