Yahoo! Elections - Destination 2012

Obama defends Bain attacks

In the spotlight of the world stage, President Barack Obama on Monday unapologetically defended his campaign's attacks on Mitt Romney's record at the private equity firm Bain Capital and vowed to keep up the onslaught all the way to November.

Poll: Obama, Romney both fall short on economy

Americans are nearly twice as likely to say they?ve gotten worse off as better off under Barack Obama?s presidency, a prosperity shortfall resembling the one that cost the first President Bush his job in 1992. But Mitt Romney has yet to seize the opportunity fully,...

In Joplin graduation speech, Obama hails the ?power of community?

In a soaring speech to graduating seniors from the tornado-ravaged town of Joplin, Mo., President Barack Obama spoke in glowing terms of the "bigness of spirit" that was on display in the aftermath of last year's storm and called the students examples for the rest of the country.

Daniels on VP post: ?If I thought that call was coming, I would disconnect the phone?

If Mitt Romney wants Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels to be his running mate, he better get used to hearing a busy signal. Daniels delivered his most forceful rejection of the vice presidential post yet, saying he would "disconnect the phone" if he found out that Romney was considering him for the job. "It's not an [...]

Americans can?t wait for ?perfect? Afghanistan before withdrawal, Obama says

President Barack Obama on Monday acknowledged "risks" in his decision to withdraw U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2014 but said war-weary Americans can't wait for that strife-torn country to be "perfect."

Obama meets Pakistan?s Zardari, but no deal on war supply routes

President Barack Obama spoke briefly with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on the sidelines of a NATO summit as the uneasy allies looked to drain the poison from their wounded relations.

Find out here: Was your degree worth the money?

As estimates of the total student loan debt exceed $800 billion and default rates approach 9 percent, some commentators are beginning to wonder whether an expensive education is really worth it, at least from a financial perspective. The combination of skyrocketing tuition and a dismal job market creates an environment where many are struggling to pay off hefty loans.

Republicans dominate super PAC money race in April, but donations sag

While President Barack Obama's official re-election campaign out-fundraised challenger Mitt Romney last month by $17 million, nonaligned political action committees that support Republicans continue to dominate groups supporting Democrats in the race, financial disclosure reports filed Sunday night show.

Gen. Allen: Afghans thwarting ?insider? plots to kill NATO forces

How badly are things going in Afghanistan? The top U.S. and NATO commander, Gen. John Allen, told reporters it was "good news" that Afghan authorities had arrested 160 people in the last few months for plotting so-called "green-on-blue" attacks by Afghan security forces on their NATO-led international partners.

Surviving in a recovering economy: Hard times for Hometown Hardware

Hard times for Hometown Hardware

Ron Paul meets his goal in Minnesota

When Ron Paul's campaign stated last week that Mitt Romney's delegate lead was insurmountable, Paul's staff insisted they would continue competing for delegates and cited Minnesota as their next target. This past weekend, Paul accomplished that goal, winning 12 of 13 delegates at the state GOP convention. "Victories in Minnesota and other states demonstrate that [...]

The story behind the nation's highest military honor

Political Punch It is the nation's highest military honor, bestowed by the president on soldiers for extraordinary valor on the battlefield. But just what does it take to receive the Medal of Honor? Recently President Obama recognized the sacrifice of� Specialist Leslie Sabo Jr. for valor above and beyond the call of duty during the [...]

Americans in Afghanistan to fight through 2014, top commander says

The commander of NATO-led forces in Afghanistan bluntly warned Sunday that American soldiers will face combat in that war-torn country right up to the time they leave, Dec. 31, 2014. General John Allen told reporters not to buy into a "narrative" that the handover of security responsibilities to Afghan forces next year means U.S. troops [...]

Advice to would-be Romney running mates: Run for the hills

Nothing is easier to mock in politics right now than the apparent reluctance of leading Republicans to sign on as Mitt Romney?s second banana. A few weeks ago, Jon Stewart summarized the way that Rob Portman was plugging his Senate colleague Marco Rubio, who in turn was passing the baton to Jeb Bush, with the line, ?Doesn?t anyone want the rock in crunch time??

Afghanistan?s Karzai thanks Obama for ?your taxpayers? money?

Looking to a day when "the Afghan war as we understand it is over," President�Barack Obama met Sunday with Afghan President Hamid Karzai to discuss NATO's withdrawal from that strife-torn country by the end of 2014. Obama, who has put the draw-down of combat troops at the heart of his foreign policy, declared that "the [...]

Obama, France?s Hollande hunt for Afghanistan compromise

Click image to see more photos. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP) Visiting French President Fran�ois Hollande told President Barack Obama on Friday that France's combat troops would leave Afghanistan by year's end and pledged to find a way "for our allies to pursue their mission" in talks at a looming NATO summit. The two leaders also bonded [...]

Joe Ricketts gave money to every 2012 GOP candidate

Billionaire political donor Joe Ricketts clearly has President Barack Obama in his line of fire this election season, as we learned this week. But when it comes to Ricketts writing checks, apparently all Republicans?and even some libertarians?are welcome.

Romney?s first general election ad makes ?day one? promises

Mitt Romney is out with his first campaign ad of the general election, a spot detailing what "day one" of his potential presidency would look like. Romney told reporters Thursday his first ad would be "positive," but the 30-second spot takes plenty of digs at President Barack Obama. Among other things, Romney vows to "immediately" [...]

Afghanistan, economy top NATO, G8 agendas

President Barack Obama on Friday kicks off a frenetic four days of guns-and-butter diplomacy, including a pair of high-stakes international summits focused on reviving the sputtering global economy and winding down the unpopular war in Afghanistan. Both issues will shape Obama's legacy ? not to mention his hopes for re-election in November.

Mitch Daniels dismisses Romney veep talk: ?It won?t happen?

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, who offered a tepid endorsement of Mitt Romney only after the Republican primaries, pushed back hard against the idea that he'll be chosen as Romney's running mate Friday. "Let me just give you the best tip you'll get all day. Make some easy money and bet against this whole idea," Daniels [...]

Jury scheduled to get Edwards case today

Closing arguments were delivered in the John Edwards corruption trial on Thursday in Greensboro, N.C., with prosecutors telling the jury that Edwards knew exactly what he was doing in 2008 when in using nearly $1 million in campaign funds to cover up his affair with Rielle Hunter, and lawyers for the former presidential candidate arguing [...]

Elizabeth Warren goes after Wall Street in wake of Native American flap

It's been three weeks since the Boston Herald first reported of Elizabeth Warren's past claims of Native American heritage. And while Warren, and her campaign for Scott Brown's Senate seat in Massachusetts, would clearly like to move past the controversy and turn attention to her criticism of Wall Street, political observers from both parties say [...]

Romney again says using Wright is wrong, despite doing so in the past

Mitt Romney continued to distance his campaign from a conservative super PAC's proposal to run ads linking President Obama to his controversial former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Speaking to reporters in Jacksonville, Fla., where he campaigned on Thursday, Romney said he rejects any efforts to link Obama with Wright.

Can Edwards recover?

Bottom Line Can John Edwards recover a career from this scandal? That's the question we're answering today on The Bottom Line. First things first.� Tomorrow the jury takes his fate in their hands, deciding whether he broke federal campaign laws with those payments funneled to Rielle Hunter.�

Daniels defeats Bush to remain Romney tepid endorsement champ

After a hard-fought battle, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has held off a challenge from former President George W. Bush to defend his title as the winner of the Ticket's Tepid Romney Endorsement tournament. By a vote of 3,110 to 2,748, readers preferred Daniels' scornful characterization of Romney as out of touch with the middle class?delivered [...]

Romney rejects using the Rev. Jeremiah Wright against Obama

Mitt Romney says he rejects efforts to use President Barack Obama's former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, in ads attacking the president, insisting the campaign should remain focused on the economy. "I repudiate the effort by that PAC to promote an ad strategy of the nature they've described," Romney said in an interview with Townhall.com. [...]

Romney raises over $40 million in April, almost matching Obama

Mitt Romney raised just over $40 million for his campaign and the Republican National Committee in April?a pace that nearly matched the $44 million that President Barack Obama pulled in during the same period. The New York Times was first to report the figure, which includes money received for Romney's 2012 campaign and the Romney [...]

Chris Christie?s busy out-of-state travel schedule

Chris Christie is on the move. The Republican New Jersey governor, who could become Mitt Romney's running mate later this year, wouldn't have much trouble adjusting to the red-hot travel schedule of a veep nominee. Christie already has been racking up the frequent flier miles all over the country, according to an analysis by his [...]

Super PAC plans to attack Obama?s ties to Rev. Jeremiah Wright

A conservative super PAC is considering an advertising plan to attack President Obama's ties to Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright� Jr., his controversial former spiritual adviser, and "do what John McCain would not let us do" during the 2008 presidential campaign. The Chicago Cubs owner, billionaire Joe Ricketts, commissioned the $10 million plan, know as "The [...]

Obama administration denies role in arming Syrian rebels

President Barack Obama's administration has repeatedly said over the past few months that it won't ship arms to Syria's outgunned opposition, warning that doing so will only escalate the bloody conflict there.

Obama tries ?hoagie diplomacy? with congressional leaders

President Barack Obama on Wednesday took a novel approach to courting congressional leaders due at the White House for lunch?he got takeout. Obama made the brief trek from the White House to a nearby�Taylor Gourmet sandwich shop, where he held a round table with small-business owners, including Taylor Gourmet co-owners Casey Patten and David Mazza. [...]

Dennis Kucinich opts out of Washington state race, will retire

Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich announced Wednesday he has decided against running for Congress in Washington state, where activists had urged him to launch a campaign.

Romney: Bain attacks are 'really off-target'

Mitt Romney called Democratic criticism over his record at Bain Capital "misguided" and chided President Barack Obama for approving the attacks while at the same time raising cash from other members of the private equity industry. In an interview with Hot Air's Ed Morrissey, the presumptive Republican nominee denounced an ad launched this week by [...]

Slight majority of N.J. voters say Christie not cut out for VP role

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has readily admitted that his big personality is probably not "necessarily suited to being No. 2." A new poll of his constituents shows that a slim majority of them agree. A Quinnipiac University survey of registered voters in New Jersey found that 52 percent said that Christie wouldn't be satisfied [...]

John Edwards trial: Defense rests without calling Edwards or Rielle Hunter

The defense in the John Edwards corruption trial rested on Wednesday morning in Greensboro, N.C., without calling the former presidential candidate, his daughter Cate or Rielle Hunter, his former mistress, mother of his 4-year-old love child and the woman at the center of the scandal that spawned the federal case against him. According to MSNBC, [...]

Romney hammers Obama on the economy

For the second day in a row, Mitt Romney trashed President Barack Obama's record on government spending, suggesting the growing federal debt is going to lead to a "dramatic" tax increase and drag down an already sluggish economy. Speaking in St. Petersburg, Fla., the presumptive Republican nominee was flanked by a group of seniors and [...]

Biden to rip into ?Romney economics? in Ohio speech

Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday launches a two-day campaign swing through the critical battleground state of Ohio. He will unleash a blistering attack on "Romney Economics," charging that the presumptive Republican nominee's business background shows he would favor wealthy investors over working-class Americans if he wins the White House. "Nobody knows better than the [...]

How would Bill Bradley fix Washington?

Top Line Former Sen. Bill Bradley's ambitions are still as lofty as he is tall. He is now retired from the Senate, where the Democrat represented the state of New Jersey for 18 years. But the 6'5" NBA Hall of Fame player and one-time candidate for the White House isn't done trying to fix Washington. [...]

Romney?s bullying, Obama?s girlfriends: What can we really know about a president, anyway?

Take a step back from the ?Mitt Romney, Teen Bully? dust-up, and ask yourself why The Washington Post spent 5,500 words delving into the details of Romney?s prep-school days, or why Barack Obama?s youthful romances garnered so much attention when excerpts from David Maraniss? biography appeared in Vanity Fair.