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It's All Politics

4:12 pm

Sat November 3, 2012

Nonvoters: The Other Abstinence Movement

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By Linton Weeks

To many Americans, the right to vote in a presidential election is a sacred and precious opportunity. To others, the right to not vote is just as meaningful. And they exercise it.

In just-released data, the Pew Research Center reports that about 43 percent of Americans of voting age in 2008 didn't participate in the presidential election.

It's All Politics

3:53 pm

Sat November 3, 2012

Campaigns Strive To Project Confidence, But Not Hubris, In Final Days

Credit Ron Baselice, The Dallas Morning News / AP

Republican Ted Cruz (center), a candidate for U.S. Senate, greets voters in Mesquite, Texas, last month. Cruz has an 18-point lead over his challenger.

By Scott Neuman

Originally published on Sat November 3, 2012 6:04 pm

There are political races all over the country that aren't even close, but you wouldn't know it from listening to the candidates.

It seems that every behind-the-curve challenger is scrapping his or her way to victory and every ensconced incumbent is fighting an unexpectedly tight contest.

Election 2012

3:40 pm

Sat November 3, 2012

'For Whom Will You Vote?' May Be Wrong Question

Credit Brendan Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images

If you want to predict a candidate's fate, there may be a better question to ask than whom voters cast a ballot for.

By editor

Originally published on Sat November 3, 2012 5:53 pm

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In the vast majority of pre-election polls, likely voters are usually asked, "If the election were held today, for whom would you vote?"

That's the wrong question to ask, says Justin Wolfers, a political economist with the University of Michigan. He's spent years researching polls, and in a new paper he offers what he says is the right question:

Who do you think will win?

The Two-Way

1:49 pm

Sat November 3, 2012

They're Furry And Furious: Puppets Protest At The U.S. Capitol

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Credit Jonathan Ernst / Reuters /Landov

A marcher with a puppet of Bert, the Muppet character from Sesame Street, shouts during The Million Muppet March in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. The bipartisan rally was organized to show support for public broadcasting following Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's pledge to cut funding to PBS.

Credit Kevin Dietsch / UPI /Landov

Organizers said they hope the event will increase awareness of the importance of continued funding for public television and radio.

Credit Kevin Dietsch / UPI /Landov

Organizers say at least 600 people signed up to attend the march, with a few thousand more participating virtually on Facebook, Twitter and in their own marches around the country.

Credit Kevin Dietsch / UPI /Landov

In the first presidential debate, Mitt Romney said he loved Big Bird, but as president he would cut funding for public broadcasting as a way to reduce the deficit.

Credit Jonathan Ernst / Reuters /Landov

A demonstrator with a puppet of Bert, the Muppet character from Sesame Street, shouts during The Million Muppet March in Washington, D.C., on Saturday. The bipartisan rally was organized to show support for public broadcasting following Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's pledge to cut funding to PBS.

Credit Kevin Dietsch / UPI /Landov

PBS supporters take part in the Million Puppet March, which featured entertainment from puppeteers, music and remarks from supporters around the country.

Credit Kevin Dietsch / UPI /Landov

Laura Gentry holds a puppet as she shows her support for public broadcasting near the U.S. Capitol.

By Shula Neuman

Originally published on Sat November 3, 2012 2:44 pm

There's presidential politics and then there's puppet politics. You may recall that in the first presidential debate GOP contender Mitt Romney made a statement that caused the two worlds to collide.

"I am going to stop the subsidy to PBS. I'm going to stop other things. I like PBS. I love Big Bird. I actually like you, too," Romney said, referring to moderator Jim Lehrer. "But I'm not going to keep on spending money on things to borrow money from China to pay for it."

The Two-Way

11:54 am

Sat November 3, 2012

Obama Balances 'Comforter-In-Chief' Role With Campaign Sprint

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Credit Carolyn Kaster / AP

President Obama greets audience members Saturday after speaking at a campaign event at Mentor High School in Mentor, Ohio, before traveling to Milwaukee for another campaign event.

Credit Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney holds a campaign rally in Newington, N.H., on Saturday.

By editor

Originally published on Sat November 3, 2012 6:44 pm

President Obama and challenger Mitt Romney are making the most of every moment this weekend, with only three days left before Americans choose who will lead the government for the next four years.

Update at 4 p.m. ET. Focus Is On Early Voting:

On his first stop today in the final campaign sprint, President Obama was in the super-battleground state of Ohio. The AP reports that the president reminded voters that Tuesday's election is "not just a choice between two candidates or two parties, it's a choice between two different visions for America."

The Two-Way

9:45 am

Sat November 3, 2012

Obama's Weekly Address Receives Belated Romney Response

By Wright Bryan

The Two-Way

8:27 am

Sat November 3, 2012

Gas Rationing Ordered In New Jersey

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Parts of New York were also suffering fuel shortages, including Staten Island, where there were long lines for gas Friday.

By editor

Originally published on Sat November 3, 2012 6:50 pm

Fresh Air Weekend

8:03 am

Sat November 3, 2012

Fresh Air Weekend: Katey Sagal, Sherry Turkle

Credit Prashant Gupta / FX

Katey Sagal as Gemma Teller Morrow in Sons of Anarachy on FX.

By editor

Originally published on Sat November 3, 2012 10:44 am

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Fresh Air Weekend highlights some of the best interviews and reviews from past weeks, and new program elements specially paced for weekends. Our weekend show emphasizes interviews with writers, filmmakers, actors, and musicians, and often includes excerpts from live in-studio concerts. This week:

Katey Sagal, Holding Court On 'Sons Of Anarchy': The actress plays Gemma, the fierce matriarch of the biker gang in the FX series. She's best-known for playing the acerbic Peg Bundy on the long-running show Married With Children.

Simon Says

6:55 am

Sat November 3, 2012

Halloween Heroes In The Wake Of Sandy

Credit Craig Ruttle / AP

First responders rescue flood-stranded people from a sodden neighborhood in Little Ferry, N.J., on Tuesday.

By Scott Simon

Originally published on Sat November 3, 2012 3:23 pm

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On Halloween night this week, millions of children tumbled into their neighborhoods dressed as Captain America, Spiderman, Batman, Bat Girl and Wonder Woman. But that night, true superheroes were at work in uniforms, not costumes.

They were firefighters, police officers, emergency workers and ordinary citizens in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and elsewhere who gave brave and extraordinary efforts to protect and rescue their families and neighbors. They risked their lives for strangers.

NPR Story

6:55 am

Sat November 3, 2012

The Political Middle: What Ohioans Have To Say

By Scott Simon

Originally published on Sat November 3, 2012 9:48 am

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Transcript

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

It's already starting to rain over northern Ohio this past weekend as the outer whirls of Hurricane Sandy approached. Just a few days before the election, people in Reminderville, the village of about 3,000, were concerned about turnout.

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Trick or treat.

UNIDENTIFIED MAN #1: Trick or treat.

UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Hey, what's going on?

UNIDENTIFIED MAN #1: Hi.

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