Archive

Cory Gardner for Veep? Don’t Laugh

by Stuart Rothenberg November 6, 2015 · 9:17 AM EST

Though I took notice of Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner’s endorsement of Sen. Marco Rubio for president, I didn’t immediately think about Gardner as a possible running mate for Rubio — until a CQ Roll Call colleague dropped that pearl of wisdom in my lap.

But there are plenty of reasons why Gardner…

What Does Bevin’s Victory in Kentucky Mean for Vitter’s Chances?

by Nathan L. Gonzales November 4, 2015 · 7:07 PM EST

Matt Bevin’s victory in the Kentucky governor’s race is yet another sobering reminder that polling is a risky business. And for some Republicans, Kentucky could be a glimmer of hope for GOP Sen. David Vitter’s gubernatorial bid in Louisiana.

Bevin’s victory wasn’t the political shockwave on par…

Fiorina Has No Clear Lane to GOP Nomination

by Stuart Rothenberg November 4, 2015 · 9:16 AM EST

Carly Fiorina is popular among Republicans, both nationally and in Iowa. And yet, when those same Republicans are asked to name their preferred candidate for president, they generally don’t select her. Why?

Is it simply, as some have suggested, that Republicans don’t want to vote for a woman, or…

Don’t Blame Gerrymandering for GOP Civil War

by Nathan L. Gonzales October 30, 2015 · 9:01 AM EDT

Blame the earmark ban or Republican leaders. Blame Ted Cruz or even Justin Bieber. But don’t blame gerrymandering for the fighting in the House.

As Republicans labor through replacing Speaker John A. Boehner, bemoaning redistricting has become a common refrain in explaining the GOP civil war.

Cruz and Jindal Wait Impatiently for Their Chances

by Stuart Rothenberg October 29, 2015 · 9:01 AM EDT

Bobby Jindal and Ted Cruz continue to plug away in Iowa, far back from the front-runners. But both are well aware that if Ben Carson turns out to be little more than Herman Cain, a political outsider who briefly sat atop the 2012 field, each of them could have his own moment.

Cruz and Jindal are…

Why the Next Month Is Critical for Bush

by Stuart Rothenberg October 28, 2015 · 10:10 AM EDT

It’s still more than three months before the Iowa caucuses, but the next four weeks are crucial for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who started with the kinds of political assets that led many to regard him as the front-runner in the GOP race.

More than 10 months after Bush announced he would be…

Vitter’s Primary Performance Prompts Rating Change in Louisiana

by Nathan L. Gonzales October 27, 2015 · 10:30 AM EDT

Louisiana has transitioned to a Republican state, but GOP Sen. David Vitter will test the political gravity of the Pelican State in next month’s gubernatorial runoff.

Vitter was regarded as the front-runner to replace presidential candidate/current Gov. Bobby Jindal for much of the cycle, but the…

Pelosi Sees a Wave; Strategists Say it’s Just a Ripple Now

by Nathan L. Gonzales October 26, 2015 · 2:22 PM EDT

House Democrats don’t need to find themselves a cheerleader. They already have Nancy Pelosi.

“I think the Democrats could have the gavel in 18 months,” she told Texas Tribune reporter/Roll Call alum Abby Livingston recently. “Here’s the thing: I’m always optimistic. You have to be.”

“Even some…

What the Heck Happened to Rand Paul?

by Stuart Rothenberg October 21, 2015 · 9:15 AM EDT

I never expected Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul would win his party’s nomination for president, but I did expect he would be a factor in the race. So far, he hasn’t been one. (See my February column on his foreign policy challenges here.)

While Paul’s father never was a serious contender for the…