To the Point
Tight Races, Long Shots and Control of Congress
Mid-term elections are less than six weeks way, and very close races in very few states will determine whether the US Senate is run by friends or foes of President Obama in his waning days. We’ll survey races across the country.
By Matt Miller • • 51m ListenMid-term elections are less than six weeks way, and very close races in very few states will determine whether the US Senate is run by friends or foes of President Obama in his waning days. In Kansas it’s all about the governor. In Colorado, it’s gynecology. In North Carolina, a pizza delivery man could tip the election. Unless the Democrats can pull off some minor upsets in Red States, they may soon be dealing with “Mitch McConnell, Senator Majority Leader.” We’ll survey races across the country and hear what a Republican-controlled Senate might mean for appointments, climate change and Obamacare.
Also, an update on the protests in Hong Kong. Plus: the possibility of robot superintelligence.
Banner Image Credit: Roman Boed
In this episode
3 storiesPro-Democracy Protests Continue in Hong Kong
“Pro-democracy” demonstrators continue to pack the streets of Hong Kong in the thousands, defying local police who have fired tear gas to disperse the crowds. The protesters are calling on Beijing to make good on a promise to allow Hong Kong to choose its next leader without interference.
Read the story7 minGOP Chances of Winning the Senate Are Looking Up
There are some certainties in the mid-term elections: Republicans will hold the House. The Democrats still have the White House. But control of the US Senate is surprisingly close.
Read the story34 minSuper Smart Robots: Not Your Enemy, But Not Your Friend
It sounds like science fiction, but by 2050, Nick Bostrom says we have a 50/50 chance of creating robots that are more sophisticated than humans. Its a theme that’s already hitting popular culture with films like Transcendence.
Read the story9 min
