Archive

Sarah Palin? Frankly, My Dear, I Don’t Give a Damn

November 23, 2009 · 8:00 AM EST

If you are planning on reading a column about former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s presidential prospects, you will be deeply disappointed.

I don’t know whether Palin will run for president in 2012, and right now I don’t really care. Most in the media do care, of course, which is why they can’t…

PA Senate Moved to Toss-Up

November 20, 2009 · 8:51 AM EST

Democrats are headed for a primary war between Sen. Arlen Specter (D) and Cong. Joe Sestak (D) while former Cong. Pat Toomey (R) awaits the winner. Earlier in the year, many people weren’t giving Toomey a shot at winning statewide, but he could benefit from the Democratic primary and a…

2009 Election Results Show How the Context Has Changed

November 19, 2009 · 8:00 AM EST

The discussion about whether the election results earlier this month reflected local factors or constituted a referendum on President Barack Obama creates a false choice.

Candidate quality, fundraising and local issues are always significant factors in gubernatorial races. But the national…

New Print Edition: Pennsylvania Senate & Michigan 7

November 18, 2009 · 12:34 PM EST

The November 17, 2009 print edition of the Rothenberg Political Report is on its way to subscribers.

The print edition of the Report comes out every two weeks. Subscribers get in-depth analysis of the most competitive races in the country, as well as updated House and Senate ratings, and coverage…

Pennsylvania Senate: Primarily Focused

by Nathan L. Gonzales November 17, 2009 · 1:00 PM EST

Democrats came up short of a filibuster-proof majority on Election Night 2008, but Sen. Arlen Specter’s party switch in April finally gave them the 60 seats they desired.

With the very real prospect that he could lose to former Cong. Pat Toomey in the Republican primary, Specter switched…

Michigan 7: Schauer Power

by Nathan L. Gonzales November 17, 2009 · 1:00 PM EST

Mark Schauer is no stranger to winning in competitive districts, but winning reelection next year could be the Democrat’s greatest feat yet.

Last year, the Democratic state senator knocked off conservative Cong. Tim Walberg in Michigan’s 7th District. But he won with less than 49% and…

Democrats Face Pros and Cons in Nationalizing 2010 Races

November 16, 2009 · 8:00 AM EST

David Axelrod has a cure that may be worse than the disease he’s trying to alleviate.

The senior White House adviser admitted that low turnout among base Democratic voters contributed to the party’s gubernatorial losses in Virginia and New Jersey last week. And the White House plans to…

CT Gov Moved to Toss-Up

November 13, 2009 · 7:00 AM EST

Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell (R) announced she would not seek reelection, handing Democrats an excellent pick-up opportunity. It may be a little while before the candidate fields are set, so for now, the race moves from Clear Advantage for Rell to a Toss-Up.

With victories in New Jersey and…

Learning the Right Lessons From 2009 Results

November 12, 2009 · 8:00 AM EST

Everyone and his brother has opinions about what happened on Tuesday, but not all assessments are equally correct, just as not all of the descriptions of the contests, while they were in progress, were equally on the mark.

What were some of the mistakes and mischaracterizations during the…

Florida 8: Eisnaugle Declines To Run

November 11, 2009 · 4:04 PM EST

State Rep. Eric Eisnaugle is the latest Republican candidate to decline to run against freshman Rep. Alan Grayson (D) in Florida’s 8th District. Eisnaugle is expected to make an official announcement soon, according to GOP sources.

Businessman Bruce O’Donoghue (R) and state Rep. Kurt Kelly (R)…