Senate News & Analysis

Debt Ceiling Stalemate Not About Numbers

by Stuart Rothenberg July 15, 2011 · 11:08 AM EDT

There is an old joke, attributed to both Winston Churchill and George Bernard Shaw. It goes something like this:

Churchill: Madam, would you sleep with me for 5 million pounds?

Woman: My goodness, Mr. Churchill ... Well, I suppose ... we would have to discuss terms, of…

PPP (D) Polls Flood Early Senate Landscape

by Nathan L. Gonzales July 5, 2011 · 10:09 AM EDT

In recent years, Democrats have consistently criticized Rasmussen Reports for flooding the public space with polls and driving the narrative of races to favor Republican candidates. But six months into the 2012 cycle, public polling in Senate races has been dominated by one Democratic firm.

Public Policy Polling,…

The Politics of the Debt Ceiling Are Too Tempting

by Stuart Rothenberg June 29, 2011 · 1:01 PM EDT

With President Barack Obama’s job approval sliding, the stock market showing its nerves, the public increasingly pessimistic about a jobs rebound and signs of a slowing economy everywhere, the president looks to be increasingly in trouble.

Trying to take advantage of what they see as an opportunity, Congressional…

No Rival and Plenty of Cash? Don’t Rest Easy

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 27, 2011 · 9:30 AM EDT

With millions of dollars in the bank and no challenger, the path to re-election looks like a freshly paved freeway for some Senate incumbents. But using recent history as a road map, those factors can be poor predictors of electoral success and certainly don't guarantee another term.

With…

Connecticut Senate: Wrestling for the Nomination

by Nathan L. Gonzales June 6, 2011 · 4:14 PM EDT

Competitive Democratic primaries are nothing new in Connecticut, and next year, the Nutmeg State will host another one.

Back in 2006, Sen. Joseph Lieberman lost renomination only to come back and win the general election as a third party candidate. In the face of another likely primary challenge,…

Why You Need to Ignore Most Current Polling

by Stuart Rothenberg June 3, 2011 · 10:48 AM EDT

My eye caught a small item in Roll Call on Tuesday announcing that “Blackwell Leads GOP Senate Hopefuls in Ohio Poll,” a reference to the 2012 Ohio Senate contest.

Polls are news, of course, so this newspaper and its competitors dutifully report them, eager to post a new…

Only Hypocrisy Is Truly Bipartisan

by Stuart Rothenberg June 1, 2011 · 9:25 AM EDT

It’s no wonder many Americans hold politicians in low regard.

Our political “leaders” often say one thing when they are in power and something diametrically opposed when they are not. They often appear to be reading from a script, changing roles depending on whether they just won or…

Nevada Senate: Hell(er) of a Race

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 20, 2011 · 3:59 PM EDT

With Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) battling for his political life last year, Nevada was a focal point of the electoral world. This cycle, the presidential caucuses, a general election presidential battleground and another competitive Senate race guarantee that the Silver State will get plenty of attention once…

Businessman Tim Sullivan Mulling Wisconsin Senate Bid

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 17, 2011 · 2:32 PM EDT

Wisconsin businessman Tim Sullivan is leaving his options open for a Senate run, including which party banner he’d run under.

After businessman Ron Johnson (R) burst onto the political scene last year to knock off then-Sen. Russ Feingold (D), party strategists on both sides of the aisle are…

For Some in Senate, Losing Once Is Way to Win

by Nathan L. Gonzales May 16, 2011 · 9:44 AM EDT

For the world’s most exclusive club, the Senate sure has a lot of losers.

Almost a dozen Senators lost their first races for the Senate only to come back later in their careers and win. This cycle, a trio of Republicans are trying to join the club.