Barack Obama Check out the latest NPR coverage of President Obama's bid for re-election in 2012.

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Barack Obama

Check out the latest NPR coverage of President Obama's bid for re-election in 2012.

Thursday December 15, 2011

In Iowa, Obama's Campaign Team Rehearses For 2012

President Obama speaks with small-business owners at Rausch's Cafe in Guttenberg, Iowa, during a three-day Midwest bus tour in August. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images

In Iowa, Obama's Campaign Team Rehearses For 2012

December 15, 2011 • While all eyes are on the GOP presidential contenders, there's another candidate busy building an organization in Iowa: Barack Obama. Volunteers have opened eight offices across the Hawkeye State, hosted dozens of house parties and logged tens of thousands of telephone calls.

In Iowa, Obama's Campaign Team Rehearses For 2012

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Monday December 12, 2011

It's All Politics

Obama On '60 Minutes' Confident He Can Win 'Choice' Election

December 12, 2011 • When "60 Minutes" journalist Steve Kroft in an interview with Obama aired Sunday asserted that Obama was being "judged on your performance," Obama said he was actually being compared against the ideal, a comparison he knows he can't win. He'd rather be compared to the actual flesh and blood Republicans and their agenda.

As U.S. Troops Exit Iraq, Obama Meets With Maliki

On this April 7, 2009, visit to Iraq, President Obama greets U.S. troops at Camp Victory in Baghdad. On Dec. 2, 2011, the base was handed over to the Iraqi government. All U.S. soldiers are to be gone from Iraq by year's end. Charles Dharapak/Associated Press hide caption

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Charles Dharapak/Associated Press

It's All Politics

As U.S. Troops Exit Iraq, Obama Meets With Maliki

December 12, 2011 • The last American troops are coming home from Iraq this month, and President Obama is marking the occasion with a series of events to commemorate the conclusion of the war. On Wednesday at Fort Bragg, N.C., he and the first lady will thank troops for their service.

As U.S. Troops Exit Iraq, Obama Meets With Maliki

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Friday December 2, 2011

It's All Politics

What Does Surprise Jobless Rate Drop Mean For Obama And 2012?

December 2, 2011 • News of a fairly dramatic month-to-month drop in the jobless rate in November, down to 8.6 percent from 9 percent the month before, is guaranteed to trigger a feverish round of speculation as to what it means for the 2012 general election. At first blush, it seems like good news for those Americans getting work and for those hoping to keep their jobs, first and foremost President Obama.

Saturday November 26, 2011

Obama Backers Hope To Rekindle Enthusiasm In Iowa

In October 2008, then-Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama spoke at a rally in Des Moines, Iowa. Now, even without a Democratic challenger, President Obama plans aggressive roles in states with early presidential primaries, especially in Iowa and other battleground states. Alex Brandon/AP hide caption

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Alex Brandon/AP

Obama Backers Hope To Rekindle Enthusiasm In Iowa

IPR News & Studio One

November 26, 2011 • Iowa voters catapulted the young senator from Illinois to victory in the state's leadoff caucuses four years ago. The president's campaign, which is gearing up in the early states ahead of next year's election, is counting on activists to stick with him in 2012.

Obama Backers Hope To Rekindle Enthusiasm In Iowa

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Thursday November 17, 2011

Opinion

It's All Politics

GOP Jumps On Obama's 'Lazy' Comment

November 17, 2011 • In a classic case of taking a political opponent's comments out of context, some of the presidents Republican opponents are attacking President Obama for a remark in which he said U.S. policymakers have been "lazy" in recent decades for not creating the best environment to attract foreign direct investment to the U.S.

Tuesday November 8, 2011

President Obama greets diners in Los Angeles last month. He faces long odds in his quest for re-election. Among them: unemployment, eroding support among independent voters and approval ratings that are well below those of previous presidents who won a second term. Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

Can Obama Make History Again?

November 8, 2011 • The president's support among independents has collapsed; his overall approval ratings are well below those of other presidents who went on to win a second term; and unemployment is expected to stay near 9 percent until Election Day. To get re-elected in 2012, he'll have to defy the odds.

Can Obama Make History Again?

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Wednesday October 19, 2011

It's All Politics

Obama Laps GOP Field In Finance-Sector Cash But Shows Weakness Too

October 19, 2011 • President Obama is either raising money from the financial sector like a man with many friends and supporters in that field despite his attempts to regulate it. Or, he is losing the money race to Mitt Romney, that veteran of the private-equity world, because of his administration's efforts to clamp down on Wall Street with new regulations.

Monday October 17, 2011

It's All Politics

Obama Hearts North Carolina But It May Have Lost That Loving Feeling

October 17, 2011 • The question for Obama as he resumes his bus tour through political battleground states like North Carolina and Virginia to ostensibly promote his seemingly dead jobs plan, is will Asheville specifically, and North Carolina, generally, love him back as was the case in 2008?

Obama Bus Tour Rides Rough Political Terrain In N.C.

President Obama holds up his jobs bill as he speaks at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C., on Sept. 14. The president returns to North Carolina on Monday to drum up support for his proposals and for his re-election campaign.

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Gerry Broome/AP

Obama Bus Tour Rides Rough Political Terrain In N.C.

WFAE

October 17, 2011 • The president won the state by a narrow margin in 2008. His fall in support among independents in North Carolina means Obama now faces a struggle to stay competitive for 2012. His problem in the state is the same one he faces everywhere: unemployment.

Obama Bus Tour Rides Rough Political Terrain In N.C.

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Thursday October 13, 2011

It's All Politics

Obama Raises $70 Million In 3rd Qtr For Re-election, DNC

October 13, 2011 • Obama is clearly benefiting from incumbency. Few things excite many donors more than being able to say they were in the same room with the president who just flew into town on Air Force One. Obama also doesn't have a primary challenger so Democratic donors really have nowhere else to go.

Friday October 7, 2011

Obama is surrounded by former presidents in the Oval Office in 2009. Two of his predecessors — George W. Bush and Bill Clinton — won two terms, while two others — George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter — left office after just one.

J. Scott Applewhite/AP hide caption

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J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Will The 'Yes We Can' Man Get Canned?

October 7, 2011 • There is in the American air — some 13 months away from the 2012 election — a whiff of suggestion that Obama might not be re-elected. Or re-electable. Past presidents have weathered stormier times, but when you hit bottom matters.

Tuesday October 4, 2011

It's All Politics

Rick Perry Rides Money Rocket Up As Romney, Obama Hit Cruise Speed

October 4, 2011 • With accountants on the presidential campaigns now busily toting up fundraising numbers for the third quarter, the big question is this: How much did Rick Perry raise? On Monday, Reuters cited campaign fundraising volunteers who said Perry's late-breaking bid for the Republican nomination has grossed more than $10 million.

Monday October 3, 2011

It's All Politics

Obama Says Americans Not Better Off Than 2008; Plays 'Underdog' Card

October 3, 2011 • President Obama knows that whoever the Republican nominee turns out to be, that candidate could very well take the opportunity of a debate against him to look earnestly into the camera and ask Ronald Reagan's famous question of 1980: "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?"

Friday September 30, 2011

As Election Looms, Obama Seeks To Rouse His Base

Then-Sen. Barack Obama drew enthusiastic crowds at a rally in Columbus, Ohio, just days before the 2008 election. Now, after a few rocky moments with the coalition that helped send him to the White House, and with a re-election battle looming, Obama is trying to re-energize his supporters. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

As Election Looms, Obama Seeks To Rouse His Base

September 30, 2011 • In recent days, President Obama has reached out to black and Latino voters. On Saturday, he'll speak to the nation's largest gay rights group, part of an effort to re-energize the coalition that helped send him to the White House. But his governing has left some of his early supporters disappointed.

As Election Looms, Obama Seeks To Rouse His Base

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