Archive

For Incumbents, 2008 Is Shaping Up as the Year of the Primary

by Stuart Rothenberg October 11, 2007 · 12:05 AM EDT

With a strong majority of voters dissatisfied with the performance of President Bush and Congress, and with seven in 10 Americans telling pollsters that the country is on the wrong track, it isn’t entirely surprising that a dozen serious primaries could develop for Republican House incumbents…

2008 House Ratings

October 10, 2007 · 12:05 AM EDT

Here are our latest House ratings. Any seats not listed are currently considered to be at limited risk for the incumbent party. Democrats currently hold a 233-202 majority in the House. For race-by-race analysis, you must subscribe to the print edition of the Report.




PURE TOSS-UP (5 R, 4…

Washington 8: Outcome of Northwest Rerun Could Rest on the National Mood

by Stuart Rothenberg October 9, 2007 · 10:16 AM EDT

Darcy Burner is back, and the former Microsoft employee is understandably optimistic about her rematch against GOP incumbent Rep. Dave Reichert.

Burner, 36, came out of nowhere to draw almost 49 percent against Reichert last year in a suburban Seattle district that has been inching away from…

Biden and Dodd: Still Looking for Their Opening

by Stuart Rothenberg October 4, 2007 · 12:05 AM EDT

As the World Series approaches, two U.S. Senators, Connecticut’s Chris Dodd and Delaware’s Joseph Biden, find themselves roughly in the same place that they were at the beginning of spring training: second-tier hopefuls for the Democratic presidential nomination regarded by journalists and most…

Nationwide Listening Tour for Clinton?

by Stuart Rothenberg October 2, 2007 · 12:05 AM EDT

While all the presidential candidates are talking about change, next spring might be just the right time for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) to dust off an old strategy to demonstrate a fresh approach.

Burdened with high personal negatives from the outset, Clinton may have an opportunity…

For President Bush, the Reservoir of Goodwill Is Bone-Dry

by Stuart Rothenberg October 1, 2007 · 12:05 AM EDT

About six weeks ago, an influential Capitol Hill Democrat told me he suspected that both Democrats in Congress and the White House were itching for a fight and, he said, if there was one in the fall, he certainly wanted it to be about the “kids’ health,” not about appropriations bills.

It now…

Should the NRSC Spend Any Time on Lautenberg?

by Stuart Rothenberg September 27, 2007 · 12:05 AM EDT

Twice within the past week I’ve seen or heard comments that Republicans may decide to take a shot at Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) next year, since his poll numbers suggest vulnerability.

While it’s unquestionably true that the National Republican Senatorial Committee has few offensive…

Where the Presidential Nomination Races Are ... and Where to Look

by Stuart Rothenberg September 24, 2007 · 12:05 AM EDT

By Stuart Rothenberg

More than three months before the crucial Iowa caucuses, there are good reasons for treating national surveys with great skepticism and for placing greater weight on the candidates’ standing and strength in Iowa and New Hampshire.

First, the candidates actually have…

Where the Presidential Nomination Races Are … and Where to Look

September 24, 2007 · 12:05 AM EDT

More than three months before the crucial Iowa caucuses, there are good reasons for treating national surveys with great skepticism and for placing greater weight on the candidates’ standing and strength in Iowa and New Hampshire.

First, the candidates actually have been campaigning for months in…

New Print Edition: Illinois 8 & Connecticut 4

September 22, 2007 · 1:38 PM EDT

The September 21, 2007 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…