It's All Politics
9:59 am
Mon November 5, 2012

On Election Eve, Obama And Romney Try Blazing A Path To 270

Credit Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images
A citizen votes on a paper ballot during the final day of early voting Monday in Lancaster, Ohio.

Originally published on Mon November 5, 2012 6:44 pm

(Revised at 5:46 pm ET)

On the final day of the 2012 campaign for the White House, President Obama and Mitt Romney are making the last push for votes in states each believes critical to achieving the 270 Electoral College votes needed for victory.

Obama was scheduled to campaign in three swing states, while Romney had events planned in four. The only overlap was in Ohio, considered the linchpin of the election.

Read more
It's All Politics
9:46 am
Mon November 5, 2012

Eliminate Government? Not Mine, Thanks

Credit Alan Greenblatt / NPR
A vote to merge the city of Evansville, Ind., with Vanderburgh County has met opposition from some voters and even businesses.

Originally published on Mon November 5, 2012 2:50 pm

If you asked most people whether there's too much government in their lives, they'd probably say yes. But when given the chance to eliminate a layer of government, voters often refuse.

That's why a vote to merge the city of Evansville, Ind., with Vanderburgh County may go down to defeat Tuesday. Many residents are concerned that their access to services would be limited under a unified government, while taxes would increase.

Read more
It's All Politics
9:29 am
Mon November 5, 2012

Gridlock: Will The Election Break The 'Lousy Status Quo'?

Credit J. Scott Applewhite / AP
Until the political parties learn to hold the center, we may wind up with more of this.

Originally published on Mon November 5, 2012 10:33 am

In the end, the election may not settle anything.

If the polls are correct — and there's been heated debate about that — President Obama will be re-elected Tuesday. Even if he is, he'll have to face a Republican House that appears to be no warmer to his agenda than it's been for the past two gridlocked years.

But the polls are still so close that Republican Mitt Romney might be elected. If that's the case, it appears he'll have to contend with a Senate that remains under Democratic control.

Read more
The Two-Way
9:25 am
Mon November 5, 2012

Amputee Climbs 103 Floors Of Chicago's Willis Tower Using Bionic Leg

Credit Brian Kersey / AP
Zac Vawter, fitted with an experimental "bionic" leg, looks down from the Ledge at the Willis Tower, on Thursday in Chicago.

Originally published on Mon November 5, 2012 1:55 pm

The Two-Way
9:22 am
Mon November 5, 2012

Boy Killed By Dogs At Pittsburgh Zoo: Onlookers' Screams 'Just Kept Coming'

Credit John Heller / AP
A security guard closes the gate at the Pittsburgh Zoo, where a 2-year-old boy was killed Sunday.

Originally published on Mon November 5, 2012 10:28 am

Witnesses describe a horribly heartbreaking scene Sunday at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium after a 2-year-old boy fell into an exhibit housing wild African dogs.

Read more
Around the Nation
8:52 am
Mon November 5, 2012

NY Public Housing Residents Hit Hard By Sandy

Nearly a week after superstorm Sandy pummeled the East Coast, thousands of Americans are still without basics like power and clean water. Host Michel Martin speaks with New York Times reporter Michael Wilson about how some New York Public Housing residents are facing unique challenges in the storm's aftermath.

Election 2012
8:52 am
Mon November 5, 2012

Polls Put Race Within 'The Margin Of Litigation'

Election Day 2000 ended in a stalemate and weeks of finger-pointing and legal battles. Host Michel Martin looks at whether the country has learned the lessons from that crisis in time for Tuesday's vote. She speaks with Ilya Shapiro of the Cato Institute, and Robert Pastor of the Center for Democracy and Election Management at American University.

Education
8:52 am
Mon November 5, 2012

Is A Law Degree Still Worth It?

Originally published on Mon November 5, 2012 11:03 am

A law degree used to pretty much guarantee a stable job. But journalist Elizabeth Lesly Stevens reports that thousands of law students are going into an industry that no longer has room for them. Stevens discusses her article with host Michel Martin, and they hear from NPR Facebook fans about whether a law degree is still worth it.

It's All Politics
8:06 am
Mon November 5, 2012

Arab-American Voters Lean Toward Obama, But With Less Enthusiasm

Originally published on Sun November 11, 2012 5:32 am

Arab-American voters strongly supported President Obama in 2008, and polls show most are doing so this time around as well. But some of those voters are concerned about the way Obama has handled issues important to their community — even if they still intend to cast their ballots for his re-election.

At the Washington, D.C., headquarters of the Arab American Institute, the walls are full of red, white and blue signs in English and Arabic urging people to vote.

Read more
The Two-Way
8:05 am
Mon November 5, 2012

'Insult To Injury': Nor'easter Targets New York, New Jersey

Another significant storm is looking likely for New York and New Jersey, forecasters are warning.

The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang says the computer models have come into agreement, forecasting a Nor'easter to begin forming election night and then move up the east coast on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Capital Weather Gang reports:

Read more

Pages