Best of 2012: Compelling Images From the Campaign Trail

Images that made us laugh and cry during campaign season.

Hearts on Their Sleeves: Campaign events stir the emotions and it's easy to be moved by an image even if you don't support the candidate. Only the most skeptical among us won't be moved seeing how moved Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was when he finally captured his party's nomination, President Obama and wife Michelle captured in an embrace tweeted around the world and supporters who braved all kinds of weather to hear their candidate speak.  — Joyce Jones - (Photo: Instagram)

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Hearts on Their Sleeves: Campaign events stir the emotions and it's easy to be moved by an image even if you don't support the candidate. Only the most skeptical among us won't be moved seeing how moved Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was when he finally captured his party's nomination, President Obama and wife Michelle captured in an embrace tweeted around the world and supporters who braved all kinds of weather to hear their candidate speak.  — Joyce Jones - (Photo: Instagram)

Four More Years - Obama tweeted this photo of an intimate moment with First Lady Michelle Obama with the message, "Four more years." The tweet went viral within 20 minutes.  (Photo: Scout Tufankjian/Obama for America)

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Four More Years - Obama tweeted this photo of an intimate moment with First Lady Michelle Obama with the message, "Four more years." The tweet went viral within 20 minutes. (Photo: Scout Tufankjian/Obama for America)

High Hopes - Romney expected a large turnout for a Feb. 24 speech delivered to the Detroit Economic Club but couldn't deliver. He rented Ford Field for the event, making the small audience look even smaller.  (Photo: AP)

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High Hopes - Romney expected a large turnout for a Feb. 24 speech delivered to the Detroit Economic Club but couldn't deliver. He rented Ford Field for the event, making the small audience look even smaller. (Photo: AP)

Visiting the Donald - Holding court with Donald Trump was a rite of passage during the Republican presidential primary. Herman Cain stopped to speak with reporters before his October meeting with the developer.  (Photo: AP Photo/Richard Drew)

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Visiting the Donald - Holding court with Donald Trump was a rite of passage during the Republican presidential primary. Herman Cain stopped to speak with reporters before his October meeting with the developer. (Photo: AP Photo/Richard Drew)

Glitter Bombed - Romney and wife Ann were glitter bombed at a February campaign event in Eagan, Michigan. Romney was hit a second time after his speech.  (Photo: Ben Garvin, AP Photo/The St. Paul Pioneer Press)

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Glitter Bombed - Romney and wife Ann were glitter bombed at a February campaign event in Eagan, Michigan. Romney was hit a second time after his speech. (Photo: Ben Garvin, AP Photo/The St. Paul Pioneer Press)

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Ron Paul, Campus Star - Some of Rep. Ron Paul's biggest fans were college students from around the nation, who considered him to be a libertarian messiah. Here he is addressing the campus of Bethel University in Arden Hills, Minnesota.  (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

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Ron Paul, Campus Star - Some of Rep. Ron Paul's biggest fans were college students from around the nation, who considered him to be a libertarian messiah. Here he is addressing the campus of Bethel University in Arden Hills, Minnesota. (Photo: AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Paper Chase - Texas Gov. Rick Perry completes the paperwork to get on New Hampshire's First-in-the-Nation presidential primary ballot in October 2011. (Photo: AP Photo/Jim Cole)

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Paper Chase - Texas Gov. Rick Perry completes the paperwork to get on New Hampshire's First-in-the-Nation presidential primary ballot in October 2011. (Photo: AP Photo/Jim Cole)

Give Me an "R" - The Fisher family spells out exactly how they feel for Romney at a campaign rally in Elko, Nevada, in February 2012.  (Photo: AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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Give Me an "R" - The Fisher family spells out exactly how they feel for Romney at a campaign rally in Elko, Nevada, in February 2012. (Photo: AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Swinging in the Rain - Mitt Romney speaks in the pouring rain at an October campaign rally in Newport News, Virginia, a key swing state.  (Photo: AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

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Swinging in the Rain - Mitt Romney speaks in the pouring rain at an October campaign rally in Newport News, Virginia, a key swing state. (Photo: AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

Clint Eastwood's Empty Chair - Actor Clint Eastwood addresses an empty chair that he said represented Obama during his endorsement of Romney at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida.  (Photo: REUTERS/Eric Thayer)

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Clint Eastwood's Empty Chair - Actor Clint Eastwood addresses an empty chair that he said represented Obama during his endorsement of Romney at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida.  (Photo: REUTERS/Eric Thayer)

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We Accept - Romney, vice presidential nominee Representative Paul Ryan and their families during the balloon drop at the end of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida.  (Photo: AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

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We Accept - Romney, vice presidential nominee Representative Paul Ryan and their families during the balloon drop at the end of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida. (Photo: AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

I Bow to You - Former President Bill Clinton bows as Obama walks on stage after Clinton's hearty and widely praised endorsement of the president at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.   (Photo: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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I Bow to You - Former President Bill Clinton bows as Obama walks on stage after Clinton's hearty and widely praised endorsement of the president at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Dreams Do Come True - Mitt Romney accepts the Republican Party's 2012 presidential nomination on Aug. 30, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Dreams Do Come True - Mitt Romney accepts the Republican Party's 2012 presidential nomination on Aug. 30, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Joe Being Joe - Don't believe your eyes! This biker woman only looks like she's sitting on the lap of Vice President Joe Biden during a September stop at Cruisers Diner in Seaman, Ohio.  (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Joe Being Joe - Don't believe your eyes! This biker woman only looks like she's sitting on the lap of Vice President Joe Biden during a September stop at Cruisers Diner in Seaman, Ohio. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The World in His Hands - A light shines behind Obama as he speaks at an August campaign event at Bayliss Park in Council Bluffs, Iowa, during a three-day campaign bus tour through the state.   (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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The World in His Hands - A light shines behind Obama as he speaks at an August campaign event at Bayliss Park in Council Bluffs, Iowa, during a three-day campaign bus tour through the state. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Hear Her Roar - Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, the only woman in the Republican presidential race, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February 2011.(Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Hear Her Roar - Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, the only woman in the Republican presidential race, speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February 2011.(Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Meet Paul Ryan - Romney announced on Aug. 11 that Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan would be his running mate at a rally in Ashland, Virginia, before kicking off a four-day bus tour.   (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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Meet Paul Ryan - Romney announced on Aug. 11 that Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan would be his running mate at a rally in Ashland, Virginia, before kicking off a four-day bus tour. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Sparkle - Fireworks explode as Romney walks on stage for a campaign rally in Virginia two days before the election.(Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Sparkle - Fireworks explode as Romney walks on stage for a campaign rally in Virginia two days before the election.(Photo: AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

He Sure Can Fill a Space - Obama speaks to supporters at his final 2012 campaign event in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, on Nov. 5, in the state that made him a true contender in 2008.(Photo: AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

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He Sure Can Fill a Space - Obama speaks to supporters at his final 2012 campaign event in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, on Nov. 5, in the state that made him a true contender in 2008.(Photo: AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Meet the Press - Newt Gingrich is surrounded by reporters in Manchester, New Hampshire, during the state's Republican presidential primary.   (Photo: AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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Meet the Press - Newt Gingrich is surrounded by reporters in Manchester, New Hampshire, during the state's Republican presidential primary.   (Photo: AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

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Big Turnout - Was it Obama or rocker Bruce Springsteen that attracted this crowd of 18,000 at a Nov. 5 rally in Madison, Wisconsin?  (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Big Turnout - Was it Obama or rocker Bruce Springsteen that attracted this crowd of 18,000 at a Nov. 5 rally in Madison, Wisconsin? (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Early Voters Get Obama - Obama woos voters in Columbus, Ohio.  (Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages)

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Early Voters Get Obama - Obama woos voters in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages)

That's Amore! - Scott Van Duzer, owner of Big Apple Pizza in Fort Pierce, Florida, was unable to contain his excitement when Obama stopped by.  (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Photo)

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That's Amore! - Scott Van Duzer, owner of Big Apple Pizza in Fort Pierce, Florida, was unable to contain his excitement when Obama stopped by. (Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Photo)

Dance With Me? - The president and First Lady Michelle Obama at the University of Iowa on Sept. 12, 2012.  (Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/GettyImages)

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Dance With Me? - The president and First Lady Michelle Obama at the University of Iowa on Sept. 12, 2012. (Photo: SAUL LOEB/AFP/GettyImages)

Dressed for Success - The first lady inspired Democrats to vote for Obama and obsess over her dress.  (Photo: Jae C. Hong/AP)

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Dressed for Success - The first lady inspired Democrats to vote for Obama and obsess over her dress. (Photo: Jae C. Hong/AP)

Photo By Photo: Jae C. Hong/AP

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Isn't She Amazing? - At the White House, the president and daughters Malia and Sasha watch a television broadcast of the first lady as she delivers her speech at the Democratic National Convention on Sept. 4, 2012.  (Photo: Pete Souza/White House Photo via Getty Images)

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You Go, Girl! - Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha watch the first lady wow the audience at the Democratic National Convention. (Photo: Pete Souza/White House Photo via Getty Images)

We Are Family - The first family on the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.  (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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We Are Family - The first family on the final night of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

A Shoe-In - An Obama supporter waiting in line to vote has his patience rewarded with a presidential autograph on his shoe. (Photo: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

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A Shoe-In - An Obama supporter waiting in line to vote has his patience rewarded with a presidential autograph on his shoe. (Photo: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

Shine Bright - Obama delivers remarks during a campaign event in Leesburg, Virginia, on Aug. 2, 2012. (Photo: JIM WATSON/AFP/GettyImages)

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Shine Bright - Obama delivers remarks during a campaign event in Leesburg, Virginia, on Aug. 2, 2012. (Photo: JIM WATSON/AFP/GettyImages)

Neither Sleet Nor Rain - Supporters cheer Obama at a rain-soaked campaign event on July 14, 2012, at Walkerton Tavern & Gardens in Glen Allen, Virginia. (Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/GettyImages)

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Neither Sleet Nor Rain - Supporters cheer Obama at a rain-soaked campaign event on July 14, 2012, at Walkerton Tavern & Gardens in Glen Allen, Virginia. (Photo: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/GettyImages)

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Four More Years - Supporters chant ''Four more years!'' as Obama speaks at a "Betting on America" campaign event on July 6, 2012, in Poland, Ohio.   (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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Four More Years - Supporters chant ''Four more years!'' as Obama speaks at a "Betting on America" campaign event on July 6, 2012, in Poland, Ohio. (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Neither Rain Nor Sleet - Obama braves the rain while speaking at a campaign event in Glen Allen, Virginia.  (Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/ AP Photo) 

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Neither Rain Nor Sleet - Obama braves the rain while speaking at a campaign event in Glen Allen, Virginia. (Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/ AP Photo) 

True Believer - A supporter is moved to tears as Obama speaks at a campaign event at the University of Illinois at Chicago in January.  (Photo: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

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True Believer - A supporter is moved to tears as Obama speaks at a campaign event at the University of Illinois at Chicago in January. (Photo: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

Never Too Young -  A young supporter reaches out to Obama at his ''A Vision for Virginia's Middle Class'' campaign event in Glen Allen, Virginia.   (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Never Too Young -  A young supporter reaches out to Obama at his ''A Vision for Virginia's Middle Class'' campaign event in Glen Allen, Virginia.  (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)