Inside Elections

2012 House Ratings (February 10, 2012)

February 10, 2012 · 2:53 PM EST

2012 Senate Ratings (February 10, 2012)

February 10, 2012 · 2:53 PM EST

The Hoopla Surrounding Romney’s Electability

by Stuart Rothenberg February 10, 2012 · 8:27 AM EST

For all the hoopla over former Sen. Rick Santorum’s (Pa.) Tuesday sweep of Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri (and the breathless coverage over at CNN on Tuesday night was a great example of hype trumping serious analysis), the dynamics of the Republican presidential race have changed little. While…

Newt’s Southern Strategy: Not Impossible, Just Very Unlikely

by Stuart Rothenberg February 9, 2012 · 12:21 PM EST

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich has adopted a Southern Strategy that he hopes will keep his campaign alive. It’s only a long shot, but Gingrich doesn’t have many better options.

After winning the South Carolina primary, Gingrich figures he can sweep most of the South and add victories (and…

In Florida: Anger, Confusion, Musical Chairs

by Stuart Rothenberg February 8, 2012 · 9:24 AM EST

There is plenty of evidence that the political discourse in this country has degenerated into the gutter. But anger, hatred, name-calling and political musical chairs all at the same time? Welcome to the soap opera that is Southeast Florida.

Last week, freshman Republican Rep. Allen West, a…

Don’t Bet on Gingrich Showing Up in Tampa

by Stuart Rothenberg February 4, 2012 · 9:48 AM EST

The conventional wisdom now is that, even with the Republican nomination slipping further and further away, former Speaker Newt Gingrich will fight tooth and nail all the way to Tampa, making life miserable for the party’s likely nominee, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

That scenario…

Tar Heel Blues Continue For Democrats

by Jessica Taylor February 3, 2012 · 9:51 AM EST

It’s a rough time to be a North Carolina Democrat.

In the span of just a week, the party’s seen Gov. Bev Perdue choose retirement over a competitive reelection she was likely to lose, Rep. Brad Miller headed for the exits rather than face Rep. David Price in a Democratic primary, and moderate…

Oregon Escapes Notice in Voter Photo ID Battle

by Nathan L. Gonzales February 3, 2012 · 9:25 AM EST

More than 200,000 people voted in this week’s special election in Oregon’s 1st district, and none of them had to show photo identification before they cast their ballot.

As the voter ID battle rages on in states across the country, the Beaver State hardly registers within the movement, even…

Florida Map Coming Into Focus

by Jessica Taylor February 1, 2012 · 4:41 PM EST

As Florida Republicans approach a compromise on redistricting, a game of musical chairs between GOP Reps. Allen West and Tom Rooney could potentially save one of the most endangered members of Congress.

With Rooney announcing he’ll run in the solidly Republican 17th District, which includes…

In Presidential Polling, Context Always Matters

by Stuart Rothenberg February 1, 2012 · 1:20 PM EST

It’s as predictable as night following day.

Events drive public sentiment, which then shows up in polling. Then, people who either want to make a splash or more often simply want to drive home partisan talking points use the numbers to proclaim a fundamental shift in public opinion and…