Ken Rudin

The economy is emerging as a big issue in the presidential campaign. Presidential contenders in both parties are touting their economic plans for reviving the ailing economy. Upcoming contests will be critical for some candidates.

A poll of likely caucus voters in Iowa indicates Republican Mike Huckabee has opened up a lead over Mitt Romney. On the Democratic side, the poll gives Barack Obama a slight edge over Hillary Clinton and John Edwards, but that race is still very close.

After the retirement of Sen. John Warner, and with Sen. Larry Craig's seat in jeopardy, where do Republicans and Democrats in the Senate stand ahead of the 2008 elections?

In a press conference Thursday, Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards announced that he will continue his bid for the nomination, despite the news that his wife's cancer has relapsed.

California will hold an early presidential primary in 2008. What does it mean for candidates in the race? The California primary will now take place Feb. 5, just three weeks after the first contest in the race, the Iowa caucuses.

In an announcement made on his Web site, Sen. Barack Obama says he will form a presidential exploratory committee. The first-term Democrat says he will go into greater detail about his White House plans on Feb. 10.

A surprising election season is nearing its end. The political winds clearly favor the Democrats, with the GOP playing defense across the country.

The battle for control of the Senate has come down to four states: Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia and New Jersey. With 11 days before the election, it's still not clear who will control Congress.

With record-low approval ratings, Republican congressional representatives are scrambling to get ahead in the polls. With only three weeks to go before midterm elections, everyone is asking whether the GOP can hold on to either house of Congress.

The Democrats have a chance at winning control of the Senate. They need six more seats to take control. There are just enough vulnerable Republican seats to make a Democratic takeover possible. But Republicans are counting on using their organizational strength to counter the rising Democratic tide.

Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) is just the latest in a long line of national politicians to be accused of accepting cash bribes. Steve Inskeep talks to Ken Rudin, political editor at NPR, about the history of corruption among elected officials.

Farai Chideya talks with NPR political editor Ken Rudin for his political analysis of the upcoming mayoral runoff election in New Orleans. The race pits current Mayor Ray Nagin against Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu.