President News & Analysis

Rothenberg: The 2020 Presidential Race is Still Tilting Democratic

by Stuart Rothenberg June 21, 2019 · 8:06 AM EDT

There has been plenty of attention recently on economic models that show President Donald Trump holding a huge advantage in the 2020 presidential contest. But it’s not that simple. 

Like alchemists hunting for the secret recipe that transmutes lead into gold, media personalities, political junkies and veteran analysts seem bewitched…

Upcoming Debates an Important Next Stage in Presidential Campaign

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 14, 2019 · 8:30 AM EDT

In less than two weeks, 20 candidates will take the debate stage in their quest for the Democratic presidential nomination. And with increasing pressure to distinguish themselves from the rest of the pack, some contenders could choose to take the gloves off and attack an opponent, which would have a…

Why a GOP Super PAC is Bothering to Attack Steve Bullock’s Bid for President

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 7, 2019 · 3:44 PM EDT

Montana Gov. Steve Bullock isn’t one of the leading Democratic contenders for the 2020 presidential nomination, but he’s learning how to turn a Republican attack into an asset for his campaign.

On May 29, the GOP-affiliated Senate Leadership Fund started a television ad campaign in the Missoula media market, according…

Oval Office Obsessions From a Crew With Little Experience, Much Ambition

by Stuart Rothenberg May 24, 2019 · 11:44 AM EDT

In the 1960 Democratic presidential race, there were a handful of contenders, including Sens. John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts, Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas, Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota and Stuart Symington of Missouri. Others, including Florida Sen. George Smathers and California Gov. Pat Brown, ran as “favorite sons.”

The 1968…

Biden, Unions and the Politics of 2020

by Stuart Rothenberg May 16, 2019 · 2:32 PM EDT

Shortly after former Vice President Joe Biden announced his candidacy for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, he received his first union endorsement. “I couldn’t be more proud to have the International Association of Fire Fighters on my team,” Biden tweeted in response. “Unions built the middle class in this country…

Arthur Finkelstein Reprised with GOP’s ‘Socialists’ Cries

by Stuart Rothenberg May 7, 2019 · 8:52 AM EDT

If you’re on any Republican list, you’ve undoubtedly received emails from one of the GOP campaign committees or a Capitol Hill communications staffer calling the Democrats “socialists.” To those of us who were around in the 1980s and 1990s, that’s nothing new. We remember the late GOP campaign consultant Arthur…

Republicans Have a Post-Trump Identity Crisis on the Horizon

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 30, 2019 · 8:54 AM EDT

Republicans are enjoying their ride in the White House and basking in the glow of a divided Democratic presidential field, but a monumental identity crisis is looming for the GOP.

Whether you think President Donald Trump won’t be president in two months, two years or six years, Republicans are going…

Amidst Breaking News, Expect the Status Quo to Prevail

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 19, 2019 · 2:29 PM EDT

The Mueller Report is out, the media coverage is saturating, but I’m skeptical that it will fundamentally change the political dynamic. President Donald Trump is a polarizing figure, most voters chose a side before the latest news, and that makes it difficult for any individual event to be a “game-changer.”

How to Survive and Thrive in Iowa — Words of Wisdom from Former Staffers

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 18, 2019 · 11:20 AM EDT

With less than 10 months to go before the Iowa caucuses, hundreds of Democrats have descended on the Hawkeye State to organize and energize voters. Only one candidate will finish first on Feb. 3 — and ultimately, there will be only one presidential nominee — but the experience can be…

How Gephardt’s 2004 Iowa Team Boosted the Democratic Party

by Nathan L. Gonzales April 17, 2019 · 8:50 AM EDT

Nearly 15 years ago, Bill Burton was driving Dick Gephardt around Iowa in an electric blue Saturn Vue named “Sue” with David Plouffe and John Lapp along for the ride.

The Missouri congressman’s 2004 presidential hopes eventually ended with a fourth-place finish in the state’s Democratic caucuses, but Gephardt’s Iowa…