Ideally, a presidential campaign would inspire supporters to defend the candidate’s ideas, promote his/her agenda, and advance his/her policies. But the McCain campaign has already been suffering from an “enthusiasm gap,” so it appears his supporters need a little incentive to say nice things about the presumptive Republican nominee. On McCain’s Web site, visitors are […]
It didn’t generate too much attention, but last week, the “Gang of 10” — a group of five Democratic senators and five Republican senators — unveiled a compromise energy bill called the “New Energy Reform Act.” It has quite a few elements, but Nate Silver summarized the highlights: * Opens additional drilling areas in the […]
We’re well past the point at which congressional Republicans have jumped the shark, but let’s pause to appreciate the fact that at least one leading GOP lawmaker is now looking to a fake ad by a 27-year-old heiress/reality-show star as a serious source of public policy. The lines between celebrity and politician blurred into a […]
In the 1990s, then-Speaker Newt Gingrich helped orchestrate a government shutdown, which helped make him something of a national villain. Soon after, Gingrich forced a second shutdown, and was blamed for that, too. A few years later, Gingrich was forced from his post and resigned, but he continues to linger in DC, and has managed […]
Back in April, in a WSJ column, Karl Rove urged John McCain to be less reserved about his personal life and background, and run more on his biography. “[I]t is clear,” Rove wrote, “that Mr. McCain is one of the most private individuals to run for president in history.” Four months later, Rove recycled the […]
Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers: * In light of new reports about possible convention tensions, the Obama and Clinton offices issued, for the first time, a joint press statement last night: “We are working together to make sure […]
I talked to someone earlier this week who worked tangentially on some previous campaigns with David Axelrod, the Obama campaign’s chief strategist. He told me, “Axelrod’s not the type to drop a refrigerator on a guy’s head. He’ll take the refrigerator apart, drop one piece at a time, and save the biggest piece for last.” […]
It’s not surprising at all that the Washington Post’s David Broder would prefer to see the presidential candidates stick to responsible, substance-driven campaigns. It’s also not surprising that Broder would enjoy a series of town-hall “debates” between the two candidates. What’s odd, though, is seeing Broder try to connect the two, suggesting the lack of […]
House Republicans want, more than anything in the world, to approve the oil companies’ request for more coastal drilling. Desperate consumers aren’t sure it’ll help, but they’re willing to try anything, and look askance at those who aren’t willing to give more drilling a shot. House Dems, who feel pretty confident about their chances at […]
When Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) was elected in November 2006, it was rather unusual. There was a four-way contest in a predominantly African-American congressional district, the top candidates generally split the black vote, and Cohen was elected with just over 30% of the vote. Less than two years later, the freshman is seeking a second […]