“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…
Democrat John Bel Edwards’ “prostitutes over patriots” ad will be remembered as one of the most-hard hitting television spots in campaign history. But did it catch the attention of national Democratic strategists?
Political consulting is a competitive sport with millions of dollars at stake. There is plenty of jockeying…
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:
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,…
Republican Sen. David Vitter managed to lose the governorship of Louisiana for his party this year in remarkable fashion. Now the GOP is trying to hold onto his Senate seat next year.
Vitter spared himself days, weeks, or months of questions and pressure by announcing he would not seek…
California Senate. A recent story in The Hill highlighted some grumbling about state Attorney General Kamala Harris’ campaign. Harris is viewed as the clear frontrunner to replace retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer, but some observers believe her burn rate is too high (she’s spending too much of the money she…
There is little doubt about the identity of the most vulnerable senator seeking re-election next year. It’s Illinois Republican Mark S. Kirk, who hopes to win a second term in a very Democratic state in a presidential year. His prospects are bleak.
But who ranks just behind Kirk as…
Political reporters have a fever and the only prescription appears to be fundraising numbers.
It’s a time-honored tradition: Every month, the House and Senate campaign committees release fundraising totals in a regular effort to claim momentum and financial supremacy, and political reporters can’t resist the temptation to report them.
…Voters in New Hampshire are so consumed by the presidential primary that they may not even realize they’re also hosting one of the most competitive senate races in the country.
Republican Kelly Ayotte kept the seat in GOP hands with her convincing victory in 2010. But that was a…
Arizona’s 1st District. Democratic state Sen. Barbara McGuire decided not to run, but party insiders weren’t pushing her anyway. Former 2nd District Rep. Ron Barber endorsed former GOP state Sen. Tom O’Halleran in yet another sign of who Democrats prefer to be their nominee to try to keep Ann Kirkpatrick’s…
Individual & Group Subscriptions Available