Archive

In Modern Politics, It’s Open Season on Congressional Leaders

by Stuart Rothenberg October 14, 2005 · 11:43 PM EDT

Once upon a time, there was a Congress. And that Congress was made up of leaders and followers. The most important among them were the majority leaders, their whips and, in the House of Representatives, the Speaker.

And the leaders were powerful men (yes, Virginia, they were always men in the…

I Never Read ‘Informed Ballots.’ You Shouldn’t Either

by Stuart Rothenberg October 11, 2005 · 11:47 PM EDT

Last week, The Hotline published an interesting collection of responses to the question, “Should media outlets, including The Hotline, run informed ballots of head-to-head match-ups?” “Informed ballots” are ballot tests asked after those being polled are read descriptions of candidates and/or…

The Next Court Fight: Just What the Doctor Ordered for the GOP?

by Stuart Rothenberg October 6, 2005 · 11:52 PM EDT

One Supreme Court justice down, one Supreme Court justice to go.

For Republicans, the next Supreme Court fight isn’t just another test of President Bush’s salesmanship or the party’s muscle in the Senate. It isn’t merely an opportunity for conservative interest groups to rally evangelicals,…

Democrats Need to Find More Than Just a Few Good House Races

by Stuart Rothenberg October 3, 2005 · 11:58 PM EDT

With House Republicans resigned to the idea that they will spend this cycle defending their own turf rather than targeting takeover opportunities, much of the focus will be on Democratic efforts to knock off GOP incumbents and win open seats held by retiring Republicans.

Democrats need a net…

For Republicans, Will It Be United They Stand, Divided They Fall?

by Stuart Rothenberg September 29, 2005 · 12:04 AM EDT

While high gas prices, the war in Iraq and political fallout from Hurricane Katrina have taken their toll on President Bush’s job approval ratings, Republican voters remain loyal to their commander in chief.

But that could change unless Republicans on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue can agree…

Kerry’s Attacks on Bush May Prove to Be a Two-Edged Sword

by Stuart Rothenberg September 26, 2005 · 12:09 AM EDT

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry (D) came out swinging recently against President Bush, but it’s unclear whether he’s simply still fighting the last war – the ’04 presidential campaign – or positioning himself for 2008.

Minutes after Bush finished his Sept. 15 address to the nation promising…

Colorado 4: Third Verse, Same as the First

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 23, 2005 · 11:15 PM EDT

Republican Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave has been in Congress for only three years, yet she already finds herself in the crosshairs of Democrats all across the country.

Her unabashed conservative stances and under whelming election percentages drive many Democrats crazy. Yet once again,…

Virginia Governor: Down to the Wire

by Nathan L. Gonzales September 23, 2005 · 11:10 PM EDT

With just six weeks to go, some voters in Virginia are still waiting to tune in to their state’s race for governor. In a state with political heavyweights like Sen. George Allen (R), Gov. Mark Warner (D), and Sen. John Warner (R), a majority of voters appear uninspired by each party’s nominee for…

Katrina Narrows Barbour’s Options – But Only for Now

by Stuart Rothenberg September 22, 2005 · 9:18 PM EDT

Four years ago, a national tragedy transformed a controversial mayor, New York’s Rudy Giuliani (R), into a national celebrity. It also transformed a president with sinking poll ratings, George W. Bush, into a symbol of national unity (at least for a year).

Hurricane Katrina has had a very…

2006 Back Issues

September 22, 2005 · 3:04 PM EDT

The following are past races covered in the hard-copy edition of The Rothenberg Political Report and are available only to subscribers. Back issues are not sold individually. Subscription information is here.

December 15, 2006, Vol. 29, No. 28
Illinois 6: Money Pit
Pennsylvania 4: To the Beat of Her…