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Host Bob Edwards talks to John Harwood, political editor of The Wall Street Journal about efforts by the political parties to get out the vote.

President Ronald Reagan stumbled through his first debate with Walter Mondale in 1984. But that didn't stop Lee Atwater and other "spin doctors" on the Reagan team from trying to convince reporters that the Democrat had failed to knock their candidate down. On Morning Edition, NPR's Linda Wertheimer looks at the origins of political "spin" as part of the Present at the Creation series.

While the most publicized races are often the close ones, the reality is that much of the makeup of the new Congress can already be foreseen. Robert Siegel talks with NPR Washington Editor Ron Elving about some of the Senate races where the outcome appears virtually guaranteed. (4:00)

He reviews the political documentary, Journeys with George, a behind-the-scenes look at the 2000 presidential race.

Gov. Jesse Ventura names key adviser Dean Barkley as interim senator, leaving the Senate with 49 Republicans, 49 Democrats and two independents. Meanwhile, Republican Norm Coleman and Democrat Walter Mondale trade sharp barbs in a debate. Hear NPR's David Welna.

John Ydstie talks with NPR's Ivan Watson in Istanbul about Turkish politician Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose Justice and Development Party won a sweeping victory in Sunday's parliamentary elections. Despite the triumph, Erdogan's political future remains in doubt because he is barred from holding public office after a 1998 conviction for religious incitement. (3:30)

Robert Siegel talks with Jenny B. White, associate professor of anthropology at Boston University, about the history of the secular government in Turkey. White is also author of Islamist Mobilization in Turkey: A Study in Vernacular Politics (Studies in Modernity and National Identity), published by University of Washington Press, Oct. 2002.

President Bush has been traversing the country campaigning on behalf of Republican candidates. His itinerary is telling about which races are the tightest. NPR's White House correspondent Don Gonyea has been on the trail with the White House team and tells John Ydstie about the various congressional and gubernatorial races where both parties are throwing all of their weight into winning. (2:45)

The ACLU files a federal lawsuit against a drug task force in Texas, alleging it targets minorities and then offers them parole if they plead guilty. The ACLU says the move enables the task force to receive thousands in federal funding. NPR's Wade Goodwyn reports.

Mike Leigh's latest film, All or Nothing, is about three families living in a decrepit housing project. But the British writer and director says despite the depressing scenery, the movie has a hopeful outlook. Pat Dowell reports.