Tim Hibbitts 2/3
Vengeful Billionaire Sinks President's Re-election Bid!
... "When the facts collide with the legend, print the legend." So it is with the 1992 presidential election, as even today many reporters state as fact that independent Ross Perot cost George H. W. Bush the presidency. ...

Samuel J. Best, U. of Conn. 2/3
8 lessons from the Republican presidential race so far
The first month of the Republican nomination process is complete and it has produced one of the most exciting races in a generation. Three different candidates have won the first four contests. ... Examining the CBS News entrance/exit polls of voters in these states offers a number of insights into the GOP nomination battle as well as the upcoming presidential race. ...

Gallup: Jeffrey M. Jones 2/3
More States Move to GOP in 2011
Democrats have lost their solid political party affiliation advantage in 18 states since 2008, while Republicans have gained a solid advantage in 6 states. ...

Charlie Cook 2/2
Improving Fortunes
... Pollsters and strategists in both parties are closely watching some very preliminary and uncertain signs that suggest the dynamics today will be somewhat different than those that drove the 2010 midterm elections and the political debate during much of 2011. ...

Las Vegas Review-Journal 2/2
Nevada: Romney poised to roll, poll shows
A new poll shows Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney headed for a blowout victory Saturday in Nevada's GOP caucuses. ...

New York Times David Leonhardt 2/1
Obama's Approval Ratings Suggest a Nail-Biter
... Mr. Obama now hovers in the gray area between likely victory and likely defeat, with the country divided nearly 50-50 on his performance. ...

Mark Mellman 2/1
The 50 percent problem
What do job approval ratings portend about a president’s reelection prospects? Quite a lot, according to most analysts, whose mantra is that an incumbent president needs 50 percent approval to be reelected. ...

ABC News 2/1
Romney Basks in Florida, Strong Conservatives Aside
Mitt Romney snapped back from South Carolina with a Florida primary victory that took advantage of a more diverse electorate, re-established his image of electability and economic leadership, and demonstrated his organizational firepower in attracting -- and retaining -- early-deciding voters. ...

Ronald Brownstein 2/1
How Romney Came Back in Florida
Mitt Romney's blowout win in Florida Tuesday provided almost a mirror image of the results just 10 days ago in South Carolina, a head-spinning reversal that underscored the continuing turbulence of the most volatile Republican presidential race since 1940. ...

National Journal 1/31
Voters Favor Obama Ideas But Keystone, Too
According to a new poll, Americans overwhelmingly support the key ideas President Obama laid out in his State of the Union address last week but also favor the GOP approach to taxes and regulation and a controversial oil pipeline from Canada to the U.S. -- all while doubting the ability of the president and Congress to come to agreement. ...

Gallup: Jeffrey M. Jones 1/31
Obama Approval Above 50% in 10 States and DC in 2011
In 10 states plus the District of Columbia, a majority of residents approved of the job Barack Obama was doing as president last year, according to aggregated data from 2011. ...

ABC News: Gary Langer 1/31
Gingrich and Romney In the Private Sector
Neither Mitt Romney's nor Newt Gingrich's private sector experience is playing particularly well with the American public, although Gingrich's consulting work draws far more criticism than Romney's background buying and restructuring companies. ...