In defense of pollsters

Everyone in the political world saw all the polls over the last several days, and they all pointed to a big Barack Obama win in New Hampshire. Given Hillary Clinton’s narrow victory, this has prompted many to suggest polls shouldn’t be taken seriously anymore. I think that’s a little rash under the circumstances. Josh Marshall […]

When a funny thing happens on the way to the nomination

I’ve seen some arguments that Hillary Clinton’s victory in New Hampshire isn’t that surprising. Polls showed her with enormous leads in the state throughout 2007 — and as far back as 2006. That she managed to beat Barack Obama by five three points will help get her campaign back on track, but to characterize this […]

McCain comes full circle, Romney reels

If you had told political “experts” a year ago that John McCain would win the New Hampshire Republican primary by about five points, most would have said, “Sounds about right.” If you had given them the same outcome in July, the same experts would have said, “Fat chance; he’ll probably have dropped out by then.” […]

Dewey defeats Truman Clinton defeats Obama in New Hampshire

Oh, now I remember. We’re supposed to wait until after voters express a preference to declare a winner of a contest. I have to say, it’s awfully inconvenient this way. The narrative had been worked out; everyone was in agreement about what was going to happen; and all voters had to do was go along. […]

Open Thread — New Hampshire Primary Edition

I won’t be at my desk when the final results of the New Hampshire primary are released, but here’s an open thread anyway. As of now, from what I’m hearing, most of the networks are already calling the Republican race for McCain, with Romney second. No big surprise. On the Democratic side, with limited precincts […]

Tuesday’s Mini-Report

Today’s edition of quick hits. * Good news: “A federal magistrate ordered the White House on Tuesday to reveal whether copies of possibly millions of missing e-mails are stored on computer backup tapes. The order by U.S. Magistrate Judge John Facciola comes amid an effort by the White House to scuttle two lawsuits that could […]

Obama hasn’t forgotten about his day job

This afternoon, Ohio Sen. George Voinovich (R), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reportedly “scoffed” when a reporter asked if he thought Barack Obama has the foreign policy chops to be the next president. “He hasn’t any experience in foreign policy,” Voinovich said of Obama, his colleague on the Foreign Relations Committee. “Give […]

Formally adopting the ‘February 5’ strategy

I suggested earlier that Hillary Clinton may have little choice but to embrace Rudy Giuliani’s strategy of betting everything on a Super Tuesday strategy. Tom Edsall reports that this may soon be adopted as the campaign’s official strategy moving forward. A panicked and cash-short Clinton campaign is seriously considering giving up on the Nevada caucuses […]

New Hampshire turnout is ‘absolutely huge’

At the Iowa caucuses last week, turnout not only exceeded everyone’s expectations, but voter participation even broke caucus records. Will see similar excitement in New Hampshire? Apparently, yes. New Hampshire Deputy Secretary of State Dave Scanlan told ABC News that turnout among primary voters today is “absolutely huge” — and there are concerns about running […]

Giuliani: Crying reminds me of 9/11

It’s been less than a day, and I’m already sick of hearing the media coverage of politics and crying, but leave it to Rudy Giuliani to add some unintentional humor to the situation. For those who can’t watch video clips online, Giuliani, appearing on MSNBC, is asked for his thoughts about Hillary Clinton and tears […]