Archive
What Are the Chances of a Republican White Knight?
January 27, 2012 · 8:00 AM EST
The idea probably is somewhere between nutty and delusional, but given the weird ups and downs this cycle, nutty isn’t impossible.
As Republican insiders of various ideological bent, from the more moderate to the uncompromisingly conservative, watch the presidential nominating process with…
Will GOP Risk Goldwater II With Newt Gingrich in 2012?
January 25, 2012 · 11:20 AM EST
In 1964, an angry Republican Party threw caution to the wind and nominated conservative Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater for president. Eight years later, Democrats rallied behind South Dakota Sen. George McGovern, an unapologetic liberal.
In each case, the party’s rank and file embraced what it…
Toxic Congress: Dose of Electoral Uncertainty
January 24, 2012 · 11:37 AM EST
Earlier this year, a CBS News poll showed Congress’ job approval at 12 percent, while CNN had it at 16 percent in mid-December and Gallup had it at 11 percent at the same time.
Given those stunningly low numbers, it isn’t surprising that Democratic strategists figure that running against…
Giffords Resignation Sets Up Likely Competitive Special Election
January 22, 2012 · 3:48 PM EST
Cong. Gabrielle Giffords announced in a video message Sunday she would resign from Congress this week to focus on her ongoing recovery after an assassination attempt on her life last January.
Giffords has been ever the picture of inspiration and poise, to both Republicans and Democrats,…
Virginia Redistricting: Making the “Ins” Further “In”
January 20, 2012 · 3:10 PM EST
Virginia’s new congressional districts don’t dramatically alter the partisanship of many districts, but the lines do solidify incumbents from both parties.
Democrat Gerry Connolly’s 11th District becomes about five points more Democratic, making his already Democratic-leaning district safe for…
A Rough Estimate of the Current House Field
January 20, 2012 · 2:12 PM EST
Contrary to what you see on television and cable news, there are other elections besides the presidential race this year. And for those who care about control of Congress, the picture there is starting to come into better focus.
Because of substantial redistricting gains in three large states —…
Mitt McCain — The GOP’s Strange Replay of 2008
January 18, 2012 · 9:20 AM EST
The combination of Mitt Romney’s 16-point victory in New Hampshire and his rousing election night speech launched the former Massachusetts governor toward South Carolina with the kind of old-fashioned momentum that any candidate for high office would love.
Of course, Romney’s competitors are…
2012 House Overview (January 13, 2012)
January 13, 2012 · 10:58 AM EST
Redistricting looks to become a small net plus for Democrats, but Republicans succeeded in shoring up a number of districts that they won unexpectedly in 2010. So while Democrats may well pick up a few extra seats because of the new lines, they may have fewer other seats to shoot for. Obviously,…
South Carolina Puts Perfect Record on the Line
January 13, 2012 · 10:57 AM EST
Since 1980, South Carolina has played the decisive role in the GOP presidential contest, flawlessly picking the eventual nominee between the winners of the Iowa and New Hampshire contests.
Now, as former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney rolls into the Palmetto State having notched historic…