Stories:

Letter from California; Evoking Memories of Reagan; Bush Melds a Jaunty Manner with Talk of Compassion

Taking the Spirit to the Stump; Lieberman Urges 'Place for Faith in Our Public Life'

Gore Warms Up to Clinton (Iowa)

   For much of Ceci Connolly's career, she has dedicated herself to clear, insightful coverage of U.S. politics at the national, state and local levels. She spent 18 months on the campaign trail with Democrat Al Gore. Her work included a Washington Post magazine cover story on the vice president's fundraising machine, scoops on internal shakeups in the campaign, pieces about his schizophrenic relationship with Bill Clinton and the bitter 37-day recount that led to George Bush's election. She was a major contributor to the book "Deadlock: The Inside Story of America's Closest Election."

   At the start of 2004, Connolly was dispatched to Iowa to chronicle John Kerry's come-from-behind victory in the caucuses there. She traveled for two months with Kerry, tracing his New Hampshire victory, the early attacks on his military service and the remarkable day when he was reunited with a soldier he had rescued in the Vietnam War.

   She has written extensively about Congress, including the 1994 Republican revolution and the rise and fall of House Speaker Newt Gingrich. She has reported on every U.S. presidential campaign since 1984, attending numerous national conventions, debates and firehouse chili fests in New Hampshire.