Archive

Maine Senate: Susan Collins May Be Vulnerable, but Don’t Underestimate Her

by Stuart Rothenberg March 7, 2007 · 11:15 PM EST

If you listen to Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) talk for a few minutes, you are likely to think that she doesn’t have the toughness and quickness to hold off her likely Democratic challenger, Rep. Tom Allen.

Well, stop thinking that way.

I don’t know whether Collins will be able to swim against…

Kentucky Governor: Fletcher to Hit Airwaves

March 7, 2007 · 12:05 AM EST

Embattled Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R) is set to launch a statewide media blitz next week in his effort to win renomination and ultimately reelection.

The governor’s first term has been marred by investigations into his administration’s hiring practices, resulting in Fletcher drawing two…

Too Much Smoke and Mirrors in Vilsack Campaign

by Stuart Rothenberg March 4, 2007 · 11:10 PM EST

If businessmen acted the way some candidates, campaign managers and press secretaries do, many of them would wind up in jail. After all, lying to, or at least intentionally misleading, investors and regulators can get you in big trouble.

But in politics, many of us have become so accustomed to…

How Much Will the ’08 Race Turn on Race?

by Stuart Rothenberg February 28, 2007 · 11:10 PM EST

During the past three weeks, three different African-American political insiders have commented to me that I have mistakenly failed to discuss “race” when talking about Sen. Barack Obama’s prospects for 2008.

They all thought that the Illinois Democrat’s race is an impossible burden for him and…

Connecticut 4: Democrats Eye Richter

February 27, 2007 · 12:12 AM EST

Westport First Selectwoman Diane Farrell (D), who drew an impressive 48% against Rep. Christopher Shays in 2004, finished with 48% again last year, demonstrating the depth of Shays’s appeal and his improved campaign. Democrats apparently will need an even stronger challenger next year, and while…

Are Democrats Kidding that Iraq Vote Was ‘Bipartisan?’

February 26, 2007 · 12:10 AM EST

Moments after the House voted against President Bush’s additional deployment of troops to Iraq – the so-called surge, if you are for it or trying to be neutral, or the so-called escalation, if you are opposed to it – House Democrats sent out a flurry of e-mails crowing about the “bipartisan”…

Are Democrats Kidding that Iraq Vote Was ‘Bipartisan?’

February 26, 2007 · 12:10 AM EST
By Stuart Rothenberg

Moments after the House voted against President Bush's additional deployment of troops to Iraq - the so-called surge, if you are for it or trying to be neutral, or the so-called escalation, if you are opposed to it - House Democrats sent out a flurry of e-mails crowing about the…

Let’s Not Lower the Bar for Candidates’ Campaign Bloggers

by Stuart Rothenberg February 21, 2007 · 11:05 PM EST

“In an interview, Mr. Hynes said that the Internet was a place where overheated language and vicious personal attacks were often tolerated, even encouraged,” wrote New York Times reporter John Broder in a Feb. 14 article about the blogging controversy that hit Democratic presidential hopeful and…

For Republicans, Bush Bashing Is Not an Appealing Option

by Stuart Rothenberg February 18, 2007 · 11:05 PM EST

For months now, President Bush’s poll ratings have been in the toilet. His performance is the single most important reason why Republicans lost the House and Senate, and the president’s standing shows no sign of turning around between now and Election Day 2008.

So shouldn’t Republican…

The Ever-’Present’ Obama

February 16, 2007 · 12:10 AM EST

Finally and officially, Barack Obama is running for president. His symbolic announcement, in the Land of Lincoln, called for a new era in politics. Obama downplayed his thin federal experience while championing his record on the state and local level, and he talked about the need to change…