Journalist Daniel J. Balz was born in Freeport, Illinois and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in communications from the University of Illinois. After serving in the army from 1968 to 1971, he worked for National Journal and the Philadelphia Inquirer. Since 1978 Balz has worked for The Washington Post as a political correspondent. He co-authored The Battle for America 2008: The Story of an Extraordinary Election. Balz also wrote Collision 2012: Obama vs. Romney and the Future of Elections in America.