President News & Analysis

Stu in Review: Dumb Stuff I Wrote This Year

by Stuart Rothenberg December 17, 2015 · 11:52 AM EST

When you write dozens of columns each year, as I have been doing for a long time (some people think far too long), you look back at some of them with embarrassment.

Sure, there are plenty of columns of which I remain proud and that look thoughtful, even prescient…

GOP’s Brand In More Trouble Than Its Candidates

by Stuart Rothenberg December 15, 2015 · 10:03 AM EST

“Political brands are important,” I wrote more than a year and a half ago in a lede that was much less interesting than the entire column. Now, though, I am wondering whether political party brands are so different from soap brands or over-the-counter medicine brands, which loyal consumers…

Republicans Need More Than More Hispanic Voters to Win White House

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 14, 2015 · 12:50 PM EST

Republicans’ decline with Hispanic voters over the past two presidential races is undeniable and improvement with the growing demographic is an imperative to improve the party’s White House prospects. But a new interactive tool helps demonstrate that the GOP’s Electoral College challenge goes well beyond the party’s problem with…

An Independent Candidacy Would Make Trump the Biggest Loser

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 11, 2015 · 8:45 AM EST

An independent presidential run by Donald Trump would sink Republican chances of winning the White House, but Trump would be the biggest loser. And if there is one thing Trump can’t afford or stomach, it’s losing.

During the wealthy businessman’s latest dustup with the GOP establishment over his proposed…

Rothenberg’s End of the Year Awards

by Stuart Rothenberg December 9, 2015 · 11:11 AM EST

It has been almost 20 years since I started writing a best/worst end of the year column. Since I’m committed to doing them until I finally get one right, here goes this year’s attempt.

Weirdest Political Development of 2015

The nominees:

4 Court Cases That Could Impact the 2016 Elections

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 6, 2015 · 9:20 AM EST

Breaking news can be hard to predict, except when it’s tied to a controversial court case.

Candidates and consultants spend their time, energy and dollars staying on message — trying to focus voters on winning issues. But breaking news, even something such as a court decision that can be anticipated,…

Presidential Battleground Spotlight: Wisconsin

by Nathan L. Gonzales December 4, 2015 · 2:29 PM EST

Next year will go a long way in defining Wisconsin’s political identity. And there is plenty at stake including 10 electoral votes and a U.S. Senate seat with the majority hanging in the balance.

The Republican presidential nominee hasn’t won the Badger State since President Ronald Reagan’s landslide re-election…

Obama Still Channeling George W. Bush

by Stuart Rothenberg December 3, 2015 · 2:00 PM EST

It has been almost 16 months since I wrote about the comparative positions of President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush as they approached their second midterm elections. Since then, the two presidents, and two administrations, have continued to resemble each other increasingly.

Many Republicans, no doubt,…

Speaking Style Says Volumes About GOP Race

by Stuart Rothenberg November 25, 2015 · 10:17 AM EST

In a race filled with plenty of fast-talking, quick-tongued hopefuls — including Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and, at one point, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal — Ben Carson stands out as very different, and not only because of his race, resume…

Imperfect Candidates Get Elected

by Nathan L. Gonzales November 24, 2015 · 2:11 PM EST

Every day there’s a new story exposing a candidate or a politician, and each misstep is portrayed as a disqualifier — a mistake that will lead to the candidate’s demise. It can be easy to forget that imperfect people get elected to office.

A few weeks ago, the Democratic…