The Leonard Lopate Show
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.
States of the Union Update: West Virginia
The Leonard Lopate Show
May 09, 2008
West Virginia will hold its Democratic primary on May 13. Find out how things have changed in the Mountain State since our December States of the Union segment on West Virginia. Scott Finn is a reporter for West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
States of the Union: Nebraska
The Leonard Lopate Show
May 07, 2008
Nebraska is a major agricultural state; we find out how rising food prices and rising fuel prices are affecting voters in the Cornhusker State. Nebraska is holding its Republican primary on May 13 and we look at the race for the state’s open Senate seat. Mike Tobias is reporter and Senior Producer at NET Television News & Public Affairs, Nebraska’s public television network.
States of the Union fact of the week: Kool-Aid was invented in Nebraska, and Arbor Day was started in Nebraska.
States of the Union: Indiana
The Leonard Lopate Show
April 30, 2008
Indiana is one of the two states holding a primary on May 6. We find out what makes the state so competitive for the Democratic presidential candidate, what’s happening in the race for governor, and whether this week's Supreme Court decision on voter identification will affect the voting on May 6. Plus: a look at how the Hoosier State's large manufacturing sector has been affected by the current economic downturn. Brian A. Howey is publisher of Howey Politics Indiana.
States of the Union fact of the week: Alka-Seltzer was invented in Indiana.
States of the Union: North Carolina
The Leonard Lopate Show
April 24, 2008
Since January, 165,000 people have registered to vote in North Carolina’s May 6 primary. While the focus will be on the presidential race, there is also a race for governor. David Ingram is a staff writer for The Charlotte Observer, covering North Carolina politics from the state capital bureau. He explains what matters most to voters in the Tar Heel State, and why the state’s Republican party now finds itself at odds with John McCain over a new ad.
States of the Union fact of the week: The first gold nugget found in the US was found in Cabarrus County, North Carolina in 1799.
States of the Union: Pennsylvania
The Leonard Lopate Show
April 18, 2008
Pennsylvania has become a toss-up state in presidential politics. On this week’s States of the Union, a look at whether the Keystone State will continue that tradition in November 2008. Pennsylvania’s Democrats have said that the economy, the war in Iraq and health care are their most pressing concerns. We find out what role these issues could play in the state’s April 22 primary. Thomas Fitzgerald writes about state, local, and national politics for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Tom Barnes of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has covered Pittsburgh city hall and now reports from Harrisburg on the governor and state legislature.
States of the Union fact of the week: Pennsylvania leads the country in the production of mushrooms. (No, not that kind.)
States of the Union: Tennessee
The Leonard Lopate Show
April 11, 2008
Al Gore was a senator from Tennessee, but he was unable to win his home state in the 2000 presidential elections. We find out whether this is part of a larger rightward trend in Tennessee politics. Also: why the auto industry continues to be a major part of the Volunteer State’s economy. Joseph L. White is WPLN’s State Capitol Correspondent. He’s worked on Nashville’s Capitol Hill for more than 25 years, mostly as a journalist.
States of the Union fact of the week: Tennessee was the site of the first supermarket – a Piggly Wiggly.
States of the Union: Oklahoma
The Leonard Lopate Show
March 27, 2008
Although Oklahoma has been a reliably Republican state in presidential elections in recent years, The Sooner State is home to a lot of registered Democrats. Find out what makes these Democrats vote for Republican candidates; also, a look at how the recent push for alternative fuels has been received in a state that is the fifth-largest producer of crude oil in the nation and the second-largest producer of natural gas. Randy Krehbiel is staff writer at The Tulsa World.
States of the Union fact for the week: There are 25 different native languages spoken in Oklahoma, the highest number in the country.
States of the Union: Wyoming
The Leonard Lopate Show
March 19, 2008
States of the Union focuses on Wyoming. Wyoming is the most sparsely populated state in the country, but it ranks highest in mining employment. The state produces coal, natural gas, uranium, and coalbed methane and we look at how the state’s mining industry shapes the energy debate. Leonard finds out some of the other issues that matter to voters in the Cowboy State from Bob Beck, News Director of Wyoming Public Radio.
States of the Union fact of the week: Vice President Dick Cheney served as Wyoming’s Congressman for 6 terms.
States of the Union: Delaware
The Leonard Lopate Show
March 13, 2008
Find out what issues matter most to voters in Delaware. We look at Senator Joe Biden's re-election campaign, the campaign for governor, and how rising food prices affect a state that produces lots of poultry. Allan Loudell is a (LU-dell) News Anchor--Reporter--Interviewer for WDEL Radio (Delaware's news-intensive station).
States of the Union fact of the week: Delaware has four state names -- The First State, The Small Wonder, Blue Hen State, The Diamond State. It goes with “The First State” most of the time.
States of the Union: Mississippi
The Leonard Lopate Show
March 07, 2008
Mississippi has the second highest unemployment rate in the country and the lowest median income. We find out how the national economic downturn is affecting the Magnolia State as it continues to recover from Hurricane Katrina. Also: we look to the state’s March 11 primary, and the special election in November to fill retired Senator Trent Lott’s seat. Sid Salter is a Perspective Editor for the Jackson, MS Clarion Ledger.
States of the Union fact of the week: Mississippi was the last state to repeal prohibition in 1966, and this is the state that gave us William Faulkner and Tennessee Williams and quite a few other hard-drinking writers.
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