All DC Decoder
- Senate elections 101: North Carolina wary of Tillis's tea party revolution
As House speaker, Thom Tillis masterminded the conservative revolution in North Carolina. Will voters now decide the tea party agenda is steeped too strong? Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan hopes so.
- Senate elections 101: Georgia might turn on David Perdue gaffe
GOP nominee Perdue's comment, in a 2005 deposition, that 'I spent most of my career' outsourcing, riles rural, blue-collar former Democrats who are the most vulnerable part the GOP base. Georgia has the nation's highest unemployment rate.
- Senate elections 101: Iowa split between two very different candidates
Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley seemed a shoo-in for the open Senate seat in Iowa. Then along came Joni Ernst. Now Iowans have a tough choice.
- Senate elections 101: Kentucky conflicted about Mitch McConnell
Kentuckians aren't overly pleased with incumbent Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell. But they like President Obama even less, which makes things hard for Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes.
- How Election 2014 could create a Charlie Brown Congress
Remember when Lucy takes the ball away from Charlie Brown? That could be Congress and President Obama next year. Or maybe they take a page from President Clinton's book and actually work together. Here are three reasons for hope and for caution.
- US economy continues upward trend, contrary to many voters' perceptions
New GDP numbers show the economy growing at 3.5 percent, which is better than consensus forecasts. It's the last portrait of the economy before Election Day.
- Senate elections 101: Colorado could come down to women's issues.
Democratic Sen. Mark Udall has dumped much of his campaign money into attacking Republican Rep. Cory Gardner on reproductive rights. But it might not have worked as well as he hoped.
- Election 2014: Do all the close Senate races mean Democrats have a shot?
Republicans are still favored to win control of the Senate. But it's not a purely anti-Democratic cycle. Plenty of Republicans are struggling – a few in Senate races, and lots of governors.
- Senate elections 101: Louisiana is a referendum on Mary Landrieu.
Louisiana incumbent Sen. Mary Landrieu says she can deliver on the state's top three priorities. If voters believe her, she might just survive.
- Kentucky Senate race: Grimes brings in Clinton, McConnell releases the hounds
With only days left before midterm elections, Alison Lundergan Grimes and Sen. Mitch McConnell are hauling out their most powerful weapons. For Ms. Grimes, that’s Hillary Rodham Clinton. For Senator McConnell, it’s bloodhounds.
- Wisconsin governor's race: Can Obama's visit tip the outcome?
Gov. Scott Walker's race is tightening, as President Obama makes a rare appearance with a Democratic candidate in the 2014 campaign cycle. But it's not clear whether his presence will help or hurt challenger Mary Burke.
- What does Christie's tough talk on Ebola say about him as a presidential candidate?
Governor Christie’s tough-guy persona has generally served him well in a crisis, but some say his 'quarantine dance' shows he's not ready for prime-time.
- Who wins Senate in Election 2014? 3 reasons it could be mystery for weeks. Here are three reasons why the final shape of Senate might not be known for weeks after Election Day:
- Ebola quarantines show deeply conflicting impulses facing politicians
New Jersey released nurse Kaci Hickox from an Ebola quarantine Monday and New York State eased up on its quarantine rules for 'high-risk' personnel. Such quarantines are an attempt to address public fear, but they might be counterproductive, experts say.
- Quarantine or not? Key Ebola question pits Obama vs. governors
New York, New Jersey, and Illinois have ordered the quarantine of anyone returning to the US who has been in contact with Ebola patients in West Africa. Medical experts warn this could discourage health care workers from going there to help.
- Same-sex marriage gets another big boost from the Obama administration
US Attorney General Eric Holder announced Saturday that the Obama administration is adding six more states to the list of those where federal benefits would be granted to same-sex married couples, bringing the total such states to 32.
- Election 2014: Rise of independents scrambles the math
Kansas, South Dakota, Alaska, and Maine all feature major independent candidates in statewide races, wreaking havoc with the usual political order. American voters are also moving away from the two main parties.