Politics

Politics & Government

Clay Aiken: An American Idol On The Campaign Trail In North Carolina

1:47pm October 21, 2014

by Tamara Keith

American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken has hung up his microphone as he runs for Congress as a Democrat representing the rural center of the state. But the campaign is a long shot.

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People hold signs, including some reading "America is ready for marriage," at a same-sex marriage victory celebration on Oct. 6 in Salt Lake City, Utah. America may be ready, but Republicans aren't: Rising popular support for same-sex marriage is posing a

Turf Shifts In Culture Wars As Support For Gay Marriage Rises

1:47pm October 21, 2014

by Mara Liasson

Campaigning against gay marriage used to help Republicans win elections — but now GOP candidates in tight races are backing away from mentioning social issues on the stump.

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Politics & Government

A Candidate With Low Poll Numbers, But High Hopes

3:46pm October 18, 2014

by Scott Simon

Dr. Doug Butzier was the Libertarian candidate for the U.S. Senate in Iowa when he died in a small plane crash this week. NPR's Scott Simon thinks on the hopes even "lost cause" candidates inspire.

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The Supreme Court early Saturday declined to block a Texas Voter ID law for the November election.

Supreme Court Lets Texas Enforce Voter ID Law For Nov. Election

2:50pm October 18, 2014

by Scott Neuman

With three justices dissenting, the high court's ruling effectively blocks a lower federal court decision declaring the law restrictive and unconstitutional.

The original July 22 debate rules did not mention fans. The Oct. 6 version prohibited fans.

Politics & Government

How The Florida Governor's Debate Became #Fangate

5:47pm October 17, 2014

by S.V. Dáte

Republican Gov. Rick Scott's campaign wanted organizers to cancel Wednesday night's debate if Democrat Charlie Crist was allowed to use a fan at his podium.

Fears Of A U.S. Ebola Outbreak Prompt Travel Ban Proposals

8:53am October 17, 2014

by David Schaper

Congressional Republicans continue to call for a ban on travel from the West African nations caught up in the Ebola outbreak. The Obama administration, however, remains firm in opposing a travel ban.

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During a news conference on Sunday, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Daniel Varga answers questions about a health care worker who now has Ebola after providing care for Thomas Eric Duncan. Varga is expected to testify before

Nurse Nina Pham To Be Transferred To NIH For Ebola Treatment

7:23am October 17, 2014

The first of two nurses who became infected after treating an Ebola patient at a Dallas hospital will be moved to a "high-level containment" facility at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland.

Many GOP Candidates Not Commenting On Gay Marriage Wave

7:16pm October 16, 2014

Robert Siegel talks with Washington Post political correspondent, Karen Tumulty, about the role gay marriage is playing as an issue in the 2014 elections — especially for Republicans.

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Sean Haugh ordered a lemon-praline and an orange-velvet doughnut at Monuts in Durham, N.C., where he was interviewed by NPR.

Politics & Government

Pizza Man Delivers Third-Party Option

6:57pm October 16, 2014

by Tamara Keith

Sean Haugh is making waves as a Libertarian candidate in North Carolina's U.S. Senate race. He isn't the only one: Independent candidates are a factor in at least a dozen races.

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Politics & Government

Political TV Ad Spending Expected To Top $1 Billion

6:35pm October 16, 2014

Audie Cornish speaks with Elizabeth Wilner of Kantar Media about the landscape of political TV advertising in the run up to the 2014 election.

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