U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz starts as the Texas favorite in a fantasy 2016 Republican primary for president, swamping Gov. Rick Perry and a number of other big-name candidates in the latest University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll. The governor fared better in a potential head-to-head matchup for re-election in 2014 against […] Read more »
Course Corrections: A Midterm Theory
… There are many things we do not yet know about the midterm election: The state of the economy and President Obama’s approval rating a year from now are both mysteries. What we do know, though, is the history — both of American midterms in general and of the Senate […] Read more »
Is Virginia for Haters?
This year’s gubernatorial election in Virginia represents politics at its worst. So says Jonathan Chait, New York magazine columnist. He describes the race as the “most depressing election in America,” giving voters a choice between “Republican nutjob Ken Cuccinelli or soulless Democratic hack Terry McAuliffe.” Not to be outdone, Time […] Read more »
New Jersey Gov. Christie Has Broad Cross-Party Appeal
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a rising star in the Republican constellation and possible presidential contender in 2016, has a remarkable and unusually similar appeal to Democrats and independents as well as to Republicans nationally, with half or more of each group saying they have a favorable opinion of him. […] Read more »
Christie’s appeal rises above polarized nation
Chris Christie is carving out a unique position in the polarized landscape of American politics. The Republican New Jersey governor now enjoys nearly equal appeal among Democrats, Republicans and independents according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. [cont.] Mark Murray & Michael O’Brien, NBC News Read more »
Special Election Timing in New Jersey Points to a Weak G.O.P. Field
Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey has scheduled an Oct. 16 special election to replace Frank R. Lautenberg, the Democratic senator who died on Monday. Mr. Christie will appoint a replacement for Mr. Lautenberg in the interim, but he has yet to announce his pick. His choice of timing for […] Read more »