Election 2008: Congressional & State Races http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1114&ft=1&f=1114 NPR looks at the key House, Senate and gubernatorial races for November 2008. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Sun, 06 Sep 2009 08:00:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Election 2008: Congressional & State Races http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1114&ft=1&f=1114 There's Gold In Them Thar Hills (Again) A hundred and sixty years have passed since the California Gold Rush of 1849. Today, with the price of gold far exceeding $900 an ounce, gold prospecting is hot again. Memberships in gold prospecting clubs have shot up 85 percent in California in the past year. Just as they did in the 19th century, Americans are packing up their shovels and heading to California's river banks to try and strike it rich. Sun, 06 Sep 2009 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112602304&ft=1&f=1114 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112602304&ft=1&f=1114 A hundred and sixty years have passed since the California Gold Rush of 1849. Today, with the price of gold far exceeding $900 an ounce, gold prospecting is hot again. Memberships in gold prospecting clubs have shot up 85 percent in California in the past year. Just as they did in the 19th century, Americans are packing up their shovels and heading to California's river banks to try and strike it rich.

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]]> Some Stimulus Money Preventing Homelessness Homeless programs are about to get a big push in a new direction. They used to focus on providing food and shelter. Now, the economic stimulus package is providing $1.5 billion to prevent people from becoming homeless and to quickly re-house those who do. Sun, 05 Jul 2009 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106281301&ft=1&f=1114 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106281301&ft=1&f=1114 Homeless programs are about to get a big push in a new direction. They used to focus on providing food and shelter. Now, the economic stimulus package is providing $1.5 billion to prevent people from becoming homeless and to quickly re-house those who do.

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]]> Ore. Win Puts Democrats At 57 Senate Seats Two days after the election, Jeff Merkley, the speaker of Oregon's state House, defeated incumbent U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, a moderate Republican. The victory gives the Democrats 57 seats in the Senate, still short of the filibuster-proof 60 seats. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96713909&ft=1&f=1114 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96713909&ft=1&f=1114 Two days after the election, Jeff Merkley, the speaker of Oregon's state House, defeated incumbent U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith, a moderate Republican. The victory gives the Democrats 57 seats in the Senate, still short of the filibuster-proof 60 seats.

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]]> Sen. Stevens Leading In Alaska It doesn't look like the Alaska Senate race is going to be decided anytime soon. There are still tens of thousands of ballots to count. At this point, incumbent Republican senator Ted Stevens has a slight lead, despite his seven felony convictions. Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96702456&ft=1&f=1114 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96702456&ft=1&f=1114 It doesn't look like the Alaska Senate race is going to be decided anytime soon. There are still tens of thousands of ballots to count. At this point, incumbent Republican senator Ted Stevens has a slight lead, despite his seven felony convictions.

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]]> Pelosi Pledges To Work With House GOP House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said her party's first order of business was a lame-duck session to enact another economic stimulus package. She talks about her plans to work with the Republican minority. Democrats are on a path to win up to 20 House seats. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96670508&ft=1&f=1114 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96670508&ft=1&f=1114 House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said her party's first order of business was a lame-duck session to enact another economic stimulus package. She talks about her plans to work with the Republican minority. Democrats are on a path to win up to 20 House seats.

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]]> Democrats Make Major Gains In Congress Democrats made gains in the House and Senate for the second straight election, knocking off some prominent Republican incumbents and winning open seats that had been held by the GOP. But they came up short of the 60 Senate seats needed to end filibusters. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96670543&ft=1&f=1114 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96670543&ft=1&f=1114 Democrats made gains in the House and Senate for the second straight election, knocking off some prominent Republican incumbents and winning open seats that had been held by the GOP. But they came up short of the 60 Senate seats needed to end filibusters.

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]]> In Conn., A Longtime GOP Congressman Ousted New England's last Republican Congressman Christopher Shays of Connecticut has lost his seat. He was ousted by Democrat and former Goldman Sachs executive Jim Himes. Himes talks about the upset and his plans for Connecticut's Fourth District. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96670568&ft=1&f=1114 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96670568&ft=1&f=1114 New England's last Republican Congressman Christopher Shays of Connecticut has lost his seat. He was ousted by Democrat and former Goldman Sachs executive Jim Himes. Himes talks about the upset and his plans for Connecticut's Fourth District.

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]]> How Colorado Turned Blue A recent influx of new residents has changed the political landscape for Colorado conservatives. We check in with a group of long-timers from both political parties as they ponder state and national election results and their own political fortunes. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96654172&ft=1&f=1114 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96654172&ft=1&f=1114 A recent influx of new residents has changed the political landscape for Colorado conservatives. We check in with a group of long-timers from both political parties as they ponder state and national election results and their own political fortunes.

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]]> Four States Yet To Determine Senators America has clearly decided on its next president. But some other races are still open. Georgia, Oregon, Alaska, and Minnesota are still counting ballots to determine their senators. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96654180&ft=1&f=1114 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96654180&ft=1&f=1114 America has clearly decided on its next president. But some other races are still open. Georgia, Oregon, Alaska, and Minnesota are still counting ballots to determine their senators.

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]]> Democrats Win Washington Trifecta The Democrats are in contol of the House, Senate and White House. Congressman Chris Van Hollen of Maryland heads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He tells Renee Montagne that voters are fed up with gridlock, and they expect things to get done now. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:20:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96647013&ft=1&f=1114 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96647013&ft=1&f=1114 The Democrats are in contol of the House, Senate and White House. Congressman Chris Van Hollen of Maryland heads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He tells Renee Montagne that voters are fed up with gridlock, and they expect things to get done now.

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]]> Udall Cousins Elected To Senate In N.M., Colo. Democrat Tom Udall of New Mexico and Democrat Mark Udall of Colorado were elected to the Senate. The cousins beat their Republican opponents. They discuss their victories with Steve Inskeep, as well as how things are going for the Democratic Party in New Mexico and Colorado. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:50:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96645562&ft=1&f=1114 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96645562&ft=1&f=1114 Democrat Tom Udall of New Mexico and Democrat Mark Udall of Colorado were elected to the Senate. The cousins beat their Republican opponents. They discuss their victories with Steve Inskeep, as well as how things are going for the Democratic Party in New Mexico and Colorado.

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]]> Democrat Hagan Beats Incumbent Sen. Dole Relative unknown Kay Hagan has defeated Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina. A year ago, Dole was heavily favored to win the election. Hagan talks with Renee Montagne about why voters chose her over Dole. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:15:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96643484&ft=1&f=1114 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96643484&ft=1&f=1114 Relative unknown Kay Hagan has defeated Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina. A year ago, Dole was heavily favored to win the election. Hagan talks with Renee Montagne about why voters chose her over Dole.

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]]> Civil Rights Hero Proud Of Obama's Victory Congressman John Lewis of Atlanta faced no general election opposition and was re-elected unanimously. Lewis, a civil rights hero, was an ardent Barack Obama supporter. Lewis said Tuesday night "was an unbelievable night." Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96640331&ft=1&f=1114 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96640331&ft=1&f=1114 Congressman John Lewis of Atlanta faced no general election opposition and was re-elected unanimously. Lewis, a civil rights hero, was an ardent Barack Obama supporter. Lewis said Tuesday night "was an unbelievable night."

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]]> Democrats Score In Push To Expand Majority Democrats have increased their effective majority to at least 56 seats in the 100-member Senate. They did not turn over a single Senate seat to Republicans. All Democratic incumbents on the ballot prevailed. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96640342&ft=1&f=1114 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96640342&ft=1&f=1114 Democrats have increased their effective majority to at least 56 seats in the 100-member Senate. They did not turn over a single Senate seat to Republicans. All Democratic incumbents on the ballot prevailed.

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]]> Reid: Voters Want Congress To Get Things Done When Barack Obama and running mate Joe Biden take their oath of office on Jan. 20, Democrats will control both the White House and Congress for the first time since 1994. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada tells Steve Inskeep that voters want change, and they want Congress to get things done. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96640345&ft=1&f=1114 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=96640345&ft=1&f=1114 When Barack Obama and running mate Joe Biden take their oath of office on Jan. 20, Democrats will control both the White House and Congress for the first time since 1994. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada tells Steve Inskeep that voters want change, and they want Congress to get things done.

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