Early voting begins in just days – October 14 – in a midterm election that has political strategists from both major parties analyzing and spinning. But even neutral analysts like the John Locke Foundation’s John Hood say the election cycle is full of fascinating political dynamics. Hood discusses the role being played by unaffiliated voters, what impact voter views of Washington is having on the candidates, and the state of the Burr-Marshall-Beitler race for U.S. Senate and key congressional races in three or four North Carolina districts. Then we turn to one of the nation’s leading electoral experts, Washington Examiner senior political analyst Michael Barone, for his assessment of the election dynamics. Barone recently traveled to North Carolina to offer his views for a John Locke Foundation audience. In an exclusive interview, Barone explains why the political winds have shifted so forcefully toward Republicans during the past two years. Next we look at the debate over a controversial proposal from North Carolina sheriffs. They say the growth in accidental prescription overdose deaths across the state should lead to a change in state law: Sheriffs want access to information from a state prescription drug database. Sheriffs association executive vice president Edmond Caldwell, Dare County Sheriff Rodney Midgett, and Cherokee County Sheriff Keith Lovin recently told lawmakers how that information could help them fight crime linked to prescription drug abuse. That’s followed by an assessment of the clean up underway with regard to the state’s crime lab. North Carolina legislators recently heard a progress report. You’ll hear former federal agent Chris Swecker offer details from his audit of the SBI crime lab, along with questions from Rep. Rick Glazier, D-Cumberland. You’ll also hear Attorney General Roy Cooper respond to the question of whether the state crime lab should be moved out from under SBI jurisdiction.  And finally, John Locke Foundation Director of Legal and Regulatory Studies Daren Bakst reacts to comments from N.C. sheriffs heard earlier in the show. Bakst says the proposal to give sheriffs access to a prescription drug database is one of the worst ideas he’s heard in years, and anyone concerned about privacy rights should be concerned by what could occur. Bakst also weighs in on the controversial Supreme Court ruling that recently addressed the definition of a “life sentence” for North Carolina inmates.