Marketplace set out to answer that question. We reviewed polls, talked to analysts and put our ear to the pavement with a new tool: Public Insight Journalism. We came up with feature stories, interviews and commentaries that make up our election coverage. We're calling it The Real Agenda. It's Your Agenda.

Many people shared their thoughts on the obvious, big issues of the day: Iraq, gas prices, health care, and immigration. But we also heard about issues that aren't on the national political radar, but are important: the "crunched" middle class, government accountability, climate change, and more.

To cover the Real Agenda, reporters are finding out how states are wrestling with problems that Congress has ignored. We've invited top commentators to tackle the Real Agenda. And we've asked Marketplace commentators Robert Reich and David Frum to debate solutions for the problems voters care about most.

Help us tell the story as our coverage continues. By responding, you'll be joining the Public Insight Network and signing up to help Marketplace and other American Public Media programs report the news.