Most Tea Party activists consider Obama a big-spending liberal. Some even question his eligibility to be president.

Obama ran a hard-edged and negative campaign against Romney, hoping to convince recession-weary voters that his rival was unworthy of the job.

Obama considers himself above deal-making and back-slapping, political necessities he often delegates to Vice President Joe Biden and other lesser sorts.

The failure of the White House and Congress to seriously address the nation's fiscal situation is certain to broaden the belief among many voters that the U.S. political system is broken.

AP promoted me to the White House beat because I knew Clinton, his family, friends, and staff better than anybody in the national press corps. Those contacts helped me break a few stories and get my career in Washington jump-started.

It's a deft trick to turn American exceptionalism into an exceptional political tactic.

Political reporters and political professionals rushed to judgment against Romney because we crave clear, unambiguous story lines.