Archive

Louisiana Races Go Into Overtime

by Nathan L. Gonzales November 21, 2014 · 2:30 PM EST

Not so long ago, it looked as if the entire political world would descend on Louisiana for the state’s December 6 runoff because the Senate majority hinged on the outcome of that contest. But that scenario was washed away by strong Republican gains earlier this month. Still, the trio of runoff…

Some Lessons for Democratic Strategists and Other Observers

by Stuart Rothenberg November 19, 2014 · 12:38 PM EST

You could feel it from Day One of this cycle. Senate Democratic strategists knew they were smarter than their Republican adversaries. They’d out-think them and out-work them.

Incumbent Democratic senators who run good campaigns rarely lose, I was reminded. Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, who had…

The Stunningly Static White Evangelical Vote

by Nathan L. Gonzales November 18, 2014 · 10:04 AM EST

There’s plenty of discussion about the difference between midterm and presidential electorates, but there is one emerging constant: the white evangelical vote.

At least one interest group, Ralph Reed’s Faith & Freedom Coalition, claimed that conservative Christians played a “decisive role” in…

Unsuccessful House Candidate Already ‘In’ for 2016

by Nathan L. Gonzales November 17, 2014 · 10:09 AM EST

The ink is barely dry on the 2014 election results, but one unsuccessful candidate is making it clear that he is running again.

Republican Paul Chabot came up short in California’s 31st District but told the Rothenberg Political Report and Roll Call Thursday he wants a re-match.

“It’s now or…

No Guarantee Democrats Rebound in 2016

by Nathan L. Gonzales November 14, 2014 · 9:47 AM EST

After suffering heavy losses in the House and the Senate in the recent midterm elections, some congressional Democrats may breathe a sigh of relief now that President Barack Obama is entering his final two years in office.

But the approaching end of the Obama Administration doesn’t mean Obama…

Mary Landrieu’s Tall Task in the Louisiana Runoff

by Stuart Rothenberg November 13, 2014 · 3:26 PM EST

Louisiana Democratic Sen. Mary L. Landrieu has already made it quite clear that she isn’t going to go quietly in her bid to win a fourth term in next month’s Dec. 6 runoff.

Her effort to brand Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy as “nearly incoherent” ranks up there with Kentucky Democrat Dan…

Review: 6 Races Both Parties Viewed Completely Differently

by Nathan L. Gonzales November 11, 2014 · 9:45 AM EST

A month ago, I wrote about “6 Races Both Parties View Completely Differently.” These were a half-dozen contests where strategists generally disagreed on the shape and trajectory of the race.

Instead of averaging out the differing opinions and declaring the races too close to call, it was more…

2014: Plenty of Surprises, but None Totally Unexpected

by Stuart Rothenberg November 7, 2014 · 12:08 PM EST

Yes, that was a wave. A big one. In many respects, it was a wave that was larger and more damaging to Democrats than in 2010.

Republicans now have more House seats, more Senate seats and more governorships than they did after the humongous GOP wave of 2010. They now have the governors of…

Ratings Change: Louisiana Senate Moves from Tilt Republican To Lean Republican

by Nathan L. Gonzales November 6, 2014 · 3:20 PM EST

There was a chance that the entire country would be spending the month of November focused on Louisiana as the Senate majority hinged on the fate of Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu in a December runoff. That scenario has evaporated, but is the race still worth watching?

Landrieu finished first on…