COVER
Obama Plays Hard Ball (Special Issue: The Democrats / Election 2012: Democratic Convention)
His postpartisanship never stood a chance. If there's a second term, the President plans a different game
The Interview (Special Issue: The Democrats / Election 2012: Democratic Convention)
Barack Obama spoke with TIME's Michael Scherer on Aug. 21. Excerpts:
Let There Be Joe (Special Issue: The Democrats / Election 2012: Democratic Convention)
His mouth gets ahead of his brain. But Joe Biden's heart is the democrats' killer app
Why Change Won't Sell (Special Issue: The Democrats / Election 2012: Democratic Convention)
Obama's actions averted a depression. So how come they get no respect?
Hair Today, Gray Tomorrow (Special Issue: The Democrats / Election 2012: Democratic Convention)
How the big job ages the lucky winner
EDITOR'S DESK
In Search of a New Mandate (Cover)
BRIEFING
The Way to Win By Mark Halperin (Nation)
Team Obama's game plan must focus on the basics: money, message and lots of Bubba
Neil Armstrong (Appreciation)
A man of grace in an era that needs more of them
World
Waste Not (Health&Science)
Can old food really be repurposed?
Samstung (Tech)
Apple's court win over Samsung protects the iPhone. Will it hurt consumers?
Briefing
COMMENTARY
One for All and All for One (In the Arena)
It's time for Democrats to move away from identity politics
A Bright, Shining Lie
Obama has walked away from the ideals that launched his career
BUSINESS
The New Shape of Retail (Small Business)
Spanx's fun, stylish shapewear is a runaway hit. What next? While traditional retailers scramble to get online, Spanx is opening its own stores. As other high-end, high-concept fashion brands have discovered, there is no substitute for the touch and feel of brick and mortar
Social-Media Meltdown (Briefing)
Insiders made a fortune. Others? Not so much
Too Good for Government (New Energy)
Two bureaucrats fought the system--and paid the price
Drought Is Withering U.S. Crops. Can Superseeds Save the Day? (Sustainability)
THE CULTURE
Pop Chart
Hot Time for Heroes (Movies)
The summer box-office report
Failure Is Not a Bad Option (Education)
Resilience helps kids more than high SATs do
War Stories (Books)
Three novels offer very different views on the conflict in Iraq
The Right Way to Be Gay (The Awesome Column)
What I learned partying with both sides of the GOP's most fabulous rivalry
10 Questions for Barney Frank (10 Questions)
Retiring but not shy, Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank on money, the military and the laws that got away
The Voice (Music)
Cat Power is back with a new album that shines