House News & Analysis

Illinois 17: Schilling’s Entry Improves GOP Chances

by Nathan L. Gonzales July 19, 2013 · 2:56 PM EDT

Democrats redrew Illinois’ 17th District to defeat GOP Rep. Bobby Schilling last year. Their efforts worked, but Schilling isn’t taking the forced retirement well.

In 2012, Schilling lost re-election to Democrat Cheri Bustos, 53 percent to 47 percent, in a competitive race that didn’t end up being particularly…

Gay Couples Could Face Different Campaign Money Rules Across States

by Nathan L. Gonzales July 11, 2013 · 9:30 AM EDT

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act, gay candidates and their spouses could face different campaign finance guidelines depending on their state.

Earlier this month, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee sent an advisory opinion request to the Federal…

Democrats Rally Against Bill Clinton’s Record

by Nathan L. Gonzales July 5, 2013 · 9:30 AM EDT

What do you call a politician who supports the Defense of Marriage Act and a balanced federal budget? Today, that describes a conservative Republican. Sixteen years ago, that was a two-term Democratic president.

Bill Clinton is a rock star among Democrats. He’s one of the most requested politicians…

It’s Uphill All the Way for Social Conservatives

by Stuart Rothenberg July 3, 2013 · 10:17 AM EDT

Although the seemingly unstoppable march of cultural liberalism took pause during the years of Ronald Reagan and even into the 1990s, it is back on track. Liberals will applaud it and conservatives will dread it, but it is silly to deny its strength.

Television and movies reflect our…

Ohio 14: Running Again for the First Time

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 28, 2013 · 2:00 PM EDT

You can’t get appointed to the House of Representatives, but Republican Dave Joyce’s experience is about as close as it gets.

When GOP Rep. Steve LaTourette announced his retirement late in the cycle last year, local Republican officials chose Joyce to replace him on the ballot. Joyce defeated…

Gomez-Sanford Comparison on Obamacare Fails the Smell Test

by Stuart Rothenberg June 28, 2013 · 9:53 AM EDT

You only need to look at the first paragraph of an “opinion” piece on Roll Call’s website to see that it wasn’t worthy of being posted on our website – or anyone’s. I’m not even going to include a link because I don’t want anyone to read it. 

Twitter: Smart Strategy or Electronic Press Release?

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 27, 2013 · 3:37 PM EDT

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee tried to turn up the heat on 28 Republican members by unleashing a targeted Twitter attack in their districts. But is Twitter an effective tool or just another way to generate free media attention?

Last week, the DCCC encouraged college students in…

Is the Senate More Volatile Than the House in 2014?

by Stuart Rothenberg June 26, 2013 · 11:16 AM EDT

Next year, voters will go to the polls to elect 435 House members and 35 United States senators, but it seems quite possible that there will be more net change in the Senate than in the House.

If this occurs, it would be worth noting, since it has…

A Good Test of Exactly How Screwed Up Washington Is

by Stuart Rothenberg June 20, 2013 · 11:09 PM EDT

Editor's Note: This column first appeared in Roll Call before Thursday's vote.

Once upon a time, on a very different planet and in a very different country, the farm bill was not among the more controversial things that Congress did.

Yes, previous farm bills have produced knock-down,…

It’s Never Too Early to Fight About Polling Methodology

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 20, 2013 · 9:12 AM EDT

Bickering over polls is a time-honored tradition in campaigns. But the latest exchange of surveys in Utah’s 4th District is not just an example of partisan pollsters getting very different results. It is also a reminder of the importance of polling methodology.

Earlier this month, the National Republican…