Archive

Rothenberg’s End of the Year Awards for 2008 Campaigns

by Stuart Rothenberg December 17, 2008 · 9:05 PM EST

After each election, I offer my selections for the “best” and the “worst” of the cycle. As in past years, I’ll offer up a few worthwhile nominees for each category before I make my selections.

If you don’t agree with these choices, feel free to send your ideas to my editors or to your favorite…

White House 2012 Polls: Not So Fast

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 15, 2008 · 10:05 PM EST

Barack Obama hasn’t even been sworn in as the 44th president of the United States, and the media can’t wait to name a leading candidate to take him on in four years.

Incessant speculation and polling are staples of today’s media, and any talk about the 2012 presidential race should be labeled…

Shocked About the Blagojevich Scandal? You Shouldn’t Be

by Stuart Rothenberg December 14, 2008 · 10:05 PM EST

Much like the feigned outrage that Capt. Louis Renault (actor Claude Rains) exhibited in the movie “Casablanca” at the idea that gambling was going on in Rick’s Café Americain, the shock that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) hasn’t been entirely ethical is a bit hard to take.

Blagojevich has…

Republicans Should Quit Celebrating and Face Reality

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 12, 2008 · 2:50 PM EST

It’s understandable that Republicans are looking for any glimmer of good news after getting drubbed in consecutive election cycles. But their celebration over recent victories in Georgia and Louisiana is over the top and leaves the party ignoring electoral reality.

“Our success in Georgia with…

Louisiana 2: Former Landrieu Chief of Staff Aided Jefferson Challenger

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 10, 2008 · 11:05 PM EST

There are plenty of Democrats who aren’t particularly sad that indicted Louisiana Rep. William Jefferson (D) will not be returning to Congress after his upset defeat on Saturday. Those Democrats may be surprised that Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu’s (D) former chief of staff, Ron Faucheux, helped…

In This Case, It’s Fair to Blame the Messenger

by Stuart Rothenberg December 9, 2008 · 11:05 PM EST

It’s December, and we’re all filled with the holiday spirit. So I thought it was time for me to write a piece disagreeing with one of my fellow Roll Call columnists.

David Winston argues in his Dec. 1 column that Republicans lost in November, and will lose again, if they continue to rely on…

Democratic Governors Excited for Partnership With Obama

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 8, 2008 · 10:05 PM EST

Democratic governors offered nearly universal praise for President-elect Barack Obama after their meeting last week. The feeling must be mutual as Obama continues to tap the gubernatorial ranks to fill out his Cabinet.

“I saw them taking notes,” Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D) said about…

Corzine Sympathizes With Menendez’s DSCC Duties

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 7, 2008 · 11:05 PM EST

Three years ago, New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) appointed then-Rep. Bob Menendez (D) to his Senate seat after Corzine was elected governor of the Garden State. Now, Menendez is slated to further follow in Corzine’s footsteps, taking the helm at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which…

Minnesota Senate: Gregoire Offers Recount Advice to Franken

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 4, 2008 · 11:05 PM EST

Al Franken certainly isn’t the first candidate to endure a long recount. Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) knows all about close races and recounts, and she recently offered her advice to the Democratic-Farmer-Labor nominee in the protracted Minnesota Senate race.

“I told him, don’t let…

New Hampshire Senate: The Polls Didn’t Lie

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 3, 2008 · 11:05 PM EST

Even though New Hampshire Sen. John Sununu (R) trailed former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D) in the polls for almost two years, that didn’t stop some GOP operatives from maintaining a sliver of optimism about the race, even in the campaign’s final months.

But Republicans were too focused on the margin…