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President Obama stumped for gubernatorial candidate Tom Wolf this weekend in Philadelphia. Wolf's victory Tuesday was among the few bright spots for Democrats.

President Obama stumped for gubernatorial candidate Tom Wolf this weekend in Philadelphia. Wolf's victory Tuesday was among the few bright spots for Democrats. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

We Need A New Word For The Latest Republican Wave

In 2006, President Bush's Republicans took a "thumpin'." Four years later, President Obama's Democrats saw "a shellacking." So what do you call the damage done to Obama and his party last night?

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton campaigned for Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate Anthony Brown (right) in October. President Obama and Michelle Obama have also campaigned in the state. This level of Democratic star power so late in the race is unusual in a reliably blue state.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton campaigned for Maryland Democratic gubernatorial candidate Anthony Brown (right) in October. President Obama and Michelle Obama have also campaigned in the state. This level of Democratic star power so late in the race is unusual in a reliably blue state. Patrick Semansky/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Patrick Semansky/AP

The Stump

Sleeper Maryland Race Could Be Tuesday's Biggest Upset

The governor's race in one of the bluest states in the nation has gotten uncomfortably tight.

Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, center, gets a kiss from a supporter after he stepped off his bus during a brief campaign stop at Delevoe Park in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Oct. 25.

Florida Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist, center, gets a kiss from a supporter after he stepped off his bus during a brief campaign stop at Delevoe Park in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Oct. 25. Wilfredo Lee/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Wilfredo Lee/AP

Power Centers

7 Places To Watch On Election Day

Whether it's because of their size, demographic make-up, or the unique role they play, these places will have an outsized role in state — and possibly national — politics this year.

Loretta Lynch, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, speaks during an April news conference in New York. Lynch is now a leading favorite to replace Eric Holder as U.S. attorney general.

Loretta Lynch, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, speaks during an April news conference in New York. Lynch is now a leading favorite to replace Eric Holder as U.S. attorney general. Seth Wenig/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Seth Wenig/AP

New Attorney General Not Likely Until 2015

Though a short list of candidates to replace current Attorney General Eric Holder is circulating, a nomination and confirmation is increasingly unlikely until after an expected shift in Congress.

Laney Barroll Stark, of Savannah, Ga., took a picture with her cell phone as Rep. Jack Kingston, who ran for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Georgia, addressed supporters at his primary runoff election night party in July.

Laney Barroll Stark, of Savannah, Ga., took a picture with her cell phone as Rep. Jack Kingston, who ran for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in Georgia, addressed supporters at his primary runoff election night party in July. David Goldman/AP hide caption

itoggle caption David Goldman/AP

The Stump

5 Widgets And Apps For Election Day

by Zoe Mathews

Worried you don't know the essentials for the 2014 midterm elections? Here's a mobile cheat sheet to plug you in for Election Day.

It's a long shot, but there's a scenario where control of the Senate might not be known until Jan. 6 — three days after the start of the next Congress. That's when Republican David Perdue and Democrat Michelle Nunn will face each other in a Georgia runoff if one of them fails to win 50 percent on Tuesday.

It's a long shot, but there's a scenario where control of the Senate might not be known until Jan. 6 — three days after the start of the next Congress. That's when Republican David Perdue and Democrat Michelle Nunn will face each other in a Georgia runoff if one of them fails to win 50 percent on Tuesday. David Tulis/AP hide caption

itoggle caption David Tulis/AP

Power Centers

What If The Senate Isn't Decided On Election Day?

The election outlook is promising for the GOP. But there are a few scenarios that could have America waiting well beyond Nov. 4 to know which party controls the Senate.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky waves while riding with his wife Elaine Chao in the Hopkins County Veterans Day Parade on Sunday in Madisonville. McConnell remains locked in a close race with Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky waves while riding with his wife Elaine Chao in the Hopkins County Veterans Day Parade on Sunday in Madisonville. McConnell remains locked in a close race with Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption Win McNamee/Getty Images

Sen. Mitch McConnell Has More Than Most Riding On Midterm Elections

If the GOP takes over the Senate, the man expected to become majority leader is Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. But first, he has to win a sixth term in a state where his popularity has been sagging.

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President Obama stands with Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy in Bridgeport on Sunday. Malloy is in a tough re-election battle with Republican Tom Foley. The president spent the weekend trying to energize the Democratic base to get out and vote in Tuesday's midterm elections.

President Obama stands with Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy in Bridgeport on Sunday. Malloy is in a tough re-election battle with Republican Tom Foley. The president spent the weekend trying to energize the Democratic base to get out and vote in Tuesday's midterm elections. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Obama's Low Approval Rating Casts Shadow Over Democratic Races

President Obama rallied supporters in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. The last-minute swing was unusual for a president who's kept a relatively low profile on the campaign trail this year.

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Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington gave the GOP response to President Obama's State of the Union address in 2014. She's set to easily win re-election to a sixth term next week.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington gave the GOP response to President Obama's State of the Union address in 2014. She's set to easily win re-election to a sixth term next week. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Susan Walsh/AP

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers Is No GOP Bench Warmer

McMorris Rodgers says she wants to see more women run — and get elected — to Congress. That's why she's taken on a leadership role, raising money for female Republicans and mentoring them, too.

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Texas lieutenant governor hopefuls state Sen. Dan Patrick and state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte shake hands following a September debate. While most eyes are on the governor's race, this contest could have even more political consequence.

Texas lieutenant governor hopefuls state Sen. Dan Patrick and state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte shake hands following a September debate. While most eyes are on the governor's race, this contest could have even more political consequence. Eric Gay/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Eric Gay/AP

Faces

In Texas, A Down-Ballot Race With Big Consequences

National attention has focused on the governor's race, but the election for the office below it could be even more important for the future of Texas politics.

The flier sent to Montana voters by political scientists at Stanford University and Dartmouth College to study voter interest in nonpartisan races. Fliers were also sent to voters in California and New Hampshire.

The flier sent to Montana voters by political scientists at Stanford University and Dartmouth College to study voter interest in nonpartisan races. Fliers were also sent to voters in California and New Hampshire. Stanford University/Dartmouth College hide caption

itoggle caption Stanford University/Dartmouth College

The Stump

Political Scientists Find A Guinea Pig: Montana

To see if it affected voter interest, researchers sent fliers to Montana voters ranking their nonpartisan Supreme Court candidates by ideology. State officials did not appreciate the experiment.

A ballot measure in Maine over bear-baiting has drawn ads from both sides of the debate, including this one from the Maine Wildlife Conservation Council, which opposes the measure.

A ballot measure in Maine over bear-baiting has drawn ads from both sides of the debate, including this one from the Maine Wildlife Conservation Council, which opposes the measure. Maine Wildlife Conservation Council/YouTube hide caption

itoggle caption Maine Wildlife Conservation Council/YouTube

Bear-Baiting And Big Races Drown Portland, Maine, In Campaign Ads

A combination of candidates, a controversial ballot measure and cheap ad rates have made Portland very popular. There are even ads running for a neighboring state's U.S. Senate race.

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Illinois state Rep. Mike Bost argues about gun legislation in 2013. Bost's angry rants have become a campaign issue in his race against Democratic Rep. Bill Enyart for Enyart's U.S. House seat.

Illinois state Rep. Mike Bost argues about gun legislation in 2013. Bost's angry rants have become a campaign issue in his race against Democratic Rep. Bill Enyart for Enyart's U.S. House seat. Seth Perlman/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Seth Perlman/AP

Ranting And Throwing Papers: An Angry Candidate Runs For Congress KRCU-FM

by Jacob McCleland

State Rep. Mike Bost's rants on the Illinois House floor are the stuff viral dreams are made of. Bost says he has good reason to be upset, and wants voters to share his anger.

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In her revised dissent, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg clarified that photo ID cards issued by the Veterans' Affairs are "an acceptable form of photo identification for voting in Texas."

In her revised dissent, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg clarified that photo ID cards issued by the Veterans' Affairs are "an acceptable form of photo identification for voting in Texas." Cliff Owen/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Cliff Owen/AP

Justice Ginsburg Revises Texas Voter ID Dissent, Then Announces It

The U.S. Supreme Court is correcting its own record. That's not exactly rare, but Ruth Bader Ginsburg is the first justice to call the public's attention to her own mistake.