Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is the most influential woman in Washington - for what she has accomplished and for what she may yet do: win the presidency.

Once a popular Alaska governor with a modest record of accomplishment, Palin could conceivably revive her reputation in this era of short memories. But it's hard to imagine her name atop the GOP ballot in 2016, when a cast of heavyweights who sat out 2012 will be vying for the nomination.

If acknowledging that racial misgivings and misunderstandings are still a part of politics and life in America, I plead guilty.

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

It's a bit unfair to accuse Obama of dividing the nation when the facts show that it already is.

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

Romney and Democratic rival President Obama have led their partisan backers down a trail of lies, negativity and vacuous policies that seem certain to guarantee an angry electorate four more years of gridlock.