On the Trail
Reid Wilson

Reid Wilson

Editor-in-Chief, National Journal Hotline

Reid Wilson is editor-in-chief of National Journal Hotline, Washington's premier daily tip sheet on campaigns and elections. He regularly contributes analysis of the national political envir...

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Latest Columns: On the Trail
May 16, 2013

Scandals Tailor-Made For GOP Base

George W. Bush lost control of Congress when voters lost trust of his ability to manage government. Obama faces the same threat in 2014. Read more »
May 9, 2013

Inside The American Crossroads And Koch Post-Mortems

Conservatives identify what went wrong in 2012 -- and how to fix their problems. Read more »
May 2, 2013

The Democratic Comeback To Voter ID

In Colorado, Democrats looking to liberalize voting laws to their advantage. Read more »
April 25, 2013

The Week That Kicked Off The Battle For The Senate

Republicans in position to take back the upper chamber, if they can avoid self-destructive tendencies. Read more »
ON THE TRAIL March 21, 2013

A Republican Divide in Sharp Relief

There's a growing split between the party's elites, based in D.C. and New York, and the increasingly vocal grassroots. Read more »
ON THE TRAIL January 14, 2013

The Shift Of King Coal

The coal industry still dominates in Appalachia, and that's becoming very bad news for the Democratic party. Read more »
ON THE TRAIL January 3, 2013

Races to Watch in 2013

In the era of constant campaigning, politics never stops. While the White House moves on President Obama's second-term agenda and Washington debates the next fiscal cliff, immigration reform and potentially even gun control measures, the strategists and party officials who plot to elect them are already hard at work developing their approach to elections this year -- and laying the foundations for 2014. Read more »
ON THE TRAIL December 25, 2012

Congress Has Outsized Influence Over Obama's Cabinet

President Obama is allowing the personnel moves that will become critical in forming his foreign policy legacy to be influenced -- even decided -- by Congress Read more »
December 20, 2012

The Most Consequential Candidates of 2012 Show the Art of Politics Is Interpretive

Early next year, a Democrat will be sworn in as governor of red Montana. A Democrat will take her Senate seat in red North Dakota. Republican governors will gear up for reelection bids in blue Michigan and Wisconsin. They all won in spite of unfavorable political landscapes.  Read more »
ON THE TRAIL December 17, 2012

The GOP's Electoral College Scheme

Republicans alarmed at the apparent challenges they face in winning the White House are preparing an all-out assault on the electoral college system in critical states, an initiative that would significantly ease the party's path to the Oval Office. Read more »
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Columns
Charlie Cook: The Cook Report

Republicans Should Go Easy on Obama, At Least in Public

May 16, 2013
As a tactical matter, a subterranean campaign will score more direct hits on the president.
Ronald Brownstein: Political Connections

How the White House Scandals Could Hurt Republicans, Too

May 16, 2013
By enraging the base and strengthening the faction least willing to compromise with Obama, the IRS and Benghazi affairs could hurt a GOP shot at the presidency.
Norm Ornstein: Washington Inside Out

Eric Cantor’s Caucus Thwarts His Push for an Alternative Agenda

May 16, 2013
Cantor has learned that the tea-party movement he helped foster won’t fall in line behind his efforts to push an alternative conservative agenda.
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