Nearly a generation ago, MSNBC’s Chris Matthews coined a description of our two political parties that may turn out to be his most enduring contribution to American punditry. Republicans, Matthews wrote, were the “Daddy Party,” all about military security and self-reliance; Democrats were the “Mommy Party,” all about health, education […] Read more »
There’s No Good Time for the GOP on Immigration
GOP leaders on Capitol Hill apparently have already decided to punt rather than push ahead with their own immigration proposal, but that hasn’t stopped the chatter from the sidelines, especially from those who don’t like the leadership’s decision. … An immigration fight this year would be very nasty, with conservatives […] Read more »
GOP Winning the Battle, Losing the War
When the political conventional wisdom is overwhelmingly tilted one way, I find it more important than ever to talk to the outliers. Those people who look up at sunny skies and break out umbrellas. Today, those “outliers” are most likely to be Republicans. Even though their party is poised to […] Read more »
Generic Ballot Model Shows Senate Control at Tipping Point
… The main reason why Democrats are at risk of losing control of the Senate in November is not because of public discontent with the Affordable Care Act, continued weakness in the economy or President Obama’s mediocre approval ratings. All of these issues may have an impact on the Senate […] Read more »
G.O.P., Though Deeply Split, Has Election Edge, Poll Shows
Republicans are in a stronger position than Democrats for this year’s midterm elections, benefiting from the support of self-described independents, even though the party itself is deeply divided and most Americans agree more with Democratic policy positions, the latest New York Times/CBS News poll shows. The independents in the poll […] Read more »
GOP edge in generic 2014 matchup; Americans unhappy with both parties
More than eight months before the November midterm elections, 42 percent of registered voters would pick a generic Republican for Congress, while 39 percent would back a generic Democrat if the midterm elections were being held today. … Perceptions of the two parties have changed little in the past year: […] Read more »