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  1. Top stories via NBC Politics
    1. Decision 2012 and the myth of the 'Catholic vote'

      As the Catholic community has become less homogenous and more assimilated into mainstream culture, so has its voting habits.

    2. Image: Notre Dame
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      Catholic heavyweights challenge Obama rule on contraception
  2. More news
    1. Image: President Obama
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      Obama on Bain: 'This is what this campaign is going to be about'

      President Obama offered a full-throated defense of his campaign's scrutiny of Mitt Romney's private sector career, flatly stating, "This is not a distraction."

    2. Is Romney’s Bain record fair game?

      First Read: Democrats try to keep focus on Romney’s business record but some question the fairness of the criticisms.

    3. Romney hasn't reached financial parity with Obama — yet

      President Obama and his allies continue to hold a sizable fundraising advantage over Mitt Romney and his allies.

    4. Oklahoma billionaire cuts nearly $1M check to pro-Romney Super PAC
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  1. Dispatches from NBC embeds via First Read
    1. Dick Cheney to raise money for Romney

      By NBC's Garrett Haake: Former Vice President Dick Cheney will help raise money for Mitt Romney, a Romney campaign aide confirms. Cheney and his wife will host a fundraiser in Jackson Hole, Wyo., July 12th.

    1. Biden on WV's vote for felon: 'They're frustrated.'

      By NBC's Carrie Dann: Vice President Joe Biden stayed mostly on message during a two-day swing in eastern Ohio this week, but one comment may have earned him some rolls of the eye at Obama campaign headquarters in Chicago.

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An exclusive week-long, all-access pass to “Meet the Press”

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  1. Notre Dame, Catholic groups challenge birth control rule

    The University of Notre Dame is fighting the Obama administration’s requirement for most employers to cover contraception – saying the decision violates religious freedoms. NBC’s Pete Williams reports.

Video

  1. Debugging the political threat of Bain

    The Obama campaign isn’t backing off the attacks on Mitt Romney’s time at Bain Capital – doubling down with its latest ad. Eric Fehrnstrom, a senior adviser to the Romney campaign, discusses.

Video

  1. Obama headquarters threatened in Chicago

    Three protestors who traveled to Chicago for the NATO Summit have been charged in a plot to use Molotov cocktails to attack the Obama campaign headquarters, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s home and other targets. Obama senior campaign adviser David Axelrod shares his reaction.

Chart: Voter Confidence Index

Barack Obama

Democrat

With an impressive electoral victory and a nation eager to turn the page in Washington, President Obama started his term with high expectations, and a high VCI. Charged political debates over federal stimulus spending and health care reform coupled with big Republican wins in the midterm elections and a stalled economic recovery have led to an erosion of voter confidence.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSeptOctNovDec
20093434232841305-6611-1-9
2010-14-23-18-16-22-24-35-33-39-36-28-42
2011-21-22-38-38-2-27-36-49-63-54 -53-45
2012-29-21-21-23-19
data
updated
5/15/12
PRESIDENTIAL VCIs

Shown below is each President's last VCI prior to the presidential election. Hover over items for more information.

Ford '76
25
Gerald Ford
Carter '80
-72
Jimmy Carter
Reagan '84
62
Ronald Reagan
Reagan '88
15
Ronald Reagan
Bush '92
-84
George H.W. Bush
Clinton '96
18
Bill Clinton
Clinton '00
45
Bill Clinton
Bush '04
-11
George W. Bush
Bush '08
-116
George W. Bush

What is the VCI and how is it calculated?

You are using a browser that does not support the canvas element. Some parts of the Voter Confidence Index are not displayed. Learn more about canvas.
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Political cartoons

    1. Scranton Times Tribune, Politica
      The Week in Political Cartoons

      Msnbc.com's political cartoonists take a look back at the past week.

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Slideshow

Chart: Delegate count

Video: Breaking down economic issues, Decision 2012

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Profile: Presidential candidates

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  1. More from First Read
    1. Obama on Bain: 'This is what this campaign is going to be about'
    2. Oklahoma billionaire cuts nearly $1M check to pro-Romney Super PAC
    3. Romney hasn't reached financial parity with Obama -- yet
    4. Catholic heavyweights challenge Obama rule on contraception
    5. Cheney to raise money for Romney
  2. More from NBC Politics
    1. Decision 2012 and the myth of the 'Catholic vote'
    2. Obama on Bain scrutiny: 'This is what this campaign is going to be about'
    3. Romney hasn't reached financial parity with Obama — yet
    4. Is Romney’s Bain record fair game?
    5. Catholic heavyweights challenge Obama rule on contraception
  3. Related videos & slideshows
    1. Video
      Notre Dame, Catholic groups challenge birth control rule
    2. Video
      Debugging the political threat of Bain
    3. Video
      Obama headquarters threatened in Chicago
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