Politics

A federal three judge panel has struck down a new voter ID law in Texas, ruling that it would disproportionately harm Hispanic and African American voters, who are less likely to have the required photo identification. Pam Fessler talks to Melissa Block.

Melissa Block speaks with Matt Dixon, statehouse reporter for The Florida Times-Union, about a provision of a Florida law that tightened submission deadlines for groups running voter registration drives. It changed them from 10 days after they had been filled out to 48 hours, with a $1,000-a-day late fine. A U.S. district judge now plans to file a permanent injunction against the law.

If CNN's John King is right, Dirty Harry is indeed tonight's "mystery speaker":

"Clint Eastwood is the #gop mystery speaker for Thurs night. #cnnelections"

There are claims flying back and forth today over whether Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan has falsely accused President Obama of breaking a promise to make sure a GM plant in Ryan's hometown stayed open.

We posted earlier about Ryan's words in his acceptance speech Wednesday and the "false" rating they got from PolitiFact.com.

"This situation could happen to me at the Democratic convention or standing on the street corner. Racism is a global issue," CNN camerawoman Patricia Carroll, in an interview with an institute that promotes diversity in the news media, says of the ugly racial taunts directed her way Tuesday night at the Republican National Convention in Tampa.

Mitt Romney has a tough to-do list.

He has to walk an ideological tightrope. As he accepts the GOP presidential nomination tonight, Romney will try to fire up partisans in the convention hall and watching at home, without turning off moderates and independent voters.

He also has to convey certain intangible qualities. The former Massachusetts governor will want to appear presidential while also attempting to lift his low "likability" ratings.

Most of the focus at the Republican National Convention has been on politicians at the top of the ticket. But Mesa, Arizona Mayor Scott Smith is leading a delegation of mayors to Tampa for the RNC. He talks with host Michel Martin about some of the issues local leaders are hoping the national politicians don't forget.

As the Republican convention continues, the major political parties are defining their positions — and many are focused on faith. Host Michel Martin speaks with a diverse panel of religious leaders to weigh how they balance faith and politics.

All eyes are on Mitt Romney as he formally accepts his party's nomination as the 2012 Republican presidential candidate. As GOP leaders and politicians convene for the final time in Tampa, Florida host Michel Martin meets two attendees on the floor of the convention.

Rep. Paul Ryan stretched some truths Wednesday night when he accepted the Republican Party's 2012 vice presidential nomination, according to the fact checkers who parse politicians' words for news outlets and independent watchdogs: