Archive

2008 House Ratings

July 4, 2008 · 12:04 AM EDT

Here are our latest House ratings. Any seats not listed are currently considered to be at limited risk for the incumbent party. For our race-by-race analysis, you must subscribe to the print edition of the Report.



PURE TOSS-UP (8 R, 6 D)
  • AL 5 (Open; Cramer, D)
  • AK A-L (Young, R)

Is Carly Fiorina the Answer to McCain’s Prayers for a VP?

by Stuart Rothenberg July 3, 2008 · 12:05 AM EDT

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina may or may not be on Arizona Sen. John McCain’s short list for vice president, but she already is taking a crucial role in the Republican presidential hopeful’s campaign.

In March, Fiorina was picked by the Republican National Committee to chair a group…

Alabama 3: Another Democratic Youngster Faces Battle

by Nathan L. Gonzales July 2, 2008 · 2:45 PM EDT

Add 29-year-old attorney Josh Segall (D) to the list of young candidates running for office.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recently included Segall’s bid in Alabama’s 3rd district on its list of emerging races — notable races not yet worthy of the committee’s “Red to Blue”…

What’s in a Name for a Political Party? Maybe Victory in ’08

by Stuart Rothenberg June 30, 2008 · 12:05 AM EDT

The other day, my wife, who keeps up on current affairs but is hardly a political junkie, told me that after following the presidential campaign and hearing daily about the Republican Party’s problems, she had an idea for the GOP: It should change its name.

We’ve all heard over and over that…

Net Roots Reach for 60 Senate Seats

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 29, 2008 · 12:05 AM EDT

The Democratic net roots are reaching out and reaching deeper into the list of vulnerable Republican Senate seats.

On Tuesday afternoon, prominent Democratic blog MyDD launched its “Road to 60” campaign on ActBlue, the online Democratic fundraising vehicle. The goal is to “turn long shots into…

New Print Edition: Colorado 4 & Louisiana 4

June 28, 2008 · 12:05 AM EDT

The June 27, 2008 print edition of the Rothenberg Political Report is on its way to subscribers. The print edition comes out every two weeks and the content is not available online. Subscribers get in-depth analysis of the most competitive races in the country, as well as quarterly House and Senate…

Washington 8: August Dress Rehearsal

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 27, 2008 · 1:54 PM EDT

Democratic and Republican strategists won’t have to wait until November to test the political strength of at least one vulnerable House Republican. Because of the state of Washington’s new “Top 2” primary, Rep. Dave Reichert (R) will face off against 2006 nominee Darcy Burner (D) on Aug. 19.

In…

North Carolina 8: Result Is No Shocker

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 26, 2008 · 12:05 AM EDT

North Carolina Rep. Robin Hayes (R) is vulnerable.

This is a surprise?

A newly released Democratic poll showed challenger Larry Kissell (D) edging out Hayes in a general election matchup. But the survey just confirmed the obvious and does not signify movement in a race that was already highly…

Are Senate Races Moving in One Partisan Direction?

by Stuart Rothenberg June 26, 2008 · 12:04 AM EDT

Senate election cycles normally take one of two paths. Either all the close races fall toward one party in a political “wave,” or individual races are decided by race-specific factors, particularly the quality of the candidates, the power of incumbency and local issues.

We’ve had cycles when…

Colorado 4: Defenders of Wildlife Set to Take On Musgrave

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 25, 2008 · 12:26 PM EDT

An environmental group is about to launch a substantial ad campaign against Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R) in Colorado’s 4th district.

According to Federal Election Commission 48-hour notices, the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund placed a $200,000 ad buy on June 19. The group also spent $11,794 on…