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States of the Union

States of the Union

A Weekly Feature on The Leonard Lopate Show

Why is New York a blue state, Wyoming a red, and Ohio a shade of purple? From now until Election Day 2008, Leonard talks to journalists, scholars, and activists from each of the 50 states to find out what motivates voters from Maine to California. We ask how national trends have been playing locally, and look beyond the White House to find out how the biggest House and Senate state races could tip the balance of power in Congress.

States of the Union: Minnesota

The Leonard Lopate Show

September 01, 2008

As the GOP convention gets under way, we look at the politics of the host state, Minnesota. We find out why the race between Senator Norm Coleman and Al Franken is not as close as expected and what Minnesotans thought of all the buzz surrounding Gov. Tim Pawlenty as a potential vice presidential pick. Plus, a look at whether Minnesota will be a battleground in November. Joining us live from St. Paul is Pat Doyle, reporter for the Star-Tribune.

States of the Union: Colorado

The Leonard Lopate Show

August 25, 2008

As the Democratic convention gets underway, find out about Colorado. We look at the race for Wayne Allard’s Senate seat; also, a look at why presidential polls in Colorado are virtually tied. Plus: what hosting the Democratic convention has meant within the Centennial State. Lynn Bartels is political and legislative reporter for the Rocky Mountain News.

States of the Union fact of the week: Colorado has the lowest rate of obesity in the United States.

States of the Union: New York

The Leonard Lopate Show

August 18, 2008

We look at New York State. Find out about this week’s special legislative session to deal with the projected budget shortfall, how the economic downturn on Wall Street is affecting the rest of the state, and what rising food prices mean for the Empire State’s farmers. Plus: a look at the state’s Congressional races. Liz Benjamin writes the Daily Politics for the Daily News.

States of the Union fact of the week: Martin Van Buren created the first state political machine in the country – the Albany Regency. He also created or institutionalized the Democratic party, the national convention and the inaugural parade.

States of the Union: Hawaii

The Leonard Lopate Show

August 15, 2008

Find out how high gas prices are affecting the Aloha State, the most isolated state in the union – and one that depends on tourism. Plus: why Hawaii has been such a liberal state over the past 40 years. Ira Rohter is professor of politics at the University of Hawaii – Manoa.

States of the Union fact of the week: Hawaii is the only state in the United States that has a royal palace.

States of the Union: Alaska

The Leonard Lopate Show

August 08, 2008

We find out what voters in the Last Frontier think about the recent indictment of Sen. Ted Stevens – and what it means for his re-election campaign. Also: Gov. Sarah Palin, who has been mentioned as a potential vice-presidential candidate. And look into how Alaskans feel about drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, located in the Northeast part of the state. Sean Cockerham is government reporter for The Anchorage Daily News.

States of the Union fact of the week: Alaska has only supported a Democratic presidential candidate once – Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

States of the Union: North Dakota

The Leonard Lopate Show

July 31, 2008

Find out which issues matters most to voters in the Peace Garden State and how rising prices for food are affecting the nation’s leading producer of hard red spring wheat. Also: whether the presence of oil in the Western half of the state is generating more interest as oil prices rise. Dale Wetzel is state Capitol reporter for The Associated Press in Bismarck, N.D.

States of the Union fact of the week: North Dakota has the nation’s only state-owned bank and its only state-owned flour mill. Both businesses were approved by the ND Legislature in 1919 to satisfy farmers’ needs for credit and grain marketing.

States of the Union: Connecticut

The Leonard Lopate Show

July 24, 2008

We find out whether Senator Joe Lieberman’s support will help John McCain in the Constitution State. Also: a look at the close race in the state’s 4th Congressional District, where Republican Chris Shays is fighting to keep his seat. Christopher Keating, Capitol bureau chief for the Hartford Courant, explains which issues matter most to Connecticut’s voters.

States of the Union fact of the week: Before 1875, Hartford and New Haven alternated as capitals of Connecticut.

States of the Union: Kansas

The Leonard Lopate Show

July 18, 2008

Hear how rising prices for both food and fuel are affecting this major agricultural state. Plus, the Sunflower State is also home to one of the fall’s most competitive Congressional races and Senator Pat Roberts is running for re-election – we look at what the major issues will be in those races. David Seaton is editor and publisher of the Winfield Courier and the Arkansas City Traveler.

States of the Union fact of the week: Kansas is the only state that has not elected a Democrat to the US Senate since 1932.

States of the Union: Washington

The Leonard Lopate Show

July 11, 2008

Find out how Washington state, which is home to Boeing’s headquarters, has been affected by the troubled airline industry. Also: hear about the major issues in this year’s race for governor, and why the state has had three different primary election systems in the last ten years. Chris Grygiel is Politics Editor for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

States of the Union fact of the week: Named after George Washington, the Evergreen State is the only one to be named after a president.

States of the Union: Alabama

The Leonard Lopate Show

June 25, 2008

Find out about the re-election campaign of Jeff Sessions; how state Democrats remain competitive in a state that has become solidly Republican in presidential elections; and what kind of impact the case of convicted former governor Don Siegelman has had on state politics. Joining us to discuss what matters to voters in the Yellowhammer State is George R. Altman, Capitol bureau for the Press-Register in Mobile, Alabama.

States of the Union fact of the week: Alabama’s state constitution is the world’s longest constitution and is forty times longer than the US Constitution.

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