John Raese

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Tom Osborne notched a lot of victories as the football coach at the University of Nebraska, but he never beat a sitting governor. Today, Osborne will try to do just that. The popular coach-turned congressman will face Governor Dave Heineman in a Republican primary for governor of this football-crazy state. In the nation's only other primary today, six West Virginia Republicans will vie for a chance to challenge Senator Robert C. Byrd. The 88-year-old Democrat, an outspoken Iraq war critic seeking a record ninth term, is a major target of the GOP this year.

A quick look at what was at stake in elections Tuesday in Indiana, North Carolina, West Virginia and Wisconsin: INDIANA: Veteran Sen. Richard Lugar lost a bitter challenge from the right flank of his own Republican Party, his nearly four-decade career in the Senate ended by a tea party-backed GOP foe, state Treasurer Richard Mourdock. Playing out in a conservative state, the race illustrated the electorate's animosity toward many incumbents and anyone with deep ties to Washington.

President Obama said yesterday that he is not worried about a recent poll showing nearly one-fifth of Americans believe he is a Muslim. Obama, who is a Christian, said “the facts are the facts.’’ In an interview broadcast on “NBC Nightly News,’’ the president blamed the confusion over his religious beliefs on “a network of misinformation.’’ “I’m not going to be worrying too much about whatever rumors are floating on...

President Obama said yesterday that he is not worried about a recent poll showing nearly one-fifth of Americans believe he is a Muslim. Obama, who is a Christian, said “the facts are the facts.’’ In an interview broadcast on “NBC Nightly News,’’ the president blamed the confusion over his religious beliefs on “a network of misinformation.’’ “I’m not going to be worrying too much about whatever rumors are floating on...

A quick look at what was at stake in elections Tuesday in Indiana, North Carolina, West Virginia and Wisconsin: INDIANA: Veteran Sen. Richard Lugar lost a bitter challenge from the right flank of his own Republican Party, his nearly four-decade career in the Senate ended by a tea party-backed GOP foe, state Treasurer Richard Mourdock. Playing out in a conservative state, the race illustrated the electorate's animosity toward many incumbents and anyone with deep ties to Washington.

WASHINGTON — Democrats lost Senate seats in at least six states yesterday, but were guaranteed to keep the majority thanks to wins in California and West Virginia. Republicans scored big wins, taking Senate seats from Democrats in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arkansas, North Dakota, Illinois, and Indiana. The net gain of 10 they needed for control of the chamber, however, eluded them. With Republicans taking over the House, President Obama will need a Democratic-run Senate to champion his legislative agenda.

WASHINGTON - Senator Joe Manchin said he is unsure whether he will vote for his party's leader, President Obama, or the likely Republican nominee Mitt Romney. In a statement Friday, the West Virginia Democrat said he had "some real differences" with both leaders, finding fault with Obama's energy and economic policies while questioning whether Romney could understand the challenges facing ordinary people. "I strongly believe that every American should always be rooting for our president to do well, no matter which political party that...

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Tom Osborne notched a lot of victories as the football coach at the University of Nebraska, but he never beat a sitting governor. Today, Osborne will try to do just that. The popular coach-turned congressman will face Governor Dave Heineman in a Republican primary for governor of this football-crazy state. In the nation's only other primary today, six West Virginia Republicans will vie for a chance to challenge Senator Robert C. Byrd. The 88-year-old Democrat, an outspoken Iraq war critic seeking a record ninth term, is a major target of the GOP this year.