All DC Decoder
- Iran redux? Could killing of US ambassador sway presidential race?
The killing of Chris Stevens, the US ambassador to Libya, is a stark reminder of the difficulties of US policy in a troubled region – and how events can intrude on a presidential campaign.
- Why Obama wants Chicago teachers strike to go away – fast
The Chicago teachers strike, which exposes a Democratic Party rift between support for unions and for the education reforms backed by Obama, could hardly come at a worse time for the president.
- Obama vs. Romney 101: 5 ways they differ on debt and deficits President Obama and Mitt Romney offer sharply different views on how to get the nation back on a sustainable fiscal path. Here are five ways they differ on policies to cope with a soaring debt.
- Obama vs. Romney 101: 4 ways they compare on gun control A spate of gun violence has beset the United States ahead of the November election, raising the perennial question about how effectively America regulates its 300 million-plus guns. Yet neither presidential candidate is likely to hoist his own complicated record as a rallying cry.
- Did the CIA just mess up on Iraq's 'weapons of mass destruction'?
Recently-declassified CIA documents blame 'analyst liabilities' for mistakenly concluding that Saddam Hussein had chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons programs – the rationale for invading Iraq. But some say the situation was more sinister.
- Obama gets bigger 'bounce' than Romney did, but it’s more like a 'blip'
Post-convention polling shows a modest 'bounce' for President Obama, which is better than Mitt Romney did last week. But the race is way too close to call, and many voters remain undecided.
- Obama vs. Romney 101: 5 ways they differ on immigration President Obama has staked out positions favored by Latino voters on immigration issues. Mitt Romney has tried to cast himself somewhere between the staunchest anti-illegal immigration activist of his party and Obama. Here are the two candidates' positions on five issues:
- Why Democratic platform uproar points to deeper challenge for party
Democrats restored the words 'God' and 'Jerusalem' to their platform Wednesday, saying the omission was an 'oversight.' But with a growing share of Democrats turning away from organized religion, 'God talk' can cause some tension.
- Obama vs. Romney 101: 5 ways they differ on military issues Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has not been expansive regarding his views of the war in Afghanistan – perhaps because both he and President Obama do not have significantly different plans. But here are five areas where the candidates differ on military issues.
- Obama vs. Romney 101: 4 ways they differ on climate change As recently as 2008, presidential candidates openly sparred over their own plans for dealing with climate change. This year it's such a touchy topic that both sides prefer instead to talk about energy policy – a kind of proxy. Here are four ways the candidates differ.
- Julian Castro targets minority voters. Could they swing election for Dems? Julian Castro became the first-ever Latino keynote speaker at the Democratic convention. President Obama enjoys a huge advantage over Mitt Romney in support from minority voters. But to win, he needs to get them to the polls. Here’s a breakdown of the data on minority voters.
- Obama vs. Romney 101: 5 ways they differ on taxes President Obama and challenger Mitt Romney agree on the need to overhaul the federal tax code to produce a simpler tax system with lower rates. But they disagree on whether tax reform should also increase government revenues. Here are five tax issues on which they differ.