Hello, and welcome to the Daily Briefing for October 1, 2012. Now, today our top stories are:
A new poll has Mitt Romney leading in North Carolina.
The Supreme Court has began a new term.
A report says a record number of Latinos are registered to vote.
Well, it’s time for our Short and Sweet Stories, our top stories condensed.
The newest poll from American Research Group shows President Obama behind Mitt Romney by four percentage points in North Carolina. The state is called a toss-up by most analysts, and is the only toss-up that is currently favored to go to Mitt Romney. The poll surveyed likely voters in the state, and Romney’s advantage is within the margin-of-error. President Obama won the state in 2008, and was the first Democrat to win since Jimmy Carter in 1976.
The Supreme Court began a new term today, and they may take on several high-profile cases. The year, the Supreme Court could take on cases dealing with topics such as affirmative action and same-sex marriage. Yesterday, a record number of justices attended the local Red Mass. There were six justices at the Red Mass, which is the same as the record in 2009. The Red Mass is held the Sunday before the Court opens the term, to pray for the justices.
A report from Pew Hispanic Center says that a record number of Latinos are eligible to vote. Right now it says that there are 23.7 million eligible voters, which is up 22% from 2008. However, Latino turnout has been lagging. In 2008, 50% of eligible Latinos voted, as opposed to 65% and 66% for African-Americans and whites. This report comes on the heels that President Obama has hit his highest level of support among Latinos, over 64%.
Well, thank you for joining us on Daily Briefing. Please join us again tomorrow for another look at the top political stories.