Collision 2012: Obama vs. Romney and the Future of Elections in America

In his new book, Collision 2012: Obama vs. Romney and the Future of Elections in America (Viking, 2013), Washington Post correspondent Dan Balz traces the 2012 campaign trail and explores how last year’s historic election has changed the course of American politics. From the tumultuous Republican primary to the Obama campaign’s unprecedented voter data collection and analysis, Balz uses sources from both sides of the aisle to generate insight into the events and figures that shaped the 2012 presidential contest. In Collision 2012, he puts the election in context and examines the lasting impact it will have on America’s electoral process.

On September 18, Governance Studies at Brookings hosted a book event for Collision 2012 to discuss last year’s election and the profound ways in which it has reshaped the U.S. political system. Moderated by Elaine Kamarck, Balz shared observations from his book and explored the lasting legacy of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney’s battle for the White House.