Search results for

ATC Host Linda Wertheimer talks with a group of suburban women from Ohio about the presidential candidates -- George W. Bush and Al Gore. These middle class working women with children are considered a key part of the so-called swing vote. They also reside in a crucial state -- Ohio -- which remains up-for-grabs. The group includes: Gina Cronin, Anne Stevenson, Jennifer Lang and Kristi Gallup. The four ladies remain on the fence about whom to vote for -- as they find both candidates attractive for different reasons.

Alan Cheuse reviews a novel called Dear Mr. Kawabata, by Rashid Al-Daif, a Lebanese poet and novelist who teaches at the Lebanese University in Beirut. His novel has just been published in the United States in a translation by Paul Starkey. (1:30) Please Note: Dear Mr. Kawabata is published by Interlink.

Noah Adams is in Washington, and Linda Wertheimer is in Los Angeles. They set the scene at the Democratic Convention in Los Angeles, which is beginning today. President Bill Clinton addresses the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles tonight. In his nationally televised speech, Clinton will reflect on the past eight years, bid farewell as President and the party's leader, and make his case for the election of Vice President Al Gore. Clinton passes the torch to Gore in times of almost unprecedented prosperity. But his complicated political legacy casts a shadow over Gore's candidacy. NPR's Mara Liasson has the story.

Conventions of major political parties and international organizations such as the World Bank often draw more media than participants. And the media, in turn, attract protesters seeking attention for their causes. This week in Los Angeles the streets will again be alive with marchers, but NPR's Aaron Schachter reports that not all of them will fit the familiar media stereotype.

The BBC's Chris Simpson reports on a summit in Lusaka, where African leaders are demanding immediate implementation of provisions of an existing peace agreement between warring factions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Vice President Al Gore is talking issues with voters this week as he heads slowly toward Los Angeles and the Democratic National Convention there. The Democrats hope the substance-rich rhetoric will draw a sharp contrast to the Republican convention last week, which Gore and his backers criticized as all show. Gore brought his pitch to a group of seniors today in Harry Truman's hometown of Independence, Missouri. NPR's Anthony Brooks talks with us from event.

As time runs out for the stricken Russian submarine, NPR's David Kestenbaum examines the logistics of efforts to rescue its crew.

Nick Wood reports from the town of Mitrovica in northern Kosovo, that NATO-led peacekeepers seized control of the dilapidated Trepca mining complex today, prompting angry protests from local Serbs. The United Nations administration in the province said it was closing the mines as a health measure, because the Trepca smelters were spewing out toxic fumes. The head of the UN administration, Bernard Kouchner, said an international consortium plans to renovate the mines and eventually reopen the facility.

NPR's Kenneth Walker reports once verdant Kenya is suffering from a three-year drought. Unemployment is surging, as are hunger and poverty.

Noah talks to Mary Horstman, Forest Historian and Heritage Program Manager for the Bitterroot National Forest, about efforts to protect the Alta Ranger station -- which is the oldest in the nation -- from wildfires. Workers wrapped the one room cabin in a material designed to protect the structure from sparks and fire damage.

Elysa Gardner reviews The Kinleys II, the second album from twin country musicians Heather and Jennifer Kinley. (4:00) Note, The Kinleys II is on Epic Records.

Linda profiles Senator John Edwards of North Carolina. Edwards was on the short-list to become Al Gore's vice presidential pick. During his busy day of campaigning for the Democrats -- Linda sat down with the Senator to talk with him. He is 47-years old, a former trial lawyer and new to the Senate, having served just one-and-a-half years. Edwards has become a key campaigner for Mr. Gore. He is a "rising star" in the Democratic party -- a man who may make a bid for the White House some time in the future.

Janet Heimlich reports from Austin that 35-year-old Roy Criner was released from a Texas prison today after serving ten years for a rape he didn't commit. DNA evidence that surfaced three years ago suggested that Criner was innocent and he'll receive a pardon from Governor George W. Bush as soon as the paperwork is completed. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals declined to grant Criner a new trial three years ago, despite the fresh evidence, arguing that he still could have committed the crime.

Two weeks ago, veteran news broadcaster Robert Trout offered a recent history of the Republican party, over the course of his political coverage. This week he turns to the Democrats. Today, Trout brings us the sounds of Democratic Conventions he covered in the 1930's and 40's, and the story of the battle between North and South for control of the party.

One-hundred-thirty prisoners in Washington and Oregon volunteered in the 1960s and 1970's to participate in a federally sponsored experiment to determine the affects of radiation on sperm production. After the experiments, they received vasectomies. Now they are seeking compensation from the federal government, saying they were coerced into taking part in the experiments. From KOPB in Portland Oregon, Jeff Brady reports.

Robert talks about the state of the U-S Military with Gideon Rose, Olin Sr. Fellow for National Security Studies at the Council for Foreign Relations, and Senior Editor for Foreign Affairs magazine. Also joining the conversation is Andrew Bacevich (BAY-suh-vihch), Professor of International Relations at Boston University.

NPR's Claudio Sanchez reports on a Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup poll that finds more Americans than ever support public education, and reforming rather than changing the system. The annual poll finds for the first time that low funding for schools is listed as the number one problem. Poll respondents of both parties say that the federal government should give schools more money without no strings attached. They see Democrats as more friendly to public schools than Republicans in general, but they see Al Gore and George W. Bush as equally good for public schools.

Bill McGee, Editor of the Consumer Reports Travel Letter, joins Noah by phone from Yonkers, New York, to offer some tips on what to do if your flight is delayed or cancelled.

NPR's Sarah Chayes reports from Basque country of northwest Spain on the recent wave of terrorist attacks by the ETA separatist movement. Thousands of Spaniards turned out today to the two latest victims -- two police officers killed by a bomb yesterday. Militants say ETA broke an 18-month cease-fire, because the government failed to make any overtures to the guerrillas during the truce. But moderate Basque politicians, including some who initially supported the ETA movement years ago, say extremists hijacked the separatist cause.

Noah talks with NPR's Mary Ann Akers about Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater's meeting today with airline and union leaders about flight delays and cancellations, and other problems in the industry. Some factors in the disruptions have been more people flying, bad weather and the limited capacity of airports and the air traffic control system. Some members of Congress have advocated a "bill of rights" to try to get passengers better treatment and more information in the face of delays.