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Politics

11:13 am

Tue November 6, 2012

The Battle For Congress: Senate And House Races To Watch

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Credit Charles Krupa / AP

Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., shakes hands with Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren at their Oct. 1 debate in Lowell, Mass. The race is one of a handful of contests that could determine party control of the Senate.

Credit Evan Vucci / AP

Republican candidate George Allen, right, argues with Democratic candidate Tim Kaine during a Senatorial debate for the Virginia U.S. Senate seat on Thursday, Sept. 20 in McLean, Va.

By Carrie Johnson

Originally published on Tue November 6, 2012 7:02 pm

For Republicans itching to regain control of the Senate, Tuesday's election presents a rare opportunity. Only 10 GOP incumbents are on the ballot, compared with nearly two dozen Democrats and independents who caucus with them.

That means the magic number for Republicans is low. They need only a net gain of three or four seats to take over the Senate — and, assuming they keep the U.S. House of Representatives, consolidate their influence on Capitol Hill. Democrats need to pick up 25 seats to seize the House, a goal that political analysts consider all but out of reach.

Credit Doby Photography / NPR

Carrie Johnson is a Justice Correspondent for the Washington Desk.

She covers a wide variety of stories about justice issues, law enforcement and legal affairs for NPR's flagship programs Morning Edition and All Things Considered, as well as the Newscasts and NPR.org.

While in this role, Johnson has chronicled major challenges to the landmark voting rights law, a botched law enforcement operation targeting gun traffickers along the Southwest border, and the Obama administration's deadly drone program for suspected terrorists overseas.

Prior to coming to NPR in 2010, Johnson worked at the Washington Post for 10 years, where she closely observed the FBI, the Justice Department and criminal trials of the former leaders of Enron, HealthSouth and Tyco. Earlier in her career, she wrote about courts for the weekly publication Legal Times.

Outside of her role at NPR, Johnson regularly moderates or appears on legal panels for the American Bar Association, the American Constitution Society, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and others. She's talked about her work on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, PBS, and other outlets.

Her work has been honored with awards from the Society for Professional Journalists and the Society of American Business Editors and Writers. She has been a finalist for the Loeb award for financial journalism and for the Pulitzer Prize in breaking news for team coverage of the massacre at Fort Hood, Texas.

Johnson is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Benedictine University in Illinois.

Environment

11:05 am

Tue November 6, 2012

How Will Today's Election Affect Energy, Environment Issues?

By Erica Peterson

The National Journal has compiled responses from several environmentalists, businesspeople and politicians about what energy issues are at stake in today's election. Here are a few excerpts.

Former Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope:

10:52 am

Tue November 6, 2012

Kentucky Poet Pens NY Times Op-Ed on Conservatism

By Erin Keane

The New York Times published an op-ed by poet Maurice Manning yesterday on his understanding of conservatism. In the essay, the Kentucky native and Washington County resident explains how he exercises his conservative values through his work on his farm and in his rural community:

9:00 am

Tue November 6, 2012

To Help Mining Engineering Graduates Find Work, UK Looks Beyond Coal

Credit Decumanus / Wikimedia Commons

By Erica Peterson

Coal’s share of the nation’s electricity is declining. But schools are still graduating mining engineers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the job outlook is growing at an average pace. And in Kentucky, there are more students studying mining engineering than ever before in the program’s history.

8:00 am

Tue November 6, 2012

Election 2012: Louisville Resident Explains Why He Won't Be Voting

Credit Greg Hillis via NPR.org

By Joseph Lord

NPR recently set out to explore an often over-looked segment of the American public -- those who can vote, but choose not to. The story provided brief explanations from several non-voters across the country. The people NPR talked to had a variety of reasons for not participating: a sense that their vote doesn't matter, a belief that money dictates policy more than votes -- and the knowledge that registering increases your chances of being called for jury duty.

7:47 am

Tue November 6, 2012

Guide For The Day: An Election Day Timeline

Credit Joe Raedle / Getty Images

Voters fill out their ballots on the first day of early voting on Oct. 27 in Miami.

By Padmananda Rama

Originally published on Tue November 6, 2012 7:03 am

The finish line is in sight as voters make their final decisions on Election Day. Here's a guide to key times of the day across the nation. Stay with NPR throughout the day as we follow the presidential race and key battles that will determine control of the House and Senate.

Join NPR to hear live coverage, which begins at 8 p.m. EST on NPR.org and many member stations.

7:45 am

Tue November 6, 2012

Election 2012 Live Blog | Polls Close in Louisville After Day of 'Heavy' Turnout

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Credit Joseph Lord

Voting at Jeffersontown High School.

Credit Joseph Lord

Voting at Jeffersontown High School.

Credit Joseph Lord

Voting at Jeffersontown High School.

Credit Joseph Lord

Voting at Jeffersontown High School.

By Joseph Lord

Update 6 p.m.: And polls are closing in Louisville.

Some voters in a few polling places who had gotten in line before 6 p.m. were still waiting to vote, said Nore Ghibaudy, spokesman for the Jefferson County Clerk's Office.

Update 4:25 p.m. Polling places in Louisville have lines, and elections officials anticipate that those lines will lengthen as last-minute voters leave work and cast ballots before the 6 p.m. deadline., said Nore Ghibaudy, spokesman for the Jefferson County Clerk's Office.

5:14 pm

Mon November 5, 2012

On Election Eve, Obama And Romney Try Blazing A Path To 270

Credit Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images

A citizen votes on a paper ballot during the final day of early voting Monday in Lancaster, Ohio.

By Frank James

Originally published on Mon November 5, 2012 9:44 pm

(Revised at 5:46 pm ET)

On the final day of the 2012 campaign for the White House, President Obama and Mitt Romney are making the last push for votes in states each believes critical to achieving the 270 Electoral College votes needed for victory.

Obama was scheduled to campaign in three swing states, while Romney had events planned in four. The only overlap was in Ohio, considered the linchpin of the election.

Credit Doby Photography / NPR

Frank James joined NPR News in April 2009 to launch the blog, "The Two-Way," with co-blogger Mark Memmott.

"The Two-Way" is the place where NPR.org gives readers breaking news and analysis — and engages users in conversations ("two-ways") about the most compelling stories being reported by NPR News and other news media.

James came to NPR from the Chicago Tribune, where he worked for 20 years. In 2006, James created "The Swamp," the paper's successful politics and policy news blog whose readership climbed to a peak of 3 million page-views a month.

Before that, James covered homeland security, technology and privacy and economics in the Tribune's Washington Bureau. He also reported for the Tribune from South Africa and covered politics and higher education.

James also reported for The Wall Street Journal for nearly 10 years.

James received a bachelor of arts degree in English from Dickinson College and now serves on its board of trustees.

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