Archive

MA 10 Moved From Safe to Democrat Favored

March 4, 2010 · 11:26 PM EST

Democratic Cong. Bill Delahunt’s retirement creates another open seat opportunity for Republicans. But even though Scott Brown (R) won Massachusetts’ 10th District by 20 points in his historic statewide win earlier this year, this seat is a long ways away, geographically and politically, from…

NY 29 Moved to Toss-Up

March 3, 2010 · 1:04 PM EST

Cong. Eric Massa’s (D) retirement creates another open seat opportunity for Republicans. Massa was headed for a competitive race this year, but without him, New York’s 29th District is considerably more vulnerable for the Democrats.

Sen. John McCain won the district 51%-48% in 2008 and George…

TX Governor Moved to Narrow Advantage for Perry

March 3, 2010 · 7:13 AM EST

Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) ran a great campaign in order to avoid a primary runoff against U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. But running for a third full-term is rarely easy for any governor and Perry’s 2006 reelection with 39% of the vote (in a multi-candidate race) was under-whelming. Former…

Don’t Believe the Hype … or Everything That You Read

March 2, 2010 · 9:17 AM EST

Periodically (it seems more often these days, actually), I come across some really silly political stuff that screams out for attention. Here are four examples. Caveat emptor!

Exhibit No. 1: A Feb. 17 survey of 500 likely Wisconsin voters by Rasmussen Reports.

Rasmussen is an automated poll…

Ohio Senate: Bush League

by Nathan L. Gonzales March 1, 2010 · 12:01 PM EST

Democrats and Republicans envision former President George W. Bush being a factor in this year’s Ohio senate race, but in very different ways and with two different outcomes.

In the face of a deteriorating political climate, Democrats remain confident that they can use the Bush connections on…

West Virginia 1: Major Pain

by Nathan L. Gonzales March 1, 2010 · 12:00 PM EST

The voters of West Virginia’s 1st District have been sending a Mollohan to Congress for over three decades, but this year, Republicans are making a very serious run at breaking the streak.

Former state legislators David McKinley and Sarah Minear and others are battling for the GOP nomination…

Would Reconciliation for Health Care Affect Midterm Elections?

February 26, 2010 · 8:00 AM EST

Democrats have plenty of reasons to try to pass health care reform through the Senate using reconciliation to avoid the need for a 60-vote majority. But using the process would constitute a risky roll of the dice for party leaders.

Democratic strategists clearly understand the importance of…

KY Senate: Grayson Readies Second TV Ad Against Paul

February 25, 2010 · 6:46 AM EST

A new Trey Grayson TV spot scheduled to air starting tomorrow, Friday, in the Fort Campbell and Fort Knox areas continues the Kentucky Secretary of State’s targeted campaign against GOP primary opponent Rand Paul.

The new ad, which follows an ad in Eastern Kentucky criticizing Paul’s position…

2010 Senate Ratings (February 19, 2010)

February 24, 2010 · 6:00 AM EST

Republicans have to sort out a competitive primary in California, but Sen. Barbara Boxer’s (D) poll numbers are less than intimidating. The contest is worth watching because of the building GOP wave. Move from Currently Safe to Clear Advantage for Incumbent Party.

While events between now and…

What Do Voters Want? Legislators or Ideological Voting Machines?

February 23, 2010 · 8:00 AM EST

What do voters want — Members of Congress who approach every issue as if it were an ideological litmus test that reflects the ultimate battle of good versus evil, or Members with the experiences and character to bring less rigid perspectives and problem-solving skills to almost any issue?