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Analysis Analysis by NPR commentators, including Ted Koppel. Subscribe to our free podcast.

Analysis

Thursday

Te'o Drama Is Telling In More Ways Than One

Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o. David J. Phillip/AP hide caption

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David J. Phillip/AP

Can I Just Tell You?

Te'o Drama Is Telling In More Ways Than One

In her "Can I Just Tell You" essay, host Michel Martin says the Manti Te'o fake-girlfriend-drama is just another piece of evidence that adults have failed when it comes to teaching kids about sexuality.

Te'o Drama Is Telling In More Ways Than One

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Tuesday

The Reselling Of Lance: A Job Too Big Even For Oprah

Lance Armstrong speaks with Oprah Winfrey during taping for the show Oprah and Lance Armstrong: The Worldwide Exclusive in Austin, Texas, on Monday. The interview airs Thursday and Friday on the Oprah Winfrey Network. George Burns/AP hide caption

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George Burns/AP

National

The Reselling Of Lance: A Job Too Big Even For Oprah

The rapid rollout of an apology tour that culminates with Thursday's airing of his sit-down with Oprah Winfrey gives us a front-row seat to the workings of the modern-day reputation reset. But just what can the hyperaggressive Lance Armstrong accomplish with this orchestrated stab at humility?

Tuesday

Taxes Aren't The Only Snag In Budget Talks

Renee Montagne talks with Wall Street Journal economics editor David Wessel about the issues separating President Obama and congressional Republicans in the high-stakes budget talks.

Taxes Aren't The Only Snag In Budget Talks

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Wednesday

A Stronger Showing At Hofstra, But Ghost Of Denver Still Haunts Obama

President Obama and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney participate in the second presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., on Tuesday. Charles Dharapak/AP hide caption

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Charles Dharapak/AP

It's All Politics

A Stronger Showing At Hofstra, But Ghost Of Denver Still Haunts Obama

The president's improved performance last night doesn't eradicate the damage from the Oct. 3 debate. Only one chance remains to do so before Election Day, so the pressure that animated the Hofstra debate will be all the greater in Monday's finale in Florida.

Thursday

Can Marriage Save Single Mothers From Poverty?

New census figures showing a link between single motherhood and poverty have some analysts touting marriage as a means to curb poverty. But others say it's not so simple. iStockphoto.com hide caption

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iStockphoto.com

National

Can Marriage Save Single Mothers From Poverty?

New census figures showing a link between single motherhood and poverty have some analysts touting marriage as a cure. But others say there are additional economic factors to consider.

Can Marriage Save Single Mothers From Poverty?

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Friday

Republicans Or Democrats: The Choice Comes Down To Competing Myths

What does your vision of America look like? Loud Red Creative/iStockphoto.com hide caption

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Loud Red Creative/iStockphoto.com

Opinion

It's All Politics

Republicans Or Democrats: The Choice Comes Down To Competing Myths

At their conventions, the parties presented varying visions of America — as an entrepreneurial paradise where hard work, innovation and prudence are all that matters, and as a communitarian paradise where racial, national and religious differences are subsumed in a surge of shared success. Voters must decide which resonates most and why.

Thursday

Stocks Get Bounce From Europe; Focus Turns To Jobs

Traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Aug. 9. Economic developments on both sides of the Atlantic could have a big impact on the U.S. presidential election. Richard Drew/AP hide caption

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Richard Drew/AP

Business

Stocks Get Bounce From Europe; Focus Turns To Jobs

As Europe's Central Bank announced the latest plan to deal with the Continent's debt crisis, markets on both sides of the Atlantic rallied. Now investors are turning their focus to Friday's U.S. unemployment report, searching for signs that the job market is strengthening.

Monday

Sunday

Could 2012 Be The Year Of The Asian Voter?

Mitt Romney and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell were featured on the front page of a Chinese-language newspaper following a visit to the Northern Virginia's Asian-American community in June. Such engagements with the Asian community helped McDonnell win his current office. Courtesy of Peter Su hide caption

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Courtesy of Peter Su

Elections

Could 2012 Be The Year Of The Asian Voter?

Asian-Americans make up the fastest-growing segment of the population, notably in key swing states including Virginia, Nevada and Florida. What's more, they're often independent voters — and the way they swing could have a big effect on the presidential election.

Could 2012 Be The Year Of The Asian Voter?

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Monday

Saturday

Experience Pays In The NBA: Old Stars Get Big Bucks

Steve Nash, 38, left the Phoenix Suns to sign a $27 million three-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers Matt York/AP hide caption

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Matt York/AP

Sports

Experience Pays In The NBA: Old Stars Get Big Bucks

There's been a paradigm shift in the NBA: Older players are signing huge new contracts. This week was the most recent example, with Steve Nash and Kevin Garnett signing huge deals even though they're approaching 40 years old.

Experience Pays In The NBA: Old Stars Get Big Bucks

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Thursday

Tuesday

Facing Up To Bullies, Everywhere But On Reality TV

Simon Cowell in his early days as an American Idol judge. The success of Cowell and others shows that bullying is acceptable, says Eric Deggans, so long as it's done on reality TV. Kevin Winter/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Opinion

Television

Facing Up To Bullies, Everywhere But On Reality TV

The fight against bullying has become increasingly high profile over the past couple of years, drawing in many big-name celebrities. But in the world of reality TV, says commentator Eric Deggans, bullying is alive and well as a profitable career move.

Facing Up To Bullies, Everywhere But On Reality TV

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Friday

President Obama's Immigration Shift Could Bolster Latino Support In November

Supporters of President Obama's announcement on immigration policy rally outside the White House Friday. Jacquelyn Martin/AP hide caption

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Jacquelyn Martin/AP

It's All Politics

President Obama's Immigration Shift Could Bolster Latino Support In November

Both sides say President Obama's decision to stop deporting young, otherwise law-abiding illegal immigrants could have an affect on the general election. Republican Mitt Romney called it a weak "short-term" approach to a big problem, but did not say he'd reverse the directive if elected.

Monday

The Venus Transit: Who Cares?

Venus on the eastern limb of the Sun captured by TRACE satellite. NASA hide caption

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NASA

Opinion

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

The Venus Transit: Who Cares?

There is far deeper and far more intimate reason why the Venus transit matters and it's all about Time.

The Venus Transit: Who Cares?

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