Colleen Becker, 2/9/12

American writer based in London

With every election, individuals with little or no chance of success willingly take on the significant financial burden and unyielding workload that comes with running a local, state or national campaign. Why do they do it?

Cori Crider, 2/9/12

Legal Director, Reprieve

I have just arrived in Guantánamo Bay, on my first attorney-client visit for a year. What on earth can I tell these men?

Paul Abrams, 2/6/12

Last person on Earth not on Facebook

John Huntsman is probably his best choice, but Romney would have to risk (unjustified, but likely real) negatives from having two Mormons on the ticket.

Robert Scheer, 2/9/12

Editor, Truthdig.com; Author, 'The Great American Stickup'

Our own elections, the ones our government has modeled for the world, are a hoax. What other word should we use to describe this year's presidential election, whose outcome will turn on which party's Super PACs gets the most generous bribes from billionaires?

Cristina Page, 2/9/12

Author, 'How the Pro-Choice Movement Saved America'

Once everyone settled into the comfy Metroliner seats and we were well on the way, I decided I had to find him. How could I pass up an opportunity like this? He is the staunchest of staunch fundamentalist anti-choice movers.

Jeff Danziger, 2/9/12

Political cartoonist syndicated by the NYTimes worldwide

Brad Hirschfield, 2/9/12

Rabbi, Author and Expert on Religion and Public Life

Are clergy and teachers of religious faith/thought public servants? Is their work on par with that of others who work for 501c3 non-for-profit groups and for government agencies? The federal government has changed its mind about that.

Darren Hutchinson, 2/9/12

Professor of Law at American University's Washington College of Law; Founder, Dissenting Justice

Romney opposes the stimulus, but he needs to state legitimate reasons for doing so, rather than misrepresenting the experience of Springs Fabrication.

Stephen Herrington, 2/9/12

The Monday Morning Economist

Eastwood whispered the thing that is on everyone's mind. Time to bench all the defeatist diva GOP and get someone on the field that will advance the ball for the American team.

Rep. Chellie Pingree, 2/9/12

Congresswoman (D-ME)

It's crazy that the Constitution has to be amended to clarify what for the majority of Americans is a clear and true statement: corporations are not people. But that's where we find ourselves today.

Edward Wasserman, 2/9/12

Knight Foundation professor of journalism ethics, Washington and Lee University

The rampant proliferation of overcrowded candidate debates may provide the media with the names they demand to draw big audiences, but they don't work as platforms for public illumination.

Frank Sharry, 2/9/12

Founder and Executive Director, America's Voice

Does anyone (besides Mitt Romney) listen to the chair of the House Judiciary Committee anymore? This week, Rep. Lamar Smith is looking especially desperate.

Hilary Rosen, 2/9/12

Communications, media and political strategist

This public debate on whether or not the Obama administration's sensible policy on covering birth control has turned into a boys against the girls fight. And the boys are out of touch and out of line.

Yves Smith, 2/9/12

Creator of Naked Capitalism; Author, Econned: How Unenlightened Self Interest Undermined Democracy and Corrupted Capitalism

This settlement is yet another demonstration of who wields power in America, and it isn't you and me. It's bad enough to see these negotiations come to their predictable, sorry outcome. It adds insult to injury to see some try to depict it as a win for long suffering, still abused homeowners.

Mike Lux, 2/9/12

Co-founder and CEO, Progressive Strategies

We'll win some but we'll lose some, and some of the time we will do both at the same time. That is the story of the robo-signing settlement that has finally become a done deal after many long months of struggle over it.

Ben Freeman, 2/9/12

National Security Investigator, Project On Government Oversight

Our troops need to know that in this tight fiscal climate they still have our complete support. Former top commanders raking in seven figure salaries from taxpayers while active duty soldiers bear the brunt of the cuts sends the opposite message.

Sam Koppelman, 2/9/12

16-year-old high school student in New York City

As many Americans became more and more disenchanted with President Obama, I've had a difficult time explaining to my friends and myself why I still care so much about Obama succeeding.