Archive

NRCC’s Independent Expenditure Is Armed With Shields

by Nathan L. Gonzales July 26, 2010 · 7:00 AM EDT

First in a series of profiles of committee independent expenditure directors.

Republican strategist Mike Shields survived back-to-back Democratic waves in 2006 and 2008 and lived to tell about it. This year, he’s on the front lines of the Republican effort to take back the House majority.

The…

July 23, 2010 Senate Ratings

July 23, 2010 · 9:33 AM EDT

Senate Is in Play, but GOP Has Reasons to Worry

by Stuart Rothenberg July 23, 2010 · 9:31 AM EDT

Until about 10 days ago, I agreed with the conventional wisdom that control of the House of Representatives was up for grabs this fall but that Republicans had yet to put the Senate into play. I no longer believe that.

The chances that the next Senate will have a Republican majority are not…

Oregon Senate: The Memo Said “Wyden Is Vulnerable in 2010”

by Stuart Rothenberg July 22, 2010 · 3:13 PM EDT

Last week, the folks at Moore Information, a long-time GOP survey research firm based in Portland, Oregon, distributed a poll memo asserting that Democratic Senator Ron Wyden, who has been in the Senate since winning a special election in 1996, is vulnerable this year.

Was I skeptical? Sure.…

Pennsylvania 15: Callahan Running Against Rudy Giuliani?

by Stuart Rothenberg July 22, 2010 · 1:36 PM EDT

When I met Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan (D), I was impressed. Democratic insiders had told me he would be a good candidate, and they were right.

He’s articulate, personable, and able to talk about his accomplishments in a persuasive way. He’s also a proven vote getter and a strong fundraiser.…

Tancredo Seriously Exploring Gov Run as Independent

by Nathan L. Gonzales July 21, 2010 · 4:21 PM EDT

Former GOP Rep. Tom Tancredo, who ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and is known nationally for leading the charge against illegal immigration, is seriously exploring a run for governor of Colorado as an Independent and will announce his intentions soon.

“We cannot win the…

Louisiana Senate Hype: Don’t Believe It

by Stuart Rothenberg July 21, 2010 · 1:48 PM EDT

When former state Supreme Court Justice Chet Traylor entered the Louisiana Republican Senate race, more than a few political journalists took notice, hyping the GOP primary challenge to Sen. David Vitter. Not surprisingly, Politico was particularly robust in talking about the new danger for…

Schumer Hordes Cash, Bests DSCC in Available Funds

by Nathan L. Gonzales July 21, 2010 · 12:10 PM EDT

New York Sen. Charles Schumer (D) is stockpiling money for a reelection race that hardly exists and has more cash on hand than the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee through June.

Schumer, a former DSCC Chairman, showed $23.8 million on hand through June and is up by at least 20 points in…

We Don’t Need a DNC Lecture on Midterms

by Stuart Rothenberg July 21, 2010 · 9:44 AM EDT

The folks at the Democratic National Committee’s communications shop apparently believe that those of us — political analysts and handicappers, campaign professionals, journalists and political junkies — who have spent years following Congressional elections and dissecting polls are idiots.

And…

White House Lays Foundation for Post-Election Damage Control

by Nathan L. Gonzales July 20, 2010 · 11:34 AM EDT

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs created a firestorm by admitting that the House majority is in play, but House Democrats should be more worried about his subsequent analysis rather than his political prognostications.

“But I think there's no doubt there are enough seats in play that…