<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Senate | NewsHour with Jim Lehrer | PBS</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/</link><description>NewsHour with Jim Lehrer's coverage of the 2008 elections beginning with the race for the Democratic and Republican party presidential nominations.</description><language>en-us</language><copyright>Copyright 2008 MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. All Rights Reserved.</copyright><pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:20:35 EDT</pubDate><lastBuildDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:20:35 EDT</lastBuildDate><image><title>NewsHour with Jim Lehrer</title><width>144</width><height>144</height><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/</link><url>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/images/rss/promo_rssvote2008.jpg</url></image><item><title>After Long Court Battle, Franken Wins Minn. Senate Seat </title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/jan-june09/minnesota_06-30.html</link><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:42:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that Democrat Al Franken narrowly defeated Republican Norm Coleman in last year's U.S. Senate race. Analysts discuss the case and the significance of Franken's win. ]]></description></item><item><title>Franken Wins Minnesota Senate Case in Court; Coleman Concedes</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/law/jan-june09/minnsenate_03-11.html</link><pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:50:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[More than seven months after Election Day, the U.S. Senate race in Minnesota drew to a final conclusion on June 30, when the state Supreme Court backed Al Franken's victory and Norm Coleman conceded the race. Here is a recap of key developments:]]></description></item><item><title>Despite Court Ruling, Minn. Senate Seat Looks to Stay Empty for a While</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/law/jan-june09/minnsenate_04-14.html</link><pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:45:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Despite a Minnesota three-judge panel ruling this week that Democrat Al Franken won the most votes in last year's Senate race against Republican Norm Coleman, it could still be weeks or months before Minnesota's vacant Senate seat is filled.]]></description></item><item><title>Minn. Election Board Certifies Franken Ahead in Senate Race</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/politics/jan-june09/franken_0105.html</link><pubDate>Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:15:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[After a two-month recount process, Democrat Al Franken has been certified with more votes than Republican Norm Coleman for one of Minnesota's seats in the U.S. Senate, but legal challenges from Coleman could keep the race unresolved for weeks.]]></description></item><item><title>Franken Takes Lead in Minnesota Senate Recount</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/politics/july-dec08/mnsenate_12-19.html</link><pubDate>Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:15:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Democratic contender for the Minnesota Senate seat Al Franken took a 250-vote lead over Republican incumbent Norm Coleman in the still undecided Senate race Friday, but thousands of ballot challenges remain unresolved.]]></description></item><item><title>Chambliss Wins Ga. Run-off, Democrats Fall Short of 60 Senate Seats</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/politics/july-dec08/georiga_12-02.html</link><pubDate>Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Republican incumbent Sen. Saxby Chambliss decisively won a second term in Georgia's Tuesday run-off, blocking Democratic efforts to reach 60 Senate seats.]]></description></item><item><title>Stevens' Defeat Ends Long Political Career, Brings Democrats Closer to 60 Seats</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/politics/july-dec08/stevens_11-19.html</link><pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[With a stunning victory in the Alaska Senate race declared late Tuesday, Democrats took another major step toward their target of reaching a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. 


Embattled Alaskan political icon Ted Stevens trailed Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich by an insurmountable tally of 3,724 votes.]]></description></item><item><title>Newly Elected Senators Assess Priorities en Route to Capitol Hill</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec08/newcongress_11-06.html</link><pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:28:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[After Tuesday's election, a handful of newly elected U.S. senators will help reshape the Congress. Senators-elect Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Mark Udall, D-Colo., and Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore. assess their goals and what influence they will have on the 111th Congress.]]></description></item><item><title>Democrat Merkley Unseats Smith in Oregon Senate Race</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/reportersblog/2008/11/democrat_merkley_unseats_smith.html</link><pubDate>Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:30:36 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Democratic challenger Jeff Merkley has been projected the winner of Oregon's Senate race over incumbent Republican Sen. Gordon Smith, bringing the Democrats to at least 55 seats in the Senate.]]></description></item><item><title>Minn., Ore., Ga., Alaska Senate Races Still Unresolved</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/reportersblog/2008/11/minn_ore_ga_alaska_senate_race.html</link><pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:08:13 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Fueled by a strong nationwide wave of support, Democrats in the Senate picked up five seats previously held by Republicans, expanding their control to at least 54 seats. But races in Minnesota, Georgia, Alaska, and Oregon have yet to be called, all involving Republican incumbents fighting to keep their seats.]]></description></item><item><title>AP Calls, Then Uncalls Minnesota Senate Race for Coleman</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/reportersblog/2008/11/coleman_ekes_out_win_in_minnes.html</link><pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:29:41 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn.,  finished ahead of Democrat Al Franken early Wednesday in the final vote count, but his 571-vote margin falls within the state's mandatory recount law that triggers a recount any time the margin between the top two candidates is less than one-half of 1 percent.]]></description></item><item><title>Democrats Mark Major Gains in House, Senate</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/reportersblog/2008/11/democrats_mark_major_gains_in.html</link><pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:00:18 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[After winning the presidency, Democrats had even more reason to celebrate Tuesday night: major gains in both houses of Congress.

In the Senate, Democrats snatched away at least five seats from the GOP, but fell short of the 60 they would have needed to win a filibuster-proof majority -- even with races in Minnesota, Oregon and Alaska too close or too early to call as of early Wednesday morning.
]]></description></item><item><title>GOP Fails to Unseat Louisiana Sen. Landrieu</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/reportersblog/2008/11/gop_fails_to_unseat_louisiana.html</link><pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:28:51 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Headed into Tuesday's election, the GOP targeted one incumbent Democratic Senator whose seat appeared vulnerable for an upset, but Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu has prevailed over GOP challenger John Kennedy.]]></description></item><item><title>Democrats Projected to Grab Another Senate Seat in N.M.</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/reportersblog/2008/11/democrats_projected_to_grab_an.html</link><pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:11:16 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[New Mexico Rep. Tom Udall is projected to provide the Democrats their latest pick-up in the U.S. Senate in a drive toward a possible filibuster-proof majority of 60 seats.]]></description></item><item><title>McConnell Hangs on to Kentucky Senate Seat</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/reportersblog/2008/11/mcconnell_hangs_on_to_kentucky.html</link><pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:51:56 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Despite a strong last-minute push from Democrats, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was re-elected to a fifth term beating challenger Bruce Lunsford.]]></description></item><item><title>Democrat Shaheen Projected to Defeat Sununu in N.H. Senate Re-match</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/reportersblog/2008/11/democrat_shaheen_projected_to.html</link><pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:12:11 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Former New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen is projected to win the New Hampshire Senate race over Republican incumbent Sen. John Sununu in a closely watched re-match closer to a 60-seat majority.]]></description></item><item><title>In Tough N.C. Senate Race, Hagan Projected to Unseat Dole</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/reportersblog/2008/11/in_tough_nc_senate_race_hagan.html</link><pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:07:10 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Democrats appear to be a step closer to their goal of picking up seats in the Senate, as North Carolina state Sen. Kay Hagan is projected to defeat incumbent GOP Sen. Elizabeth Dole, according to the Associated Press.
]]></description></item><item><title>Oregon Republican Smith Struggling to Defend Senate Seat</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/july-dec08/oregonsen_11-03.html</link><pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:45:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Incumbent Republican Sen. Gordon Smith is lagging behind Democratic challenger and state House Speaker Jeff Merkley in recent polls -- an encouraging sign for Democrats hoping to carve out a 60-seat majority in the Senate on Tuesday.]]></description></item><item><title>Clinton Stumps for Shaheen in New Hampshire Senate Race </title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/july-dec08/nh_sen_11-03.html</link><pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Former President Bill Clinton stumped for Democratic Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen in New Hampshire Sunday, his first time in the state since he campaigned for his wife in the January primaries. Clinton reflected Democrats' confidence about the outcome of the presidential election, urging Obama voters to also back Shaheen.]]></description></item><item><title>La. Senate Candidates Focus on Economy in Final Campaign Push</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/july-dec08/la_sen_11-03.html</link><pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Incumbent Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu and her Republican rival State Treasurer John Kennedy both addressed the nation's chaotic fiscal downturn in their final days of campaigning. Landrieu, a two-term incumbent, has faced a strong GOP challenge for her Senate seat.]]></description></item><item><title>Candidates Set Furious Pace on Last Campaign Day</title><link>http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/11/03/senate_lastday/</link><pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Minnesota's U.S. Senate candidates are making their final pitches to voters. Republican Sen. Norm Coleman campaigned in the southeastern part of the state Monday morning. Democrat Al Franken is campaigning in Rochester, Minneapolis and Duluth -- where New York Sen. Hillary Clinton will campaign with him.]]></description></item><item><title>Southern States Show Signs of Shifting from Red to Blue</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec08/southernvotes_10-31.html</link><pubDate>Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:20:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Key GOP strongholds Georgia, North Carolina and Florida show possible big gains for Democrats. Reporters probe the reasons behind the shifts in presidential and down-ballot races.]]></description></item><item><title>Dole Ad Portraying Hagan as 'Godless' Creates Backlash in N.C.</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/ http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/july-dec08/nc_sen_10-31.html</link><pubDate>Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:10:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[North Carolina Democratic Senate candidate Kay Hagan filed notice Thursday of her intent to sue Republican incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Dole over a controversial ad that shows a photo of Hagan with another women's voice saying "There is no God."]]></description></item><item><title>Democrats Look to Build on 2006 Senate Gains</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/july-dec08/senate_explainer_10-31.html</link><pubDate>Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:08:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Democrats are trying to reach 60 seats in the Senate, which will give them a filibuster-proof majority. In total, 35 U.S. Senate seats are at stake on Nov. 4. Of these, 23 are currently held by Republicans, while the Democrats are defending 12 slots. ]]></description></item><item><title>Dole, Hagan Focus on Boosting Jobs in North Carolina</title><link>http://wunc.org/programs/news/archive/ICB102908_Sen_candidates_on_economy.mp3/view</link><pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Both North Carolina Senate candidates, incumbent Republican Elizabeth Dole and Democratic challenger Kay Hagan, have experience in public office dealing with economic matters. WUNC  compares where the two stand on jobs, taxes, Wall Street regulation and the federal government's economic bailout plan. ]]></description></item><item><title>Udall Stretches Lead Over Pearce in N.M. Senate Race</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/july-dec08/nmsenate_10-27.html</link><pubDate>Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:58:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[Republican Rep. Steve Pearce and Democrat Rep. Tom Udall answered tough questions on the economy, the war in Iraq and the Supreme Court in their final debate on Oct. 26 before voters go to the polls to choose a replacement for retiring Sen. Pete Domenici, R- N.M.]]></description></item><item><title>Robocalls, Tactics Become Issue As Ore. Senate Race Reaches Home Stretch </title><link>http://news.opb.org/article/3376-robocalls-tactics-become-issue-senate-race-reaches-home-stretch/</link><pubDate>Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[In a week, Oregonians will decide who will represent them in the U.S. Senate: Pendleton Republican Gordon Smith or Democratic state House Speaker Jeff Merkley. As the race draws to a close, campaign strategy becomes critical. OPB reports on one tactic that has drawn scrutiny.
]]></description></item><item><title>N.H. Senate Candidates Offer Competing Views on Economy, Social Security</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/</link><pubDate>Sun, 26 Oct 2008 00:00:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[In New Hampshire's close Senate race, the rematch between Republican incumbent Sen. John Sununu and Democratic challenger Jeanne Shaheen has been an all-out battle between the two candidates, with negative ads and attacks from both sides. NH Outlook talks with both candidates about the economy, energy and national security.]]></description></item><item><title>Minn. Senate Candidates Share Defining Moments in Life </title><link>http://www.tpt.org/aatc/videos/2008/10/23/senate_race_mn_3_big_moments</link><pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2008 18:02:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[In a series of candid conversations with Minnesota Senate candidates Democrat Al Franken, independent Dean Barkley, incumbent Republican Norm Coleman and their families, TPT profiles the three most important moments that have shaped each of their lives.]]></description></item><item><title>Sen. Sununu Defends Seat in First N.H. Debate</title><link>http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rss/redir/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2008/july-dec08/nh_sen_10-22.html</link><pubDate>Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:57:00 EDT</pubDate><description><![CDATA[New Hampshire's Republican Sen. John Sununu accused his Democratic challenger, former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen, of shifting with the "political winds" during their first televised debate Tuesday night, while Shaheen hammered Sununu for voting with President Bush 90 percent of the time.]]></description></item></channel></rss>