To the Point
Local Elections and National Politics
Republicans took governorships from Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey. A Democrat took a congressional seat from Republicans in upstate New York. Maine voters said "no" to same-sex marriage. What messages—if any--do so-called "off-year elections" carry about national politics? Also, an Italian judge convicts 23 Americans in a renditions case, and Warren Buffett and America’s railroads.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenRepublicans took governorships from Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey. A Democrat took a congressional seat from Republicans in upstate New York. Maine voters said "no" to same-sex marriage. What messages—if any--do so-called "off-year elections" carry about national politics? Also, an Italian judge convicts 23 Americans in a renditions case, and Warren Buffett bets $34 billion on economic recovery. What will it mean for America's railroads?
Banner image: President Obama campaigns with New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine in Newark on November 1.
In this episode
3 storiesItalian Judge Convicts 23 Americans in Rendition Case
In Milan today, an Italian court convicted 22 CIA agents and a US Air Force Colonel of kidnapping a Muslim cleric in 2003 and flying him to Egypt, where he says he was tortured. It's a case of what's called "extraordinary rendition." Sebastian Rotella has covered the lengthy trial in Italy; he's now in Washington for the Los Angeles Times .
Read the story8 minLocal Elections and National Politics
Most voters in New Jersey and Virginia said Barack Obama's performance was not a factor when they elected Republicans over Democrats to run their states. But the chattering class is still looking for signs of meaning. Will GOP wins make moderate Democrats in Congress think twice about the Obama agenda?
Read the story38 minDid Buffett Make a Safe Bet on the Future of Railroads?
Warren Buffett is spending $34 billion on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, in what he calls "an all-in wager on the economic future of the United States."
Read the story52 min
