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    1. Image: U.S. President Barack Obama gestures upon arriving at Joplin Regional Airport aboard Air Force One in Missouri
      Reuters
      NBC/WSJ poll: Obama, Romney locked in tight contest

      President Barack Obama continues to hold a small lead over Mitt Romney, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.

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    1. In Calif. redistricting experiment, how much better off will Democrats be?

      In two weeks, California voters will take part in an intriguing electoral experiment –and while House Democrats are likely to emerge better off from it, the question is how much better off?

    2. Candidate Obama unloads on Romney
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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: Romney no more qualified to be president than a plumber

      By NBC's Carrie Dann: As the Obama campaign continues its assault on Mitt Romney's record, Vice President Joe Biden said that business experience like the presumptive GOP nominee's is no more qualifying than that of a Roto-Rooter.

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Video: Do demographics rule?

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  1. Detachment in D.C.?

    Sen. Kent Conrad explains whether the lack of communication between President Barack Obama and key policy makers has caused the problems on Capitol Hill.

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?

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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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Chart: Delegate count

Video: Breaking down economic issues, Decision 2012

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Profile: Presidential candidates

Data:

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