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The South Portico of the White House in Washington, D.C. is seen from the motorcade on Friday, October 1, 2010. UPI/Ron Sachs/POOL /Landov

US Election

Race for the White House

US President Barack Obama and his Republican contender Mitt Romney are fighting a neck-and-neck race in the run-up to general elections on November 6, 2012. Record levels of fundraising are certain to make this the most expensive presidential campaign in history.

The country's flagging economy and high unemployment remain the most important issues for voters. Both candidates will have to work hard to convince Americans that their policies will lead to job creation and economic improvement.

DW looks at the candidates and the major issues marking the campaign.

The candidates

Yes he can... hope for a second term

Much has been left undone - or half done - in Barack Obama's first term in office. The US president warns that his Republican challenger will steer his country in a very different direction. (16.10.2012) 

Mitt Romney faces troubling challenges

Mitt Romney wanted to take over Barack Obama's position with economic arguments. But his own mistakes, fickleness in many issues and vying for the votes of the ultraconservatives in his party weakened his position. (08.10.2012) 

Obama warns that US is at 'crossroads'

President Barack Obama used his speech to warn America about the consequences of a shift to the right on social and economic issues should the Republicans win the presidential election in November. (07.09.2012) 

Turning the White House into a greenhouse?

Theirs may be a lost cause in the US presidential election, but the Green Party was the first to officially decide on its candidate. The November election will see Jill Stein pitted against Obama and Romney. (18.07.2012) 

The issues

EU, US are 'not foreign policy to each other'

A change of face in the White House would clearly have an impact on transatlantic relations. The European Union is therefore closely watching the US presidential campaign, but politicians are reluctant to take sides. (25.10.2012) 

US voters abroad mobilize for presidential poll

Many Americans abroad have already postmarked their ballots for the presidential election. In Germany, Democrats and Republicans are debating the issues in a political culture that's often far outside American context. (24.10.2012) 

Florida county points to outcome of US election

Hillsborough County is a swing district in the swing state of Florida. Both Democrats and Republicans are sure that they will win. But party affiliation does not necessarily decide how Floridians ultimately vote. (22.10.2012) 

Romney hits out at Obama, offers few alternatives

In what's being labeled as a crucial speech, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has laid out his foreign policy. Despite criticism for Obama, Romney had little to offer in terms of alternatives. (09.10.2012) 

Social issues unlikely to play decisive role in US election

Although social issues divide the US public, they rarely decide presidential elections. But over the long-term, a growing Hispanic community and a shift in views on gay marriage could push voters to the Democrats. (08.10.2012) 

Environment expectations low in US election

When Obama was elected US president in 2008, environmentalists hoped he would champion their causes. Now after a disappointing four years, neither of the candidates is making big environmental promises. (08.10.2012) 

Romney dominates first presidential debate

Mitt Romney showed a strong performance in the first televised debate. The Republican challenger demonstrated that he is on a par with President Barack Obama. The race for the White House continues to be wide open. (04.10.2012) 

Obama and Romney clash over the economy

If there is one major campaign issue with stark differences between the plans proposed by Barack Obama and Mitt Romney it is economic policy. But one key aspect is simply too hot to handle for either candidate. (24.09.2012) 

US election unlikely to change US foreign policy

As the election nears, President Obama and Governor Romney have tried to draw clear distinctions between their foreign policies. But the next president will face hard realities that leave little room for maneuver. (20.09.2012) 

Romney, Obama fear gun control could backfire

After two mass shootings in a month left 19 people dead and dozens injured in two US states, you'd think gun control would become a major topic of the US presidential race. Instead no one is going near the issue. (23.08.2012) 

Opinion and Guest Pieces

Power, purpose and practice: The US and Europe

The EU and the US seem to have lost their way in terms of using their power capabilities in a globalized world. Regardless of who wins the US election, they need to work on improving their ties, writes Thomas Risse. (18.10.2012) 

Don’t believe the hype about presidential debates

Pundits have called the US presidential debates Mitt Romney’s last best chance to win the race. Not so fast, says Vincent Michelot. Debates can change the outcome of the election, but only under certain circumstances. (27.09.2012) 

Occupy 2.0?

One year ago, Occupy Wall Street burst into sight. Reactions to it ranged from peculiar to ineffectual and even revolting. In truth, writes Todd Gitlin, it was both mysterious and deeply revealing of a national shift. (13.09.2012) 

Gone with the wind: Obama's green credentials

One of President Obama's key electoral pledges in 2008 was a commitment to tackle environmental issues. Four years later, little to nothing has happened - and is unlikely to anytime soon, writes Sascha Müller-Kraenner. (06.09.2012) 

Europeans pay attention: Romney is different

While it may not be easily detected at first glance, the foreign policy of a President Romney would look very different from that of President Obama, argues Henry Nau in a piece for Transatlantic Voices. (09.08.2012) 

Democrats banking on Occupy's social impact

The Occupy Movement in the United States may have provided the Democrats with what could be a winning issue at the ballot box - social justice, writes Andreas Etges for DW's Transatlantic Voices column. (26.07.2012) 

The great divide

The battle for the White House is developing into a bitter and divisive feud and shows how fragmented US society is, writes Volker Depkat for DW's Transtlantic Voices column. (08.05.2012) 

Interviews

'Gap between Europe and US must not get wider'

The General Secretary of the German Social Democrats, Andrea Nahles, was at the Democratic National Convention. She's rooting for Obama and warns that a President Romney could drive Europe and the US apart. (06.09.2012) 

Audios and videos on the topic

Volunteers play a pivotal role in US election campaign

Romney campaigns for pro-Israel vote

Economy

Meeting in Berlin - World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Pascal Lamy, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Secretary General Angel Gurria and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Director general Guy Ryder (L-R), October 30, 2012. Photo: REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Berlin calls for growth

The heads of five key economic institutions on a visit to Berlin have issued a joint call with Chancellor Angela Merkel for further reform within the eurozone and warned that risks remain "great" for the world economy.

EU to decide on reforms in December

Elections

An elderly Ukrainian woman reads her ballot paper (photo: EPA/TATYANA ZENKOVICH)

'Not a fair election'

Ukraine's opposition parties were in a weak position to begin with, German politicians say.

Ukraine vote ushers in new constellation of power

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