Anyone who’s worked on a campaign knows how hard it is for a candidate to show his true self, yet the debates can give voters some important insights
Elections
![John F. Kennedy [Misc.]](https://ideas.time.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2012/10/50597901.jpg?w=480&h=320&crop=1 "John F. Kennedy [Misc.]")
The Real Problem With Televised Debates: The Viewers
Most of us have forgotten how to engage in the underlying political issues of our day
The Magical Negro Falls to Earth
But victory for Obama in 2012 would signify more racial progress than it did in 2008
Immigration Debate: The Problem with the Word Illegal
It’s inflammatory, imprecise and, most of all, inaccurate. So why does everyone — from Chuck Schumer to Mitt Romney — use it?
A Letter to Jim Lehrer
Now that the conventions are over, it’s time to put some real issues on the debate agenda
The Truth About Mitt
He isn’t the guy the Democrats attacked last week. In fact, he isn’t even the guy he said he was at the Republican convention
The Myth of Bootstrapping
Politicians love to portray themselves as Horatio Alger characters, but they aren’t talking about how social mobility is all but impossible for many these days
How To Read Political Racial Code
Using certain words to invoke stereotypes and racial fear is a reprehensible but time-worn tactic
Legal Challenges to Voter-ID Laws: Too Little, Too Late?
A federal court overturned Texas’ strict voter-ID law, but plenty of similar laws that discourage minority voting will still be in place come Election Day
Should Voting Be Mandatory?
Voting is not optional in 23 countries. Here’s why the United States should become the 24th
Who Is the Better Communicator: Romney or Obama?
An analysis of the candidates’ speeches reveals some important linguistic distinctions
Paul Ryan: An Inspired Choice That Says “We Can Fix This”
Romney’s surprising selection has galvanized a Republican party that was starting to despair
Why the Ryan Pick Won’t Bring Clarity to the Budget Debate
The candidates won’t dare talk about the difficult choices that will have to be made to reduce the deficit