Ken Rudin

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.

Liberal Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee defeats a challenge from conservative Steve Laffey in the Republican primary in a closely watched Senate races. In New York, Sen. Hillary Clinton trounces antiwar rival Jonathan Tasini, who unsuccessfully tried to replicate the David v. Goliath scenario in Connecticut.

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.

The prospects of Judge Samuel Alito winning confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court will probably rest with a group of senators known as the Gang of 14. Political Editor Ken Rudin looks at the group of seven Republican and seven Democratic senators who forged a Senate deal on judicial filibusters.

Several elections Tuesday are worth watching for the insights they may offer about the public mood. Political Editor Ken Rudin offers a race-by-race synopsis.

NPR Political Editor Ken Rudin explains the political fiasco that led New York City to adopt a runoff system when no candidate receives 40 percent of the vote in a primary.

As a special Independence Day weekend event, Liane Hansen tests the political trivia acumen -- and wits -- of NPR editors and NPR.org columnists Ron Elving and Ken Rudin. Find 15 additional questions online.