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September 7, 2012 At their conventions, the parties presented varying visions of America — as an entrepreneurial paradise where hard work, innovation and prudence are all that matters, and as a communitarian paradise where racial, national and religious differences are subsumed in a surge of shared success. Voters must decide which resonates most and why.

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September 6, 2012 Democrats had to make some hasty and awkward changes to their 2012 platform. The GOP platform passed smoothly but contains some controversial language. Important as it is to set down in writing what a political party believes in, it has become increasingly verboten to talk about it too publicly. There are two big reasons why.

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September 5, 2012 The former president, who will speak tonight in North Carolina, has played a role in every Democratic National Convention since 1972. Reviewing Clinton's exploits at the past 10 annual confabs offers a set of milestones for his entire career — and recaps 40 years of convention history.

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August 31, 2012 The GOP's "We Built That" theme, which grew out of a gaffe by President Obama, all but took over the Tampa convention. Republicans say this line of attack, legitimate or not, highlights what they say is Obama's true attitude toward business. And they believe they can win by convincing the public that the president doesn't understand where jobs come from.

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August 30, 2012 Rep. Paul Ryan demonstrated in his convention speech that he's a true believer, much like two previous politicians he has sought to emulate: Ronald Reagan and Jack Kemp. Kemp's economic ideas were controversial decades ago, but they've gained new life in the vice presidential nominee's budget plan.

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August 29, 2012 The Republican National Convention is trying to build a bridge to more female voters.

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August 28, 2012 ANALYSIS: The next era of conservative politics is just as likely to be dominated by the insurgents as by the forces that have brought Mitt Romney to his party's presidential nomination.

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August 27, 2012 ANALYSIS: The last surviving purpose of the convention is to reach a vast audience and make an impression. Perhaps the special circumstances of this week will give the Republican presidential contender a unique way to do that.

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August 1, 2012 The governor's choice for U.S. Senate, David Dewhurst, was bulldozed by Tea Party favorite Ted Cruz. The reversal in Perry's fortunes should chasten all who try to predict political outcomes.

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July 18, 2012 More people still oppose the Affordable Care Act, but a narrow majority favor amending it rather than repealing it. The poll also shows President Obama with a 2-percentage-point lead over Mitt Romney, although they're even among voters from 12 battleground states.

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June 29, 2012 Time and again, the court has shaken up American politics with pronouncements no one quite expected, from the rejection of "separate but equal" schools to the striking down of bans on gay sex. And the effects of a landmark decision may only be revealed over time.

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