Twelve months after the US chose Barack Obama as the first black president, there is widespread disillusionment with politics in general. In two states that helped him win the Electoral College, Republicans are all fired up and Democrats don't care the way they did when Obama was on the ballot. In Virginia and New Jersey, local issues dominate in races for Governor — but if Democrats go down to defeat, Obama may be perceived as a loser. Maine could become the first state where voters approve same-sex marriage, or the 31st state where they turn it down. We look at elections to be held in less than two weeks that could help set the political stage for months to come.
Local Politics with National Impact
Credits
Guests:
- Walter Shapiro - Roll Call / Yale University - @MrWalterShapiro
- Larry Sabato - Director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics and editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball. He’s author of “The Kennedy Half Century; The Presidency, Assassination, and Lasting Legacy of John F. Kennedy.” - @larrysabato
- Kevin Miller - Reporter, Bangor Daily News
- Jonathan Rauch - Brookings Institution - @jon_rauch