Inside Elections

2016 Senate Ratings (December 4, 2015)

December 4, 2015 · 2:24 PM EST

Who Is the Second Most Vulnerable Senate Incumbent in 2016?

by Stuart Rothenberg December 4, 2015 · 10:09 AM EST

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 the second most…

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.

Time to Stop Reporting on Committee Fundraising Numbers

by Nathan L. Gonzales November 30, 2015 · 9:23 AM EST

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…

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 and life…

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 Congressional Campaign…

2016 Senate Ratings (November 21, 2015)

November 21, 2015 · 10:39 PM EST

New Hampshire Senate: Clash of the Titans

by Nathan L. Gonzales November 20, 2015 · 2:30 PM EST

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 great Republican…

Presidential Battleground Spotlight: Virginia

by Nathan L. Gonzales November 20, 2015 · 2:29 PM EST

Virginia is the newcomer to the list of battleground states that will select the next president of the United States. 

It’s a remarkable turnaround for a commonwealth that went 44 years without voting for a Democratic presidential nominee. Barack Obama’s 53 percent to 46 percent victory in 2008…

Report Shorts (November 20, 2015) Arizona 1, Arkansas, Kentucky Senate, New York 22

November 20, 2015 · 2:28 PM EST

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…