Archive

Berg Senate Run Likely in North Dakota

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 27, 2011 · 11:55 AM EDT

Rep. Rick Berg is very seriously considering a run for Senate in North Dakota and is even likely to make the race, according to sources close to the freshman Congressman.

According to the GOP sources, the Republican had no plans to seek higher office until Sen. Kent Conrad’s (D) decision to…

The Shape of Redistricting, Part I: Iowa, Louisiana, Arkansas

by Stuart Rothenberg April 26, 2011 · 9:31 AM EDT

With redistricting completed in three states — Iowa, Louisiana and Arkansas — Democratic and Republican strategists are trying to look on the bright side. In fact, both sides have some reason for disappointment, but also for feeling relieved.

Louisiana lost one district, and Republicans were…

Ohio Senate: What Has Brown Done for You?

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 22, 2011 · 2:59 PM EDT

For all of the talk about Ohio being a swing state, the last two U.S. Senate races have been blowouts. Republicans are hoping next year’s race is different.

Almost six years ago, an often-reluctant Sherrod Brown (D) decided to leave his safe Congressional seat in order to challenge Sen. Mike…

Iowa Districts: Out with the Old, In with the New

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 22, 2011 · 2:58 PM EDT

Iowa’s redistricting process is a political handicapper’s dream and incumbent’s nightmare.

Instead of letting partisan legislators draw the new congressional lines, that task is left to a nonpartisan commission, the Legislative Services Bureau. By aiming to keep counties intact and districts…

Obama, GOP Not Serious About Deficit Deal

by Stuart Rothenberg April 20, 2011 · 9:37 AM EDT

After watching President Barack Obama’s response to Congressional Republicans’ proposals for cutting the federal deficit, it’s awfully hard to credit either side with being serious about finding a viable legislative compromise.

In his speech on fiscal policy at George Washington University on…

Iowa 4: Christie Vilsack Likely to Challenge King

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 15, 2011 · 11:39 PM EDT

Former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack (D) is likely to take on Cong. Steve King (R) in Iowa’s new 4th Congressional District, according to a Democratic source in the Hawkeye State. Vilsack, however, has not yet made a final decision.

There’s been a lot of movement in the delegation since the…

The Uneven Senate Landscape of 2012 (and 2014)

by Stuart Rothenberg April 15, 2011 · 9:30 AM EDT

Just over four years ago I wrote in this space that Democrats not only didn’t have to worry about losing their Senate majority in ’08, they needed to set their sights on 60 seats in 2010 because a “filibuster-proof majority would change the rules of the game on Capitol Hill.”

Well, Democrats…

The New Norm: Last-Minute Political Deals

by Stuart Rothenberg April 13, 2011 · 11:32 AM EDT

One of the byproducts of the highly partisan environment that we find ourselves in is the last-minute political deal. That means that the Friday budget agreement isn’t likely to be the final last-minute political deal on the horizon.

Congress often waits until the clock is running out before it…

NRCC Veteran Walsh to Lead GOP Outside Group

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 12, 2011 · 9:00 AM EDT

Former National Republican Congressional Committee Political Director Brian O. Walsh will be the new president of American Action Network.

Starting today, he’ll head up a powerful outside group that spent $26 million on races last election cycle.

The New Jersey native comes off three election…

No Such Thing as an Off Year for Consultants

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 11, 2011 · 9:30 AM EDT

Just a couple of months after helping direct $65 million in 77 House races across the country, media consultant John Lapp was in Wisconsin pitching a candidate for county executive.

It didn’t seem like much at the time — a fun, off-year race for the former executive director of the Democratic…