With a few months left before the presidential election, voter ID laws are in limbo in a number of states. Critics say the laws disenfranchise eligible voters, supporters say they prevent voter fraud. Guest host Viviana Hurtado discusses the court challenges and national implications with NPR's Corey Dade and Pennsylvania activist Bob Previdi.
Arguments were heard Friday on whether a temporary restraining order should be issued against Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan over language she approved for a ballot initiative regarding health care exchanges. Lt. Governor Peter Kinder and Republican lawmakers say the initiative is designed to block the governor from creating an exchange by executive order.
Let's listen to the words that made Todd Akin a lot more famous over the weekend. The Republican congressman from Missouri is running for United States Senate. He was probably no better known nationally than the average Senate challenger until he gave an interview to St. Louis TV station KTVI. He was asked why he opposes abortion in nearly all cases, including rape.
Credit Abbie Fentress Swanson/Harvest Public Media
Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill made a campaign stop at a massive granary and fertilizer distributor on the banks of the Missouri River as part of her six-day "Fighting for our Farmers" tour.
Credit Abbie Fentress Swanson/Harvest Public Media
AGRI Services is on Route 24 in Brunswick, Mo.
Credit Abbie Fentress Swanson/Harvest Public Media
Leroy Bedwell, who works for AGRI Services, was at McCaskill's campaign rally. He says the water on the Missouri River is incredibly low.
Credit Abbie Fentress Swanson/Harvest Public Media
Sen. McCaskill talked to farmers about passing the Farm Bill, getting broadband internet access to rural areas, keeping small post offices open and protecting agricultural jobs by preventing federal farm dust regulations from passing.
Credit Abbie Fentress Swanson/Harvest Public Media
AGRI Services gets fertilizer and grain into its facility by barge and train.
Thirty-five farmers and agricultural workers applauded at the site of Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill’s big blue RV pulling up to the back of AGRI Services on Wednesday. The campaign stop at the massive granary and fertilizer distributor on the banks of the Missouri River in Brunswick, Mo. is part of the Democratic incumbent senator’s "Fighting for our Farmers" project.
Originally published on Wed August 15, 2012 5:20 pm
In the high-profile race for U.S. Senate in Missouri, incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill is seizing on this year’s drought to win support among rural voters.
Speaking at the historic Soulard Farmers Market, Senator McCaskill laid in to her opponent in the November election—Republican Congressman Todd Akin—for his opposition the Senate version of the federal farm bill, which includes disaster assistance for farmers reeling from this year’s record drought.
Were it not for Republicans like Todd Akin, McCaskill says that relief would be on its way to farmers and ranchers.
Democratic Missouri Governor Jay Nixon and his Republican challenger Dave Spence spent Friday persuading members of the Missouri Farm Bureau to give them their endorsement. Nixon told them that he has sought relief for drought-plagued farmers, hawked Missouri farm products around the world, and stood up to his own party’s president over how much work kids can do on family farms.
