Southern Politics

November 6, 2013 - As the pundits parse the outcome of this week's important election in Virginia, a few things are already clear: the youth vote matters, and it does not favor the tea party.

October 25, 2013 - In an interview with The Daily Show about North Carolina's restrictive new voting law, the Republican Party precinct chair made a number of racially charged remarks. The GOP scrambled to distance itself from him, but his ideas about the law follow the party line.

October 25, 2013 - Saying they hope to ease the pain from the federal government shutdown, Gov. Pat McCrory this week announced he was sending turnip greens from the state prison farm to food banks, while state budget director Art Pope's foundation said it would contribute $185,000 to various charities. But can such alms-giving make up for policies that weaken public assistance programs?

October 21, 2013 - The assault on labor in the region is becoming increasingly war-like, but it's not getting much attention from the mainstream media.

October 18, 2013 - The special election for Louisiana's impoverished 5th congressional district is set for Oct. 19, and Democrats are trying to turn it into the Democratic district it appears to be on paper -- and save the Affordable Care Act from continued assault from the right.

October 10, 2013 - With elections fast approaching, officials in Florida and Virginia are hard at work striking names from their lists of eligible voters. But their efforts are the target of legal challenges by those who say questionable purge methods threaten to disenfranchise eligible voters.

September 26, 2013 - A record number of Americans receive food stamps, with residents of Southern states especially dependent on the anti-hunger program. So why are Southern politicians who in turn depend on the political support of hungry constituents so eager to cut the program's funding?