Senate News & Analysis

2010 Senate Overview (September 17, 2010)

September 17, 2010 · 4:30 PM EDT

The GOP primary upset in Delaware obviously impacts Republican efforts to gain ten seats and win control of the Senate. But Republicans remain headed for major Senate gains, and GOP prospects in at least two states thought to be extremely competitive, Florida and Ohio, appear improved over the past…

Delaware Proves Sometimes a Win Isn’t a Win

by Stuart Rothenberg September 17, 2010 · 10:00 AM EDT

The pattern is a familiar one.

Purist conservative challengers in GOP primaries start out as asterisks in early polls, but in the final week or two, they surge to victory, as national tea party groups pump money and energy into low-turnout primaries.

For the most part, these…

Delaware Senate race moved to Lean Democrat

by Stuart Rothenberg September 14, 2010 · 9:33 PM EDT

Christine O’Donnell’s upset over Cong Mike Castle in the GOP primary dramatically alters Republican prospects for November in Delaware. Castle had broad appeal, including to independents and even Democratic voters, while O’Donnell’s appeal is limited to tea party conservatives. Lacking an impressive resume and unlikely to garner significant national…

Is Rasmussen Better Than its Reputation?

by Nathan L. Gonzales August 31, 2010 · 9:00 AM EDT

There isn’t a lot of consensus in Washington, D.C., but party operatives on both sides of the aisle as well as members of the media seem to be united in their distrust of polls conducted by Rasmussen Reports. But with new polling by a Democratic firm in three key…

Debt: One Campaign Issue Parties Are Very Familiar With

by Nathan L. Gonzales August 26, 2010 · 2:00 PM EDT

Even with the economy and ballooning national debt at the top of voters’ minds this fall, don’t be surprised when the Republican and Democratic campaign committees dig into the red to help pay for expensive television ads across the country.

Extending a line of credit is a common…

Washington Senate: Painting the Evergreen State Red?

by Nathan L. Gonzales August 25, 2010 · 10:34 PM EDT

There’s been a lot of talk this year about whether 2010 will be another 1994. Well Republicans certainly hope so in Washington, where three-term Sen. Patty Murray (D) has gone from safe to virtually a toss-up in only a few months.

Republicans got the recruit they were looking…

Mixed News in Tuesday’s Results

by Stuart Rothenberg August 25, 2010 · 3:46 PM EDT

Tuesday’s results were an uncomfortable reminder to strategists in both parties that this is a strange election cycle. While the surprises were on the Republican side, they confirm a level of dissatisfaction, at least on the political right, with politics as usual and established politicians.

Certainly many current…

Ohio Senate Race Moved to Toss-Up/Tilt Republican

August 24, 2010 · 10:34 AM EDT

Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher (D) remains unreasonably optimistic about his prospects in the Senate race given his financial disadvantages, his standing in the polls, his campaign staff turnover and the national political environment. While Republican Rob Portman’s record certainly gives plenty for Democrats to shoot at, Fisher’s problems seem…

Is Michelle Obama Democrats’ Secret Weapon?

by Stuart Rothenberg August 17, 2010 · 9:00 AM EDT

“The White House is hoping that Michelle can do for Barack what Laura did for George and the GOP four years ago,” wrote Washington Post political reporter Nia-Malika Henderson recently, in an August 11, 2010 article that reported on efforts to get the First Lady heavily involved in this…

Wisconsin Senate: Declaration of Independence

by Nathan L. Gonzales August 13, 2010 · 4:00 PM EDT

Wisconsin’s Russ Feingold (D) is one of the Senate’s long-standing mavericks, but after 18 years, Republicans think the brand is wearing thin.

Feingold’s vulnerability is evidence of a dramatically shifting landscape. At the beginning of the cycle, the Democratic senator wasn’t close to being mentioned as vulnerable. But…