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Attorney General Eric Holder visited Ferguson, Mo., in August, where he met with elected and police officials and community members.

Attorney General Eric Holder visited Ferguson, Mo., in August, where he met with elected and police officials and community members. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

Federal Ferguson Investigation Will Remain Independent, Holder Insists

The federal probe is examining whether Darren Wilson intentionally violated Michael Brown's civil rights. Justice Department veterans say proving he violated federal criminal law will be difficult.

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Even though they were sitting close together at a White House luncheon earlier this month, Democrats and Republicans remain far apart on many issues including immigration. From left are House Speaker John Boehner, President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Even though they were sitting close together at a White House luncheon earlier this month, Democrats and Republicans remain far apart on many issues including immigration. From left are House Speaker John Boehner, President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Evan Vucci/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Evan Vucci/AP

Who's Dreaming Now? Obama Opponents Do A Weapons Check On Immigration

At the Republican Governors Association meeting in Florida, 2016 presidential contenders vied to be the most outraged. But here too, the focus was less on the policy than on the unilateral process.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (center) talks about recent Republican Party gains and the road ahead for the GOP as Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (left) and Texas Gov. Rick Perry listen during a Wednesday press conference at the Republican governors' conference in Boca Raton, Fla.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (center) talks about recent Republican Party gains and the road ahead for the GOP as Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (left) and Texas Gov. Rick Perry listen during a Wednesday press conference at the Republican governors' conference in Boca Raton, Fla. J Pat Carter/AP hide caption

itoggle caption J Pat Carter/AP

Power Centers

At GOP Governors Meeting, Immigration Casts A Wide Shadow

After a successful 2014 election season, the nation's GOP governors gathered to talk about policy issues and bask in their victories. But President Obama's immigration plans dominated the discussion.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush addresses an education conference Thursday sponsored by the Foundation for Excellence in Education, a nonprofit he created as he left office.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush addresses an education conference Thursday sponsored by the Foundation for Excellence in Education, a nonprofit he created as he left office. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Susan Walsh/AP

Faces

Jeb Bush Stands Firm On Common Core But Softens Tone

Other potential GOP candidates side with Tea Party-backed opposition to the education standards, but the former Florida governor is not backing away from his longstanding support.

A detainee is escorted in March 2002 by two Army military police at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The detainee was being led to the Joint Interrogation Facility to be interviewed by government investigators.

A detainee is escorted in March 2002 by two Army military police at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The detainee was being led to the Joint Interrogation Facility to be interviewed by government investigators. Peter Muhly/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption Peter Muhly/AFP/Getty Images

Power Centers

Senate 'Torture Report' Findings Expected This Year

An executive summary of the Senate Intelligence Committee's two-year-old report will be made public before Democrats relinquish control of the Senate in January.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent, says "the average person is working longer hours, lower wages, and they do not see any political party standing up and fighting for their rights."

Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent, says "the average person is working longer hours, lower wages, and they do not see any political party standing up and fighting for their rights." Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption Win McNamee/Getty Images

Sen. Bernie Sanders On How Democrats Lost White Voters

In an interview with Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent in the Senate, says he may run for president.

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House members and those newly elected to the Legislature gather in the House chamber at the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark. Nov. 7, 2014. Arkansas' legislature is just one of 31 state legislatures in Republican control.

House members and those newly elected to the Legislature gather in the House chamber at the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark. Nov. 7, 2014. Arkansas' legislature is just one of 31 state legislatures in Republican control. Danny Johnston/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Danny Johnston/AP

Big Money Is Helping GOP Win In State Legislatures Too

Every election cycle, big donors open their checkbooks for two Washington-based party organizations that are gradually remaking state legislative elections.

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GOP Rep. Bill Cassidy and Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu face off in a Dec. 6 Senate runoff. Both are pushing for legislation approving the remaining leg of the Keystone XL pipeline between Alberta, Canada, and Steele City, Neb.

GOP Rep. Bill Cassidy and Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu face off in a Dec. 6 Senate runoff. Both are pushing for legislation approving the remaining leg of the Keystone XL pipeline between Alberta, Canada, and Steele City, Neb. Gerald Herbert/AP hide caption

itoggle caption Gerald Herbert/AP

The Stump

How Many Louisiana Jobs Are Actually At Stake In Keystone Debate?

Momentum to push legislation approving the oil pipeline is getting a boost from the Dec. 6 Louisiana Senate runoff — even though the unbuilt portion of pipeline wouldn't run anywhere near the state.

With the enthusiastic backing of his caucus, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., was reelected as the leader of the Senate Democrats this week following devastating midterm losses.

With the enthusiastic backing of his caucus, Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., was reelected as the leader of the Senate Democrats this week following devastating midterm losses. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption

itoggle caption Alex Wong/Getty Images

Power Centers

When Legislative Leaders Fail In Other Countries, They Lose Their Jobs

Not here — Democrats in the House and Senate plan to stick with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. Is it time to bring the parliamentary system's "vote of confidence" mechanism to Congress?

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.