2012 Political Save the Dates

What are the important political dates to remember in 2012?

Jan. 3: Iowa Caucuses - Resist the urge to ignore this date. You’ll want to watch the Iowa Caucuses very closely because they’ll give you the first indication of who Middle America supports as the Republican presidential nominee to compete against President Barack Obama in the general election. Whoever comes out on top in this race will have added momentum that could potentially carry them through to the nomination. (Photos: Getty Images; The Washington Times/Landov)

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Jan. 3: Iowa Caucuses - Resist the urge to ignore this date. You’ll want to watch the Iowa Caucuses very closely because they’ll give you the first indication of who Middle America supports as the Republican presidential nominee to compete against President Barack Obama in the general election. Whoever comes out on top in this race will have added momentum that could potentially carry them through to the nomination. (Photos: Getty Images; The Washington Times/Landov)

Jan. 16: Occupy the Dream March - Members of the clergy and civil rights communities will march on this day in the first organized effort to specifically bring the concerns of African-Americans to the forefront of the Occupy Movement.  Although headquartered in DC, people across the country will be on hand at Federal Reserve Banks to call for an increase in federal grants for college, a moratorium on home foreclosures, and a $100 billion fund from Wall Street banks for job creation and urban renewal. (Photos: Getty Images; Mike Segar/Reuters)

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Jan. 16: Occupy the Dream March - Members of the clergy and civil rights communities will march on this day in the first organized effort to specifically bring the concerns of African-Americans to the forefront of the Occupy Movement.  Although headquartered in DC, people across the country will be on hand at Federal Reserve Banks to call for an increase in federal grants for college, a moratorium on home foreclosures, and a $100 billion fund from Wall Street banks for job creation and urban renewal. (Photos: Getty Images; Mike Segar/Reuters)

Jan. 24: State of the Union - If you’re wondering what the president has done to address what concerns you the most or his agenda for the coming year, you might get your answer on this day as he delivers the State of the Union address before Congress. The Constitution requires these periodic updates as a way to inform everyone about how things are going in the United States. With this being an election year, you may also notice a more politically charged tone in both the president’s address and the Republican rebuttal that follows. (Photos: Getty Images; AP Photo/Kevin Lamarque)

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Jan. 24: State of the Union - If you’re wondering what the president has done to address what concerns you the most or his agenda for the coming year, you might get your answer on this day as he delivers the State of the Union address before Congress. The Constitution requires these periodic updates as a way to inform everyone about how things are going in the United States. With this being an election year, you may also notice a more politically charged tone in both the president’s address and the Republican rebuttal that follows. (Photos: Getty Images; AP Photo/Kevin Lamarque)

Feb. 29: Unemployment Insurance, Payroll Tax Extension Ends - Remember all that back-and-forth in Congress over extending the payroll tax and unemployment insurance for millions of Americans? Well consider this a case of déjà vu’. Before Congress left for its holiday break, they managed to kick the can down the road a bit. But on this day, the road comes to an end. If a more long-term agreement is not reached, Congress will be back to square one.  (Photos: Getty Images; Mario Tama/Getty Images)

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Feb. 29: Unemployment Insurance, Payroll Tax Extension Ends - Remember all that back-and-forth in Congress over extending the payroll tax and unemployment insurance for millions of Americans? Well consider this a case of déjà vu’. Before Congress left for its holiday break, they managed to kick the can down the road a bit. But on this day, the road comes to an end. If a more long-term agreement is not reached, Congress will be back to square one.  (Photos: Getty Images; Mario Tama/Getty Images)

March 6: Super Tuesday Primaries   - Even if politics is not your thing, this is a day that will be difficult to escape. On Super Tuesday, nearly half the states in the union hold primaries, caucuses and conventions to determine their candidates for president. If a candidate has any hope of becoming the nominee for his party, this is a make-or-break day, as more delegates can be won than on any date on the primary calendar. (Photos: Getty Images; Mario Tama/Getty Images)

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March 6: Super Tuesday Primaries   - Even if politics is not your thing, this is a day that will be difficult to escape. On Super Tuesday, nearly half the states in the union hold primaries, caucuses and conventions to determine their candidates for president. If a candidate has any hope of becoming the nominee for his party, this is a make-or-break day, as more delegates can be won than on any date on the primary calendar. (Photos: Getty Images; Mario Tama/Getty Images)

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March 26-28: Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Obama Health Care Law - One of the banner accomplishments of the Obama administration is in jeopardy, depending on how the Supreme Court rules in the Obama Health Care Law case. The Court will decide whether a provision of the President’s health care law which requires most Americans to buy insurance violates the Constitution. If over-turned, the outcome could impact Obama’s hopes for staying in the White House. (Photos: Getty Images; REUTERS/Jim Young)

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March 26-28: Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Obama Health Care Law - One of the banner accomplishments of the Obama administration is in jeopardy, depending on how the Supreme Court rules in the Obama Health Care Law case. The Court will decide whether a provision of the President’s health care law which requires most Americans to buy insurance violates the Constitution. If over-turned, the outcome could impact Obama’s hopes for staying in the White House. (Photos: Getty Images; REUTERS/Jim Young)

Aug. 27-30 : Republican National Convention - Sunny Tampa, Florida, will be the destination where GOP delegates will officially nominate their candidate to go against President Obama. They’ll also adopt the party platform, which is simply a list of measures and ideals the party supports. The nominee is typically a foregone conclusion at this point, making the convention more of a rally, or show of togetherness. (Photos: Getty Images; Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Aug. 27-30 : Republican National Convention - Sunny Tampa, Florida, will be the destination where GOP delegates will officially nominate their candidate to go against President Obama. They’ll also adopt the party platform, which is simply a list of measures and ideals the party supports. The nominee is typically a foregone conclusion at this point, making the convention more of a rally, or show of togetherness. (Photos: Getty Images; Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Sept. 3-6: Democratic National Convention - While President Obama is the presumptive Democratic nominee, an estimated 35,000 delegates and visitors will flock to Charlotte, North Carolina, in a show of unity and support on this day. Obama’s success in this part of the state in 2008 helped him to secure a narrow lead in a region typically regarded as Republican territory. (Photos: Getty Images; REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

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Sept. 3-6: Democratic National Convention - While President Obama is the presumptive Democratic nominee, an estimated 35,000 delegates and visitors will flock to Charlotte, North Carolina, in a show of unity and support on this day. Obama’s success in this part of the state in 2008 helped him to secure a narrow lead in a region typically regarded as Republican territory. (Photos: Getty Images; REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

Oct. 3: First Presidential Debate - Who doesn’t love a good fight, and you can bet that in the world of politics, this rumble will be the hottest ticket in town. This will be the first time that the Republican nominee squares off against President Obama in what is sure to be a battle royal. (Photos: Getty Images; REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst) 

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Oct. 3: First Presidential Debate - Who doesn’t love a good fight, and you can bet that in the world of politics, this rumble will be the hottest ticket in town. This will be the first time that the Republican nominee squares off against President Obama in what is sure to be a battle royal. (Photos: Getty Images; REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst) 

Nov. 6:  Election Day - All political roads lead to Nov. 6.  Much of the political posturing, debating, campaigning and mudslinging will come to a head as voters from all across the country perform their civic duty at the ballot box. But while the presidential election may be the main event, don’t forget about other elections in the House, 33 seats in the Senate, 11 gubernatorial races and many state legislature contests that are also taking place on this day. The Black vote will be key — Black voters are credited with helping secure several Democratic victories in 2008, including the election of America’s first Black president. (Photos: Getty Images; Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

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Nov. 6:  Election Day - All political roads lead to Nov. 6.  Much of the political posturing, debating, campaigning and mudslinging will come to a head as voters from all across the country perform their civic duty at the ballot box. But while the presidential election may be the main event, don’t forget about other elections in the House, 33 seats in the Senate, 11 gubernatorial races and many state legislature contests that are also taking place on this day. The Black vote will be key — Black voters are credited with helping secure several Democratic victories in 2008, including the election of America’s first Black president. (Photos: Getty Images; Chris McGrath/Getty Images)