Senate News & Analysis

Predicting the Future and Other Delusions

by Stuart Rothenberg January 8, 2016 · 9:34 AM EST

Barry Ritholtz, a financial planner and asset manager, writes a regular column in The Washington Post’s business section. I read him religiously, and his last column of 2015, on financial prognosticators, offered important observations for anyone interested in politics, sports or Wall Street.

I include all three subjects…

Indiana Senate: Is Stutzman Still the Club for Growth’s Guy?

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 28, 2015 · 9:00 AM EST

The Club for Growth endorsed GOP Rep. Marlin Stutzman in the Indiana Senate race this summer, but the congressman was a glaring omission from the anti-tax group’s end-of-the-year fundraising email.

The email from Club President David McIntosh highlighted House candidates Jim Banks of Indiana and Jim Duncan of North…

Colorado Senate: Republicans Waiting for Challenger To Emerge

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 18, 2015 · 3:00 PM EST

Republicans have close to 10 candidates in the Colorado Senate race, but it’s still not clear if they have a challenger who can defeat Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet. 

A recent Politico story, “NRSC chasing new Colorado Senate candidate,” clearly implied that young state Rep. Jon Keyser was the anointed…

Stu in Review: Dumb Stuff I Wrote This Year

by Stuart Rothenberg December 17, 2015 · 11:52 AM EST

When you write dozens of columns each year, as I have been doing for a long time (some people think far too long), you look back at some of them with embarrassment.

Sure, there are plenty of columns of which I remain proud and that look thoughtful, even prescient…

GOP’s Brand In More Trouble Than Its Candidates

by Stuart Rothenberg December 15, 2015 · 10:03 AM EST

“Political brands are important,” I wrote more than a year and a half ago in a lede that was much less interesting than the entire column. Now, though, I am wondering whether political party brands are so different from soap brands or over-the-counter medicine brands, which loyal consumers…

What Does It Take To Crack the Inner Circle of Political Consultants?

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 10, 2015 · 10:12 AM EST

Democrat John Bel Edwards’ “prostitutes over patriots” ad will be remembered as one of the most-hard hitting television spots in campaign history. But did it catch the attention of national Democratic strategists?

Political consulting is a competitive sport with millions of dollars at stake. There is plenty of jockeying…

Rothenberg’s End of the Year Awards

by Stuart Rothenberg December 9, 2015 · 11:11 AM EST

It has been almost 20 years since I started writing a best/worst end of the year column. Since I’m committed to doing them until I finally get one right, here goes this year’s attempt.

Weirdest Political Development of 2015

The nominees:

4 Court Cases That Could Impact the 2016 Elections

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 6, 2015 · 9:20 AM EST

Breaking news can be hard to predict, except when it’s tied to a controversial court case.

Candidates and consultants spend their time, energy and dollars staying on message — trying to focus voters on winning issues. But breaking news, even something such as a court decision that can be anticipated,…

Louisiana Senate: In the Wake of David Vitter

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 4, 2015 · 2:30 PM EST

Republican Sen. David Vitter managed to lose the governorship of Louisiana for his party this year in remarkable fashion. Now the GOP is trying to hold onto his Senate seat next year. 

Vitter spared himself days, weeks, or months of questions and pressure by announcing he would not seek…

Report Shorts (December 4, 2015) California Senate, Florida Senate, Maryland Senate

December 4, 2015 · 2:26 PM EST

California Senate. A recent story in The Hill highlighted some grumbling about state Attorney General Kamala Harris’ campaign. Harris is viewed as the clear frontrunner to replace retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer, but some observers believe her burn rate is too high (she’s spending too much of the money she…