Christian Science Monitor | The Vote

Three weeks until Super Tuesday, but some states are already voting

Of the 10 Super Tuesday states, early voting is now under way in three: Vermont, Ohio, and Georgia. It begins in Tennessee on Wednesday. How early voting might affect the outcome.

Could Mitt Romney lose to Rick Santorum in Michigan? (+video)

It looks like 'anti-Romney' Republicans in Michigan are coalescing around Rick Santorum as their candidate. Even on his home turf, Mitt Romney suffers from an 'enthusiasm gap' problem.

Did Mitt Romney steal Maine caucuses from Ron Paul?

The caucus for Washington County, Maine was cancelled Saturday due to the threat of inclement weather. Ron Paul supporters believe that with those votes, Paul could have won the state contest.

Why Abraham Lincoln's birthday isn't a federal holiday

President's Day celebrates Abraham Lincoln, right? Nope. There is no 'President's Day.' It's actually legally known only as 'Washington's Birthday,' leaving Old Abe out the cold.

Sarah Palin wows CPAC. But has the race for the White House moved beyond her?

Sarah Palin energized the crowd of activists at the Conservative Political Action Conference Saturday. She has yet to endorse a GOP presidential candidate, which keeps her in the game.

Political fallout from birth control fight: A glimmer of good news for Obama?

Under fire from Catholic bishops and others, the Obama administration had to backtrack on contraception and health insurance. But many Catholics differ with the church hierarchy over birth control.

Ron Paul's secret ninja strategy for Maine caucuses

Ron Paul has a strategy for winning more delegates than caucus results in Maine, Colorado, and elsewhere suggest he would. Patience, grasshopper, and we will explain it to you.

Where does Newt Gingrich go after big losses Tuesday?

Newt Gingrich got trounced Tuesday. His plan has been built on surviving until Super Tuesday, where geography favors him more. But it's hard to see how Mr. Gingrich will be able to rebound.

Is Ron Paul at turning point in campaign?

Ron Paul performed strongly in Tuesday night's Minnesota caucuses. But he also finished last in Colorado and Missouri, calling into question his caucus-centric campaign strategy.

Rick Santorum triumphant as election takes another unpredictable swing (+video)

Rick Santorum has been declared the winner in Minnesota and Missouri – by wide margins – and could yet upset Mitt Romney in Colorado. But bigger contests lie ahead.

President Obama hosts White House Science Fair. Did anybody win?

If championship sports teams are invited to the White House, President Obama reasons, then so should winners of science fairs.

Could Rick Santorum put Newt Gingrich in the rearview mirror Tuesday?

With signs that Newt Gingrich is fading, Tuesday's three caucuses could help Rick Santorum woo anti-Romney conservatives. But many challenges lie ahead.

Will Ron Paul be last rival standing to Mitt Romney? (+video)

If you sort through the Nevada caucus results, look at this week’s GOP events, and add in a few financial disclosure forms, you can produce a scenario where Ron Paul outlasts others.

Is Mitt Romney the Nevada front-runner? Yes, but . . .

The expectation is that Mitt Romney will win Saturday's Nevada caucuses handily. But where there are high expectations, can disappointment be far behind?

Roseanne Barr: Is she serious about Green Party presidential bid?

The announcement by Roseanne Barr has given the Green Party the flash of media spotlight it has been lacking as the GOP candidates slog through their primaries.

Did Donald Trump endorse Mitt Romney because of China?

At first glance Mitt Romney and Donald Trump seem an odd couple. Mr. Trump’s pugnacity is more Gingrichian than Romneyesque. Yet there was Trump bestowing a blessing on a smiling Romney.

Does it matter whom Donald Trump endorses?

In the short run, a nod from Donald Trump might give Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich a little boost in Nevada. But in the long run? A Trump endorsement could turn off some voters, polls show.

Why Ron Paul could rally in February caucuses

Ron Paul has been looking forward to February, when caucus states take center stage on the GOP nominating calendar. Caucuses reward loyalty and Mr. Paul has fervently devoted followers.

Mitt Romney's 'poor' choice of words: Who's really struggling in America?

Mitt Romney was in damage-control mode Wednesday after the multimillionaire candidate said he's 'not concerned about the very poor.' He said he's concerned about those who are 'struggling.'

How to get House and Senate bills to match up on payroll tax cut?

A conference committee on the payroll tax cut meets Wednesday to try to resolve differences between House and Senate bills. It's the old-fashioned way of coming to agreement, used for barely half the bills in the last Congress.