The percentage of negative political TV ads has increased sharply in the run up to the 2012 election. Ronald Reagan — revered by the Republican candidates — didn't air a single negative advertisement in his 1980 campaign for the presidency. George W. Bush's campaign didn't air any negative ads in 2000 either, nor did Democratic candidate Al Gore. Audie Cornish talks with John Geer, who tracks political advertising out of Vanderbilt University, about why the landscape has changed so drastically.

Clint Eastwood's ad made a more emotionally gripping argument for saving the auto industry than perhaps anything President Obama has said on the subject to date.

Indiana Secretary of State Charlie White was accused of lying about his home address on voter registration forms in order to continue receiving a stipend for serving on his town's council.

The latest Washington Post/ABC News survey gives the president a nine point lead over the former Massachusetts governor, who is ahead of his rivals in the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

Mitt Romney's victory in Nevada on Saturday is only the start of what could be a big month for him. Many of the states holding caucuses and primaries in February are ones he carried in 2008.

Minnesota holds its Republican caucuses on Tuesday. But in the race for the White House, these caucuses are just a nonbinding straw poll.

Colorado holds its Republican caucuses on Tuesday. Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul have focused their attention there recently. The state will also be a key battleground in the general election contest. From Denver, Kirk Siegler of member station KUNC reports.