Will Republicans control the House next year?
Barring a scandal or a skyrocketing economic recovery, House Republicans will hold the House, remaining in control for a second consecutive Congress. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report shows Republicans have nine more seats in jeopardy than Democrats in the fall election, but, with a 24-seat majority, Republicans are expected to hold a comfortable edge in the House after November.
Will the anti-gay-marriage referendum pass in Maryland?
Same-sex marriage laws have not fared well nationally. Since 1998, 31 states voted to ban such unions. But most Maryland voters — 57 percent — say they support a state law allowing same-sex marriage and would vote to uphold it, a recent poll by Public Policy Polling showed. Thirty-seven percent of Marylanders said they will vote for the referendum that would strike down that law.
Is Ron Paul planning his own nominating convention?
The Texas congressman and 2012 Republican presidential contender will hold a rally for his supporters Aug. 26 in Florida on the eve of the Republican National Convention in Tampa. Paul’s backers plan to organize a three-day festival to celebrate Paul even while Republicans are busy nominating Mitt Romney for president. Paul has so far declined to endorse Romney.
Why did the head of Barclays resign?
Bob Diamond quit as CEO after his bank understated the interest rate it actually paid when reporting to officials calculating the LIBOR, or London interbank offered rate. The LIBOR is a benchmark based on the rates being paid each day by a collection of key banks. Like the American prime rate, the LIBOR is used to calculate other loans. The lending rates on some $360 trillion in securities worldwide are based on the LIBOR. Barclays was fined $453 million for its actions.
