2012: Path to the Presidency (175 images)

A popular Chinese fashion and cultural magazine features a front page story on the U.S. Republican Party's presidential candidate Mitt Romney on sale at a news stand in Beijing on September 1, 2012. China's government-controlled news agency Xinhua critized what it called a "blame-China game" by Romney, a day after he formally secured the Republican nomination. UPI/Stephen Shaver

Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney and his running mate Paul Ryan wave after Romney delivered the keynote address during the final night of the 2012 Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa on August 30, 2012. UPI/Kevin Dietsch

People celebrate as balloons fall after Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney delivered his keynote address during the final night of the 2012 Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa on August 30, 2012. UPI/Kevin Dietsch

Actor and Director Clint Eastwood motions to a chair that represents President Barack Obama during his speech at the 2012 Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa on August 30, 2012. UPI/Matthew Healey