Close elections tend to break toward the challenger because undecided voters - having held out so long against the incumbent - are by nature looking for change.

A dose of humility goes a long way in life and in politics.

If acknowledging that racial misgivings and misunderstandings are still a part of politics and life in America, I plead guilty.

By nominating Chuck Hagel to be his Defense secretary, President Obama is putting forward an aloof contrarian who doesn't suffer fools - a striving politician who considers himself above politics.

I've been leading newsrooms for a while now and it's been an honor serving as Editor in Chief of N.J., but I really think that my best shot at moving the needle in politics is by getting close to it - by reading, reporting, tweeting and writing.