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How to Piss Off a Governor: Lessons From Two States

Niraj Chokshi | June 18, 2013

Two object lessons in how state party leaders in New York and Illinois are blocking their governor's plans.

Curbelo Inches Closer to Entering South Fla. House Race

Sarah Mimms | June 15, 2013

The headlines have not been kind toward Rep. Joe Garcia, D-Fla., over the past two weeks, and they could get uglier later this month with a viable Republican challenger looking more likely to get into the race. Carlos Curbelo, a former political consultant and member of the Miami-Dade School board,...

Will North Carolina Shape the Future of the Senate?

Alex Roarty | June 13, 2013

The race there could go a long way to determining whether Republicans or Democrats control the upper chamber in 2015.

Three Signs Republicans Haven't Learned Any Lessons From 2012

Josh Kraushaar | June 13, 2013

After their drubbing in 2012, Republicans vowed to change their ways. But as 2013 wears on, they're sticking to the script that got them in trouble.

Republicans Begging for Money to Put Massachusetts Senate Seat In Play

Alex Roarty | June 13, 2013

Despite polls showing the race competitive, GOP outside groups aren't buying.

Two Defense-Panel Chairmen Are Tightly Bonded

Billy House | June 12, 2013

House Armed Services' Buck McKeon and Defense Appropriations' Bill Young maintain a genuine mutual respect and a cooperative spirit in their roles in authorizing and appropriating roughly a half-trillion dollars in defense funding.

Gabriel Gomez Getting Help From Super PAC

Alex Roarty | June 12, 2013

Newly-formed group spending over a half-million for Republican's Senate campaign in Massachusetts.

Republicans Walk Immigration Tightrope

Reid Wilson | June 12, 2013

As the Senate debates a sweeping overhaul, some Republicans worry about being stuck between a rock and border fence.

Senate Race in Massachusetts Features First Real ‘Climate Candidate’

Coral Davenport | June 10, 2013

In his quest to become the next senator from Massachusetts, Democratic Rep. Edward Markey is doing something that’s never been done before: campaigning for national office on the signature issue of climate change.

Senate Gears Up for Floor Fight on Immigration

Billy House and George E. Condon Jr. and Nancy Cook and Amy Harder and Catherine Hollander and Fawn Johnson and and Sara Sorcher contributed | June 9, 2013

Following a scheduled vote on its farm bill, the Senate this week will press ahead with major legislation to legalize 11 million undocumented immigrants.

Closing Arguments Debut In Massachusetts

Reid Wilson | June 7, 2013

Gabriel Gomez, the Republican nominee running in this month's special Senate election in Massachusetts, is a Republican, supported by Republicans, with a long history of voting for Republicans. That's the singular message Democrats plan to hammer home to Bay State voters over the next three weeks as...

The Most Contested Turf in Congress Isn’t Where You Think

Ben Terris | June 6, 2013

Democrats have spent recent years thrashing Republicans on the baseball diamond. Now the GOP thinks it found its secret weapons.

Why the Republicans Aren’t Giving Up on White Folks

Alex Roarty | June 6, 2013

Learning the lessons of 2012 meant diversifying the GOP’s base. But whites still hold the key to retaking the Senate in 2014.

Dems Dump $1.25 Million Into Massachusetts Senate Race

Reid Wilson | June 6, 2013

Two major Democratic groups are spending a combined $1 million on advertisements on behalf of Rep. Ed Markey, a major investment in the race for Secretary of State John Kerry's old Senate seat. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is spending at least $750,000 on advertisements, the Washing...

Hey, Reporters, Republicans Have Some Tips

Matt Vasilogambros | June 6, 2013

Stumped about what questions you should ask White House press secretary Jay Carney at the next briefing? Fear not, D.C. media. Even though it may be your job to come up with questions, major Republican groups have some suggestions for you.

Why D.C. Democrats Can Still Pick Sides in Primaries

Scott Bland | June 5, 2013

Washington Democrats aren't afraid to play favorites in House primaries. That's an unavoidable (and sometimes desired) effect of efforts like the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's "Jumpstart" program, which gives early financial and organizational backing to promising challengers in Repu...

Susana Martinez: No To Presidency, Down On Immigration Reform

Reid Wilson | June 5, 2013

Gov. Susana Martinez has a one-word answer for anyone who asks whether she'll run for president: No. The first-term Republican, in town for a major fundraiser for her re-election campaign hosted by some of the biggest names in the GOP, says she's happy with her current job, and that she feels she o...

Top Republicans Let Darrell Issa Off the Leash

Shane Goldmacher | June 5, 2013

When Darrell Issa called Jay Carney a "paid liar" this week, his critics figured he'd finally gone too far—that his one-step-ahead-of-the-facts rhetoric would force Republicans to rein him in. They figured wrong.

Moran: Massachusetts a 3-6 Point Race

Reid Wilson | June 2, 2013

National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman Jerry Moran says the race between Democratic Rep. Edward Markey and businessman Gabriel Gomez is a three-to-six-point race just three weeks before voters head to the polls for the June 25 special election. In an interview on C-SPAN's "Newsmakers" pr...

Senate Republicans Tiptoe Around Activist Base

Reid Wilson | June 2, 2013

GOP candidates have lost in at least 6 states over the last two election cycles.

Google's Eric Schmidt Is Pouring 'Millions' Into Progressive Big Data

Brian Fung | May 30, 2013

The new analytics firm has pledged to serve only liberal causes. Can it keep its commitment?

Reality Check: Bachmann Retirement All About Politics

Alex Roarty | May 29, 2013

The controversial lawmaker faced a tough reelection in a solidly Republican district.

Michele Bachmann Could Follow a Well-Worn Path to Punditry

Chris Frates | May 29, 2013

The Minnesota Republican will have a glide path from firebrand public official to handsomely paid pundit when she retires at the end of this term.

Lincoln Chafee: A Party-Switcher Without Many Friends

Josh Kraushaar | May 29, 2013

Unlike most party-switchers, Rhode Island governor's move was out of desperation.

John Barrow And The $6 Million Question

Sarah Mimms | May 29, 2013

Former Georgia congressional candidate-turned-blogger Martha Zoller is walking back her scoop that the National Republican Congressional Committee plans to spend $6 million to defeat Rep. John Barrow, D-Ga., next year. That would be a major commitment from the committee, which spent about $1.5 mill...

What Does the IRS Scandal Say About a 2011 Guitar Raid?

Ben Terris | May 29, 2013

Rep. Marsha Blackburn sees conservatives being targeted everywhere.

The NRCC Still Loves George W. Bush

Alex Roarty | May 28, 2013

For all the talk of retrofitting their brand for the future, national Republicans are still finding fundraising success in their past. As it turns out, George W. Bush is still worth a buck or two to his party. The National Republican Congressional Committee last month launched an online engagement...

Republican Blueprint for 2014? Scandal, Most of the Time

Alex Roarty | May 23, 2013

Republicans are downplaying the need to retool the party, anticipating Obama's second-term struggles.

After 2012 House Defeats, GOP Sees (Again) Golden Opportunity in California

Scott Bland | May 23, 2013

About the only good thing you could say about California Republicans' election night in 2012 is that from adversity comes opportunity. Among other negative results for the party, three Democratic House candidates -- Reps. Ami Bera, Raul Ruiz, and Scott Peters -- unseated long-term Republican incumbe...

How Reince Priebus Crossed the Line

Ron Fournier | May 23, 2013

By arguing Obama is part of "lawlessness," he's undermining the credibility of the opposition.

Iowa Dem Recruit Reconsidering Latham Challenge?

Julie Sobel | May 23, 2013

Former Iowa state Sen. Staci Appel ruled out a bid for GOP Rep. Tom Latham's seat after meeting with the DCCC earlier this spring -- but she appears to be reconsidering. Several "Jumpstart" candidates and potential candidates are meeting with the DCCC this week, and Appel is among the potential can...

Parties Push For House Retirements

Reid Wilson | May 23, 2013

Exploring the tactics party committees use to pressure vulnerable members of Congress to retire.

Republicans Scramble to Save Governor in Florida Battleground

Elahe Izadi | May 23, 2013

Gov. Rick Scott is preparing for a highly contentious race against former Gov. Charlie Crist.

Congress: The Next Generation

Sarah Mimms | May 20, 2013

Former lawmakers are helping their children in so many races this year that we might as well dub next Election Day “Take Your Kid to Congress Day.”

Congress: The Next Generation

Sarah Mimms | May 20, 2013

Former lawmakers are helping their children in so many races this year that we might as well dub next Election Day Take Your Kid to Congress Day. Republican businessman Mike Collins announced Thursday that he'll run for Rep. Paul Broun's open seat in Georgia. Funny enough, his father, former Rep. M...

Obama's Troubles Could Put Massachusetts Senate Seat In Play -- Again

Alex Roarty | May 19, 2013

In 2010, Republicans won a special election during a low point of Obama's presidency. Will it happen again?

Watch the First Campaign Ad to Invoke the Newtown Shootings

Alex Roarty | May 17, 2013

Locked in a close Massachusetts Senate race, Ed Markey goes negative against Gabriel Gomez.

Watergate: When Congress Worked

Matthew Cooper | May 16, 2013

The back-stabbing, press-leaking, hyper-partisan members of the committee investigating Nixon, which began hearings 40 years ago, still made history. Here’s how.

Congressional Republicans Are Milking the Scandals for Everything

Alex Roarty | May 16, 2013

GOP members in both chambers finally feel like they have something to hang around the president’s neck.

How the White House Scandals Could Hurt Republicans, Too

Ronald Brownstein | 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.

Why Republicans Think the IRS Scandal Is More Politically Potent Than Benghazi

Elahe Izadi | May 16, 2013

GOP strategists give advice on the best way to talk about the brewing scandals for political benefit.

Poll: McAuliffe Holds Slight Lead in Va. Gov. Race

Sarah Mimms | May 16, 2013

Former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe has taken a slight lead over Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli in Virginia's gubernatorial race, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released on Thursday morning. McAuliffe leads Cuccinelli, 43 percent to 38 percent, with 17 perce...

You Want Angry? I'll Show You Angry, Obama Says on IRS Scandal

Beth Reinhard | May 15, 2013

Facing criticism from Republicans, the president reasserts his authority by pushing out the IRS's acting commissioner.

How Obama Could Start Fixing the IRS

Jill Lawrence | May 15, 2013

Step one, name a Republican—preferably a prominent one—to head the agency.

Eric Holder Offers Little Information, Much Ire for Republicans

Shane Goldmacher | May 15, 2013

It only took Attorney General Eric Holder a few moments to make clear he wanted no part of congressional Republicans’ plans to turn his Capitol Hill appearance into a serious grilling about the scandals of the day.

In Massachusetts, Gomez Internal Poll Shows Close Race

Alex Roarty | May 12, 2013

Democratic Rep. Ed Markey holds only a narrow advantage against Republican Gabriel Gomez in the special election for Senate in Massachusetts, according to an internal poll from the GOP candidate’s campaign, the latest sign the blue state race will be more competitive than Democrats expected.

'Obamacare' Repeal: Will the 37th Time Be the Charm?

Billy House and Nancy Cook and Coral Davenport and Fawn Johnson and Sara Sorcher and and George E. Condon Jr. contributed | May 12, 2013

With tensions over fiscal issues building, and the three-month suspension of the nation’s debt limit set to expire Sunday, lawmakers this week will be rehashing on the House floor their messaging war over repealing President Obama’s three-year-old health care law.

5 Staffers to Watch Among House Freshmen

Amy Harder | May 12, 2013

Running an office of a freshman member of Congress is never easy, but certain lawmakers and their top aides have especially unique challenges. Meet the chiefs of staffs of five House members whose election to Congress is somehow notable or newsworthy.

Blacks and Hispanics More Optimistic About Economy Than Whites

Stephanie Czekalinski | May 12, 2013

Despite significant wealth and income gaps, and higher than average unemployment rates, Hispanics and African-Americans are more optimistic about their economic prospects and the direction of the country than whites, recent polls show.

RNC Will Host GOP Pollsters Next Week

Steven Shepard | May 10, 2013

Fewer than two months since the Republican National Committee unveiled a series of five recommendations to address inaccurate poll numbers collected during the 2012 election cycle, the RNC is inviting the party's pollsters to their headquarters on Capitol Hill next week. The gathering, set for May...

Terry McAuliffe Struggles to Define Himself to Virginia Voters

Beth Reinhard | May 10, 2013

At a campaign stop, the Democrat talks about a business he started when he was 14, not his more recent ventures.

Some Republicans Don’t Believe Austerity Is Enough

Nancy Cook | May 9, 2013

Strategists and wonks are urging House leaders to refocus their economic message on ideas that the middle class actually care about.

If Democrats Can’t Beat a Confessed Adulterer, What Chance Do They Have?

Alex Roarty | May 9, 2013

Mark Sanford’s win in South Carolina shows how difficult it will be for liberals to reclaim control of the House.

Why Obama Can Ignore the House of Representatives

Shane Goldmacher | May 9, 2013

By courting senators and shaping public opinion, the president thinks he can pressure lower-chamber Republicans to accept bipartisan compromises.

Inside The American Crossroads And Koch Post-Mortems

Reid Wilson | May 9, 2013

Conservatives identify what went wrong in 2012 -- and how to fix their problems.

With a Special Election Win, Mark Sanford Completes His Comeback

Alex Roarty | May 7, 2013

Overcoming the disgrace of a bizarre extramarital affair while he was governor of South Carolina, former Rep. Mark Sanford reclaimed a seat in Congress on Tuesday by winning a special election over Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch.

What if the Internet Sales Tax Doesn't Make it Through Congress?

Brian Fung | May 6, 2013

Legislation allowing states to collect sales taxes on purchases made over the Internet—approved by the Senate in a 69-27 vote Monday evening—faces an uncertain future in the House.

Will Millennials Become Generation X-treme?

Ron Fournier | May 5, 2013

Harvard study suggests leaders must act urgently to prevent polarization and apathy among young Americans.

Herseth Sandlin Would Follow a Well-Trodden Path From Congress to K St. and Back

Alex Brown and Dan Roem | May 3, 2013

If former Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin runs in South Dakota's open-seat Senate race, she'll no doubt have to fend off attacks about her time at a Washington lobbying firm. Following her 2010 reelection defeat, the Democrat joined Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Matz PC, before returning to South Dakota...

What it Really Means to 'Close the GOP Tech Gap'

Brian Fung | May 3, 2013

Two obstacles the Republican National Committee must overcome that it didn't anticipate in its election post-mortem

Why Isn't Boehner a Target in Congressional Elections?

Billy House | May 1, 2013

Democrats haven't gotten around to demonizing the House speaker the way Republicans have with Nancy Pelosi.

Why Gabriel Gomez (Probably) Isn't Scott Brown

Kevin Brennan | May 1, 2013

The general election matchup in the race to fill Secretary of State John Kerry's old Senate seat is set, and everyone wants to know: Is Republican Gabriel Gomez the next Scott Brown? The short answer: Probably not. The winner of Tuesday night's Republican primary has a compelling backstory, and Rep...

Rahall Won't Run For Senate

Sarah Mimms | April 30, 2013

Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., will soon announce he is running for a 20th term in the House, taking a pass on the race to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller, according to a statement obtained by Hotline On Call. "With U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller retiring at the end of this term, it is m...

N.J.'s Christie Poised to Launch First T.V. Ad

Sarah Mimms and Kevin Brennan | April 30, 2013

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will launch the first television ad of his reelection campaign on Wednesday, initially backed by nearly $1.5 million, according to a Republican source tracking ad buys. The ad is a 60-second spot; the initial buy runs from Wednesday through May 12. The ad will air on...

Mitch McConnell Wants to Be the Republican Party's Chief Tech Innovator

Shane Goldmacher | April 29, 2013

The 71-year-old GOP leader's campaign sees closing the data gap with the Democrats as a key to reelection.

Ed Markey Will Face Gabriel Gomez in Massachusetts Senate Race

Alex Roarty | April 29, 2013

Markey, who has served in Congress since 1976, is the favorite to serve as the state's junior senator.

Democrats Land Buzzy Recruit in Another Obama-GOP House District

Scott Bland | April 26, 2013

House Democrats have landed a recruit to run against Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Calif., in the Central Valley's 10th Congressional District. Farmer and beekeeper Michael Eggman announced Tuesday that he will seek the seat, which was one of 17 in the country to split its votes between a Republican congressm...

'Press Pass' Wins Political Pursuit

Sarah Mimms and Dan Roem | April 25, 2013

After five rounds of intense trivia, jokes and a few beer breaks, the Press Pass team claimed victory at our Fifth Annual Political Pursuit event. Roll Call's Shira Toeplitz, Washington Post's Chris Cillizza, New York Times' Carl Hulse, Washington Post's Paul Kane and Cook Political Report's Amy Wa...

DCCC Memo Cites Advantages Over House GOP

Scott Bland | April 25, 2013

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is getting unprecedented fundraising help from its members -- especially freshmen -- in its early efforts in the 2014 election cylce. On Thursday, DCCC chairman Steve Israel took a moment to update his caucus on the campaign committee's progress. In a...

Whitaker Prepares For Senate Bid While Awaiting King's Decision

Alex Brown | April 24, 2013

Iowa Republicans may not have a Senate candidate yet, but former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker is readying to fill the void if Rep. Steve King takes a pass on the race. "It's smart to take steps to move forward no matter what [King's] decision is," Whitaker said. "At some point in time the race needs...

Mich. GOP Establishment Hopes for Rogers, Frets Over Amash

Alex Brown | April 24, 2013

Longtime Michigan Republican operatives are open about their desire to see Rep. Mike Rogers run in the state's open-seat Senate race, but they're worried Rep. Justin Amash -- who possesses little regard for the GOP establishment -- won't let the possibility of a damaging primary derail his ambition...

NRCC Recruiting Freshman State Legislator to Challenge Nick Rahall

Sarah Mimms | April 23, 2013

Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., one of Republicans' top targets in 2014, may soon get his first challenger: The National Republican Congressional Committee is in the process of recruiting state Sen. Bill Cole to run for the seat. The NRCC sent staffers to West Virginia last week to meet with Cole, accord...

Max Baucus's Sudden Retirement Puts Pressure on Former Montana Governor

Alex Roarty and Elahe Izadi contributed | April 23, 2013

It's Schweitzer or bust for Democrats as they hope to hold a pivotal Senate seat.

Bob Corker Charts Leadership Course

Stacy Kaper | April 22, 2013

Sen. Bob Corker's independent voice on high-profile issues and scholarly devotion to studying policies he is interested in have made GOP leaders take notice of him and want to keep the Tennessee Republican close at hand — both to capitalize on his expertise and to watch his moves.

DSCC Outraises NRSC Again in March

Kevin Brennan | April 22, 2013

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee outraised its counterpart, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, for the the third consecutive month, bringing in more than $5.2 million in March, according to figures provided by the committee. The NRSC raised almost $3.2 million for the month....

VoteVets Adds to TV Onslaught Against Mark Sanford

Sarah Mimms | April 22, 2013

VoteVets Action Fund released a new television spot targeting former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford on Monday, adding to the Democratic onslaught against the Republican nominee, just two weeks before the special election in the state's 1st Congressional District. While recent ads by other Democ...

Inside the Cover: Who Wants To Run For Congress?

National Journal Staff | April 19, 2013

In this week's National Journal cover story, Shane Goldmacher looks at why anyone would want to run for Congress. In the video above, go inside the story with the author himself.

Baca's Comeback Bid: Aguilar Not 'Viable'

Scott Bland | April 19, 2013

Former Democratic Rep. Joe Baca fired back at congressional rival Pete Aguilar Wednesday, saying in an interview that he only got into the race for California's 31st Congressional District because local community leaders came to him in search of a viable candidate. Baca also distanced himself from p...

King on Possible Senate Run: 'I Can See a Path to Victory'

Steven Shepard | April 19, 2013

Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, is still considering running for Senate, telling National Journal that he sees "a path to victory" in polling conducted on his behalf, but his "gut hasn't quite lined up yet." In an interview with NJ's Fawn Johnson, published in the new issue of National Journal, King says...

DCCC Outraises NRCC in March

Scott Bland | April 19, 2013

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee outraised its Republican counterpart for a third straight month to start 2013, according to reports. Roll Call reported Thursday that the National Republican Congressional Committee raised $8.1 million in March, trailing the $10.2 million the DCCC gath...

Why Would Anyone Want to Run for Congress?

Shane Goldmacher | April 18, 2013

How both political parties seduce (and sometimes browbeat) ordinary citizens into seeking a position in the nation’s most despised club.

‘Independent’ in Name Only

Shane Goldmacher and Scott Bland contributed | April 18, 2013

He promised to chart his own course, but a National Journal vote analysis shows that Sen. Angus King of Maine aligns with Democrats.

House Fundraising Winners and Losers

Scott Bland and Kevin Brennan and Sarah Mimms and Alex Brown | April 18, 2013

The path back to a House majority is incredibly difficult for Democrats. But there was a lot of good news for them in the first set of campaign finance reports of the 2014 election cycle. For the big winners of the first quarter, just look toward the top of the list. A pair of Florida freshmen, Dem...

The Boston Bombings Could Help a State Get Beyond Its Liberal Stereotype

Jill Lawrence | April 18, 2013

Massachusetts really did invent America, so stop making fun of it.

DCCC Piles On in South Carolina

Sarah Mimms | April 18, 2013

Just one day after the National Republican Congressional Committee pulled its support for former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's special election campaign, its Democratic counterpart is going up on the air in the First District. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will launch the n...

How Mark Sanford's Campaign Unraveled in the Past 48 Hours

Elahe Izadi | April 18, 2013

The former South Carolina governor's messy divorce is leading to his political downfall yet again.

The Scene From '300' the DCCC Uses to Rally Democratic Recruits

Shane Goldmacher | April 18, 2013

Forget polls and talking points. Steve Israel likes to show top Democratic recruits a scene from the movie 300 to get them riled up about running for Congress.

How Obama Misread the Politics of Gun Control

Josh Kraushaar | April 18, 2013

Reality check: Gun-control opponents hold the upper hand politically in 2014.

NRCC Drops Mark Sanford Following Trespassing Charges

Sarah Mimms | April 17, 2013

The National Republican Congressional Committee has pulled its support for former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's congressional campaign, acknowledging that revelations that he trespassed on his ex-wife's property in February could cost the party a House seat in a district that former Massachuset...

Play of the Day: What Republicans Can Learn From BuzzFeed

Ross Gianfortune and Government Executive | April 17, 2013

Fast forward to 3:10 to see how Buzzfeed can draw inspiration from the NRCC.

McAuliffe's $5-Million Quarter Gives Him Va. Cash Advantage

Dan Roem | April 16, 2013

The $5.1 million raised by former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe in the first quarter for this fall's Virginia gubernatorial election dwarfed the $2.4 million of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, the Republican nominee, during the same time period. McAuliffe also reported $5...

Democratic Attacks Already Flying in Closely-Watched Calif. House Primary

Scott Bland | April 16, 2013

Voters and donors, not to mention candidates, are just starting to recover from the nationwide intensity of the 2012 election. But a Democratic recruit in an important California congressional race is already hammering away at a fellow Democratic primary opponent. It's one of the first direct attack...

Boston Blasts Bring a Chill to Washington

Billy House | April 15, 2013

Tax day in Washington turned into a tension-filled reminder that there are far worse problems to deal with than the federal budget, immigration reform, or even gun control, as bombings at the Boston Marathon brought the horrors of terrorism front and center into the national consciousness.

Inside Elizabeth Colbert Busch's Private D.C. Fundraiser

Sarah Mimms | April 15, 2013

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman Steve Israel pledged full support to Elizabeth Colbert Busch's special election campaign in South Carolina at a private fundraiser in Washington on Monday evening. "I am here to tell you that we are in this race. ... In three weeks and two days s...

Five Staffers to Watch in the DCCC and NRCC

Alex Roarty | April 14, 2013

The battle for the House majority will rage across the country next year. And few groups will wield more influence on those races than the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee. Here are five staffers from each who will play a critical role in those campaigns.

Changing Sides on Medicare and Social Security Is a Time-Honored Tactic

Jill Lawrence | April 11, 2013

That's especially true for Republicans, and for Greg Walden in particular.

Club for Growth Urges Primary of NRCC Chair

Alex Brown | April 11, 2013

Club For Growth added a big target to its primary challenge list Thursday: National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Greg Walden of Oregon. Walden "has a long record of supporting increases in government spending and opposing fiscally conservative proposals," the group wrote on its websi...

Report: Democratic Activists Admitted Recording McConnell Meeting

Alex Roarty | April 11, 2013

Members of the liberal group Progress Kentucky told a local Democratic official that they secretly recorded a private conversation between Mitch McConnell and his campaign aides, according to a published report from a local public radio station, a bombshell revelation that, if true, might lead to cr...

Is the GOP Preparing to Attack Dems on Social Security?

Alex Roarty | April 10, 2013

Are Republicans preparing to cudgel Democrats with, of all things, Social Security? That was the explicit impression left by Greg Walden, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, during a Wednesday interview on CNN. The Oregon congressman said President Obama's budget – which...

Did Anyone Bug Mitch McConnell's Office?

Alex Roarty | April 9, 2013

The Kentucky Senate race has taken a turn for the whodunit.

Rand Paul's Play to Win Over Black Voters at Howard University

Elahe Izadi | April 8, 2013

How the libertarian-minded senator is received will indicate how well GOP is making inroads with minorities.

Rand Paul Will Be the First Presidential Contender to Visit All 3 Early Primary States

Beth Reinhard | April 5, 2013

Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky will be the first potential 2016 contender to touch base in all three of the states hosting the earliest nominating contests, revealing raw electoral ambitions to surpass his father’s standing as a tea-party leader.

Why This Democratic Senator Won't Support Same-Sex Marriage

Alex Roarty | April 4, 2013

There are now only four Democratic senators who have not expressed support for gay marriage. Sen. Mark Pryor is likely to stay that way.

For Newt Gingrich, a Future in Ideas

Rebecca Kaplan | April 4, 2013

The former House speaker wants to turn great ideas into bills, but from the outside.

How a Calif. Legislative Race Complicated DCCC Recruiting Efforts

Scott Bland | April 4, 2013

State legislatures, home to innumerable ambitious politicians pondering their next moves, are fertile ground for congressional recruiting. But in California's Central Valley, the state Senate has diverted Democrats’ congressional talent pipeline. An unexpected vacancy enticed a prospective Democra...

The New House Republican Web Strategy: Just Add BuzzFeed

Brian Fung | April 4, 2013

What do cat pictures and GIFs have to do with Republican politics? Not a whole lot, at least right now. But beginning next week, that'll change.

South Carolina Special Election Will Be High-Profile but Have Little National Significance

Alex Roarty | April 2, 2013

There's little reason to believe this off-year fight between Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch and Republican Mark Sanford will carry with it important political lessons.

Citing Health Reasons, Potential DCCC Recruit Drops Out of Latham Race

Alex Brown | April 1, 2013

Businessman Mike Sherzan, an early Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recruit, halted his campaign Monday in Iowa's 3rd congressional district, citing "personal health issues." Sherzan had been mounting a campaign against GOP Rep. Tom Latham, telling Hotline On Call in February that "it's...

April Fools! Using the Day of Hijinks to Advance a Message

Niraj Chokshi | April 1, 2013

Leave it to the wonks and activists who work in Washington to turn an occasion for hijinks into a chance to further what they do every day: Attack their opponents and peddle their causes.

Curious Friends: How Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg Can Help Republicans

Elahe Izadi | March 29, 2013

By zeroing in on issues where bipartisanship is possible, Zuckerberg’s political efforts can soften the GOP’s edges.

To Hold Senate Majority, Democrats Target the Most Conservative States in the Country

Michael Catalini | March 29, 2013

With races concentrated in Republican states, party officials are aggressively courting moderate candidates.

House Democrats See Potential Gains in 2014 Without Obama on the Ticket

Alex Roarty | March 28, 2013

DCCC officials say they have found a silver lining amid much pessimism about the 2014 midterm elections.

Judd Won't Run for Senate, Focus Shifts to Lundergan Grimes

Sarah Mimms | March 27, 2013

Ashley Judd will not challenge Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell next year, the actress announced on Twitter this evening. Though speculation has mounted for months that Judd would run for McConnell's seat in her home state of Kentucky, Judd said on Twitter that she is "currently unable to con...

A Republican Divide in Sharp Relief

Reid Wilson | March 21, 2013

There's a growing split between the party's elites, based in D.C. and New York, and the increasingly vocal grassroots.

Can Rand Paul Bring Libertarians Into the GOP?

Alex Roarty | March 21, 2013

Mainstream Republicans may not welcome them, but the party could use the lift.

The Senate Trouble-Maker in Waiting

Tim Alberta | March 21, 2013

Rep. Justin Amash has already led a failed coup against House leadership. His next play may be the upper chamber.

Obamacare Is a Prescription for a Democratic Headache in 2014

Alex Roarty and Beth Reinhard | March 21, 2013

With key provisions of "Obamacare" set to take effect in 2014, both parties are assessing the potential political fallout from the seismic changes coming to our health care system.

Sparks, Politics, and Amendments Will Fly in Vote-a-Rama

Shane Goldmacher | March 21, 2013

Senators will offer a raft of amendments Friday as the chamber debates its first budget in 4 years, taking advantage of the rare chance to force the opposing party into an unlimited number of tough votes.

Meet the New 'Party of No'

Scott Bland | March 21, 2013

After listening to both parties lay out dire policy and political effects of various budget proposals this month, a few dozen House members avoided getting branded with any of the spending documents this week. Thirty-six House members, mostly vulnerable Democrats but with some Republicans sprinkled...

Mike Honda's Full-Bore Campaign Rolls On

Scott Bland | March 21, 2013

Rep. Mike Honda is not messing around. The California Democrat's campaign released an internal poll Thursday showing him with 57 percent support in a hypothetical open primary matchup against Republican Evelyn Li, his 2012 opponent, and potential Democratic challenger Ro Khanna.

The GOP Disconnect on Economic Policy

Nancy Cook | March 20, 2013

The RNC may want to send a few extra copies of the election postmortem to Capitol Hill. Judging by the budget blueprints put forth by congressional Republicans, they didn’t get the memo.

Have Democrats Found Another Manchin in West Virginia?

Sarah Mimms | March 20, 2013

Though for the last several weeks, Democratic hopes of retaining Sen. Jay Rockefeller's seat in 2014 have looked bleak, it seems party operatives may have finally found their unicorn in West Virginia: a wealthy, pro-coal, pro-business Democrat in the style of Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V. Attorney Nick Preservati has spoken with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee about running for the seat, in conversations that the committee found "encouraging," according to a source with knowledge of the discussions.

Have Democrats Found Another Manchin in West Virginia?

Sarah Mimms | March 20, 2013

Though for the last several weeks, Democratic hopes of retaining Sen. Jay Rockefeller's seat in 2014 have looked bleak, it seems party operatives may have finally found their unicorn in West Virginia: a wealthy, pro-coal, pro-business Democrat in the style of Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V. Attorney Nick P...

DSCC Outraises NRSC 2-to-1

Alex Roarty | March 20, 2013

The National Republican Senatorial Committee raised nearly $2.2 million in February, according to numbers provided by the political committee, figures that will likely do little to quiet concern the group is struggling to raise money in the early going of the 2014 cycle. It was the second consecuti...

Will Martin O’Malley Be the Howard Dean of 2016?

Elahe Izadi | March 20, 2013

The Maryland governor's progressive legislative accomplishments would enable him to make a play from the left in 2016.

Seeking a Bigger Audience, Tea-Party Hero Embraces Immigration Reform

Beth Reinhard | March 20, 2013

Rand Paul suppports legalizing undocumented immigrants, signaling an interest to expand his following beyond the tea party movement.

DCCC Expands Its Voter-Outreach Efforts

Alex Roarty | March 19, 2013

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee rounded out its leadership team Wednesday, announcing a plethora of lawmakers to head outreach efforts to different voter groups.

Meet the RNC's Curious Poster Boy for Hispanic Outreach

Scott Bland and Alex Roarty | March 18, 2013

How can Republicans win back Hispanic voters? According to Reince Priebus, they need to study how Congressman Steve Pearce did it. "When a conservative like Steve Pearce in New Mexico wins in a predominantly Latino district, we need to glean the lessons of his approach," said Priebus, who on Monday...

What's Missing From the GOP's Technology Strategy

Brian Fung | March 18, 2013

There's a lot more to winning digitally than geeks and data sets.

Examining the RNC's Polling Recommendations

Steven Shepard | March 18, 2013

The Republican National Committee's self-described Campaign 2012 "autopsy," released on Monday, contains five separate recommendations for revamping the party's polling and survey research apparatus, including some of the same fixes being discussed by pollsters reportedly participating in the Nation...

Closing in on Signature Threshold, Salahi Talks Politics, Policy And Journey

Dan Roem | March 18, 2013

Though Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe are the far-and-away frontrunners in this year's Virginia gubernatorial race, the other candidate in the race discussed his own campaign with Hotline On Call late last week: former Whi...

Why the RNC's Reforms Don't Solve the GOP's Problem

Matthew Cooper | March 18, 2013

The Republican Party's base still controls the debate in Washington.

Previewing the Sunday Shows

Christopher Peleo-Lazar | March 15, 2013

This week's Sunday shows will focus on the rival budgets put forth by leaders from both parties. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., will be on Face the Nation, while House Speaker John Boehner will be doing a one-on-one interview with ABC's Martha Raddatz on This Week. The Sunday sh...

DCCC's 2014 Effort Begins With Member-Driven Recruiting Push

Scott Bland | March 14, 2013

The current crop of House Democrats includes the party's largest freshman class in two decades, and about a dozen of those freshmen have committed significant time in their young congressional careers to making sure the next class is also sizable. Twelve newly-elected Democrats are participating in...

At CPAC, Ken Cuccinelli Moves to the Center

Beth Reinhard | March 14, 2013

Virginia's Republican candidate for governor tacks to the middle in speech to conservative activists.

Cuccinelli Jabs McAuliffe in CPAC Speech

Dan Roem | March 14, 2013

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Ken Cuccinelli, the Republican gubernatorial nominee in Virginia, addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference here Thursday morning, largely focusing on the criminal justice issues he's faced as the commonwealth's attorney general. But Cuccinelli still managed to g...

Why the GOP Won't Be Run Out of New England

Michael Catalini | March 14, 2013

At a time when the party is on the decline in the Northeast and in disarray in Maine, Sen. Susan Collins is well positioned to win a fourth term.

Bolling Won't Mount Independent Va. Gov. Bid

Dan Roem | March 12, 2013

Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) announced Tuesday that he will not run for governor as an independent, setting up an all-but-certain, grueling head-to-head matchup between Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe. Bolling, who e...

Obama's Liberal Goals Collide With 2014 Campaign Map

Beth Reinhard | March 12, 2013

A tough mid-term election could be an awkward time to test-drive an outside advocacy group closely linked to the president.

House GOP Confident on Paul Ryan’s Medicare Plan

Alex Roarty | March 11, 2013

The House Budget Committee chairman’s plan to balance the federal budget in 10 years would have been, until recently, cause for House Republicans to fret. But emboldened by last year’s elections, the House GOP believes it can adopt his new proposal and avoid backlash at the same time.

Vulnerable Senate Dems on Their Own on Budget Vote

Alex Roarty | March 11, 2013

The executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee said Monday that he will not advise vulnerable incumbents how to vote on the Senate Democrats' upcoming budget proposal, saying the politically consequential decisions will be left to individual members. "They'll weigh the pros...

How Republicans Can Win the Senate

Alex Roarty | March 7, 2013

Right-wing candidates can take the red states, but in 2014 that won't be enough.

Inside the Rand Paul Filibuster

Shane Goldmacher and Beth Reinhard and Stacy Kaper and Rebecca Kaplan contributed | March 7, 2013

For a politician who earned his stripes as a political outsider, Sen. Rand Paul’s filibuster performance and planning demonstrated his aptitude at the inside D.C. game.

Carl Levin Not Running for Reelection

Alex Brown and Alex Roarty | March 7, 2013

Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., announced late on Thursday that he will not seek a seventh term in 2014, leaving Democrats with another open seat to defend next year. Levin called the decision "extremely difficult" and said he wanted to focus on his role as chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee "without the distraction of campaigning for re-election."

Rising Democratic Star Joaquin Castro Says Obama 'Needs to Be a Leader' on the Budget

Ron Fournier | March 6, 2013

Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas denounces GOP but says the president also bears responsibility for sequestration fiasco.

Can a Senate Seat Remain All in the Family?

Alex Brown and Elahe Izadi | March 5, 2013

Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., could be retiring, leaving the door open for his son to run.

Living With the Nuances, Ironies, and Flexibility of Sequestration

Major Garrett | March 5, 2013

Now that sequestration is here to stay, we all have to learn to live with it.

Dems Focus on Freshmen in Frontline Program

Alex Roarty | March 5, 2013

More than half of the DCCC's 26-member incumbent-protection program, announced today, are freshmen, including a handful of members who returned to the House this year after previously serving in Congress. The effort, called the Frontline Program, will be led by Minnesota Rep. Tim Walz, a former par...

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