First Read : 2012

Is the GOP making a comeback?

Mark Murray — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:00:00 GMT

From NBC's Mark MurrayHere is our take from last week's Republican Governors Association meeting in Texas. CEDAR CREEK, Texas - The message that the Republican Governors Association was trying to send to the donors, party big-wigs and political reporters who attended its annual meeting last week wasn't subtle. The Republican Party, the RGA boasted, is making a comeback. They underscored this in a video presentation to attendees. "America’s comeback starts with us," said the narrator in the...(read more)

Previewing today's RGA meeting

Mark Murray — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:17:00 GMT

From NBC's Mark MurrayAUSTIN, Tex. -- When GOP governors huddled at the annual Republican Governors Association meeting a year ago in Miami, the party had just suffered another thumping at the polls, Sarah Palin was the unquestioned star attraction, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty was urging his party to be more positive and inclusive, and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist was seen as a new hope for the GOP. But as this year's RGA meeting begins in earnest here deep in the heart of Texas, things have...(read more)

Pawlenty '12 as Romney '08?

Domenico Montanaro — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:15:00 GMT

From NBC's Domenico MontanaroDan Balz, in his latest analysis piece, makes a point we've been thinking about here: the Pawlenty-Romney comparison: Still, there is something Romneyesque in all this. Four years ago, Romney lurched to the right in preparation for his presidential candidacy. He did it on social issues, where his prior support for abortion and gay rights left him vulnerable on his right flank. Pawlenty has a consistent record of opposition to abortion and gay marriage. In his case,...(read more)

2012, here we come...

Mark Murray — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:27:00 GMT

From NBC's Mark MurrayTim Pawlenty appears to be the first potential 2012 Republican presidential candidate to release a statement on Bob McDonnell's victory in Virginia. I want to send my congratulations to Bob, Maureen and their family. Bob ran a positive campaign based on the conservative principles of fiscal responsibility and low taxes. Virginians embraced his conservative message, rejecting more taxes, card-check and spending that would hurt economic growth and job creation. I'm especially...(read more)

Democrats debate primary changes

Domenico Montanaro — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:06:00 GMT

From NBC's Ali Weinberg
Flaws in the Democratic primary system were exposed in last year’s nominating process. States jockeyed for position and influence, and the arcane and complex system of “superdelegates” overwhelmed voters and dominated conversation.

Democrats, aiming to avoid that kind of confusion in subsequent elections, began on Saturday in Washington to try and streamline the process. Ideas from members of the Democratic Change Commission -- a 36-member commission of elected officials, consultants and activists created by the Democratic National Committee at President Obama’s request -- included encouraging states to move back the dates of their contests, reducing the number of automatic unpledged delegates (i.e. “superdelegates”), and drafting a standardized list of best practices for the 18 states that vote for a Democratic nominee through caucuses.

Commission members agreed that too many states hold their primaries too early in the nominating season, potentially breaking up momentum between the primaries and the general election. There was broad consensus that last year’s Super Tuesday elections on Feb. 5, in which 23 jurisdictions held their nominating contests, hurt all the campaigns because candidates couldn't hit all the states.

...(read more)

Campaign 2010

firstread — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:33:00 GMT

FLORIDA: State Senator Ted Deutch (D) announced his intent to run in a special election for Representative Robert Wexler’s House seat, after the congressman announced yesterday he would resign the seat in January. CONNECTICUT: Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA), running for Sen. Arlen Specter’s seat, will get endorsed Monday by Ned Lamont, the former victor over Joe Lieberman in Connecticut’s Senate race, who later lost to the incumbent when he switched parties. DELAWARE: Rep. Mike Castle (R) and Attorney...(read more)

Looking ahead to 2012

firstread — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:32:00 GMT

Presidential candidate... Mike Pence? His travel schedule is raising eyebrows, writes The Hill. Pence has traveled to Iowa but also made a quiet trip to South Carolina where he met with party activists this week. ...(read more)

2010/2012

firstread — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:28:00 GMT

FLORIDA: Fervor for Florida gubernatorial Alex Sink (D) is at a fever pitch, but few voters have the same enthusiasm or confidence in senatorial candidate Kendrick Meek (D)’s chances against current governor Charlie Crist. But Crist’s Republican challenger is also gaining steam, some analysts say. TEXAS GOVERNOR: Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison may delay her resignation a tad longer, so she acknowledges. Many DC Republicans would prefer if she didn't resign at all, or at least until AFTER 2010. ...(read more)

2010/2012

firstread — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:30:00 GMT

“More than 100 Democratic House members have yet to contribute a penny of their obligations for the 2010 election cycle to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee,” the National Journal writes. This suggests many incumbents are facing competitive races next year, in which case they are exempt from paying. But some who don’t face serious challenges, including some safe liberals in blue Northeastern states, also haven’t paid, leading some to suggest dissatisfaction within the party. Among those...(read more)

2010/2012

firstread — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 13:29:00 GMT

The Wall Street Journal examines the Republican strategy of turning Nancy Pelosi into the Newt Gingrich of the Democratic Party."One typical radio ad targeted Representative Zack Space, a conservative "Blue Dog" Democrat from Ohio's sprawling 18th district, which covers much of the southeastern part of the sate. "He's not voting like a blue dog, he's voting like a lap dog," the narrator says, as barking is heard in the background. "A lap dog for Nancy Pelosi and President Obama. Space has been voting...(read more)