Politics & Government

Rep. Dent: Paul Ryan Must Explain 'Mathematical Reality' Of Speaker Race

4:18pm October 21, 2015

Wisconsin Republican Paul Ryan has announced he is open to serving as speaker of the house. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Rep. Charlie Dent, a Pennsylvania Republican, about the future of the House.

Clinton (purple line) is regaining some lost round lately, while Biden's (green) fortunes are fading the teeniest bit.

Why Biden Didn't Run, By The Numbers

3:40pm October 21, 2015

by Danielle Kurtzleben

There are plenty of ways to explain why Biden isn't running. Polling, endorsements and fundraising are three good ones.

"Our officers are losing all day long on arrest reports and at lockups dropping off prisoners," said Ronal Serpas, co-chair of the new group, Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime and Incarceration.

More Than 100 Police Chiefs And Prosecutors Unite To Cut Prison Population

2:19pm October 21, 2015

by Carrie Johnson

"Our experience has been ... that you really can reduce crime and incarceration at the same time," says Ronal Serpas of the new group, Law Enforcement Leaders to Reduce Crime and Incarceration.

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Politics & Government

Paul Ryan Sort Of Joins The House Speaker Race

2:09pm October 21, 2015

by Ailsa Chang

After a week and a half of mounting pressure, Wisconsin Republican Paul Ryan announced he is open to serving as Speaker of the House after all — but with conditions: his fractured Republican caucus must unite behind him before he enters the race. Attention will now focus on a group of several dozen conservatives who will need to decide this week whether to back Ryan.

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Only in the U.S. is nearly 400 days out considered potentially too late to run.

Canada Reminds Us That American Elections Are Much Longer

1:37pm October 21, 2015

by Danielle Kurtzleben

U.S. election campaigns are insanely long when you compare them to other countries'.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden embrace on stage after his victory speech on election night in 2012.

Politics & Government

Biden Touting His Bromance With Obama In 5 Clips

1:24pm October 21, 2015

by Asma Khalid

During a talk in Washington, D.C., this week, Biden portrayed himself as part of the Obama legacy. He took the opportunity to indirectly knock Hillary Clinton.

Vice President Joe Biden announces he will not seek the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination during an appearance in the White House Rose Garden with President Obama and Dr. Jill Biden.

Joe Biden: Window 'Has Closed' For A White House Bid

12:46pm October 21, 2015

by Jessica Taylor

After a long and very public flirtation with a third White House bid, the vice president has ultimately decided against a late entrance into the presidential race.

Vice President Biden talks to a woman in biker gear, who's sitting on a chair in front of him at a diner in Ohio in September 2012. She's not sitting on his lap, but it sure looks like it.

5 Things To Know About Joe Biden

12:44pm October 21, 2015

by Domenico Montanaro

The vice president concluded Wednesday that his window "has closed" on running for president. He's had a long and colorful career. Here are some serious (and not so serious) things to know about him.

Though he's polling at less than 1 percent, Democratic presidential candidate and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee has a few loyal donors.

Meet The People Who Gave Money To Lincoln Chafee's Campaign

10:44am October 21, 2015

by Jessica Taylor

Just 10 people were major donors to the former Rhode Island governor's quixotic campaign. We asked them why.

Rep. Paul Ryan, R- Wis., at a news conference following a meeting of House Republicans on Tuesday night. Ryan says he will run for House speaker if the disparate GOP factions can get behind him.

Paul Ryan Could Be Next Speaker, But Hard-Liners Have A Big Decision To Make

10:43am October 21, 2015

by Ron Elving

The Wisconsin Republican reluctantly said he would run for speaker, but only if the rebellious factions of the House GOP Conference will unite behind him.