As the primary season pushes westward, voters in big Western states share what they like and want, plus why they feel they're a different kind of electorate.
As Population Shifts, So Do Political Tactics
In the last decade, population growth in Western swing states outpaced the national average, according to David Damore, a professor of political science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. With the Nevada Republican caucus underway, guest host David Greene talks with Damore about the electoral shift and the issues potential voters in the region view as priorities.
Job Market Could Help Obama’s Election Stock
All kinds of companies were hiring last month. U.S. employers added 243,000 jobs in January, and the unemployment rate fell to 8.3 percent. Experts are cautiously optimistic, but the boost in hiring may give the president extra momentum going into November.
Out West, GOP Candidates Mine For Caucus Votes
Saturday is Republican presidential caucus day in Nevada. Mitt Romney is counting on another win to keep him on the path to the nomination. Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul have also been campaigning in the state, while Rick Santorum is looking ahead to later contests.
‘Buffett Rule’ Becomes A Bill, And Congress Bickers
President Obama wants Congress to end certain tax breaks for the very wealthy. In response, Senate Democrats introduced legislation that would require those earning $1 million annually to pay no less than 30 percent in taxes. The bill faces Republican opposition, and is likely to be an election year issue.
China Tamps Down Europe Aid Fears
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sought to assuage concerns over Chinese investment in Europe, saying China has no intention to "buy" the continent.
Goldman Cuts Blankfein’s Bonus
Goldman Sachs cut CEO Lloyd Blankfein's stock bonus for the first time since the financial crisis, the latest sign that Wall Street executives are paying for a year of mixed financial performance.
Greece Bailout Talks Bode Ill for Lisbon
As Greek debt-restructuring talks showed more signs of delay, the plodding negotiations have been bad news for Portugal's creditors, who fear they also may be force-fed tough terms.
Interest-Rate Probe Widens
Regulators in Switzerland and the U.K. stepped up pressure on Swiss and foreign banks, extending a probe into alleged manipulation of interest rates and disclosing possible action against UBS in a trading scandal.
Caterpillar Closes Plant in Canada After Lockout
Caterpillar said it will close a locomotive plant in London, Ontario, following a lockout, eliminating about 450 jobs that mostly paid twice the rate of a U.S. counterpart.