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Race and the Election

Ta-Nehisi Coates talks about the role race is playing in this year’s election. His latest article in the September issue of The Atlantic is called “Fear of a Black President.” We’ll look at how race is or is not playing a role in this year’s ...

DNC Dispatch: We're Not in Tampa Anymore

The Democratic National Convention in Charlotte is like a music festival just with more American flags and slightly less beer.

DNC Dispatch: NY Delegation Awash in Albany Intrigue

As New York's Democratic delegates and party leaders settle in for a week of party celebration in Charlotte, the group is operating against a backdrop of distress as the sexual harassment scandal involving Assemblyman Vito Lopez grew to include Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who is hosting the delegation this ...

DNC Dispatch: It Has Begun

The Democrats have descended on Charlotte, NC for the national convention, and WNYC got a sneak peak at what's coming this week.

RNC Dispatch: Why Romney Will Pay for Snubbing Ron Paul

I really do think there is a chance that this garbage will cost Romney 2-3 points. Not to Obama, but to Gary Johnson.

Eastwood And His Chair Not Only Entertainers On The Trail

Mitt Romney has Clint Eastwood and that now-famous empty chair on his side. But the Republican presidential nominee isn't the only one getting entertainment industry shoutouts this week.

What Did the Republican Convention Leave Out?

Tens of thousands of words were uttered onstage at the Republican National Convention this week. Some words cropped up repeatedly: "Jobs." "Economy." "Families." "Obama." Others, such as "Afghanistan," received far less attention.

RNC Dispatch: Grading the RNC Speeches - and Clint Eastwood

His off-the-cuff ramble was more than anything sad.

Fact Checkers Ding Romney On A Few Familiar Points

The Republican presidential nominee is being faulted for saying President Obama went on an "apology tour" and for things he claimed about Obama's tax and Medicare policies. But overall, independent fact checkers aren't finding many problems.

RNC Dispatch: Baratunde's RNC Lessons

Most notably, Republican men love khakis.

He was tall, laughed a lot. He was nervous--girls like that. It shows a guy's a little intimidated. He was nice to my parents, but he was really glad when they weren't around. But, more than anything, he made me laugh.

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Hope and Change had a powerful appeal. But tonight I'd ask a simple question: If you felt that excitement when you voted for Barack Obama, shouldn't you feel that way now that he's President Obama? You know there's something wrong with the kind of job he's done as president when the best feeling you had was the day you voted for him.

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10 Things We Learned at the RNC

It's been a long week, so we'll keep it brief.

Swing Voters

Forty percent of all American voters are Independents. They make up the largest voting bloc in the nation and have determined the outcome of every election since World War II. Linda Killian talks about the swing voters around the country—who they are and what they ...

Transcript: Mitt Romney's Acceptance Speech

Transcript of Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney's acceptance speech as prepared for delivery at the Republican National Convention.

RNC Dispatch: What We Learned From Mitt Romney's Acceptance Speech

Mitt Romney is coming for you, disappointed Obama voters.

Tonight's Question for Republicans: What life experience has shaped your politics?

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RNC Dispatch: Partying With Penguins

Last night I attended the BuzzFeed party at the Florida Aquarium. Yes, there were mermaids, but more importantly, there were penguins!

RNC Day 4: Can Mitt Seal the Deal? Chat Transcript

Watch the live convention stream with us tonight as GOP nominee Mitt Romney makes his case in front of the party faithful. He'll be preceeded by former Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Gov. Jeb Bush, Sen. Marco Rubio and a mystery guest! See the complete schedule below, and join us at ...

A Democratic Politician Turned Republican Star

In 2008 former congressman Artur Davis gave a rousing speech at the Democratic National Convention seconding the nomination of then presidential candidate Barack Obama. On Tuesday night, Davis spoke again at a party convention, but this time for the Republicans, in firm opposition to his former friend.