Archive

Once Blue-Chip Candidates, Now Duds

by Nathan L. Gonzales March 6, 2008 · 11:05 PM EST

National Democrats and Republicans spend most of the off-year focusing on two key areas: recruiting and fundraising.

But as the cycle progresses, candidates move from names on a piece of paper to the campaign trail, where the road can be much tougher. And in the end, some candidates simply…

Illinois 14: Now a Toss-Up

March 6, 2008 · 10:22 AM EST

The race to succeed former House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R) is too close to call, and we’ve changed our rating of the race from Lean Republican to Toss-Up, in advance of Saturday’s special election.

Jim Oberweis (R) and Bill Foster (D) have both spent heavily from their own pockets, and both…

Can John McCain Win in Spite of the Republican Brand?

by Stuart Rothenberg March 5, 2008 · 11:05 PM EST

It would take two or three columns to adequately list the GOP’s problems going into the 2008 general election, but if there is a fundamental one facing the Republican presidential nominee, Arizona Sen. John McCain, it is the damage to the party’s brand.

It’s an understatement to observe that…

GOP Mines for Congressional Seats in Northeast Pennsylvania

by Stuart Rothenberg March 2, 2008 · 11:05 PM EST

What comes to mind when you think of Northeast Pennsylvania?

For me, it is the Steamtown National Historic Site (formerly Steamtown USA), the Scranton boondoggle that honors steam railroading and benefited from the largess of then-Rep. Joe McDade (R). It’s the now abandoned anthracite coal…

Obama’s Appeal Depends on Your Definition of Change

by Stuart Rothenberg February 26, 2008 · 11:05 PM EST

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) continues to promise change and stress his ability to unite Americans. It’s a feel-good campaign built on soaring rhetoric and good intentions.

Pardon me if all of the fawning from the national media, and the endorsements from Caroline Kennedy and Garrison Keillor,…

New Print Edition: 2008 Senate Outlook

February 22, 2008 · 3:36 PM EST
The February 22, 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…

New Print Edition: 2008 Senate Outlook

February 22, 2008 · 3:36 PM EST

The February 22, 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…

2008 Senate Ratings

February 22, 2008 · 1:29 PM EST

Here are our latest Senate ratings.



Likely Takeover (1 R, 0 D)
  • VA Open (Warner, R)
Lean Takeover (1 R, 0 D)

  • NM Open (Domenici, R)
Toss-Up (3 R, 1 D)
  • CO Open (Allard, R)
  • Coleman (R-MN)
  • Landrieu (D-LA)
  • Sununu (R-NH)
Narrow Advantage for…

Illinois 11: GOP Nominee Baldermann Ending Bid

February 22, 2008 · 11:14 AM EST

New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann (R) is expected to end his congressional bid, according to GOP sources. The open seat, being vacated by Cong. Jerry Weller (R), was already a headache for Republicans, but this development is likely to make it even more difficult. Democrats have a strong nominee in…

Should Democrats’ Superdelegates Not Be So Super?

by Stuart Rothenberg February 20, 2008 · 11:05 PM EST

The unfortunate CNN.com headline roared “Democrats Fear Superdelegates Could Overrule Voters.”

CNN isn’t the only media outlet to run with the storyline. Many others in the media, and more than a few Democrats, also have raised the specter of superdelegates imposing their will on the party and…