The Republican National Committee on Wednesday contacted a couple of campaigns about their willingness to sign a loyalty pledge, promising to support whoever the GOP nominee ends up being in 2016 and pledging not to run on a third-party or independent ticket. As indicated during the first Republican debate, all the candidates except one were willing to swear their unconditional loyalty to the party.

On Thursday, Al Jazeera released a preview of an interview with former NSA contractor and whistle-blower Edward Snowden, in which he addressed some of his more high-profile critics -- namely, U.S.

I have been writing for IVN since the summer of 2014. Though my academic background is in political science, I can confidently say I have learned more about American politics in this one year of researching and writing for you (the readers) than I have in my six years in higher education.

Over this time, I must confess, many of my beliefs have remained the same.

Dr. Ben Carson's recent surge in the polls is no doubt related to Americans' sentiments against establishment politicians.

According to the most recent data, 45 percent of American voters self-identify as independent of either the Republican or Democratic Party.

Yet, presidential polls focus almost exclusively on “high propensity” primary voters who tend to be heavily partisan. As a result, there is little information related to the sentiments of nonpartisan voters, even those who are registered or ‘lean’ toward a particular political party.

After a fiery first Republican Presidential Debate on August 6, the GOP primary field has continued to shift and change, leaving many pollsters struggling to catch up. To the surprise of many observers, Donald Trump has continued his surge – but new polling techniques helps clarify the nature of his support.

ROWAN COUNTY, KY. -- At the end of June, the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that state bans on same-sex marriage violated the 14th Amendment and were thus unconstitutional. This led to same-sex marriage being legal throughout the country.

The political world has been abuzz with rumors that Vice President Joe Biden is eyeing the White House for 2016.

In a recent statement, CNN is changing its criteria for the second GOP presidential debate after mass criticism from almost every media outlet, including IVN.

The Huffington Post reported Monday that an effort by business leaders in a community improvement district in Columbia, Missouri, to impose a half-cent sales tax without local residents being able to vote on it may end up backfiring.

Some quick background: