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When Bashar Assad inherited the presidency of Syria in 2000, some in the West saw him as a potential reformer. Professor David Lesch of Trinity University met Assad several times. Host Scott Simon speaks with Lesch about his new book, Syria: The Fall of the House of Assad, a clear contrast to his earlier book, which touted Assad as "the new lion of Damascus."

Third-party candidates could end up affecting the outcome of the presidential race, as Ralph Nader did in Florida in 2000. Libertarian Gary Johnson could siphon votes away from both candidates in several battleground states, and the Constitution Party's Virgil Goode could make a difference in Virginia.

Every day there's a new economic indicator. Some are up. Some are down. And all are spun by the political parties.

Psychology explains why people don't always do what they intend to do. Can it explain why many independents vote along partisan lines?

Democrats have announced that San Antonio mayor Julian Castro will be the keynote speaker at that party's convention. In the past, that role has served as a platform for bigger things. Political scientist Costas Panagopoulos, who studies party conventions, was at that 2004 Democratic convention when the then-unknown Barack Obama dazzled the delegates. He talks to host Guy Raz about what makes a great keynote speaker.

As the effect of the Republican and Democratic conventions fades, the two campaigns are kicking into high gear. Mitt Romney has refocused efforts on Latinos, and there are no more questions about Bill Clinton's support for Obama. Weekends on All Things Considered host Guy Raz talks conventions, ads and money with The Atlantic's Jim Fallows.

Mitt Romney's strategy for November relies on white working-class voters — perhaps too heavily, some analysts suggest, given the growing share of the electorate made up of nonwhites. It's an issue the party is trying to address at its convention, with a speaker lineup loaded with high-profile minority officeholders.

From claims about deficit reduction and job creation to things Mitt Romney has said about Russia and Detroit, the Democratic ticket twisted a few words here and there, independent watchdogs say.

In a new installment of our series on trade lingo, skydiving instructor Michael Snively defines "whuffo," "burble" and "horny gorilla."

American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken has hung up his microphone as he runs for Congress as a Democrat representing the rural center of the state. But the campaign is a long shot.