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Republican Richard Mourdock, who crushed longtime Sen. Richard Lugar in Indiana's GOP Senate primary, is a Tea Party conservative with a low-key persona. "I never got hit with the charisma stick," he says. Mourdock equates his political style and his marathon-running mantra: "You just keep going."

Three days after Vice President Joe Biden voiced his own support, President Barack Obama described his "evolution" on the issue and became the first sitting president in U.S. history to declare himself in favor of same-sex marriage. Listeners react to the news.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett won the Democratic primary earlier this week, earning the chance to challenge Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker at the polls. Barrett lost a race for the governor's seat to Walker in 2010. Host Michel Martin speaks with Barrett about whether the outrage over Walker's cuts to collective bargaining rights will be enough for him to win this rematch.

President Obama says he supports same-sex marriage, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to come out in favor of the issue. Host Michel Martin looks at what it means for the November elections, and for an issue that many Americans view in religious or moral terms. Martin speaks with two religion reporters: Sarah Posner of Religion Dispatches and David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network.

States are moving to set up health insurance exchanges — a pillar of Obama's health care law. But many GOP governors find themselves in an awkward position. David Wessel, economics editor of The Wall Street Journal, talks to Steve Inskeep about why the governors' positions on exchanges are complicated.

The president and his re-election team are clearly wagering that his support for same-sex marriage will attract more voters than it repels — and allow him to make the choice between himself and Mitt Romney even sharper.

After Vice President Biden's comment that he's "absolutely comfortable" with gay marriage, Floyd Ciruli, a Colorado-based pollster and analyst, and Quentin Kidd, of Christopher Newport University, discuss the role same-sex marriage could play in swing states in November. NPR's Ken Rudin recaps the week in politics.

Republican Indiana Senator Richard Lugar lost a primary battle to a tea party challenger. North Carolina passed a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker found out he needs to win a rematch against Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett to keep his job. Host Michel Martin speaks with Joy Ann Reid and Janice Crouse.

Six years ago, Democrats did not bother fielding a candidate against Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar. Now that he's been unseated in Tuesday's GOP primary, they believe they have a shot at capturing the prized Senate seat. But the state continues to favor Republicans in general.

Voters in Wisconsin Tuesday, chose the Democrat who will face Republican Governor Scott Walker in next month's gubernatorial recall election. The winning Democrat was Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.