Topic: Missouri

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Eight open US Senate seats in 2014

Here are eight senators who have opted out of a reelection bid in 2014, giving hopefuls in both parties a rare shot at a US Senate seat – and, moreover, one that could flip control of the Senate.
Focus
Republican Party 2.0: 4 GOP leaders share ideas for political upgrade

In the aftermath of election 2012, four prominent Republicans share their visions for how the GOP can adapt its messaging to reflect a diversifying US electorate.
Thanksgiving Day by the numbers: 10 mind-stuffing facts

Data from the Census and other sources provide some numerical insights into Thanksgiving, arguably the most cherished national holiday.
Briefing
Four curious outcomes if the Electoral College ends in a tie

Here are four ways that a 269-to-269 tie in the Electoral College could play out in the 2012 presidential election.
Can Republicans increase their ranks of governors? Four races to watch.

With only 11 races for governor this year, there’s no big sea change to anticipate. With Republicans hoping to add to the 29 states under their banner, the four races to watch are in Washington, New Hampshire, Montana, and North Carolina.

All Content

Todd Akin: Why some Republicans are now supporting him

Former presidential candidate Rick Santorum and two Republican senators – one of whom previously called for Todd Akin to step down – threw support behind the congressman Wednesday.
McCaskill hits Todd Akin with new ad, raises 'legitimate rape' remark

Todd Akin is getting $250,000 in support from the Freedom's Defense Fund. But the Republican National Committee isn't supporting Todd Akin.
Focus Can GOP survive its 'minority problem'?

Polls show that the GOP continues to be 'the party of old, white men' – and that could be decisive in the 2012 presidential election. Demographics suggest that the party must change, and soon.
Akin won't give up (+video)

Though many prominent members of his own party have called for him to leave a Missouri race for U.S. Senate, Republican Representative Todd Akin is not stepping down.
Forced blood test for a drunk-driving suspect? Supreme Court to step in.

A Missouri trooper ordered a blood test for a suspected drunk driver who had refused one, without having a warrant. US Supreme Court said Tuesday it will decide if that action was justified. The case could help define the scope of protections against unreasonable searches.
Salmonella outbreak spurs peanut butter recall

Salmonella outbreak in 18 states has possible link to Trader Joe's Valencia Salted Peanut Butter. Trader Joe's issues recall as officials investigate 29 cases in salmonella outbreak.
Congress exits Washington to hit campaign trail

The most partisan, least productive Congress in memory has skipped out of Washington for the campaign trail. Left behind for a postelection session is a pile of unfinished business.
The Monitor's View: When campaign politics turn vicious, what voters can do

As the 2012 campaigns settle into a pattern of personal attacks, voters need not be passive, or even resigned. The can demand civility.
'Bucket List Bandit' caught in Okla. after crime spree

The FBI nicknamed the robber the 'Bucket List Bandit' after he allegedly told a Utah bank teller he had only four months to live.
Georgia flouts federal order, withholds lunch ladies' unemployment benefits

States nationwide are trying to cut costs by reining in unemployment benefits, but Georgia has taken a bold step by refusing to pay seasonal workers. The Obama administration is concerned.
Opinion: Obamacare champions personal responsibility. The states that hate it don't. (+video)

Bill Clinton rightly defended Obamacare at the Democratic National Convention. Mitt Romney and the GOP say the law neglects personal responsibility, but the opposite is true. Plus, states that voted against the law exhibit the least personal responsibility in health behaviors.
Bad week for voter ID laws. Will Supreme Court weigh in before election?

In case after case, federal judges are siding with the Department of Justice’s claims that tougher state voting rules discriminate against the poor and minorities. But states vow to appeal to the Supreme Court, which has viewed voter ID laws favorably.
GOP convention wrap-up: The balloons fell. So how did Mitt Romney do?

At the GOP convention, Mitt Romney needed to unify and fire up his supporters and attract undecided voters. The coming weeks will show if any needed 'bounce' in the polls endures.
Federal court rules against Texas voter photo ID law

Greg Abbott, Texas's attorney general, said he will appeal the ruling to the US Supreme Court, confident of prevailing there.
Rain persists as Isaac heads toward Arkansas, Missouri

Tropical Storm Isaac winds are dying but heavy rain continues over Louisiana, causing flooding. Isaac's rains may help drought-struck Midwestern states on Friday.
Ann Romney speech: Did she help women voters warm to Mitt? (+video)

Ann Romney, speaking at the GOP convention in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday night, made one of the campaign's strongest pitches yet to women voters, a demographic with whom it is badly trailing.
Hurricane Isaac: New Orleans braces for test of its storm preparations (+video)

With maximum winds from Hurricane Isaac expected to be 80 miles an hour, the storm's main threat is posed by water. The new New Orleans surge barrier has been closed for the first time.
Karl Rove: 5 deep thoughts at start of GOP convention

Karl Rove has resuscitated his political career and now runs Crossroads GPS and American Crossroads, two political organizations that could spend $1 billion combined to promote Republicans during the coming election. Here are five political pearls from arguably the No. 1 conservative powerbroker in America.
Bad news for Romney: More interest in GOP platform than in speech, poll says

A Pew poll finds 52 percent of Americans are interested in the GOP platform, while 44 percent are interested in Romney's acceptance speech. This bodes ill for his ability to shake up the close race.
GOP convention speakers focus on women, reassuring party stalwarts

The neck-and-neck nature of the presidential race heightens the importance of energizing party stalwarts — and getting them to cast actual votes on Election Day.
Why Missouri conservatives are rallying around Todd Akin

Missouri conservatives are angry at the Republican Party 'establishment' for abandoning Todd Akin. Akin's latest small-donor fundraising drive online has netted $100,000 in two days.
Romney says big business 'doing fine,' with foreign tax haven assist

The former Massachusetts governor, speaking at a fundraiser in Minnesota Thursday, added large US businesses are receiving loans and are better at dealing with regulation.
Akin 'hangs in there' despite funders' desertion (+video)

Though many Republicans have urged him to quit, Congressman Todd Akin continues his pursuit of a U.S. Senate seat. His revised campaign plan includes reaching out to small donors for a few dollars at a time.
Despite cooler temps in Plains, historic drought worsens

The lack of rain allowed exceptional and extreme drought conditions to continue expanding in the area from northern Missouri and into Kansas and Nebraska
Todd Akin now trails Claire McCaskill by 10 points, poll shows (+video)

The latest Rasmussen poll shows Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri beating Rep. Todd Akin by 10 points, 48 percent to 38 percent. Before Akin's comment on 'legitimate rape,' he was ahead.