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.
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If GOP's Sen. Dick Lugar loses, are Dems prepared to pounce?
If six-term Sen. Dick Lugar loses in Tuesday's GOP primary in Indiana, Democrats see much-improved chances of picking up that US Senate seat in November. But it would not be a shoo-in.
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Monitor Breakfast Austerity votes in Europe show that GOP is wrong, top Democrat says
Austerity agendas in France and Greece resulted in voter rebellions this week. It's a sign that the GOP's austerity program for the US is mistaken, says Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen.
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The Vote A possible blessing for Dick Lugar in fight to retain US Senate seat
A primary vote Tuesday in Indiana will determine if Sen. Dick Lugar (R) will get the GOP nod to run again for his seat. It helps Lugar that Rick Santorum, who would have drawn a lot of conservative voters to the polls, is out of the presidential race, analysts note.
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Student loans: Do Republicans really think program is socialist?
President Obama said Friday that Republicans in Congress are calling federal student loans socialism. Republicans reject the charge. But the issue is highlighting political differences.
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Was it right for Elizabeth Warren to identify as a minority? Will voters care?
A genealogist is supporting Elizabeth Warren's claim of Cherokee ancestry. But what could linger with voters is whether it's right for someone who is 1/32 native American to claim minority status.
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Michelle Obama in Arizona: Could it swing to Democrats?
Michelle Obama campaigned for her husband in Arizona and Colorado Monday. Mrs. Obama will be in Nevada and New Mexico Tuesday.
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US Senate race in Virginia shaping up as national battleground
In Virginia's US Senate race, Democrat Tim Kaine isn't Barack Obama, and Republican George Allen isn't Mitt Romney or the House GOP leadership. But you wouldn't know it from the special-interest ads pouring into this key battleground state.
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Honor in the Dust
The historical lessons of Gregg Jones's exhaustively researched book about the US's campaign in the Philippines deserve to be remembered.
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Global Viewpoint Most of China's Communist Party princelings aren't like Bo Xilai
The Bo Xilai saga of power, wealth, corruption, and murder has brought the issue of China’s princelings (offspring of Communist Party’s leaders) to the top of international discourse on China. But Bo's privileged rise is not the norm for the contemporary Communist Party.
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Briefing Six 2012 races where the tea party counts
After playing kingmaker in the 2010 election cycle, the tea party movement is having a less prominent role in 2012. But its support or opposition could swing some key races and even determine whether Republicans win control of the Senate. Here are six US Senate contests where the tea party could make a difference.
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Orrin Hatch close call in Utah: Tea party rising?
Sen. Orrin Hatch is favored to win reelection, but first he faces a primary election against tea party favorite Dan Liljenquist. Can Hatch avoid the fate of former Utah Sen. Bob Bennett, ousted in 2010 by the tea party?
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Decoder Wire Smoke the shad, press the flesh: a Virginia political ritual past its prime?
Republicans dominate one of Virginia's oldest political events, the annual 'Shad Planking' in Wakefield. This is no longer Democrat-friendly turf, but attendees still see reason for Democratic candidates to come.
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'Shad Planking' offers window on US Senate race in Virginia
Oily, bony fish? Check. Baked beans? Check. Politics? You betcha! GOP US Senate hopeful George Allen gave the keynote speech at 'Shad Planking 2012' in Virginia. Why was Democratic rival Tim Kaine a no-show?
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'Buffett rule' fails, but it will be back
The Buffet rule to raise taxes on millionaires couldn't get through the Senate, but both parties promise to make it a campaign issue as the nation heads toward Election 2012.
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Why Education Department may be safe for now, even though it's a GOP target
In remarks overheard by reporters Sunday night, Mitt Romney says he would keep the Education Department, although he'd reduce its budget.
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Does Blagojevich brother have beans to spill on Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.?
Robert Blagojevich, brother of jailed ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich of Illinois, is expected to talk this month to the House ethics panel about Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. Jackson's interest in being appointed to Obama's former US Senate seat is the likely topic.
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Hillary Clinton for president? Eight Democrats who might run next time.
In the world of presidential politics, 2016 actually isn’t that far away, especially given how much time and effort it takes to mount a serious campaign. Months before the 2012 votes were counted, speculation had started over who might run in four years – fueled by no less a figure than former President Bill Clinton. He has suggested many times that his wife, soon-to-be-ex-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, might change her mind about not running once she’s had a break. Here are some of the other possible contenders.(Updated Dec. 11, 2012)
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As Syria cease-fire falters, US senators renew demand to arm rebels
Sens. John McCain and Joseph Lieberman said Tuesday from a Syrian refugee camp in Turkey that it's time for the international community to arm the Syrian opposition fighters.
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What’s Rick Santorum’s exit strategy – er plan to prevail?
Rick Santorum is falling farther and farther behind Mitt Romney in the Republican convention delegate count. To reverse that, he needs to win his home state of Pennsylvania and then the southern states that follow.
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Free Cone Day: Get a free scoop at Ben and Jerry's
Free Cone Day is today, April 3, from 12 to 8 p.m. at Ben and Jerry's locations. Free Cone Day is to celebrate the ice cream maker's 34th birthday.
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Would overturning health-care reform be 'judicial activism'?
For the Supreme Court to strike down health-care law, including its key individual mandate, smacks of the judicial activism typically denounced by conservatives, President Obama says.
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Why Wisconsin primary could be start of something big for Romney
With a decisive win Tuesday in the Wisconsin primary, Mitt Romney could finally claim the mantle of the inevitable GOP nominee. Wisconsin is also important to the Republican Party as a potential battleground state in November.
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Mitt Romney sings ‘On, Wisconsin’ toward next primary vote
Romney is whistling a happy tune going into Tuesday's major primary election in Wisconsin, and a string of upcoming primaries seems to favor him. Rick Santorum hopes to hang on until May, when voting swings back south.
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Vox News Acid-tongued broadcaster Keith Olbermann gets the boot from Al Gore's Current TV
Current TV has fired cable network broadcaster Keith Olbermann citing a lack of "respect, openness, collegiality, and loyalty to our viewers." Olbermann had been with Current TV for less than a year, and he had a volatile relationship with MSNBC before that.
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JetBlue pilot: Are some jobs too stressful?
JetBlue pilot behavior refocuses attention on workplace stress. JetBlue pilot had given no previous indication of trouble, but aviation has seen bizarre outbursts lately.
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