All Republicans should feel relieved, if not jubilant. Lots of winners who helped themselves, and no disastrous losers.
Major gains for Marco Rubio who was lucid, passionate, self-assured, Kennedyesque – cementing his status as everyone’s second choice, which may win him the nomination, ultimately. John Kasich also moved his campaign forward: starting in tenth place (according to the polls) he looked and sounded like a folksy, credible, mainstream contender. Jeb Bush, who had to overcome a recent reputation for bumbling and gaffes, seemed strong, capable, sympathetic, and accessible.… Continue Reading
In Washington, D.C., “safe” is every politician’s, lobbyist’s and campaign fund-raiser’s favorite four-letter word, physically and politically, especially in the U.S. House, where the Republicans hold a 245-188 majority (with two vacancies).
Of the 435 seats up for election in 2016, according to nonpartisan prognosticators like the Rothenberg and Gonzales Political Report, Rollcall, Sabato’s Crystal Ball and the Cook Political Report, only 32 are “in play,” which means susceptible to a party switch next year.… Continue Reading
While the attention of the world was on the first Republican presidential debates in Cleveland on Thursday night, the drama in the Democratic Party may soon overshadow anything the GOP has to offer. Look at what’s happening on the way to Hillary Clinton’s coronation in 2016. All of a sudden, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), a self-identified “democratic socialist,” is within striking distance in some of the key early primary states. But the real action is with Vice President Joe Biden.… Continue Reading
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., argued in Thursday night’s Fox News Republican presidential debate that an unborn child’s right to life is inherent under the United States Constitution and the passage of a constitutional amendment is not required to ban abortions.
Huckabee’s first response at the the primetime debate, which featured the top-10 polling GOP candidates, was prefaced by moderator Chris Wallace asking him how he would persuade Independents and Democrats to vote for him when he advocates strongly for constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage and abortion.… Continue Reading
Federal Elections, Political | David E. Smith | August 7, 2015 11:00 AM | Comments Off on Huckabee, Rubio Say Right to Life Already Inherent in the Constitution at GOP Debate ‘
The New York Times reports preparations by Vice President Joe Biden and his aides to join the a presidential race – a looming disaster for Hillary Clinton.
It’s not that Biden is more competent, moderate or popular than she is – he’s none of the above. But he is closer to the administration, and a majority of Democrats adore the president so much that they’ll choose the candidate who pledges most fervently to continue his policies.… Continue Reading
Mark Levin is fed up with the Republican leadership in Congress.
A day before U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., filed a motion to remove U.S. House Speaker John Boehner from his leadership post, Levin called on Boehner and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to resign.
At the Young America’s Foundation’s National Student Conference in Washington, D.C., the popular talk radio host and author spoke with The Daily Signal about the future of Republican Party.
Mike Huckabee with reporters in Tinley Park Friday – Photo credit: Al Ashworth
Written by Fran Eaton
At the RISE Initiative at the Tinley Park Convention Center Friday, GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee answered a question asked by an Illinois Review reporter:
“Social conservatives in Illinois are feeling pushed out of their Party. Could you address that issue as to how important it is for social conservatives stay involved … in whatever party they pick?”
Senator Kirk and the GOP need to think hard about what happens next.
Written by John Fund
Illinois U.S. Senator Mark Kirk has won a lot of respect for his gritty recovery from a serious stroke in 2012. But his fellow Republicans worry that his recent political and verbal stumbles make him the most vulnerable GOP incumbent up for reelection in 2016 in a state Barack Obama won with 58 percent of the vote in 2012.… Continue Reading
Democratic National Committee Chairman Debbie Wasserman Schultz got a jolt of introspection, a quick glance at oneself, like walking by a picture window and being surprised by the reflection.
Chris Matthews, bravely admitting that he once knew the answer to this question, sought the answer from Debbie.
“What is the difference between a Democrat and a Socialist?” Matthews asked. Wasserman Schultz was at a loss (video):
It’s been a hard time for politicians not named “Trump” to get any attention, but Mike Huckabee managed it. He did it by comparing Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler.
At least that’s what I gathered from headlines like this one from Gawker:
I don’t put huge amounts of stock in Gawker headlines (or really any headlines on the Internet), but then I saw that CNN’s Wolf Blitzer said Huckabee had “essentially likened [Barack Obama] to Adolf Hitler.”… Continue Reading
Federal Elections, Political | David E. Smith | 
August 8, 2015 6:00 PM | 
Comments Off on Score Card from the Big Debates 
