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...

  • Chris Christie: Why He Made the Right Call

    By Ciro Scotti

    Dear Governor Christie, Mea culpa for writing again so soon, but it was heartening to hear that you got the hell off the fence and made a decision – even if it’s to not get into the race for the...

  • Christie: "New Jersey, You're Stuck with Me"

    By Eric Pianin and Jacqueline Leo

    After a long courtship with both the media and the Republican Party, Chris Christie has decided not to run for president. What will that mean for the roster of remaining GOP hopefuls?

  • More Campaign Woes for Perry

    By AMY GARDNER, The Washington Post

    Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s presidential campaign spent Sunday deflecting scrutiny of a report in The Washington Post detailing a West Texas hunting camp he once leased with his father that includes a...

  • Monday Catchup: Chris Christie and the Politics of Fat

    By Ciro Scotti

    As Chris Christie toys with the idea of changing his mind and running for president, alarmed liberals are attacking from his ample flanks, suggesting that the New Jersey governor is so overweight he...

  • Cain Gaining Traction in GOP Race

    By NIA-MALIKA HENDERSON, The Washington Post

    Almost lost amid the buzz this week over the possibility that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie may seek the Republican nomination for president was the potential rise of a candidate already in the race...