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Obama's Course Proves Hard To Map

Barack Obama will formally assume the undisputed leadership of his party at the Democratic National Convention. What direction will he take it? For many Democrats, the answer remains unclear even after the party's fiercest nomination fight.
• Timeline: The Democrats' Road To Denver

Obama: What We Can Learn From The Candidate's Reflective 1995 Memoir
Conventions: Ticket-Toppers Looking Forward To Turning The Page
Key Players: The People Behind The Scenes At The Denver Convention
Republicans: GOP Officials Plan Full Schedule For Rivals' Convention Week

COLUMNISTS

Brownstein: Offense? Defense?

Both Obama and McCain have one big blemish that needs to be dealt with.

Rauch: By Any Other Name

A gentle reminder to the Democrats: It's not a peacetime election for Al Qaeda.

Mercurio: Popularity Contest

A well-liked candidate runs up against a well-traveled attack message. Which will win?

Conventions 2008

A Persistent Partisan Divide

Over the past two presidential races, the electoral map has been remarkably stable. One key reason is that so many counties now lean decisively to one party or the other. "Landslide" counties exploded from 37 percent in 1976 to 60 percent in 2004.

• Election results, 1976-2004
• Stable counties in 2004
• Landslide counties, 1976 vs. 2004


SWING STATES

Survey The Battleground

National Journal takes a close look at the swing states likely to determine the outcome of the 2008 presidential election: in Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio and Pennsylvania.



Political Resources

Campaign Tracker

News and resources on the White House, Senate, House and gubernatorial races.


Almanac of American Politics

The definitive guide to American politics.


Vote Ratings

National Journal's annual rankings define where members of Congress stand ideologically.


Campaign Promises

Search a comprehensive directory of McCain's and Obama's campaign pledges.

First Person

Beginning Sunday, Aug. 24, National Journal brings you the insider's perspective on conventions and how the process really works.


Politicians, consultants and journalists in the series include Tom Donilon, Frank Fahrenkopf, Tom Kean, George McGovern and Roger Mudd.



Insiders Poll

Insiders Agree: Bet Blue For Iowa And New Mexico

Of the states that went for George W. Bush in 2004, National Journal's poll of political insiders declares the Hawkeye State the most likely to fall into Barack Obama's column this year.

Big Week Or Bust? Not Entirely

The convention may be the biggest bash of the summer, but insiders say it's still not a make-or-break proposition. Democrats are feeling just a little safer than Republicans.
Slideshows

Former Vice President Walter Mondale talks with National Journal's Ronald Brownstein about being tapped for Carter's ticket in 1976.


Video

National Journal Policy Series: Energy

Panel compares energy policies of McCain and Obama.

Hotline TV: McCain Closes In

Obama goes on the attack as McCain rises in polls.

Play Of The Day,
Aug. 19

Keep watch for "crop art" when flying to Denver.

Play Of The Day,
Aug. 20

"Beat the Press" mocks CNN anchor's new theme song.

Hotline TV: Veepstakes

It's nearly showtime in the epic Obama Veepstakes.

Hotline TV: Courting Evangelicals

McCain and Obama face pastor's Q&A session.