Elections in the United States

George McGovern, in 1972, lost his bid to be elected president in a landslide. But four years earlier, he led a commission that totally changed how presidential party nominees are chosen. That system remains in place to day and is, perhaps, one of McGovern’s most enduring legacies. He died this weekend, at age 90.

Vice President Joe Biden came out swinging in Thursday night’s debate, seeking to erase memories of President Barack Obama’s bland performance a week ago. Instant polls gave him somewhat less than a victory — a title that perhaps should be awarded to the moderator.

In the 2012 election, the Republican primary contest has shifted to Illinois. It’s the latest state where voters are trying to choose from among the four, remaining mainstream Republican candidates, including Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul.

Newt Gingrich is committed to making sure Mitt Romney isn’t the Republican nominee for president of the United States. But on Tuesday, he failed to win two states that many had said were crucial to his victory.

As Republicans and Democrats compete for support from Latino voters in November, Democrats are trying to use Republican opposition to the DREAM act as a way to pull Latinos to their side of the aisle.