The court's final day of arguments involving same-sex marriage laws served up some memorable observations. Here are five key questions that came up as the justices debated the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

As the Supreme Court considers the constitutional case for gay marriage, we look back at the role Vermont played just 13 years ago in the historic metamorphosis of the issue. The state's governor, who wore a bulletproof vest that year, called it "the least civil public debate in the state in over a century."

Five key areas of discussion in Tuesday's Supreme Court oral arguments on the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in the state.

The Republican Kentucky senator and possible 2016 presidential candidate tells a Hispanic business group that his message to the nation's illegal immigrants is: "If you wish to live and work in America, then we will find a place for you."

Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman's endorsement of same-sex marriage, coming less than two weeks before the U.S. Supreme Court hears a pair of challenges to same-sex marriage bans, is being characterized by gay rights activists and others as historic.

Pope Francis is the first pope from Latin America, a choice that makes sense strategically as the church becomes less Europe-centric. But how he will direct the church, which is still dealing with the fallout of the sexual abuse crisis and other challenges, remains unclear.

The National Riffle Association's top lobbyist told senators that federal authorities need to enforce existing gun laws, not punish the "little people" with new regulations.

As the president and House speaker try to lead the nation away from the so-called fiscal cliff, experts in the art of negotiation say they're not impressed. "Much of this process is theater," says one. "I think that now, everyone needs to shut up and get to work."

History suggests that Susan Rice will be confirmed, if nominated for secretary of state. But some Republicans may be focusing on her statements about Benghazi to discredit the Obama administration. Here's a look at that possibility, and what else might be part of the Capitol Hill wrangling.

A handful of Republicans in Congress say they won't honor the Grover Norquist-led no-new-taxes pledge if it prevents a deal to avert the fiscal cliff. "Grover still swings a hammer," says one adviser. "There just aren't as many nails." But others think entitlements, not taxes, could be the sticking point.

The election thumping Republicans got Tuesday at the hands of Latino voters was severe. To formulate a fix for what went wrong, the party will need help from influential Republicans like former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.

Bloopers and stumbles made the news this presidential campaign, but Barack Obama's re-election was powered by plans begun on the ground four years ago. Here's how he did it.

Four years ago, 56 percent of female voters cast their ballots for Barack Obama. But with a recent poll showing him tied with Mitt Romney among women, Obama has been working anew to sway the demographic seen as key to his hold on the White House. Romney has been working to stop him.

Vice President Biden and the Republican hoping to replace him, Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, face off for their sole debate Thursday in Danville, Ky. Here's a side-by-side comparison of the two men.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney appears a man under siege. But while Democrats are licking their chops and many Republicans are despairing at the state of the Romney campaign just seven weeks from Election Day, more dispassionate observers suggest that the race is still very close.

It was an older, battle-scarred nominee who faced his party in Charlotte, N.C. This message of hope was tempered and longer-view — a good distance if not a full turn from the vision he offered four years ago when he accepted the nomination in a thundering Denver stadium.

Largely wrung of politics, the first lady's speech plotted parallels in her life and that of her husband, President Obama. She pointedly tracked their humble beginnings and strivings in an unspoken but clear contrast to the privileged upbringing of GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

At a gathering of black state legislators at the Democratic National Convention, some attendees say the historic nature of 2008 has given way to economic concerns in 2012.

The speech, the experts and pundits proclaimed, needed to humanize Mitt Romney. But it also served as a vehicle to humanize her, a woman of great attractiveness and expensive polish touched by cancer, multiple sclerosis and the trials of raising five sometimes screaming children.

The deal allows some of the Texas congressman's delegates to be seated at the Republican National Convention. The compromise would appear to avert a potential public clash with Paul supporters during next week's festivities.