Moody's: Romney gains in swing states

Mitt Romney is gaining ground in key swing states, according to the latest election forecast from Moody's Analytics.

The group's model -- which produces a state-by-state prediction based in part on the latest economic data -- shows that Romney's chances improved last month in seven of the 10 swing states that Moody's currently forecasts will be won by President Obama in November.

But Romney's positive momentum was not enough to change any MORE

Secret political donors remain secret

Democrats failed Monday to corral enough votes to bring the DISCLOSE Act up for a full debate in the Senate -- another blow to efforts designed to bring anonymous political donors out of the shadows.

The legislation -- sponsored by Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse -- would require any group that spends more than $10,000 during an election cycle to almost immediately disclose any donors who contributed more than $10,000. Some MORE

The Bush tax cuts everyone would keep

Washington is locked in a battle over what to do about the Bush tax cuts, which are set to expire at the end of the year.

Positions vary. Republicans want to extend all rates at current levels. Democrats want the rich to pay higher taxes -- which would likely be accomplished by raising rates for the top two income tax brackets.

It's worth remembering exactly what that means for the wealthy.

As New MORE

London Olympics: Can Team USA top China?

At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, athletes from China collected more gold medals than any other nation -- including the United States.

This time around, an unlikely group is predicting a return to gold glory for Team USA. That group? The economists of Goldman Sachs.

Goldman forecasts that the United States will earn 37 gold medals in London, compared to 33 for China and 30 for host country Great Britain.

The MORE

Romney on investments: 'Nothing hidden there'

Mitt Romney brushed aside a bubbling controversy over his offshore financial holdings on Tuesday, saying that his assets are held in a blind trust and that he doesn't "even know where they are."

"There is nothing hidden there," Romney said during a radio interview, noting that all taxes have been paid.

The Associated Press reported last week that Romney, who is worth an estimated $84 – $264 million, did not disclose in MORE

Reminder: Taxes already going up on the rich

President Barack Obama reiterated his call Monday for the extension of the Bush tax cuts for people making less than $250,000 a year -- and a return to higher rates for wealthy Americans.

If Obama triumphs, the top tax rate on income will jump from a baseline of 35% to 39.6%.

But it's worth noting that even if the Republican position -- extending the Bush tax cuts for everyone -- is adopted, MORE

Obama still on track for electoral victory

President Obama is still on track for an electoral victory this November, according to a forecasting model produced by Moody's Analytics.

But his advantage over Mitt Romney is narrowing. According to the model, which produces a state-by-state prediction based in part on the latest economic data, Obama is on track to capture 303 electoral votes.

That's more than the 270 required for victory, but if economic growth slows further, the model could MORE

Live blog: Bernanke speaks

The Federal Reserve announced Wednesday that it plans to extend "Operation Twist," a bond-swapping strategy designed to keep interest rates low in the future, thereby providing a measure of stimulus to the struggling economy.

Originally scheduled to end later this month, the program -- which swaps short-term bonds for ones with longer duration -- will now run through the end of the year.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is expected to provide more MORE

Romney on deductions: I'll tell you later

One of the most strident criticisms of Mitt Romney's economic plan -- even among conservatives -- is the lack of detail on how he will support the revenue side of the government's ledger while pushing through massive tax cuts.

Romney wants to cut marginal tax rates on income by 20%. He wants to eliminate the estate tax and the Alternative Minimum Tax. And he wants to cut the corporate tax rate MORE

Incentive pay for President Romney?

Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney was asked Tuesday whether he would accept a salary as president, or refuse compensation in the name of deficit reduction.

The chief executive's salary is nothing to scoff at -- $400,000 a year -- but it amounts to loose change compared to the $1 trillion-plus annual federal deficit.

Yet as a symbolic gesture, not drawing a salary might carry significant weight. Romney did something similar as governor of MORE