Archive

Convention: One Candidate’s Path is Another Candidate’s Hurdle for Democrats in Senate

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 4, 2012 · 5:24 PM EDT

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Democratic strategists are cautiously optimistic that they will maintain their Senate majority, but, absent an unforeseen political wave, the party will do battle in a series of local contests where an asset in one state might be a hurdle in another.

“Voters of Wisconsin…

Senate Ratings Changes: Races Shift as Playing Field Takes Shape

September 3, 2012 · 12:22 AM EDT

In the wake of GOP nominee Todd Akin’s media meltdown, it’s not just Missouri that appears to be trending away from Republicans lately.

After moving the Show-Me State to Pure Toss-Up last week, we are moving it again, to Lean Democrat. Akin, who held a double-digit lead before he made his…

2012 Senate Ratings (September 3, 2012)

September 3, 2012 · 12:18 AM EDT

Convention: Blue State Sen. Brown (R) Doesn’t Shy Away from Ruby Red Event

by Nathan L. Gonzales August 30, 2012 · 6:08 PM EDT

TAMPA, Fla. -- Sen. Scott Brown (R) may need a half a million Obama voters to get re-elected in Massachusetts, but that’s not keeping him away from appearing at the Republican Party’s biggest event.

“Mitt Romney is his friend,” said Eric Fehrnstrom, a senior advisor to both Brown and the former…

Convention: Opposition Trackers Follow Candidates to Tampa, Charlotte

by Jessica Taylor August 30, 2012 · 3:02 PM EDT

TAMPA, Fla. -- In the modern era of campaigns, candidates in competitive races can’t go anywhere without someone from the other party following them with a video camera-- and the party conventions are no different.

Fewer GOP House and Senate candidates have made the trek to the Republican…

What a 2004 Poll Tells Us About 2012

by Stuart Rothenberg August 30, 2012 · 11:09 AM EDT

Eight years ago, right before Republicans gathered in New York City from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 to renominate President George W. Bush for a second term, a newly released NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll showed Bush vulnerable and in a dogfight against his challenger, a Massachusetts Democrat.

In…

After Arizona Primaries, 9th District Rating Change

by Nathan L. Gonzales August 29, 2012 · 6:14 PM EDT

Tuesday’s primaries in Arizona offered a little bit of everything, including a Member vs. Member race and what GOP strategists are calling “a gift.”

The 9th District is brand new, after the Grand Canyon State was awarded another seat in Congress through reapportionment, and its first general…

Connecticut Senate: Move to Lean Democrat

by Stuart Rothenberg August 29, 2012 · 2:08 AM EDT

Less than two years ago, Republican Linda McMahon drew just 43 percent of the vote in Connecticut’s Senate race after spending over $50 million on her candidacy. Given that showing, there was little reason to believe than another run by McMahon, a businesswoman who ran a professional wrestling…