One Party, Two Factions: South’s Republicans Look a Lot Like Its 1970s Democrats

… As the Democrats’ regional fortunes have waned and Republicans have taken over statehouses and congressional delegations, the cultural and ideological divisions of the so-called Dixiecrats are now found under a different party banner. With the Republican nomination tantamount to victory in the general election, incumbents are increasingly facing primaries, […] Read more »

Can Republicans expand their reach in blue states? Oregon Senate race provides a test.

To Republicans, the Senate race in this solidly Democratic state presents an alluring opportunity. … And in Monica Wehby, Republicans have a fresh-faced, female challenger who they believe matches the moment: a pediatric neurosurgeon and political outsider who rails against the Affordable Care Act but is relatively moderate on social […] Read more »

GOP candidates show signs of retreat on full Obamacare repeal as midterms approach

Republican candidates have begun to retreat in recent weeks from their all-out assault on the Affordable Care Act in favor of a more piecemeal approach, suggesting they would preserve some aspects of the law while jettisoning others. The changing tactics signal that the health-care law — while still unpopular with […] Read more »