Molly Ball

Molly Ball is a staff writer covering national politics at The Atlantic.

Newt's Secret Campaign: How Gingrich Really Won S.C.

Newt's Secret Campaign: How Gingrich Really Won S.C.

Although pundits have focused on the former speaker's debate performances, the truth is his organization -- the largest in the state -- was crucial to his win. More »

The Power of Momentum: Gingrich Wins South Carolina

The Power of Momentum: Gingrich Wins South Carolina

The former House speaker's upset victory confounded historical precedent and scrambled the formerly sedate race for the nomination. More »

How Serious Is Stephen Colbert?

How Serious Is Stephen Colbert?

Though the comedian had plenty of jokes about Herman Cain, who rallied with him in South Carolina, his critique of campaign finance is no laughing matter. More »

GOP Debate: Gingrich Kills Infidelity Question, and That's Just the Start

GOP Debate: Gingrich Kills Infidelity Question, and That's Just the Start

The night provided serious fireworks on marriage and media, tax returns, and health care, but the former speaker maintained his momentum. More »

4 Things to Watch in the South Carolina GOP Debate

4 Things to Watch in the South Carolina GOP Debate

After the most eventful day of the campaign thus far, candidates meet for what should be an exciting debate in Charleston on Thursday night. More »

Why Rick Perry Dropped Out and What It Means

Why Rick Perry Dropped Out and What It Means

Perry's Texas mojo didn't sell nationally. Now, he looks to add to Newt Gingrich's South Carolina momentum. More »

The Unsinkable Newt Gingrich

The Unsinkable Newt Gingrich

Left for dead time and again, the former speaker tries for another improbable comeback in South Carolina. More »

Watch the South Carolina Republican Air War from the Comfort of Home

Watch the South Carolina Republican Air War from the Comfort of Home

The Palmetto State airwaves are filled with millions of dollars in political advertising. Here's what voters are actually hearing. More »

Gingrich Wins a Debate, but Can He Stop Romney?

Gingrich Wins a Debate, but Can He Stop Romney?

Monday night's debate in South Carolina finds Gingrich back to his crowd-pleasing self as Romney gets rattled but not rolled. More »

Debate Prep: And Then There Were Five

Debate Prep: And Then There Were Five

As the Romney freight train rumbles onward, the newly winnowed Republican field meets in South Carolina for debate No. 16. More »

Why Are All These Candidates Still in the GOP Race?

Why Are All These Candidates Still in the GOP Race?

Jon Huntsman has acknowledged the near-inevitability of a Mitt Romney nomination, but the rest refuse to abandon their quests. More »

Rick Santorum Gets a Big Boost From Social Conservative Leaders

Rick Santorum Gets a Big Boost From Social Conservative Leaders

The religious right aims for a repeat of Iowa, where support from influential figures helped buoy Santorum to a late surge. More »

Can Huntsman Move Beyond the Preppy Vote?

Can Huntsman Move Beyond the Preppy Vote?

The Mayflower moderates who backed Huntsman in New Hampshire are a crowd he won't soon see again. More »

Lessons from an Early Night in New Hampshire

Lessons from an Early Night in New Hampshire

Thoughts on a predictable Granite State primary that strengthened Mitt Romney's hand going into the coming South Carolina street fight. More »

The Granite State Stakes

The Granite State Stakes

Huntsman is rising, Romney is faltering, and there's a lot of uncertainty in the race for third in the front-runner's sure-thing state. More »

Mitt Romney Gets Ready to Enter History

Mitt Romney Gets Ready to Enter History

The reality seems to be sinking in for the likely Republican nominee, but the moment is less triumphant than precarious. More »

The Republican Debate Doubleheader, Part 2

The Republican Debate Doubleheader, Part 2

Romney experiences some turbulence in a Sunday-morning debate where the candidates are on their game. More »

The Republican Debate Doubleheader, Part 1

The Republican Debate Doubleheader, Part 1

In the first of two back-to-back debates, a bizarre free-for-all in New Hampshire leaves hardly a scratch on Mitt Romney's shiny veneer. More »

What to Expect from the Back-to-Back Republican Debates

What to Expect from the Back-to-Back Republican Debates

Mitt Romney and his many challengers face off twice in New Hampshire in debates 10 hours apart. More »

Jon Huntsman Tried to Go Native in New Hampshire—Will It Work?

Jon Huntsman Tried to Go Native in New Hampshire—Will It Work?

The centrist former diplomat is scouring the Granite State for like-minded voters, but his one-state strategy may not be enough even here. More »

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Early Monsoon Rains Flood Northern India

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