All Decoder
Bill Clinton speech: Has he become Obama's defender-in-chief?Wonkish, funny, and (gently) acerbic, the Bill Clinton speech Wednesday laid out a full defense of the Obama years, thrilled the Democratic convention crowd, and lasted 50-plus minutes.
Kal Penn of 'Harold & Kumar' at convention: killing it or buzzkill?Actor Kal Penn – stoner Kumar in the 'Harold & Kumar' movies – will host the livestreaming of Obama's speech on Thursday night. His appearance at the DNC on Tuesday was well-received.
Is Mitt Romney really gaining ground among women?A new poll shows Mitt Romney has improved his ratings among women, while President Obama has lost ground. Both men now have higher unfavorable ratings than favorable overall.
Bill Clinton's speech: Can he live up to all the hype?The former president is expected to give a ringing endorsement of Barack Obama's policies tonight, in what may be the most eagerly anticipated speech of the Democratic convention.
Michelle Obama's challenge: persuade voters not to fire her husbandAnn Romney had only to 'humanize' her husband in her GOP convention speech. As first lady, Michelle Obama has a much harder task, and heartwarming stories may not be enough.
Betty White: Would she improve the Democratic convention?Betty White should make a cameo at the Democratic convention, an online petition pleads. After all, Betty White and President Obama already appear to be pals.
Obama taps Kal Penn of 'Harold & Kumar' for convention. Is that wise?Kal Penn, a star of the drug-befuddled 'Harold & Kumar' films as well as an outreach coordinator for the White House, will host the campaign's live stream of the Democratic convention.
Is Julian Castro the Democrats' Marco Rubio?Julian Castro, the keynote speaker at the Democratic convention, is a young Hispanic politician on the rise, like Sen. Marco Rubio. But in some ways, he has more in common with Barack Obama.
Hey, Clintons, why such bad Democratic convention seats for Arkansas?From the looks of the Democratic convention seating map, Arkansas delegates have the worst seats in the house. Hope Arkansan Bill Clinton, who will give a prime-time speech, isn't insulted by that.
Was Mitt Romney's convention speech really a dud?Not since Bob Dole's GOP convention speech in 1996 has a nominee's address fared so poorly with the public, says a new Gallup poll. Other surveys, though, show a definite gain for Mitt Romney.
Clint Eastwood at the GOP convention: effective, or strange?The buzz the morning after Mitt Romney's trumphant acceptance speech at the GOP convention, which was supposed to be a tightly scripted event, is Clint Eastwood's rambling monologue. To be charitable, it was unique.
President Obama on Reddit: Just a stunt?President Obama broke no new ground in his debut appearance on the social forum Reddit, answering 10 questions (of his choosing) and crashing the site. The only surprise was the venue.
Why did President Obama do a Reddit 'Ask Me Anything'?President Obama did a Q&A with users of the social media site Reddit Wednesday – a way of upstaging the GOP convention and reaching a demographic he needs to win in the fall.
Did Juan Williams go too far by slamming Ann Romney as 'corporate wife'?Fox News pundit Juan Williams has angered conservatives with his slight on Ann Romney. Many Americans could be upset at the jibe, given that they tend to give political wives a pass.
Artur Davis and Charlie Crist star in 'The Party-switchers Game'Switchers lend a bipartisan sheen to a political party during the conventions, perhaps the most partisan affairs of the year. That's why Artur Davis will speak at the GOP convention, and Charlie Crist at the Democrats'.
Should Chris Matthews be fired for 'race card' rant at RNC chief?MSNBC pundit Chris Matthews unleashed a rant at Republican National Committee Chief Reince Priebus Monday, leading to calls among some conservatives that he be fired.
Which cities have the inside track on hosting political conventions?One city hosted 10 of the first 11 major party presidential nomination meetings held in America. Can you guess which one?
Is Michelle Obama the Democrats' secret weapon?Here's why first lady Michelle Obama may be one the Obama campaign's most effective means of reaching out to independent voters.
Florida's Charlie Crist as new Obama fan? GOP has an answer for that.The GOP response to news that former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida backs President Obama is a time-tested one for such occasions: question the turncoat's motive.
The real problem with Mitt Romney's birth certificate jokeCampaigning in Michigan, Mitt Romney quipped that no one has ever asked to see his birth certificate – a nod to anti-Obama 'birthers.' But what was he doing in Michigan?
