Molly Ball

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

Is Rick Perry the Iowa Dark Horse?

Is Rick Perry the Iowa Dark Horse?

Under the radar, the Texas governor is one of three candidates on an upward trajectory in the final days before the Iowa caucuses. More »

Rick Santorum's Miniature Iowa Moment

Rick Santorum's Miniature Iowa Moment

After months of grinding it out, the former Pennsylvania senator gets a tiny taste of vindication for his Iowa-based campaign. More »

Frank Luntz Always Makes Newt Gingrich Cry

Frank Luntz Always Makes Newt Gingrich Cry

Recalling his late mother, the former House speaker gets emotional -- not the first time he's been brought to tears lately, and hardly out of character. More »

Iowa Prepares to Settle for Romney

Iowa Prepares to Settle for Romney

In the final days before the Republican caucuses, many Iowa voters are girding themselves to accept the least implausible candidate. More »

Ron Paul's Iowa Edge: A Rock-Solid Caucus Campaign

Ron Paul's Iowa Edge: A Rock-Solid Caucus Campaign

Unlike the other candidates who have topped the polls, he's not a flavor of the week -- and that's why his candidacy poses such a threat. More »

Why Ron Paul's Racist Newsletters Didn't Hurt Him in Texas

Why Ron Paul's Racist Newsletters Didn't Hurt Him in Texas

A onetime opponent recalls trying to attack Paul on the issue a decade and a half ago -- and seeing the attempt backfire. More »

Video of the Day: Rick Perry's Ninja Move

Video of the Day: Rick Perry's Ninja Move

At the end of a campaign commercial featuring his wife, the Republican candidate bizarrely drops into the frame More »

Iowa Voters: What Do They Really Want?

Iowa Voters: What Do They Really Want?

The state's caucus-goers are the most sought-after group in presidential politics. But is anyone listening to them? More »

Someone Is Messing With NewtGingrich.com

Someone Is Messing With NewtGingrich.com

An Internet prankster has redirected the website bearing Gingrich's name to ones that carry reminders of the candidate's most embarrassing episodes More »

Will Social Conservative Leaders' Nod Lift Santorum in Iowa?

Will Social Conservative Leaders' Nod Lift Santorum in Iowa?

Top leaders of the state's religious right endorse the trailing candidate, but it is unclear whether their constituents will follow suit More »

Interview: Newt Gingrich's Activist Sister

Interview: Newt Gingrich's Activist Sister

The GOP front-runner's gay younger sister has defined her life and career in opposition to Gingrich's politics -- but they still love each other like family More »

GOP Debate Wrap: The Iowa Sprint Begins

GOP Debate Wrap: The Iowa Sprint Begins

The last full GOP debate before voting gets under way in Iowa leaves Gingrich wounded and Romney sitting pretty More »

The Last Debate Before the Iowa Caucuses: What to Watch

The Last Debate Before the Iowa Caucuses: What to Watch

How will Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich approach each other the last time all these candidates share a stage? More »

Is Newt Gingrich Deflating in Iowa?

Is Newt Gingrich Deflating in Iowa?

As his rivals blitz the state and attack him relentlessly, there are signs the former House speaker is already losing ground More »

Rick Santorum Wins an Iowa Crowd

Rick Santorum Wins an Iowa Crowd

Iowans have yet to be swayed by the former Pennsylvania senator's dogged campaigning, but they haven't ignored him, either More »

The Huntsman-Gingrich Debate That Wasn't

The Huntsman-Gingrich Debate That Wasn't

The so-called "Lincoln-Douglas debate" between the GOP candidates at the top and bottom of the polls turned out to be an unenlightening lovefest More »

Gingrich: Does This Man Look Undisciplined to You?

Gingrich: Does This Man Look Undisciplined to You?

The former House speaker responds to his rivals' attacks by refusing to take the bait and prove his critics right More »

The Questions Iowans Want Mitt Romney to Answer

The Questions Iowans Want Mitt Romney to Answer

At a forum in Cedar Rapids, attendees press Romney on some of the most uncomfortable parts of his record More »

Jon Huntsman Won't Do Anything to Win

Jon Huntsman Won't Do Anything to Win

"There are some things I'm just not going to do," the defiantly highbrow candidate told a Washington, D.C., audience today More »

Romney Rolls Out First Attack on Gingrich

Romney Rolls Out First Attack on Gingrich

Faced with an unexpected surge from the former House speaker, Mitt Romney's campaign has begun its assault -- and there's more to come More »

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