ELECTION 2012

President Obama won re-election last night, Democrats held the U.S. Senate, and the Republicans remain in control in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In a recent article in National Journal, respected political analyst Charlie Cook lays out the likely hood that President Obama will carry the Electoral College while Governor Romney will secure the popular vote.

Pew Research Center released a new poll showing the Presidential race even, 47%- 47%, however, the poll gives a slight turnout edge to Governor Romney, but oddly the poll participants still believe the President Obama will win re-election, 49%.

Over the weekend, The Atlantic published a great article comparing the Obama and Romney ground game.

RCP has a nice run down of all of the current newspaper endorsements:

The 2012 Presidential debates are in the history books and the Washington Post's political writer, Chris Cillizza has great, quick read on how the debates may be viewed in perpetuity.

The campaign for the Presidency is in its final 14 days and following last night's third and final debate both candidates are on the move.

In the last week much attention has been given to the electoral college, reminding folks that the President is selected not by popular vote but a weighed system, to "win" the election you must receive 270 electoral college votes.

In a Yahoo! Small Business article today, four small businesses owners were profiled and asked questions relating to the upcoming November election and what issues are of most concern, health care costs, regulation, and continued challenges of maintaining a business during a recession.

The Washington Post has an article outlining the candidates positions on issues important to the self-employed community, including: taxes, health care, regulation, immigration, government contracting, SBA, and exporting.

Last night's debate was heated, contentious, and if it had taken place in a boxing ring, it would have been decided by decision

This evening, President Obama and Governor Romney will meet for the second of three Presidential debates.

Last night's Vice-Presidential debate was predictable, both VP candidates taking a much more aggressive attack towards the other campaign, however, for VP Biden, this incredibly important to help swing momentum back towards the Obama-Biden ticket.

Coming off of last week's Presidential debate, expectations are high for Congressman Paul Ryan to keep the momentum going for the Romney/Ryan ticket, while Vice-President Biden is tasked with stopping the surging Romney campaign with a strong debate performance.

The Pew Research Center released a new post-debate presidential poll showing what the Obama campaign feared, Governor Romney taking a lead over President Obama following the Governor's strong debate performance.

In the last two weeks, President Obama's average lead in national polls has been erased and for the first time in nearly a month, Governor Romney holds a slight advantage over President Obama.

Prior to Wednesday's debate, the NASE submitted candidate questionnaires to the campaigns of President Obama and Governor Romney.

Politics is a sport and therefore, folks love to claim "winners" and "losers" for debates.

The Associated Press is running a story this AM highlighting the financial impact on individuals and families if Congress does not address the looming expiring tax rates.

The NASE believes it is important for our members to know how both candidates have positioned themselves in the self-employed arena. We have evaluated the candidates on three issues: small business, taxes and health care.

Next Wednesday, President Obama and Governor Romney will have their first of three debates. The Vice-Presidential candidates, will also have an opportunity to meet and discuss issues once.

On Sunday's 60 Minutes, Scott Pelley sat down, separately, with both President Obama and Governor Romney, for in-depth interviews.

New polling out of Wisconsin, Virginia, and Massachusetts shows all three Democratic Senate candidates either taking a small or dramatic lead over their respective Republican challengers.

A Pew Research Center national poll has Obama leading Romney by 8+ pts, the poll weighed significantly towards registered voters.

Video footage from a Romney fundraiser in May has caused significant headaches for the republican nominee.

In today's Washington Post, political analysts Chris Cillizza and Aaron Blake argue just like most polls showing a tight race, the electoral college is also narrow thing, throwing a slight lead to incumbent, President Obama.

In today's print edition, Politico identified nine battleground states for the 2012 Presidential campaign:.

Tax Comparison: 2012 v. 2013 and Romney v. Obama

Newest polling data tracking the general election: Romney v. Obama. The RCP average shows Obama leading by 2+.

Democrats nominated President Obama for a second-term on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. You can read and listen to his entire speech here:

On the opening day of the Democratic Convention, party officials released the 2012 platform outlining key principles for governing and the vision for America moving forward.

On August 30, 2012, Governor Mitt Romney accepted the Republican nomination for President. You can read and listen to his entire speech here

Republicans released their 2012 party platform in Tampa, the platform outlines the guiding principles for the Republican party. The platform addresses issues of importance to the small business community with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, but makes no mention of the self-employed specifically:

November 2012 is just six months away. Along with the presidential race, voters will be tasked with electing leaders on the local and federal level, shouldering the responsibility of steering their states and country forward.