election

Mitt Romney won Florida's winner-take-all primary. Newt Gingrich lost. How? Simple. It came down to two things: big promises and bad rapping. Our special report on Election 2012 gives you the full story in words and videos.

Newt Gingrich used unconventional means to stop Mitt Romney's momentum. Gingrich says he's the only candidate ready to debate Barack Obama, "the most dangerous president of our lifetime". But Gingrich remains far too controversial for many Republicans.

Mitt Romney has found his message: he is the next Ronald Reagan. But can he paint Barack Obama as Jimmy Carter, a president not in control of the economy, unable to project American power abroad and at odds with his advisers?

The January 3 vote in Iowa produced several surprises, among them a near-win by social conservative Rick Santorum. He equated the Democrats' support of a social-welfare system and a right to health care with Mussolini's Italy, which his grandfather left in 1925.

Three years after the promise of "hope" and "change", little has changed in America, and hope is hard to find. Barack Obama's reelection may depend on convincing ordinary voters that he is fighting for them. Read more in our Special Report on Election 2012.

It's a well-known technique: just stare at someone long enough, and that person will accept anything you say. Michele Bachmann does this to prevent interviewers from questioning her often bizarre statements. Bachmann left the race after a disappointing finish in Iowa.

"I'm someone [who] believes that you approach issues using faith and reason," says former US Senator Rick Santorum. "If your faith is pure and your reason is right, they'll end up in the same place." Read more about the candidate in our Special Report on Election 2012.

Newt Gingrich is an expert on American history — some of which he helped to write. As Speaker of the House of Representatives, he attacked Bill Clinton for the Monica Lewinsky affair. Could Gingrich be the next US president? Read more in our Special Report.

Jon Huntsman is the smart kid in the class who is rarely called on because he always knows the answer. The few answers he has given at the presidential debates have been insightful — and unusual. Huntsman left the race after a poor finish in New Hampshire.