Accessibility links
Politics NPR's expanded coverage of U.S. and world politics, the latest news from Congress and the White House, and elections.

NPRPolitics

There's More To It

The '08 Candidates' First Campaign

Gravel Pioneered Poll-Driven Ads and Videos

Long-shot presidential candidate Mike Gravel's eye for cutting-edge media dates back to his first campaign for U.S. Senate in 1968. Gravel didn't bother with campaign buttons and bumper stickers; he made a movie.

Gravel Pioneered Poll-Driven Ads and Videos

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14701650/14845410" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Democrats Unable to Overcome GOP on Iraq Plans

September was supposed to be a turning point in congressional Democrats' push for a change of course in Iraq. But their Republican counterparts have stuck with the president in the days following a progress report from Gen. David Petraeus.

Democrats Unable to Overcome GOP on Iraq Plans

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14845424/14845411" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Alaska Senator Pushes Through Ferry Project

Intense public pressure ended plans for the infamous "bridge to nowhere," a congressional project championed by Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens that would have served only a few people in Alaska. But it seems Stevens had an alternate plan: a ferry that will cost $84 million.

Alaska Senator Pushes Through Ferry Project

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14845418/14845408" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Michigan Struggles to Avoid Shutdown

State legislators in Michigan are scrambling to eliminate a budget deficit to avoid a shutdown of much of the state's government on Monday. Lawmakers have been meeting throughout the weekend.

Michigan Struggles to Avoid Shutdown

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14845415/14845407" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

GOP Lawmakers Fear Backlash from SCHIP Veto

This week, President Bush is expected to veto legislation that would add $35 billion to the State Children's Health Insurance Program. That's causing problems for vulnerable Republicans in Congress, who fear being on the wrong side of a popular issue.

GOP Lawmakers Fear Backlash from SCHIP Veto

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14841095/14841056" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

The Impact of War

War on Terror Strips U.S. of Moral High Ground

Dictators scoff at President Bush's thrashing in a U.N. speech charging violations of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights. They say President Bush's hands drip with the blood of innocent Iraqis. Observers note that the U.S. war on terror is stripping the U.S. of moral high ground.

War on Terror Strips U.S. of Moral High Ground

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14834311/14834299" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Books

Justice Clarence Thomas' Memoir Unveils Bitterness

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' autobiography hits bookstores Oct. 1, coinciding with the court's new term. He received a $1.5 million advance for the memoir. He offers vivid, and at times, seething details about events surrounding his nomination.

Justice Clarence Thomas' Memoir Unveils Bitterness

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14834306/14834298" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Opinion

Analysis

Week in Review: Burma, Iran, Iraq

Extraordinary protests in Myanmar dominated the week's news. Also making headlines were the visit of Iran's president to the United States for a speech to the United Nations and the request by the Bush administration for more money to fund operations in Iraq.

Week in Review: Burma, Iran, Iraq

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14829429/14829395" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Senate Investigates Oil, Gas Royalty Collections

Within the Interior Department, a program called the Minerals Management Service is supposed to collect royalties from oil and gas companies that drill on public lands. But billions of dollars in royalty payments appear to be missing.

Senate Investigates Oil, Gas Royalty Collections

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14829412/14829389" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Election 2008

Candidates Dash to Raise Campaign Cash

Presidential candidates are turning to gimmicks in a surge of fundraising before the accounting books close on the third quarter. The financial reports that follow will be the campaigns' last chance to show healthy balance sheets before the first primaries.

Candidates Dash to Raise Campaign Cash

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14787552/14793361" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

In Memphis, Debate over a White Representative

White congressman Steve Cohen represents Tennesse's 9th District. Recently, some African-American ministers have taken aim at Cohen for his support of hate-crimes legislation — implying that a white congressman should not be representing the district.

In Memphis, Debate over a White Representative

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14810455/14810433" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Election 2008

Clinton Addresses Black Caucus; Obama Campaigns

Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton spoke at the Congressional Black Caucus' annual meeting Friday about the stakes in the 2008 election. The speech continues a vigorous campaign for the African-American vote; Clinton's leading opponent for the party nomination, Sen. Barack Obama, who is a member of the caucus, was nearby to talk to students at Howard University.

Clinton Addresses Black Caucus; Obama Campaigns

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14810452/14810432" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

National

Virginia County to Vote on Illegal Immigration Rules

This summer, the board of supervisors of Virginia's Prince William County approved a crackdown aimed at driving out illegal immigrants. Officials have recommendations of which county services to deny to the undocumented. The plan, which will be voted on next week, also includes more police questioning. Hispanics say the move has divided the community, and will backfire.

Virginia County to Vote on Illegal Immigration Rules

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14810449/14810429" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Election 2008

Should Black Women Support Clinton or Obama?

Madeleine Brand talks with Frances Callier and Angela V. Shelton — also known as Frangela — about the dilemma some Democratic black women face in the upcoming presidential primary season: black or woman? Should they support Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton?

Should Black Women Support Clinton or Obama?

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/14798246/14798224" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript