Topic: U.S. Senate
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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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.
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Senate freshmen: What the 14 new members bring to Capitol Hill
A freshman Senate class was sworn in Jan. 3, bringing diverse skills and experience – not to mention agendas – to the legislative body. Whether the 14 newest senators help break partisan gridlock, or refuse to work across the aisle, will be the test for the 113th Congress.Twelve were elected on Nov. 6, including three Republicans, eight Democrats, and an independent. In addition, a Republican and a Democrat were appointed to vacant seats after the election. Here is a look at the 14 and what they bring to the Senate:
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Voter turnout: the 6 states that rank highest, and why
Which state will have the highest voter turnout on Nov. 6?On average, about half (51.6 percent) of eligible US voters cast ballots, but six states averaged more than 60 percent. The policies and attitudes in these states may hold lessons for those trying to get out the vote around the country.
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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.
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Columbus Day: Your guide to the top 5 political events today
Election season doesn’t stop for Columbus Day, and the action isn’t limited to the presidential contest. Here are your top five political events to watch this Columbus Day.
All Content
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Illegal immigration: why eyes will be on Maryland this Election Day
Maryland's in-state tuition referendum is the only big-ticket illegal-immigration issue before voters this Election Day. How Maryland goes could influence other states – and Congress.
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Tea party's Richard Mourdock trails in Indiana Senate race, poll shows
Once favored to win the US Senate race in Indiana, the GOP's Richard Mourdock now trails by 11 points, a new poll shows. Independents, in particular, have abandoned him since his statement about pregnancy from rape and God's intent.
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Virginia Senate race: Why Tim Kaine, George Allen vie for bipartisan mantle
In Virginia, Republican George Allen and Democrat Tim Kaine each want to show he's the one who can work across the aisle to get things done. Target suburban voters want a candidate who can help make a dysfunctional US Senate work.
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Editor's Blog Will the 'European dream' continue?
Amid a protracted economic crisis, Europeans are unsure they want greater integration -- but rightly concerned about backsliding into the nationalistic divisions that long haunted the continent.
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George McGovern: A war hero who fought for peace
Former US Senator George McGovern was a war hero who inspired many in his opposition to the Vietnam War. Always a proud liberal, he was crushed in his 1972 challenge to Richard Nixon.
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Romney’s wavering path on abortion. Do voters care?
Abortion is a tricky issue for both Romney and Obama campaigns. In polls, a plurality agrees that abortion should be generally available. But a substantial number want to restrict its availability.
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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.
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Why has the Wisconsin Senate race tightened?
A Marquette University Law School poll released Wednesday shows former Gov. Tommy Thompson (R) leading US Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D) 46 to 45 percent among likely voters in Wisconsin.
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From the 'Wastebook': robotic squirrels, talking urinals, and Congress
Sen. Tom Coburn's annual Wastebook comes up with $18 billion of spending that never should have occurred, with an eye to getting Washington priorities back in line. The No. 1 wasteful item: $132 million to run a Congress that won't say no to waste.
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Gen. Dunford to head Afghan war, wrap it up (+video)
US Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford's main challenges are likely to be managing the wind down of the war in Afghanistan. Afghans expect to see few changes on the ground.
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Obama picks Marine general to lead Afghanistan war effort
If confirmed by the Senate, General Joseph Dunford will oversee US and NATO troops in Afghanistan.
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Columbus Day: Your guide to the top 5 political events today
Election season doesn’t stop for Columbus Day, and the action isn’t limited to the presidential contest. Here are your top five political events to watch this Columbus Day.
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Election 2012: top seven super PACs
Decoder profiles the seven top super PACs, the organizations that have spent the most trying to influence the elections – and still have the most money in the bank.
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Focus Election 2012: In Senate, a mighty struggle to maintain status quo
The battle for the Senate now looks like a standoff with neither Republicans nor Democrats likely to win the 60 seats needed for political control. Will partisan gridlock change after Election 2012?
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Economy is the name of the game in Mass. Senate race
As Massachusetts voters scrutinize Republican Sen. Scott Brown and challenger Democratic Elizabeth Warren the candidates may be have to tackle issues like foreign policy and national security.
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Sen. Scott Brown apologizes for tomahawk chops by staff
In a second video posted Wednesday, Scott Brown supporters' war whoops are heard as Brown criticizes Elizabeth Warren's claims of Native American heritage. Brown apologized for staff members shouting war whoops and performing tomahawk chops during a rally days earlier in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood.
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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.
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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.
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Solar power startup to get subsidy: smart move or another Solyndra?
Solar power startup will offer lightweight panels for roofs that can't handle traditional load. But SoloPower is tapping the same federal subsidy program that failed solar power startup Solyndra did.
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Brown-Warren debate: Jabs span from tax policy to personal character
Locked in a tight race, Sen. Scott Brown (R) of Massachusetts and Democratic rival Elizabeth Warren pulled no punches in their first debate Thursday night. At the end, both were still standing.
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Tim Pawlenty ditches Romney campaign for Wall Street
Tim Pawlenty has resigned as a national co-chairman of Republican Mitt Romney's presidential campaign to take a job as a Wall Street lobbyist. An early presidential candidate, Tim Pawlenty will not run for governor or Senate in Minnesota in 2014.
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Can Romney's campaign get back on track? (+video)
Following the release of a video from one of presidential candidate Mitt Romney's fundraisers, some commentators question his campaign strategy, while others defend him. Polls show the presidential race is still close.
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Elizabeth Warren takes slim lead in Massachusetts Senate race
Polls show that Elizabeth Warren has overturned a small deficit and now has a small lead over Sen. Scott Brown. But with both candidates' favorability ratings rising, the race remains tight.
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Briefing
Obama vs. Romney 101: 4 ways they compare on gun control
A spate of gun violence has beset the United States ahead of the November election, raising the perennial question about how effectively America regulates its 300 million-plus guns. Yet neither presidential candidate is likely to hoist his own complicated record as a rallying cry.
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Briefing
Obama vs. Romney 101: 7 ways they differ on energy issues
Both President Obama and Mitt Romney claim to want to expand America’s access to conventional fuels and green energy. But their energy plans have very different flavors.
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