States of the Union
A Weekly Feature on The Leonard Lopate Show
Why is New York a blue state, Wyoming a red, and Ohio a shade of purple? From now until Election Day 2008, Leonard talks to journalists, scholars, and activists from each of the 50 states to find out what motivates voters from Maine to California. We ask how national trends have been playing locally, and look beyond the White House to find out how the biggest House and Senate state races could tip the balance of power in Congress.
Recently in States of the Union
The Morning After
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Time magazine's Swampland contributor Ana Marie Cox helps us dissect last night’s results and the morning after.
Also: we talk to journalists who participated in our States of the Union series to talk about down-ticket races and why some states did or didn’t turn out the ...
States of the Union: 2008
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
As Americans head to the polls, Chris Cillizza of Washington’s Post’s "The Fix" gives us a preview of what we can expect tonight. We look at the presidential race as well as the top Congressional races. Plus, a look back at the critical moments in the 2008 campaign.
States of the Union: Washington DC
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Washington DC – and its 3 electoral votes – is expected to go for Barack Obama. We find out why and look at some of the District’s major issues, including crime, taxes, and schools. David Nakamura is Washington Post DC City Government Reporter.
States of the Union: North Carolina Update
Monday, November 03, 2008
When we first looked at North Carolina in April, the state seemed likely to go to the Republican nominee and Elizabeth Dole looked like she would win re-election. Now, both races are very close. We find out how Barack Obama has become competitive in North Carolina and what’s been happening ...
States of the Union Highlights
Monday, November 03, 2008
It’s a States of the Union special edition! Hear highlights from our year-long series, and find out about the local, state, and national issues that could make all of the difference on Election Day.
States of the Union: Virginia Update
Friday, October 31, 2008
The Old Dominion was our second States of the Union segment, and a lot has happened in the last year. We find out whether Virginia could be the decisive state in this year’s presidential campaign. Tim Craig is a staff writer for the Washington Post and a contributor ...
States of the Union: Nevada Update
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Back in January, we looked at the state of Nevada before it held its caucuses. We get an update from Molly Ball, reporter for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, on the major issues in the Silver State and why it’s a swing state to watch this year.
States of the Union: Wisconsin Update
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
We last looked at Wisconsin right before its February 19 primary. Now we get an update on the presidential race in the Badger State from Jeff Mayers, president of WisPolitics.com, an online political and government news service.
States of the Union: Ohio
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Ohio decided the presidential race in 2004. We find out why the Buckeye State could be decisive again this year and what issues the candidates are talking about as they campaign across Ohio. Plus, a look at the recent controversy over the voter rolls and what role it could play ...
States of the Union: Missouri
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Missouri is one of the closest battleground states in the presidential election, and we find out which issues the candidates are talking about when they campaign in the Show-Me state. Plus, a look the race for governor. Jo Mannies covers regional politics for the St. Louis ...
States of the Union: Florida
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
We find out what matters to voters in Florida, a state that's still considered a toss-up in the presidential race. Although Democrats have more registered voters, the Republican Party has succeeded on the state level. We look into how Democrats are making the Sunshine State competitive this year. Also: the ...
States of the Union: Iowa Update
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Iowa was the first state in our States of Union series. With three weeks until Election Day, we revisit Iowa with O. Kay Henderson, News Director of Radio Iowa. She explains why the Tall Corn State is a swing state this year and what the candidates will have ...
States of the Union: Michigan Update
Thursday, October 09, 2008
We get an update about Michigan from Chris Christoff, Lansing Bureau chief for the Detroit Free Press. Find out what John McCain’s recent decision to pull his campaign out of the state means for his chances in the Wolverine State and how the financial downturn has affected a ...
States of the Union: New Hampshire
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Find out what's on the minds of New Hampshire voters. Josh Rogers, a reporter for New Hamsphire Public Radio, tells us about the close Senate race there and why the Granite State is still up for grabs in the presidential election. Plus: how the change from straight-ticket voting ...
States of the Union: New Jersey
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
On this week’s States of the Union, we look at New Jersey. We look at Senator Frank Lautenberg’s re-election campaign as well as the races for two open House seats. Joining us to discuss what matters to voters in the Garden State is WNYC’s senior reporter Bob Hennelly. ...
States of the Union: New Mexico
Thursday, September 25, 2008
In 2000, Al Gore won New Mexico by just 365 votes. We find out whether the margin of victory will be that narrow in 2008. Plus, a look at the race for Pete Domenici’s Senate seat. Joining us to explain what matters to voters in the Land of Enchantment is ...
States of the Union: Idaho
Friday, September 19, 2008
Find out why Idaho is one of the fastest growing states, and how the science and technology sector overtook agriculture as the state’s largest industry. Plus, a look at the race for Larry Craig’s senate seat. Dan Popkey, columnist for the Idaho Statesman, discusses what really matters to ...
States of the Union: Maine
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
We find out why the Obama campaign thinks they can count on Maine in November. Also: a look at Senator Susan Collins’ re-election campaign, and the impact of the shrinking shipbuilding industry there. Christian Potholm, DeAlva Stanwood Alexander Professor of Government at Bowdoin College, joins us to discuss ...
States of the Union: Louisiana
Friday, September 12, 2008
As Louisiana continues to recover from Hurricane Gustav, we find out whether there was political fallout from the storm. Plus, a look at the legacy of Hurricane Katrina. We also hear about Senator Mary Landrieu’s re-election campaign and how Bayou State voters feel about Gov. Bobby Jindal after his first ...
States of the Union: Minnesota
Monday, September 01, 2008
As the GOP convention gets under way, we look at the politics of the host state, Minnesota. We find out why the race between Senator Norm Coleman and Al Franken is not as close as expected and what Minnesotans thought of all the buzz surrounding Gov. Tim Pawlenty as a ...
