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States of the Union

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.

The Morning After

The Leonard Lopate Show

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 way they were supposed to. Adam C. Smith is political editor for the St. Petersburg Times in Florida; Jo Mannies is regional political correspondent for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in Missouri. Lynn Bartels is political and legislative reporter for Colorado's Rocky Mountain News. Dan Walters is political columnist for the Sacramento Bee.

States of the Union: 2008

The Leonard Lopate Show

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

The Leonard Lopate Show

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 fact of the week: The District of Columbia and the city of Washington are not actually the same entity, even though they are run by the same government and are usually considered to be the same thing.

States of the Union: North Carolina Update

The Leonard Lopate Show

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 in the Senate race between Elizabeth Dole and Democrat Kay Hagan. Jim Morrill covers politics for the Charlotte Observer and he writes the Campaign Tracker blog.

States of the Union Highlights

The Leonard Lopate Show

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

The Leonard Lopate Show

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 to the paper’s Virginia Politics blog.

States of the Union: Nevada Update

The Leonard Lopate Show

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.

Wisconsin

States of the Union: Wisconsin Update

The Leonard Lopate Show

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

The Leonard Lopate Show

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 on November 4. Mark Niquette is Statehouse reporter for the Columbus Dispatch. He also contributes to the paper’s Road to Washington blog.

States of the Union fact of the week: Ohio is the only state to have a flag that is designed like a pennant.

States of the Union: Missouri

The Leonard Lopate Show

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 Post-Dispatch and she writes for the paper’s Political Fix blog.

States of the Union fact of the week: Missouri’s voters rejected prohibition in referenda in 1910, 1912, and 1918 and there was no regulation of alcohol until 1934.