The race for the White House

US Election

US President Barack Obama and his Republican contender Mitt Romney are fighting a neck-and-neck race in the run-up to general elections on November 6, 2012. Record levels of fundraising are certain to make this the most expensive presidential campaign in history.
The country's flagging economy and high unemployment remain the most important issues for voters. Both candidates will have to work hard to convince Americans that their policies will lead to job creation and economic improvement.
DW looks at the candidates and the major issues marking the campaign.

The candidates

Obama warns that US is at 'crossroads'

President Barack Obama used his speech to warn America about the consequences of a shift to the right on social and economic issues should the Republicans win the presidential election in November. (07.09.2012) 

Michelle highlights Obama's values

US First Lady Michelle Obama has campaigned for the re-election of her husband at the Democratic convention. She described her husband as the average American, who will fight for the middle class. (05.09.2012) 

United behind Romney

The US Republicans have nominated Mitt Romney as presidential candidate and Paul Ryan as his running mate. And Ann Romney worked hard to convince the delegates that Romney is a nice guy. (29.08.2012) 

Romney courts Republican base

Tropical storm Isaac has pushed back Mitt Romney's official nomination as the Republicans' presidential candidate. He has much work to do at the G.O.P. convention to assure the party base that he is the right choice. (24.08.2012) 

Romney banks on Ryan to shore up conservative base

In an era of deep partisanship in the US, Mitt Romney has chosen rising conservative star Paul Ryan as his running mate. Romney is hoping that the party base can deliver him with the White House. (22.08.2012) 

Romney looks to boost foreign policy credentials

Republican candidate Mitt Romney is hoping for a presidential boost with a six-day international trip. But he's only visiting three countries - and so far, he's only been dealing in rhetoric. (26.07.2012) 

Turning the White House into a greenhouse?

Theirs may be a lost cause in the US presidential election, but the Green Party was the first to officially decide on its candidate. The November election will see Jill Stein pitted against Obama and Romney. (18.07.2012) 

Mitt Romney - politician, businessman, Mormon

Mitt Romney may be the frontrunner in the Republican race for a presidential candidate. But he's facing tough questions on the campaign trail about his successful venture capitalist career and his Mormon faith. (05.03.2012) 

The issues

Obama and Romney clash over the economy

If there is one major campaign issue with stark differences between the plans proposed by Barack Obama and Mitt Romney it is economic policy. But one key aspect is simply too hot to handle for either candidate. (24.09.2012) 

US election unlikely to change US foreign policy

As the election nears, President Obama and Governor Romney have tried to draw clear distinctions between their foreign policies. But the next president will face hard realities that leave little room for maneuver. (20.09.2012) 

Romney, Obama fear gun control could backfire

After two mass shootings in a month left 19 people dead and dozens injured in two US states, you'd think gun control would become a major topic of the US presidential race. Instead no one is going near the issue. (23.08.2012) 

Obama starts fight against Chinese import tariffs

US President Barack Obama has brought a case to the WTO about China's increased tariffs on US auto imports. Yet analysts suggest it is about more than merely trade as such. (09.07.2012) 

Romney banking on economic anger

The Republican primaries are now over, and Mitt Romney has sealed the nomination, if not necessarily the hearts of the party faithful. Nonetheless, his chances of unseating President Obama are not all that bad. (28.06.2012) 

Is it a person? Is it a group? No, it's Super-Pac!

This year’s US election race will be the most expensive ever. But while all the rage is about the role of Super-Pacs, they are just the tip of iceberg. The role of money in campaigns is much more complex. (05.03.2012) 

Opinion and Guest Pieces

Don’t believe the hype about presidential debates

Pundits have called the US presidential debates Mitt Romney’s last best chance to win the race. Not so fast, says Vincent Michelot. Debates can change the outcome of the election, but only under certain circumstances. (27.09.2012) 

Occupy 2.0?

One year ago, Occupy Wall Street burst into sight. Reactions to it ranged from peculiar to ineffectual and even revolting. In truth, writes Todd Gitlin, it was both mysterious and deeply revealing of a national shift. (13.09.2012) 

Gone with the wind: Obama's green credentials

One of President Obama's key electoral pledges in 2008 was a commitment to tackle environmental issues. Four years later, little to nothing has happened - and is unlikely to anytime soon, writes Sascha Müller-Kraenner. (06.09.2012) 

Party conventions do matter

Sure, the party conventions can seem like an outdated spectacle with the outcome scripted before the event begins. But contrary to popular belief, they can sway voters, argue Robert Erikson and Christopher Wlezien. (23.08.2012) 

Europeans pay attention: Romney is different

While it may not be easily detected at first glance, the foreign policy of a President Romney would look very different from that of President Obama, argues Henry Nau in a piece for Transatlantic Voices. (09.08.2012) 

Democrats banking on Occupy's social impact

The Occupy Movement in the United States may have provided the Democrats with what could be a winning issue at the ballot box - social justice, writes Andreas Etges for DW's Transatlantic Voices column. (26.07.2012) 

Opinion: Supreme Court ruling is win for Obama - and US citizens

The US Supreme Court has declared that President Obama's health care reform does not violate the constitution. It's good news for both the president and US citizens, says Deutsche Welle's Christina Bergmann. (29.06.2012) 

The great divide

The battle for the White House is developing into a bitter and divisive feud and shows how fragmented US society is, writes Volker Depkat for DW's Transtlantic Voices column. (08.05.2012) 

Interviews

'Gap between Europe and US must not get wider'

The General Secretary of the German Social Democrats, Andrea Nahles, was at the Democratic National Convention. She's rooting for Obama and warns that a President Romney could drive Europe and the US apart. (06.09.2012) 

'Americans have a different view of social policies'

German foreign policy expert Ruprecht Polenz explains in an interview with Germany's Deutschlandfunk radio why Mitt Romney, the Republican candidate for US president, wants to cut taxes and social services. (31.08.2012) 

Audios and videos on the topic

Volunteers play a pivotal role in US election campaign

Romney campaigns for pro-Israel vote

• Date 01.10.2012