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Hotline After Dark -- 'Cause I'm The Taxman
Questions were raised about the nomination of Treas. Sec.-designate/NY FED Pres. Tim Geithner, amid reports he failed to pay some personal taxes and a problem with his housekeeper. Pat Buchanan: "Geithner's got a nanny problem. ... What he did, apparently,...

Posted on January 14, 2009 09:04 AM


HRC On "The Plight Of Women And Girls"
As Sen. Hillary Clinton fields mostly friendly questions from members of the Senate Foreign Relations Cmte, she is repeatedly hitting a matter of interest and concern that has been prominent throughout her public career -- the plight of the world's...

Posted on January 13, 2009 11:49 AM


Bush: "We Have Been Through A Lot Together"
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Posted on January 12, 2009 10:46 AM


Sunday Snapshot -- You Only Get What You Give
Sunday was a mix of the past, present and future. Pres.-elect Obama appeared on "This Week" to discuss his upcoming challenges. Obama, asked if his admin. can fix the economy: "I think we can fix this. But it's going to...

Posted on January 12, 2009 09:06 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Your Love Is Like Good Medicine
A number of Dr. Sanjay Gupta's colleagues at CNN responded positively to the news that Pres.-elect Obama offered Gupta the job of surgeon general. CNN's Henry: "Dr. Gupta, while he's not commenting publicly, is very interested in this privately, to...

Posted on January 7, 2009 09:00 AM


Coleman Goes To Court
The epic race for the MN senate seat will have yet another chapter before its finale. Republican Sen. Norm Coleman announced today that he'll take the fight for the seat to the state Supreme Court, less than a day...

Posted on January 6, 2009 05:07 PM


Bush On Lincoln's Instruction: "Self-Pity Is A Horrible Trait"
President Bush today in an interview with C-Span's Steve Scully poignantly discusses what he has learned from the books he has read about Abraham Lincoln. Much has been made by reporters of Pres.-elect Barack Obama's efforts to model his administration...

Posted on December 18, 2008 05:35 PM


Arne Duncan For Ed Sec
Pres.-elect Barack Obama is rolling out his pick this morning for Education Sec., Chicago Public Schools Chief Arne Duncan. Mayor Richard M. Daley named Duncan CEO of the Chicago Public Schools in June 2001. Chicago is the nation's third largest...

Posted on December 16, 2008 10:32 AM


Did The Bailout Get Bailed Out?
Like AAA to a car stalled on the side of a darkened highway, the U.S. Senate is now looking like it could come to the rescue of the Big Three automakers. But it's a longshot. Let's review some of the...

Posted on December 11, 2008 05:05 PM


Auto Bailout Running On Empty?
(source: pro.corbis.com) Will the Senate be the place where the auto industry bailout goes to die, even after House Democrats and White House officials spent all weekend working to resuscitate it? The compromise proposal Democrats are negotiating -- in...

Posted on December 9, 2008 02:50 PM


Sunday Snapshot -- Meet The Pres-ident
NBC's Brokaw sat down with Pres.-elect Obama in Chicago 12/6. The interview aired on yesterday's "Meet the Press" for the full hour. Obama, on the recession: "First of all, I think it's important for us to remember that as tough...

Posted on December 8, 2008 09:48 AM


Caos Do Fly, At Least In New Orleans
In a shocker, there will be a GOP Rep. in New Orleans. In a surprising twist, GOPers won a sweep in LA tonight in two general elections, picking up embattled Rep. Bill Jefferson's (D-LA 02) seat in New Orleans,...

Posted on December 7, 2008 12:11 AM


Family Feud?
Rep. Barney Frank is fuming because Barack Obama has not provided lawmakers with more guidance about the auto bailout. "At a time of great crisis with mortgage foreclosures and autos, he says we only have one president at a time,"...

Posted on December 5, 2008 10:14 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Flattery Will Get You Somewhere
Pres.-elect Obama announcing NM Gov./ex-UN Amb./ex-Energy Sec. Bill Richardson (D) as his nominee for Commerce sec. was the talk of TV: CNBC's Harwood: "Some of that is flattery. You're trying to make somebody who aspired to be secretary of state,...

Posted on December 4, 2008 08:56 AM


The Big Security Six
As we await Barack Obama's presser in Chicago, browse the transition's official release announcing Sen. Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, that Defense Secretary Robert Gates will remain as Secretary of Defense, that pending Senate approval Eric Holder will serve...

Posted on December 1, 2008 10:33 AM


Did Someone Say "Economy"?
The economy, a proposed $175B stimulus package and NY FED Bank Pres. Timothy Geithner, were the talk of the Sunday shows, with speculation that he will be President-elect Barack Obama's pick for Treas. Sec. Obama campaign strategist David Axelrod appeared...

Posted on November 24, 2008 01:17 PM


Pollster Feud: McInturff On Luntz, "A Moron"
Bill McInturff, John McCain's lead pollster, this morning defended his candidate's loss in the 2008 election as primarily a result of the nation's fiscal crisis. He also slammed Republican colleague Frank Luntz, whom he called a "moron," for his treatment...

Posted on November 20, 2008 10:31 AM


VA Gube '09: Vying For The Warner/Kaine Legacy
The first in a series of posts exploring the 2009 and 2010 gubernatorial and congressional contests. The 2009 Virginia gubernatorial race was bound to be interesting, not just because the state is on the precipice of turning bright blue...

Posted on November 19, 2008 10:29 PM


Axelrod, Brown, Craig, Lu
For more WH staff announcements today from the Obama transition: David Axelrod, Senior Advisor to the President Lisa Brown, Staff Secretary Greg Craig, White House Counsel Chris Lu, Cabinet Secretary Full bios, per the transition, available after the jump....

Posted on November 19, 2008 03:58 PM


Sunday Snapshot -- The Wheels On The Proposal Go Round And Round
The proposed bailout of the auto industry was the main topic discussed on the Sunday shows. Commerce Sec. Carlos Gutierrez was on "Late Edition." Gutierrez, asked if Pres. Bush supports a federal bailout for the auto industry: "Let me tell...

Posted on November 17, 2008 09:11 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Party In The City Where The Heat Is On
With a lot of focus on '12, all eyes were on the RGA's annual conference in Miami: MS Gov. Haley Barbour (R): "The news media down here maybe want to be talking about 2012. The vast majority of the people,...

Posted on November 13, 2008 09:12 AM


Electoral College Scorecard: Rank & Smile
After a primary season that saw pollsters face serious questions of accuracy, the general election appears to have been far more manageable. In addition to two pollsters -- Ipsos/McClatchy and CNN/Opinion Research Corp. -- exactly predicting Barack Obama's 53-46% popular-vote...

Posted on November 10, 2008 03:50 PM


Sunday Snapshot -- Hail To The Chief Of Staff
A number of Pres.-elect Obama's team members made the Sunday rounds. Newly-named WH CoS Rahm Emanuel discussed his role in the admin. on "This Week" and "Face the Nation." Emanuel, on House Min. Leader John Boehner saying it was "an...

Posted on November 10, 2008 09:19 AM


House Update: Overtime!
We may be just two days removed from Election Day, but many have already moved on from campaign '08. The races for NRCC and DCCC chairs have already begun, and candidates are already mulling '10 bids. But let's not...

Posted on November 6, 2008 04:01 PM


Wishin' And Hopin'
McCain adviser Nicolle Wallace: "You learn two things working for John McCain, one is never give up, and two, it ain't over 'til it's over." Wallace said the camp is still waiting for VA, and it has "good internal numbers"...

Posted on November 4, 2008 08:59 PM


Double Dipping
With Joe Biden projected to have won a seventh term, what happens if he also becomes vice president next January? Biden's dual candidacy was rarely discussed this year, unlike 2000 when some accused Joe Lieberman of hedging his bets by...

Posted on November 4, 2008 08:15 PM


The Flyover View: The Change Already
Across the battleground states, the "change election" has already come in the hours before the polls close. Shifting poll numbers, early voting results and the prediction of huge turnouts have caused local columnists to rexamine their hometowns' place on...

Posted on November 3, 2008 11:27 PM


Sunday Snapshot -- By The Numbers
The last pre-election Sunday lineup included Obama mgr. David Plouffe, who appeared on "Fox News Sunday" in his first ever Sunday show interview. Fox's Wallace: "You've come up with a number ... of exactly how many votes you believe you...

Posted on November 3, 2008 09:06 AM


Diageo/Hotline Tracking Poll: The Early Line
Obama/Biden 51% McCain/Palin 44% Undec 5% - Ind-decisive. McCain and Obama are now tied, 44-44%, among Indies. One week ago, in the survey completed 10/24, Obama led Indies 45-40%. - My Name Is Early. The number of respondents who...

Posted on November 1, 2008 11:29 AM


Obama Up With TV Ads In AZ, ND, GA
Barack Obama's camp is launching new TV ads -- "Rearview Mirror" and "Something" -- in three states previously thought to be a lock for John McCain. NBC/NJ's Athena Jones reports that campaign manager David Plouffe explained the thinking behind the...

Posted on October 31, 2008 10:57 AM


"Somewhere Between Their Nose And Their Forehead"
Robert Gibbs, a senior advisor to Barack Obama, talked to reporters today, and the full report, per NBC/NJ's Athena Jones, is available after the jump. The News: Obama will make three stops Sunday in Ohio Gibbs talks Halloween (Obama will...

Posted on October 30, 2008 01:24 PM


The Transition Coordinating Council
After the jump, a White House memo issued today outlining the administration's preparations for transition. Participating in the Transition Coordinating Council, which is managing the effort: Andy Card, chief of staff to President Bush and director of the 1992 Bush/Clinton...

Posted on October 28, 2008 02:07 PM


Sunday Snapshot -- Fuzzy Math
John McCain sat down with NBC's Brokaw in Waterloo, IA. Brokaw: "For the first time in nine months, our exclusive guest, Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain returns to 'Meet the Press.'" McCain: "I noticed you mentioned, nine months. I...

Posted on October 27, 2008 09:09 AM


Feeling Groovy
With 11 days to go, Barack Obama's campaign is feeling good about its position in several of the big battleground states, due to the strength of their ground operations, enthusiasm among supporters and early voting data, campaign manager David Plouffe...

Posted on October 24, 2008 05:12 PM


Battle For The Electoral College: Slip, Switch & Pass
With 48 new matchups released in 26 separate states since 10/21, Barack Obama lost ground in today's Electoral College projection. He now leads John McCain 320 EVs to 215 EVs, down from his 10/21 margin of 353 EVs to 182...

Posted on October 24, 2008 02:08 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Talk To Me
Last night's coverage featured Sarah Palin's second interview with Sean Hannity, as well as the second part of NBC's Brian Williams' interview with Palin and John McCain. Additionally, ex-Pres. Bush press sec. Scott McClellan endorsed Barack Obama on comedian D.L....

Posted on October 24, 2008 09:19 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Crisis Control
NBC's Williams sat down with John McCain and Sarah Palin in OH. Williams: "Before we begin airing the conversation, this moment first from late in our conversation that will make news tonight about the growing requests these days for Sarah...

Posted on October 23, 2008 09:05 AM


Mac In Manch
John McCain is in the Granite State today seeking some of that New Hampshire love that resuscitated his WH bid earlier this year: "We go back a long way, New Hampshire. I've learned a lot over the years from the...

Posted on October 22, 2008 11:06 AM


Sunday Snapshot -- The Power Of Powell
Even a Sunday stump appearance by John McCain couldn't keep Gen./ex-Sec/State Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama on "Meet the Press" off the headlines. McCain also spoke to "Fox News Sunday," where he responded to the Powell endorsement: McCain: "Well,...

Posted on October 20, 2008 09:00 AM


Letterman V. McCain
John McCain's appearance on the "Late Show with David Letterman" was taped this afternoon and airs tonight. Transcript, complete with Letterman's Q about McCain's relationship with G. Gordon Liddy (see 'questionable associations'), available after the jump....

Posted on October 16, 2008 08:36 PM


Hotline After Dark -- What's Mine Is Yours
CNN's Bash caught up with John McCain. Some highlights: McCain, asked if he's going to offer any new economic proposals this week: "I'll let you know tomorrow." Bash: "Well, your opponent, Barack Obama, did offer something new today. I'm sure...

Posted on October 14, 2008 08:44 AM


The Flyover View, I Deputize You
In Scranton, PA 10/12, Bill and Hillary Clinton joined Joe Biden at a rally billed as a homecoming for Scranton-native Biden and the city's "goddaughter," H. Clinton, whose father was born and is buried in Scranton. National and local...

Posted on October 13, 2008 04:22 PM


Hotline After Dark -- The Fun Factor
John McCain, Sarah Palin and Barack Obama all made the TV rounds last night. FNC's Hannity sat down with McCain and Palin in Coopersburg, PA. McCain, asked if he and Palin give each other debate advice: "No, the only advice...

Posted on October 9, 2008 09:14 AM


Hotline After Dark -- No More Mr. Nice Guy
A lot of last night's TV focused on the John McCain camp attacking Barack Obama's associations with Bill Ayers. NPR's Williams: "I think they'll go on to Reverend Wright. ... They are going to make Obama so dangerous that they...

Posted on October 7, 2008 08:37 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Reality Bites
With the Senate's passage of the bailout bill last night, the package now moves to the House. Pols and pundits weighed in on its chances of passing there: Ex-Speaker Denny Hastert: "There's a very good chance. This is one of...

Posted on October 2, 2008 09:09 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Crisis Mode
The House's rejection of the bailout bill dominated last night's news coverage. Newt Gingrich, on a possible reason the bill failed: "The Republicans in the House are the most conservative element in Washington. And they were firmly opposed to the...

Posted on September 30, 2008 08:53 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Talking Heads
John McCain and Barack Obama made the TV rounds last night to discuss the bailout plan and tonight's debate. First up, McCain: McCain, asked what's the hang up on the bailout plan: "Well, members have concerns about ... an expenditure...

Posted on September 26, 2008 09:56 AM


The Clinton Global Iniative Goes On ...
And neither candidate would be fool enough to miss it. After the jump, the prepared remarks of both candidates, who addressed the forum this morning....

Posted on September 25, 2008 10:55 AM


Hotline After Dark -- It's A Wild World
The $700B bailout plan continues to be the talk of the TV. FNC's Barnes: "We would be in a better situation, or at least the Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson would, if this were known as a 'rescue' rather than a...

Posted on September 23, 2008 09:35 AM


The Flyover View
With six weeks remaining until voters go to the polls, On Call launches a new feature today highlighting local news coverage of the presidential candidates' events across the nation. Though Washingtonians read their favorite national scribes religiously, the White...

Posted on September 22, 2008 06:04 PM


Obama: Bailout Won't Change Fate Of My Health Care Plan
Barack Obama told CNBC's Chief Washington Correspondent John Harwood that his plan to reform the nation's health care policy won't fall victim to the government's $700B bailout plan. HARWOOD: So no change in your health care plan? OBAMA: Well, the--but...

Posted on September 22, 2008 11:44 AM


Sunday Snapshot -- Dire Straits
Treas. Sec. Henry Paulson made the TV rounds this weekend, appearing on four of the five Sunday shows. Paulson, on the risks of doing nothing about the economic crisis: "Last week, as the credit markets were frozen, the capital markets...

Posted on September 22, 2008 08:58 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Silent And Clear
FNC's Sean Hannity sat down with Sarah Palin in Cleveland, OH, for her first cable interview. Part one aired on "Hannity & Colmes." Hannity: "Senator [Barack] Obama yesterday was attacking Senator [John] McCain for saying that the fundamentals of the...

Posted on September 18, 2008 09:03 AM


Paulson On The Hot Seat
Full transcript of the Treasury Sec.Henry Paulson's earlier Q and A with reporters is available after the jump. Provided by the White House. Here's a snippet: Paulson: "Your question says, "Where is the root of the problem?" And I think...

Posted on September 15, 2008 03:29 PM


Sunday Snapshot -- Lady In Red
Sarah Palin continued to be the talk of the town. Focusing on "gender politics," CBS' "Face the Nation" hosted AZ Gov. Janet Napolitano (D), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and ex-MA Gov. Jane Swift (R)....

Posted on September 15, 2008 09:11 AM


Sunday Snapshot -- Three's Company
It was an exciting Sunday with John McCain, Barack Obama and Joe Biden all making appearances. McCain appeared on "Face the Nation" from Colorado Springs, CO, marking his 65th appearance on the show. CBS' Schieffer: "Senator McCain, you have now...

Posted on September 8, 2008 09:40 AM


Nader: "I Don't Think The Right Wing Can Trust McCain"
ST. PAUL – With what he says is an encouraging new poll in hand that reveals voter interest in candidates not tied to either leading political party, independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader takes the stage tonight in Minneapolis for...

Posted on September 4, 2008 05:53 PM


Palin Scores Big Viewer Numbers, Rivals Obama
Just in from Nielsen: * The Sarah Palin speech generated 37.2 million viewers, just a 1.1 million viewers short of Barack Obama’s record-breaking speech on Day 4 of the Democratic Convention. The Palin speech was carried on only six networks...

Posted on September 4, 2008 04:55 PM


F. Thompson: Media Afraid Of Palin
From Fred Thompson's prepared remarks, a comment on Sarah Palin: Some Washington pundits and media big shots are in a frenzy over the selection of a woman who has actually governed rather than just talked a good game on...

Posted on September 2, 2008 10:09 PM


Sunday Snapshot -- Toning It Down
Two topics dominated the Sunday shows: Hurricane Gustav's impact on the GOP convo and John McCain's choice of AK Gov. Sarah Palin (R) as his running mate. McCain was on "Fox News Sunday," and he was asked if there...

Posted on September 1, 2008 09:48 AM


Obama's Speech
Remarks available in full after the jump ... Just a graph in, by the way, he salutes Hillary Rodham Clinton....

Posted on August 28, 2008 10:14 PM


Pickens On Decline In Price Of Oil: "It'll Go Up Again"
DENVER -- DNC attendees were treated to a strange sight this afternoon -- Texas oilman (and major GOP donor) T. Boone Pickens sharing a stage with Sierra Club executive director Carl Pope and Center for American Progress president John...

Posted on August 27, 2008 07:57 PM


Media Monitor: Backstage Pass
In our third installment of "Backstage Pass," we headed over to "The Fox Experience," FNC's home base in Denver. 8/26, 11:30 am MT: A sit-down with Jon Scott, co-anchor of FNC's "Happening Now." Born and bred in Denver, Scott...

Posted on August 26, 2008 06:16 PM


Kleeb On "Failed Policies Of The Past"
The Hotline's Quinn McCord sat down with NE SEN nominee Scott Kleeb (D) on 8/25 to discuss his race with ex-Gov./ex-Ag. Sec. Mike Johanns (R). Kleeb said that, if elected, his priorities would be to tackle healthcare and energy issues,...

Posted on August 26, 2008 11:56 AM


Fall Campaigns
Stern: $85M SEIU campaign this fall. SEIU workers going door to door. Courting young and Hispanic voters. Hammering health care issue, and differences between McCain and Obama on hc. We are spending our time both on the issues as...

Posted on August 25, 2008 12:52 PM


Sunday Snapshot -- Denver, Gorgeous!
All the Sunday shows shot on location in Denver and focused on Barack Obama's choice of Joe Biden as VP. Obama strategist David Axelrod, asked if the camp decided that adding another change candidate was "simply too risky": "He...

Posted on August 25, 2008 10:05 AM


A Generational Divide For Women
A new poll sponsored by Emily’s List shows Barack Obama leading John McCain by 12 percentage points among women, a sign that female fans of Hillary Clinton appear to have moved to the Dem nom’s camp. The survey of 1,406...

Posted on August 20, 2008 03:44 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Pro Con Pro-Choice
Veepstakes was the talk of the TV last night. On the GOP side, most of the discussion focused on the possibility of John McCain picking a pro-choice running mate. FNC's Cameron: "Sources at the Republican National Committee now say they've...

Posted on August 20, 2008 09:26 AM


Praised
Former VA Gov. Mark Warner, a candidate for U.S. Senate and the keynote speaker at the Dem convention in Denver, suggests to Bloomberg's Peter Cook that his successor would make a fine addition to his party's ticket. Per a transcript...

Posted on August 19, 2008 03:22 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Making A Statement
A majority of last night's TV focused on the conflict between Russia and Georgia, and how Barack Obama and John McCain are responding to it. FNC's Barnes: "I haven't learned a whole lot from these statements, but every time one...

Posted on August 12, 2008 09:41 AM


Sunday Snapshot -- The Return Of The Race Card
There was a lot of discussion about Barack Obama's reaction to John McCain's "celebrity" ad, and whether Obama is injecting race into the campaign. Obama: "Since they don't have any new ideas, the only strategy they've got in this election...

Posted on August 4, 2008 09:07 AM


Sunday Snapshot -- Sunday Funday
Two Barack Obama interviews and one John McCain interview made for the biggest Sunday in a while. LONDON CALLING NBC's Brokaw sat down with Obama in London 7/26. Brokaw: "When you get home and Michelle says to you, 'Barack, what...

Posted on July 28, 2008 09:10 AM


McCain At GI Forum In Denver
Addressing the 2008 American GI Forum of the United States National Convention in Denver today, John McCain again pushed the notion that Barack Obama, in opposing the surge, proved he would rather win a campaign than the Iraq war: "We...

Posted on July 25, 2008 02:34 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Not Budging
CBS' Couric talked separately with Barack Obama and John McCain last night. Couric sat down with Obama in Jordan: Couric: "You raised a lot of eyebrows on this trip saying even knowing what you know now, you still would not...

Posted on July 23, 2008 09:17 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Flattery Will Get You Everywhere
A lot of last night's TV coverage focused on John McCain's 7/16 appearance before the NAACP nat'l convo in Cincinnati, OH. Ex-NAACP official/RNC's Shannon Reeves: "The goal not necessarily was in one speech to change someone's vote, but first to...

Posted on July 17, 2008 08:50 AM


McCain Calls For Troop Increase In Afghanistan
Speaking a few moments ago in Albuquerque, NM, John McCain issued a call to increase troop levels in Afghanistan, noting that the situation in Iraq is much improved. NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy, who has been traveling with the McCain campaign, notes...

Posted on July 15, 2008 12:20 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Cruel Intentions?
The New Yorker cover of Barack and Michelle Obama was the talk of the TV last night. New Yorker ed. David Remnick was in the "Situation Room" last night to discuss the cover. Remnick, asked if he would the cover...

Posted on July 15, 2008 09:38 AM


Sunday Snapshot -- "A Happy Warrior"
"Fox News Sunday" dedicated its full hour to remembering ex-host/ex-WH press sec. Tony Snow, who died of colon cancer 7/12 at the age of 53. In a taped interview with Fox's Chris Wallace, VP Cheney talked about Snow's influence on...

Posted on July 14, 2008 09:25 AM


Obama: Immigration Reform Will Be A Year One Priority
During a speech before the League of United Latin American Citizens in Washington, Barack Obama is expected to commit today to making immigration reform a "top priority" in the first year of his administration. A snippet of the speech, which...

Posted on July 8, 2008 03:10 PM


Courting Hispanic Voters
The presidential candidates both addressed National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) late last month, and they're talking today to League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in Washington. A critical swing constituency that helped carry George W....

Posted on July 8, 2008 12:20 PM


You've Got To Have Faith
Barack Obama makes a pitch in Zanesville, OH, today to expand President Bush's faith based programs, while affirming his belief in the separation between church and state. He'll propose a Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships to help these groups...

Posted on July 1, 2008 10:50 AM


Sunday Snapshot -- War Of Words
Policy discussions dominated the Sunday shows. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) was on "Face the Nation." Lieberman, asked if he believes Barack Obama is not ready to be POTUS: "John McCain is more ready to be president on foreign and domestic...

Posted on June 30, 2008 09:37 AM


Obama: Rivals No More, Allies And Friends
"She rocks. She rocks. That's the point I'm trying to make." -- Barack Obama on Hillary Clinton, in Unity, NH, today. Obama's Unity speech available in full after the jump....

Posted on June 27, 2008 01:32 PM


Can Emily's List Get Its Mojo Back?
I co-wrote today's National Journal cover story about Emily's List, the Democratic women's political action committee, with my colleague (and pal) Bara Vaida. We examine Emily's List's efforts to rebound from major losses in 2006 and Hillary Clinton's failed White...

Posted on June 27, 2008 10:27 AM


Friendly Dealings
Edward T. Pound has a piece out tomorrow in National Journal that asks: "Will Norm Coleman's relationship with a well-connected GOP operative hurt him in his tough battle for re-election?" The full story is available after the jump. Enjoy ......

Posted on June 26, 2008 04:42 PM


Drilling Down
When John McCain announced last week that he would push to lift the federal moratorium against offshore drilling, he put several fellow Republicans, many of whom represent coastal states and are in tight election contests, in a tough spot. McCain’s...

Posted on June 24, 2008 06:43 PM


Sunday Snaphot -- Put It In Reverse
The Sunday shows concentrated on Barack Obama changing his position on taking public financing and John McCain changing his position on offshore drilling. CBS' Schieffer: "Well, summer is here. This is the season of flip-flops, but suddenly we're not talking...

Posted on June 23, 2008 09:16 AM


Hotline After Dark -- To Drill Or Not To Drill?
There was a lot of talk on the TV last night about John McCain coming out in favor of offshore oil drilling. FNC's Cameron: "Both candidates have shifted some of their energy views, but McCain's moving toward helping consumers more...

Posted on June 18, 2008 09:28 AM


"Take It From Me, Elections Matter"
Al Gore endorsed Barack Obama tonight in Detroit, saying that voters who care about the balance of the Supreme Court, the neglect of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and the safety of the nation's food supply, among other issues, know...

Posted on June 16, 2008 09:10 PM


From Janesville to Moraine
Text of Barack Obama's full NC speech about the economy available after the jump. Here's a snippet on John McCain: "When it comes to the economy, John McCain and I have a fundamentally different vision of where to take the...

Posted on June 9, 2008 01:53 PM


Sunday Snapshot -- Don't Cry For Me, America
All of the Sunday shows discussed Hillary Clinton's concession speech in DC on 6/7. NBC's Mitchell, asked what happened between 6/3 and 6/7: "Charlie Rangel. Pressure from her own biggest supporters. It was Charlie Rangel who first catapulted her into...

Posted on June 9, 2008 09:22 AM


Obama: No More "Fear And Innuendo And Division"
Barack Obama is expected to hit John McCain hard tonight during his MN speech, saying that he has backced President Bush's policies 95% of the time. Here are a few bites: On the economy "John McCain has spent a lot...

Posted on June 3, 2008 08:48 PM


Sunday Snapshot -- Reserving The Right
All of the Sunday shows focused on the 5/31 DNC Rules and Bylaws Cmte meeting, where it was decided to fully seat the disputed delegates from MI and FL, giving each delegate a half a vote. Clinton strategist Harold Ickes,...

Posted on June 2, 2008 09:41 AM


DNC Credentials Record No. Of Blogs For Denver
The Democratic National Committee announced tonight that it has credentialed a record number of blogs for the 2008 party convention in Denver -- more than triple those sanctioned to participate in 2004. A list can be viewed here. A few...

Posted on May 29, 2008 10:12 PM


Where's McCain Spending Precious Cash On Ads?
John McCain's campaign is spending $1.135M on ad buys between May 6 and June 16. Per my media buyer source, here are the states McCain's team is targeting: Ohio -- $483,184 Pennsylvania -- $228,159 Michigan -- $227,978 Iowa -- $107,940...

Posted on May 28, 2008 05:41 PM


Sunday Snapshot -- Time And Time Again
Hillary Clinton's reference to Robert Kennedy's assassination was the talk of the Sunday shows. Clinton chair Terry McAuliffe: "What she was talking about was the time line. ... She had made a very similar statement, as you know, in Time...

Posted on May 27, 2008 09:09 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Another Day, Another Primary
Last night's TV coverage was dominated by Hillary Clinton's win in KY and Barack Obama's win in OR. Clinton supporter/PA Gov. Ed Rendell (D): "In the last three months ... she's won seven out of the ten primaries and won...

Posted on May 21, 2008 08:59 AM


Obama's 'Forging A New Future For America'
Barack Obama's speech, delivered in Des Moines -- where it all began in a bitter January cold, is available after the jump. Check out the John McCain bashing. A snippet: "The skeptics predicted we wouldn’t get very far. The cynics...

Posted on May 20, 2008 10:13 PM


Cazayoux, Childers ... Boswell?
Lost in tonight’s results is the fact that yet another conservative Dem has emerged in an open House seat in the South. In the Bowling Green-based KY-02, where Rep. Ron Lewis (R) is retiring, state Sen. David Boswell (D) defeated...

Posted on May 20, 2008 09:27 PM


Second Thoughts About Playing Nice
MAYSVILLE, KY - Hillary Clinton used stronger language this morning in arguing that the nomination fight is "nowhere near over," saying that she will keep making the case that she is more electable until she is the nominee. "We're not...

Posted on May 19, 2008 01:10 PM


Waxman And Berman For Obama
Reps. Henry Waxman and Howard Berman, California Super Ds and House committee chairmen, endorsed Barack Obama today. Waxman says that he stayed upcommitted so that Hillary Clinton "had every opportunity to bring her campaign to the American people," but that...

Posted on May 15, 2008 01:29 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Double Whammy
John Edwards' endorsement of Barack Obama was the talk of the TV last night. NBC's Todd, asked if Obama gets Edwards' delegates: "He's likely to. ... These pledged delegates to Edwards are basically kind of like superdelegates. ... We've learned...

Posted on May 15, 2008 09:03 AM


Obama Holds MO Town Hall As WV Called
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO – As the West Virginia primary race came to a close Tuesday, Barack Obama held a town hall with garment workers here, another sign he was shifting his focus to key general election battlegrounds. Missouri Sen. Claire...

Posted on May 13, 2008 08:16 PM


Sunday Snapshot -- Should She Stay Or Should She Go Now?
The Sunday shows continued to discuss the odds that Hillary Clinton will capture the Dem nod. Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid: "I think we have to play this out. ... President Clinton didn't get the nomination until June 2nd. So...

Posted on May 12, 2008 09:10 AM


Without A Game Changer ...
With early exits indicating that a big double victory tonight likely eluded Hillary Clinton, her camp is suggesting that the FL and MI delegate counts should be included in the total number needed to secure the nom, boosting the magic...

Posted on May 6, 2008 06:39 PM


Sunday Snapshot -- Wright On
Barack Obama was on "Meet the Press" for the full hour 5/4. The interview was conducted in Indianapolis, IN. Obama, asked why Rev. Wright re-emerged: "You know, you'd have to ask him. I think that it's possible, as a consequence...

Posted on May 5, 2008 09:11 AM


Literal Barnstorming
SOUTH BEND, IN – Barack Obama, who has consistently done well in big cities but has struggled in rural areas, sought to show he can be the president of small town America at a town hall in a barn here...

Posted on May 1, 2008 05:56 PM


WJC: Obama Camp Writing Off Working Class Voters
HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. -- Bill Clinton fired up a Tarheel crowd here by recounting facts and figures from his wife's victory in Pennsylvania yesterday. He said that the win was possible because of "people like you," working-class types that he said...

Posted on April 23, 2008 05:08 PM


Dueling Memos
With four hours until polls close, Barack Obama's campaign is saying that Hillary Clinton "should win big" tonight in PA, according to a memo released by the campaign. Obama's camp says that the state is "tailor-made" for HRC. She has...

Posted on April 22, 2008 03:53 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Define Victory
The 4/22 PA primary dominated TV coverage last night. Pat Buchanan: "If [Obama] can't beat Hillary Clinton when he's the frontrunner and now outspent her two to one, he can't win Pennsylvania; can he take it away from John McCain?...

Posted on April 22, 2008 09:22 AM


McCain Tour Goes To Youngstown
Day Two of another John McCain tour ... The "Time for Change" tour heads to Youngstown State University today. Snippets of McCain's speech, given at noon, are available after the jump. Expect more Dems-will-raise-your-taxes talk: "Raising taxes on businesses in...

Posted on April 22, 2008 09:01 AM


Sunday Snapshot -- The Passion Of McCain
John McCain was on "This Week": McCain, on ex-Sen. Bob Smith (R-NH) saying his temper would place the U.S. at risk in int'l affairs and "the world perhaps in danger": "Yes, I served with him, and had significant differences on...

Posted on April 21, 2008 09:41 AM


McCain To Cut Corporate Taxes
John McCain gave a much-anticipated economic speech this morning at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Full text is after the jump. Here are the highlights, which include a promise to cut corporate income taxes, a move McCain says the govt...

Posted on April 15, 2008 10:37 AM


Another Clinton Proposes 100,000 New Cops
PHILADELPHIA, PA – Hillary Clinton is taking a page from her husband's playbook, announcing a plan today to put 100,000 new police officers on America's streets, as part of her anti-crime agenda. The plan sets a goal of cutting the...

Posted on April 11, 2008 12:07 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Risky Business
After two days of cong. hearings and a meeting with Pres. Bush, Gen. David Petraeus made the TV rounds last night to talk about the progress of the Iraq war. NBC's Williams: "If your commander in chief said 'get out,'...

Posted on April 11, 2008 09:03 AM


I'd Like To Get A Few Things Off My Chest
BOONVILLE, IN -- After a series of rallies in Puerto Rico early this week and some down time for fundraisers in recent days, Bill Clinton returned to the campaign trail here today, and, apparently, he had a lot to get...

Posted on April 10, 2008 05:32 PM


Sunday Snapshot
John McCain was on "Fox News Sunday": On his campaign strategy: "California can no longer be written off, in my view. And that means going to all parts of that state and reaching out to Hispanic voters, independents, others. I...

Posted on April 7, 2008 08:36 AM


$20M In March For HRC
A campaign source confirms for On Call that Hillary Clinton raised $20M in March. March marks her second biggest monthly take; she raised $35M in February. Still waiting for details on donor numbers, average amount and so on. Clinton's take...

Posted on April 3, 2008 03:39 PM


No Fixed Address
John McCain's "Service To America" tour brings him to FL's Cecil Field today. Cecil Field, as McCain's spokesman noted in an email this a.m., is where McCain was stationed when he left for Vietnam, where his family lived for 5...

Posted on April 3, 2008 08:42 AM


Net Loss 6,700 GOP Voters In NC
Thanks to a team of gracious number-crunchers at the North Carolina State Board of Elections, here’s another fascinating tidbit about voter registration in the state -- custom-crafted at NBC/NJ's request. It’s big news that the number of NEW registrations is...

Posted on April 3, 2008 08:28 AM


Say No To Chicken Little
Maggie Williams sent reporters a memo this afternoon assuring that Hillary Clinton is soldiering on. In case anyone wondered. She writes that after 46 primaries and caucuses, by most measures, Clinton and Barack Obama are "neck and neck." She insists...

Posted on April 1, 2008 04:39 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Calling All Delegates
Hillary Clinton went "On the Record" last night: On her Rev. Wright comments: "I was asked ... very point-blank yesterday what I would have done had I been in a position where someone was, you know, making those kinds of...

Posted on March 27, 2008 08:49 AM


Sunday Snapshot
There was a lot of economic and Iraq talk on the Sunday shows this Easter weekend but here are the political highlights: Obama supporter/NM Gov. Bill Richardson (D) was on "Fox News Sunday": Richardson: "I believe the sooner we end...

Posted on March 24, 2008 08:43 AM


Slip Sliding Away
Hillary Clinton adviser Mark Penn asserts in a new memo that the recent hit Barack Obama has taken in the polls -- his advantage has appeared to have eroded in the wake of the revelations about the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's...

Posted on March 20, 2008 10:37 AM


Sunday Snapshot
It was a Sunday of campaign surrogates but first, what will it take for the Dems have a nominee? Speaker Nancy Pelosi discussed the path to the Dem nod on "This Week": Asked if she's worried about the tone in...

Posted on March 17, 2008 08:36 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Who Has The Wright Of Way?
Last night's political talk focused on the controversial sermon given by Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama's minister at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago: The Hill's Stoddard: "The Barack Obama campaign rule was, if you offend somebody, you...

Posted on March 14, 2008 09:44 AM


Sunday Snapshot
Dem campaign surrogates made the rounds on the Sunday shows this weekend: Hillary Clinton supporter/PA Gov. Ed Rendell (D) squared off against Barack Obama supporter/ex-Sen. Tom Daschle (D-SD) on "Meet the Press": Rendell, asked how a revote in MI and...

Posted on March 10, 2008 09:47 AM


Obama Leads In WY, Big Turnout
The AP is reporting that Barack Obama leads Hillary Clinton 57% to 40%, with 6 of 23 counties reporting. Officials are reporting big turnout in the state, which saw a paltry 675 people caucus statewide in 2004. "The epic battle...

Posted on March 8, 2008 05:19 PM


What About Delegates?
The Clinton camp's a.m. spin -- in the form of an Ickes/Penn memo -- after the jump. Highlights: That FL and MI should be counted; "Hillary has called for the delegates of both states to be seated at the convention."...

Posted on March 5, 2008 10:18 AM


Sunday Snapshot
There were a lot of campaign surrogates on the Sunday shows this weekend: Obama adviser David Axelrod and HRC adviser Howard Wolfson were on "This Week" this weekend: Axelrod, on HRC saying she and McCain have experience while Obama has...

Posted on March 3, 2008 08:43 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Three Times The Fun
Here's the top political talk from last night: ABC's McFadden spent the day with Hillary Clinton in OH for a piece on "Nightline": Asked about her saying she hates being the frontrunner: "Because you're the big target. I'm still being...

Posted on February 29, 2008 09:12 AM


Baker To Endorse McCain
James Baker is endorsing John McCain today in Houston, reports NBC/NJ's Adam Aigner-Treworgy. Baker, of course, spoke for George W. Bush during the prolonged 2000 election contest. And he has, as we know, held a number of big deal Washington...

Posted on February 28, 2008 09:59 AM


All Net
A statement from Barack Obama's campaign: Greg Oden, the centerpiece of Ohio State University’s 2006-2007 Big Ten champion and national runner-up team, announced today his endorsement of Barack Obama. The number one overall pick in last year’s NBA draft, Oden...

Posted on February 26, 2008 01:22 PM


Sunday Snapshot
Ralph Nader announced his WH run on "Meet the Press": Nader: "Let me put it in context, to make it a little more palatable to people who have closed minds. Twenty-four percent of the American people are satisfied with the...

Posted on February 25, 2008 08:35 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Straight From The Heart
Last night's TV coverage mainly focused on Roger Clemens' testimony and WH '08. Mike Huckabee was on the "O'Reilly Factor": Huckabee, on VA: "We had a good night in the sense that we won everything outside the beltway. We didn't...

Posted on February 14, 2008 09:24 AM


Sunday Snapshot
The Sunday shows are still focused on WH '08: Mike Huckabee was on "Meet the Press" this weekend: On the delegate count: "I don't know how the math works out, but there's always the chance something stumbles. The thing is...

Posted on February 11, 2008 08:43 AM


Hotline After Dark -- A "Political Hangover"
In the aftermath of Super Tuesday, and dealing with "political hangovers" as some pundits put it, the talking heads looked back on country's first so-called national primary: REPORTERS START VYING FOR PUERTO RICO ASSIGNMENT There was a lot of discussion...

Posted on February 7, 2008 09:13 AM


HRC: Keep Voting CA
Hillary Clinton said tonight that voters across the nation cast ballots today "in record numbers, not just to make history but to remake America." "Tonight we are hearing the voices of people across America," she said addressing supporters in NYC...

Posted on February 5, 2008 10:51 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Ready For The Big Day
The night before Super Tuesday, the nets focused on the big day: Hillary Clinton stopped by the "Late Show" and, when asked what ex-Pres. Clinton's role would be in her WH, debuted a new line: "In my White House we'll...

Posted on February 5, 2008 10:00 AM


Romney's California Dreaming
NASHVILLE -- He's the new sharp-tongued Mitt Romney. With rising poll numbers in California, Romney is acting like a resurgent candidate. "If I win California, that means you’re going to have a conservative in the White House," he said today....

Posted on February 4, 2008 10:21 AM


Sunday Snapshot
Hillary Clinton was on "This Week": Asked about Obama's argument he can get GOP and indie votes in a general election: "I think that my record and the elections that I've been through demonstrate that I'm more likely, at the...

Posted on February 4, 2008 08:47 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Not Quite Fight Night
The Dem debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama was the big news of the evening. Here are the immediate pundit reax: CNN's Crowley: "They both decided going into this that the arguing and the bickering, which really reached a...

Posted on February 1, 2008 09:17 AM


Dialing For Donors
BURBANK - Rudy Giuliani said he would endorse John McCain Wednesday, calling him the "other best candidate" and said he has already started asking his campaign contributors to get behind the Arizona senator. Giuliani will officially end his presidential bid...

Posted on January 30, 2008 05:50 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Sunny Days
Between Ted Kennedy's endorsement of Barack Obama, Pres. Bush's SOTU, and today's FL vote, TV was in full on coverage mode: National Journal's Cook, on Kennedy's endorsement: "We'll see if it helps with Hispanic voters. I mean, the thing is,...

Posted on January 29, 2008 10:02 AM


Sunday Snapshot
Lots of '08ers on the Sunday shows this weekend: Barack Obama was on "This Week": On SC: "We actually had more Democrats vote in the Democratic primary, or more individuals vote in the Democratic primary than in the Republican primary....

Posted on January 28, 2008 08:53 AM


Sunday Snapshot
While politics and the race for the WH continues to dominate the Sunday shows, talk of the economy is beginning to break through: Rudy Giuliani was on "This Week": Asked how he spins his loses: "We're concentrating on Florida. We've...

Posted on January 21, 2008 09:36 AM


SC Exit Poll Tidbits
From CNN's "Political Ticker": John McCain is "losing" to Mike Huckabee among SC primary GOP voters "who identify themselves as conservative, but he is overwhelmingly leading among those who say they are moderate or liberal." According to CNN exit polls,...

Posted on January 19, 2008 08:44 PM


Hotline After Dark -- About Obama ...
As the nets look ahead to NV and SC, they turn to the '08ers for their takes: Hillary Clinton was on "Money & Politics": Asked if she doubts the economy has replaced Iraq as the top issue for voters: "No,...

Posted on January 17, 2008 09:44 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Wolverines At The Polls
Mitt Romney continues to make the TV rounds as voters got to the polls today in MI: Romney was on "Money & Politics": Asked if he has to win MI to stay relevant: "I don't think so. It's a 50-state...

Posted on January 15, 2008 09:06 AM


Sunday Snapshot
Once again, '08ers continue to dominate the Sunday shows: Hillary Clinton was on "Meet the Press": Asked about her criticism on Obama about MLK: "I was 14 years old when I heard Dr. King speak in person. He is one...

Posted on January 14, 2008 08:50 AM


Faux Internal Memo Alert
From Barack Obama's campaign earlier today ... The memo, authored by campaign manager David Plouffe, mentions that the campaign's caucus operation in Nevada resembles the one in Iowa that gave Obama a big victory there and notes also that Obama's...

Posted on January 9, 2008 08:38 PM


Post NH Catch Up ... Just Breathe
WASHINGTON -- It was indeed a stunner of a race last night in the Granite State. New Hampshire primary voters, who turned out in record numbers, breathed life into John McCain's floundering campaign and, likewise, allowed Hillary Clinton's team to...

Posted on January 9, 2008 07:44 PM


Some Clues On How HRC Did It
What happened in NH? And how did so many polls get it so wrong? We’ll be digging into this for the next few days, but for now, exit polls can at least tell us what happened, if not why: --Women...

Posted on January 8, 2008 11:47 PM


The Staff Has Left The Building?! Already?!
Based on preliminary exit poll results, Independents “are turning out in substantial but customary numbers” (“Political Radar”). Indie turnout is actually down from ’04. Longtime HRC confidante Maggie Williams “is reportedly being brought on to coordinate the campaign's activities”...

Posted on January 8, 2008 06:44 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Primary Day Madness
As people in NH are voting, the candidates take to the airwaves: Ron Paul was on the "Tonight Show": On not being included in the 1/6 Fox debate: "I realized that they really had some property rights ability there, and...

Posted on January 8, 2008 09:48 AM


Rudy Likes Mike
MIAMI - Rudy Giuliani seemed to be enjoying Mike Huckabee's victory in IA tonight, mostly because it wasn't Mitt Romney picking up the prize. The Giuliani campaign has always seen Romney as its most viable opponent, and the one most...

Posted on January 3, 2008 09:53 PM


Des Moines 67 ... Obama By Big Numbers
Obama, 245; Clinton, 106; Edwards; 75. And the nonviable groups: Richardson, 26; Biden, 18; Dodd, 12; and Kucinich: 5. Four are uncommitted. Chants back and forth from the teams of supporters: O-B-A-M-A H-I-L-L-A-R-Y (SEAN J. MILLER)...

Posted on January 3, 2008 08:46 PM


Caucus Schmaucus
Iowans are expected to caucus in record numbers tonight, surpassing the 6% who braved the winter weather in ‘04. But what about the vast majority of IAans who won’t? Most of them, despite the barnstorming of candidates and the flood...

Posted on January 3, 2008 08:03 PM


Michelle Obama Makes A Cash Request
Email from Barack Obama's wife, Michelle, this morning ... This morning in Iowa, your fellow supporters are calling their neighbors and asking them if they need someone to baby-sit while they caucus tonight. They're asking if they need directions...

Posted on January 3, 2008 02:56 PM


If Not Viable, Kucinich Urges Supporters To Caucus For Obama
That's not a very big 'if' ... But ok, a purely hypothetical IF Dennis Kucinich fails to make the 15 percent viability threshold in Iowa precincts, he wants his supporters to caucus for Barack Obama. That's a nice bit of...

Posted on January 1, 2008 06:38 PM


Obama Campaign Manager Says Candidate Is Holding His Own Against "Blizzard Of Outside Money"
Barack Obama's campaign manager, David Plouffe, gave a 'State of the Race' talk to reporters this morning, saying that a number of factors indicate that Obama is running strongest in Iowa -- despite the deadlocked nature there of the Democratic...

Posted on December 31, 2007 10:30 AM


Edwards' Campaign On 'The Final Push'
Full memo from Jonathan Prince, John Edwards' deputy campaign manager, after the jump. Key elements ... Prince says the campaign is drawing bigger crowds than rivals and that evidence of a growing interest in JRE can be gauged in an...

Posted on December 26, 2007 12:55 PM


Hotline After Dark -- When Candidates Attack
It was a night of '08ers on TV last night: Mike Huckabee was on "LKL" last night: On allegations that his son David was involved in abusing a stray dog at a Boy Scout camp in '98 and that he...

Posted on December 18, 2007 09:29 AM


Sunday Snapshot
Once again, it was a weekend of '08ers on the Sunday shows: Mitt Romney was on "Meet the Press": NBC's Russert: "When you say freedom requires religion, can you be a moral person and be an atheist?" Romney: "Oh, oh,...

Posted on December 17, 2007 08:45 AM


Iowa's First Lady Endorsing Edwards
Iowa's first lady to back Edwards for president By TONY LEYS * REGISTER STAFF WRITER * December 16, 2007 Iowa's first lady, who had said she would stay neutral in the presidential race, has changed her mind and plans to...

Posted on December 16, 2007 11:03 PM


Diageo/The Hotline Survey: Huck On Top in Iowa, HRC/BHO Tied
The numbers: Dems Hillary Clinton 27% Barack Obama 27% John Edwards 22% Bill Richardson 8% Joe Biden 5% Chris Dodd 1% Dennis Kucinich 1% GOP Mike Huckabee 36% Mitt Romney 23% Rudy Giuliani 12% Fred Thompson 8% John McCain 5%...

Posted on December 14, 2007 12:55 PM


Billy, Billy You Can Lose My Number
Ok, so Bill Shaheen, husband of former NH governor Jeanne Shaheen, apologized last night for telling The Washington Post that Barack Obama's past drug use should be a bigger issue in the campaign. Today, Kathleen Strand, NH spokeswoman for Clinton,...

Posted on December 13, 2007 11:35 AM


GOP Showdown: Huck In The Bull's-eye?
JOHNSTON, IOWA -- So the big looming question here in Johnston, Iowa, at the home of Iowa Public Television, just a half hour from the start of the Des Moines Register's Republican debate is ... Not will Mitt Romney take...

Posted on December 12, 2007 11:50 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Crunch Time
'08ers continue to dominate the TV: Mitt Romney was on the "Evening News" last night: Asked why he didn't explain the tenants of faith in his speech: "I can't imagine doing that other speech as you're running for president because,...

Posted on December 11, 2007 08:59 AM


Sunday Snapshot
Once again, many '08ers were on your TVs this Sunday: Rudy Giuliani was on "Meet the Press": Asked if being 5th in IA polls is a problem: "I wish you had shown Florida. It would have looked better, where we...

Posted on December 10, 2007 08:45 AM


A Grilling
Tim Russert worked over Rudy Giuliani today in the most merciless fashion, leaving the candidate at a loss to explain security protections for then girlfriend Judith Nathan and struggling as well to justify his decision not to release the client...

Posted on December 9, 2007 10:17 PM


Sunday Snapshot
Lots of '08ers on the Sunday shows this weekend: Mike Huckabee was on "This Week": Asked if he's peaking too soon: "No, I'm not peaking at all. I'm still gaining and growing. You peak when you stop. We haven't stopped...

Posted on December 3, 2007 08:42 AM


Ron Paul, Wild Card
Jennifer Skalka (Email this author) © National Journal Group, Inc. COLEBROOK, N.H. -- When Ron Paul walked into the living room of this large house with an American flag out front and the crackle of a warm fire inside, Gloria...

Posted on November 30, 2007 09:37 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Experience This
Last night's TV primarily focused on the Annapolis Summit and the death of NFL's Sean Taylor, but a few WH '08ers made appearances: Joe Biden was on "NewsHour" as part of their WH '08 series: Biden, on his full-page ad...

Posted on November 28, 2007 09:02 AM


Hotline After Dark -- A Foreign Affair
WH '08ers made the TV rounds last night. In "Nightline"'s latest installment of "The Contenders," ABC's Moran spent a day with Barack Obama on the campaign trail in IA: Obama: "Senator Clinton is claiming basically the entire eight years of...

Posted on November 27, 2007 09:48 AM


Sunday Snapshot
WH '08ers stopped by the Sunday shows this weekend: Fred Thompson was on "Fox News Sunday": Thompson, unveiling his new tax plan: "It's maintaining the tax cuts that we had in 2001, 2003. It's eliminating the death penalty. It's reducing...

Posted on November 26, 2007 09:37 AM


Sunday Snapshot
The movers and shakers in the '08 race stopped by the Sunday shows this weekend: Mike Huckabee was on "Fox News Sunday": On his Chuck Norris ad: "Oh, it probably doesn't convince anybody. The spots we'll run next week will...

Posted on November 19, 2007 08:38 AM


Hotline After Dark -- The Architect Returns
Karl Rove took part in C-SPAN's Distance Learning classroom 11/15 and was asked about the WH '08ers: Asked what his reax would have been if told months ago Giuliani would be leading in nat'l polls: "I would have raised an...

Posted on November 16, 2007 08:54 AM


Another Q -- That Big Fence They're Talking About
Richardson said that a fence along the Mexican/American border is a terrible idea and isn't a factor in the country's war on terror. "Let's talk about the need to bring this country together," Richardson said. "... We should stop demonizing...

Posted on November 15, 2007 09:38 PM


Hotline After Dark -- After Dinner Conversation
A variety of WH '08 talk dominated TV last night: Barack Obama adviser David Axelrod played "Hardball" last night: On Obama's J-J speech: "He said on Saturday night, this is a very different time. I think people are very, very...

Posted on November 13, 2007 09:09 AM


Sunday Snapshot
Lots of '08ers on the Sunday public affairs shows this weekend: Barack Obama was on "Meet the Press": Asked why Dems are skeptical about his knowledge and experience to be POTUS: "I have not been on the national scene as...

Posted on November 12, 2007 08:41 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Bringing Back The I Word
Mitt and Ann Romney sat down with FNC's Hannity: M. Romney, asked what he thinks of HRC: "I'm sure she's a lovely person. I just think she would take America in a course towards Europe, which would lead us to...

Posted on October 30, 2007 09:40 AM


Sunday Snapshot
Mitt Romney was on "Face the Nation": Asked about a Newsweek poll that says 28% won't vote for a Mormon: "I think the reason that some 28, 29 percent are not comfortable voting for a Mormon is they think they're...

Posted on October 22, 2007 08:37 AM


Sunday Snapshot
John McCain was on "Face the Nation": Asked if he was accusing Romney of being a con when he said he was the only real GOPer in the race, McCain: "I don't think that it's appropriate to say, as Governor...

Posted on October 15, 2007 08:34 AM


Sunday Snapshot
John Edwards was on "Meet the Press": On Richardson saying Edwards would "change the mission" while Richardson would "end the war": "What I would do instead is outside of Iraq, probably in Kuwait, maintain a quick reaction force. And that...

Posted on October 9, 2007 07:20 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Candidates' Night
Lots of '08ers on the tube again last night: PBS' Woodruff talked with Dennis Kucinich as part of "NewsHour" WH '08 candidate series: On Iraq: "I have a plan that would bring our troops home and stabilize Iraq at the...

Posted on October 5, 2007 09:28 AM


Hotline After Dark -- America's Next Top Candidate
Barack Obama was on the "Tyra Banks Show" 10/1: Tyra Banks offered Obama gift suggestions for his upcoming 15th wedding anniversary, which is the crystal anniversary. Banks suggested a crystal vase or a crystal ball. She show Obama the crystal...

Posted on October 2, 2007 09:03 AM


Hotline After Dark -- By Grabthar's hammer, You Shall Be Avenged!
Dan Rather was on "LKL" last night: On why he's suing: "Two reasons, two core reasons. In no particular order -- although I do think the most important reason is somebody sometime has got to take a stand and say...

Posted on September 21, 2007 08:51 AM


Sunday Snapshot
Talk of Pres. Bush's 9/13 address to the nation on Iraq led the Sunday shows this weekend: Defense Sec. Robert Gates was on "This Week" and "Fox News Sunday": Gates, on saying he hopes the US can get down to...

Posted on September 17, 2007 09:38 AM


Romney Tailgates in Iowa
Des Moines – Mitt Romney wants Iowans to know why he’s leading the Republican race among statewide caucus-goers: He’s investing time there. At three stops on Saturday, Romney informed supporters that his campaign has held more than 150 events...

Posted on September 16, 2007 11:24 PM


Steak Fry As High School
If the Democratic party were a high school, the Harkin Steak Fry is the party's version of Homecoming and the different campaigns are classes warring for the spirit stick. 18,000 Democrats thronged the fields of Indianola, to carry signs, bash...

Posted on September 16, 2007 10:56 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Right (Or Wrong?) Said Fred
Fred Thompson was on "Hannity & Colmes" last night: On why he chose to announce on the "Tonight Show": "Well, it gives me an opportunity to see more people, talk to more people. I think it is a good way...

Posted on September 7, 2007 10:23 AM


Thompson's Roll Out: High Expectations, Low Energy
Fred Thompson seemed a bit more like an actor than a candidate 9/6 in Des Moines. His good ol' boy persona certainly seemed genuine enough, but his speech had the cadence of a dramatic monologue, not a rallying cry for...

Posted on September 7, 2007 07:06 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Debate Minus One
FNC hosted a GOP debate last night. Some analysis: FNC's Cameron: "Romney faced some pretty tough questioning, and at times labored through his answers. But as the front-runner in New Hampshire, he came in expecting to have a target on...

Posted on September 6, 2007 09:40 AM


Sunday Snapshot
Talk of Sen. Larry Craig's (R-ID)'s resignation led the Sunday shows this weekend: Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), on Craig's resignation: "That's one of the things I'm proudest about our leadership is the swift action, not only calling for an immediate...

Posted on September 4, 2007 07:38 AM


Sunday Snapshot
John and Elizabeth Edwards were on "Face the Nation": Edwards, on saying HRC was making a political calculation about terrorism: "I don't agree that the Republicans would have an advantage. I would never cede that. ... I think we're less...

Posted on August 27, 2007 09:08 AM


Sunday Snapshot
Karl Rove made the Sunday show rounds in order to say his goodbyes: On why he's making the rounds: "Well, somebody else made the decision for me, and I'm just doing what I was instructed to do." To Bob Schieffer:...

Posted on August 20, 2007 09:00 AM


Sunday Snapshot
Mitt Romney was on "Fox News Sunday": On his win: "It's a big start getting ready for the caucuses. You want to do well in the straw poll so that you can build the organization, get your fundraising machine under...

Posted on August 13, 2007 08:53 AM


Insiders Poll: Irrational Exuberance?
The results of National Journal’s new "Congressional Insiders" poll, released 8/3, reveal overwhelmingly positive expectations by Dems that they'll retain control of the House and Senate in the 11/08 election, and notable confidence by GOPers that they'll take back their...

Posted on August 2, 2007 02:58 PM


On The Download: Million Dollar Web Campaigns
It's time to welcome Hillary Clinton and Mitt Romney to the million-dollar club, as both presidential candidates have now spent at least $1 million on their Internet operations so far this year. A survey of Federal Election Commission records compiled...

Posted on July 30, 2007 03:46 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Sleepover Special
Lots of different political topics on TV last night -- reax to David Vitter's presser, several '08ers made appearances, and Iraq is always a television mainstay: CNN's Crowley, on Vitter's presser: "It's always very powerful to have the wife up...

Posted on July 17, 2007 08:35 AM


Sunday Snapshot
NSA Stephen Hadley made the Sunday show rounds and Iraq remained the main topic of the weekend shows: Hadley: "Everybody is looking at how we can get to a point where Iraq is in a different place and our role...

Posted on July 16, 2007 08:36 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Panic In The War Room
Last night's TV mainly focused on Iraq and Pres. Bush invoking exec. privilege to deny requests by Congress for testimony from ex-WH counsel Harriet Miers and ex-WH Pol. Dir. Sara Taylor. ABC's Raddatz: "ABC News has been told the White...

Posted on July 10, 2007 09:42 AM


Hotline After Dark -- The Day After Edition
There was a hodge podge of topics on TV last night -- from immigration to VP Cheney to Paris Hilton but the big political interview was John Edwards on "Hardball": On Elizabeth's call to Ann Coulter: "Elizabeth made this decision...

Posted on June 28, 2007 08:31 AM


Hotline After Dark: Come On In, The Water's Fine
Talk of the TV last night was focused on the Atlanta man under federal quarantine for tuberculosis and Fred Thompson testing the WH '08 waters. FNC's Hume: "The actor and former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson will move a step closer...

Posted on May 31, 2007 08:51 AM


Hotline After Dark -- 7th Inning Stretch Edition
Once again the immigration bill and AG Alberto Gonzales dominated TV last night along with a smattering of WH '08: FNC's Garrett: "The Senate was all geared up for a raucous immigration debate, [but] the Senate leaders have just announced...

Posted on May 22, 2007 08:37 AM


Edwards, Haircuts, Poverty, Memes, The Press and Hedge Funds
John Edwards is a rich guy, owns a big house, dresses nicely, got a $400 haircut, earned lots of money at a hedge fund, runs a poverty center and focuses his political energies on pushing the idea that poverty in...

Posted on May 18, 2007 10:57 AM


Behind The Scenes "Excitement" From Tom Tancredo
COLUMBIA -- Can you imagine what Tom Tancredo's campaign manager, Bay Buchanan, said to him after the Ronald Reagan library debate? Our guess is that several of her words had four letters and that her body language was animated. Tancredo...

Posted on May 15, 2007 04:53 PM


Hotline After Dark: The Royal Treatment
Pres. Bush's gaffe in introducing the Queen got a lot of replay on TV last night. There was also lots of royal trivia: FNC's Goler: "The queen's visits have all come during Republican administrations, Eisenhower, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and...

Posted on May 8, 2007 08:46 AM


Hey, Big Talker
The Hotline timed the amount of time each '08er got to speak in last night's debate. We also counted the number of questions each GOPer received. Mitt Romney got the most questions and most talk time. Rudy Giuliani was second...

Posted on May 4, 2007 01:22 PM


The Debate Part II -- Full Transcript
More errors we made. Help us correct them!...

Posted on May 3, 2007 09:25 PM


The Debate Part I -- Full Transcript
Correct our errors!...

Posted on May 3, 2007 08:34 PM


From CongressDailyPM: Maine Dems Welcome Lieberman Endorsement Of Collins
Maine Democrats say the endorsement of Republican Sen. Susan Collins by Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman underscores a central argument in their challenge of the two-term senator next year: the war in Iraq. A political adviser for Democratic Rep. Tom...

Posted on April 13, 2007 03:09 PM


Today's Blogometer: Score One For Bill Richardson
MoveOn.org is still polling members to determine "Which Candidate is best able to lead the country out of the war in Iraq?" but if early blogger reviews are any indication, Bill Richardson managed to separate himself away from the pack...

Posted on April 11, 2007 01:09 PM


Three Candidates, Three Big Foreign Policy Speeches: McCain
(Capsule summary: Iraq is and will be a long, hard slog; Americans oppose the war, and McCain knows it. But they are blind to the downside risks of withdrawing troops, especially now that there are "early signs" of progress. For...

Posted on April 11, 2007 11:39 AM


Hotline After Dark: All The Field's A Stage
Rudy Giuliani was on "Hannity &' Colmes." FNC's Hannity conducted the interview: On why he's just getting to IA: "We got started a little late. ... I think we've caught up in fundraising. We had a really great March. We...

Posted on April 4, 2007 07:30 AM


Hotline After Dark: It Figures
It was money, money, money talk on cable last night: Newt Gingrich: "If there is a money primary, that the first three real winners were Senator Clinton, who performed about as people might have expected, Senator Edwards and Governor Romney...

Posted on April 3, 2007 07:20 AM


The Three Numbers That Matter
For each candidate, three numbers matter today for three different reasons. 1 -- total amount of primary receipts this quarter -- reflects their professional and political connections (think Romney), campaign organization and grassroots enthusiasm. For some candidates, connections are more...

Posted on April 2, 2007 12:37 PM


Clinton Raises $26M... Good, Bad, Or Brick-Crap Time?
Here it is: Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign raised a record-setting $26 million for her presidential campaign in the first three months of a year, an impressive feat that may nonetheless be overshadowed in the next few days by news that...

Posted on April 1, 2007 02:00 PM


2008 Race Rankings: Giuliani's In The Lead
The Hotline's Marc Ambinder and NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd will collaborate on race rankings until we don't. We've got a new No. 1 this week, and it reflects several realities. For one thing, there's a deep hunger on...

Posted on March 23, 2007 05:40 PM


2008 Weekly Race Rankings: The Republicans
It's been as tumultuous a two-week period as the Republican field has had to date. Everyone has had some incredible ups and downs. Mitt Romney seemed on the verge of being in serious trouble and, then, voila, he pulls off...

Posted on March 9, 2007 02:26 PM


2008 Race Rankings: Gore! Gore! Gore!
It's hard not to view Barack Obama as the candidate with the momentum these past two weeks. The spike you are seeing in national polls is simply Obama's announcement from more than two weeks ago finally sinking in. If he...

Posted on March 2, 2007 11:25 AM


White House 2008 Rankings: The Democrats
As expected, Barack Obama’s announcement was covered big by the media, about as big as Hillary Clinton’s announcement. The test for Obama, though, is whether he can sustain momentum in the same vein as Hillary. As for the rest of...

Posted on February 15, 2007 10:52 AM


Mitt And The Motor City
Ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney spoke to the Detroit Economic Club today, giving the first rendition of his economic policy proposals. Often a popular podium for Presidents and candidates alike to spout their economic policies, then TX-Gov. George W. Bush gave...

Posted on February 7, 2007 03:04 PM


On The Trail: In Search Of The Hockey Stick Moment
There's a slang term in the corporate world that many start-up businesses view as the Holy Grail. It's called the "hockey stick moment" -- the point in a graph where a company's profits skyrocket from being comfortable but flat (like...

Posted on February 7, 2007 12:00 PM


Ned Lamont Lives!
We keep hearing that Ned Lamont may challenge Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT). Today, he sent his e-mail list this missive: When I said that the end of the campaign would not bring an end to our fight – our fight...

Posted on February 5, 2007 11:21 AM


Overlooked: Technoratically Alexalent
From today's Hotline: Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) early internet strategy is producing some big numbers. According to Alexa her official campaign post-announcement daily page views maxed out at around 39 mil. (compared to about 13 mil. for Sen. Barack Obama...

Posted on January 29, 2007 12:40 PM


So, There Was Another Announcement Today
Sam Brownback (R) made his bid official today in Topeka. While there were some predictable lines in his announcement speech that will allow folks to pigeon-hole Brownback as the social conservative candidate, it was the other issues he mentioned which...

Posted on January 20, 2007 06:13 PM


The Big Number: 4
American Research Group (R) released polls in 8 states just after The Hotline's deadline today. In each state, 600 likely primary voters of each party were surveyed; margin of error +/- 4%. As further prrof that the Dem primary is...

Posted on January 19, 2007 01:45 PM


Hotline After Dark -- It's All Our Fault?
Hillary Clinton continued her media tour with stops on PBS and FNC: PBS' Ifill: "There are those who say that your evolution on the war has been, number one, behind the public curve of opinion and, number two, right...

Posted on January 19, 2007 07:26 AM


The Big Number: 27
As we mentioned a few weeks ago, it's extremely difficult to poll likely caucus-goers in Iowa. But more and more polling companies are getting involved, and it will be fascinating to see which ones come closest to measuring a very...

Posted on January 17, 2007 02:00 PM


So Much To Digest...
from today's Obama coverage in The Hotline. But one thing jumped out at me: the initial fundraising bar the campaign is already setting for itself in the 1stQ. From today's Hotline story (must be a subscriber): An Obama adviser said...

Posted on January 17, 2007 01:29 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Bush Disapproves Of Bush
Barack Obama's announcement got plenty of TV time last night so other candidates popped up to get their share of it. Hillary Clinton appeared on all the network morning shows this a.m. Details on that will be in today's...

Posted on January 17, 2007 07:25 AM


Timing? No, Wording Is Everything
Earlier this week, we took a look at the different results pollsters get when they worded questions about Pres. Bush's proposed temporary increase in troop levels in Iraq. Four major media polling outfits have weighed in with their own...

Posted on January 12, 2007 01:30 PM


The Big Number: 36, 45
We always note with interest when a significant shift in US policy -- in this case a proposed increase in the number of US troops in Iraq -- is polled for the first time. Pollsters often differ in ways they...

Posted on January 10, 2007 09:45 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Sneak Preview
Last night's TV previewed Wednesday's address by Pres. Bush: MSNBC's Matthews: "The question is this: is there anything the president could say Wednesday night that would sell the country on an escalation in the war in Iraq?" ("Hardball," 1/8). Rep....

Posted on January 9, 2007 08:45 AM


The Daily Troika: Giuliani's Insecurity
Although no one has confirmed who took ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani's 140-page presidential campaign strategy briefing, "suspicion ran high" 1/2 that Giuliani's documents were "swiped by aides to" FL Gov. Charlie Crist (R) while Giuliani "was helping him win...

Posted on January 3, 2007 02:15 PM


Holiday Big Numbers: 1st Or 4th
Polling firms, it seems, don’t even take the holidays off. Two new polls this week examine the Presidential primary fields, and for one front-runner, the news is decidedly mixed. That front-runner is Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), who stands, depending on...

Posted on December 30, 2006 08:21 AM


Hotline After Dark -- Setting The Sun On '06
Last night's TV mainly concentrated on Pres. Bush's 12/20 presser and Iraq. FNC's Baier: "Setting the tone for his speech about the new way forward in Iraq, soon after the knew year, President Bush conceded in an hour long news...

Posted on December 21, 2006 08:06 AM


Insider Interview: Nick Ryan
What's happening to GOPers in IA? Why is the state so politically quixotic? Does the Ames straw poll really matter? Before he gets nabbed by an '08 GOP (and he's being recruited by several), The Hotline interviewed Nick Ryan, campaign...

Posted on December 20, 2006 10:56 AM


Hotline After Dark -- We're Keeping Our Crown Too
The Miss U.S.A. scandal was the talk of the TV last night, but the Bush admin.'s support of an increase in US troop levels in Iraq was also discussed. MSNBC's Shuster: "In the wake of a new Pentagon report saying...

Posted on December 20, 2006 08:02 AM


The Big Number: 64
Two major polling organizations -- USA Today/Gallup and CBS News -- came out with big polls dissecting public opinion on the war in Iraq in the wake of the Iraq Study Group report, and the results could be a sobering...

Posted on December 12, 2006 01:29 PM


Hotline After Dark: ISG For You And For Me
Still a lot of talk on the ISG along with review of the Pres. Bush/PM Blair presser: CNN's Henry: "This is a president who does not like to admit mistakes and you could see his frustration today as reporters pressed...

Posted on December 8, 2006 07:07 AM


The Big Number: 9
A new Gallup poll hits upon an interesting idea. The company asked 1003 adults what came to their mind when they thought of one of four possible Dem presidential contenders in '08 and the open-ended question sheds fascinating light on...

Posted on December 7, 2006 12:13 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Baker's Dozen Of Interviews
It was all about the Iraq Study Group report last night. MSNBC's Shuster: "Senate hearings on the recommendations will begin tomorrow, putting even more pressure on the White House. Meanwhile, the violence in Iraq continues. According to U.S. military...

Posted on December 7, 2006 07:14 AM


The Hotline's December House Cleaning
READY FOR THE RUNOFF? Ex-Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D) has a formidable financial hurdle to overcome in his runoff against Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-TX 23). The incumbent has spent nearly 20 times more than Rodriguez over the last month. And Rodriguez...

Posted on December 5, 2006 02:45 PM


The 2008 Republicans
Live from the The American Democracy Conference at the Reagan Federal Center in DC. A panel on the 2008 Republican race, with Rich Galen, Dave Kensinger (representing Sam Brownback), Mark McKinnon (representing John McCain), Jan van Lohuizen (representing Gov. Mitt...

Posted on November 30, 2006 01:13 PM


Today's Blogometer: Forever Backing The Frontrunner
While it's unclear what alternatives will eventually emerge (ex-Sen. John Edwards, Sen. Barack Obama for Dems; ex-NY mayor Rudy Giuliani and MA Gov. Mitt Romney for GOPers), it can safely be said that the respective sides of the 'sphere both...

Posted on November 27, 2006 01:49 PM


Hotline After Dark: Getting Drafty
Henry Kissinger commenting on Iraq and Charlie Rangel proposing a draft -- it's inevitable the Vietnam comparisons resurface: MSNBC's Shuster: "Even though Vietnam brought down a presidency and Iraq has already cost the president's party control of Congress, the change...

Posted on November 21, 2006 09:40 AM


Dem Leadership Update: Ugly And Uglier
With 24 hours to go before House leadership elections, the race is boiling down to two main storylines. The first involves a 26-year-old story that began to emerge once again yesterday: Rep. John Murtha's past. After being a little too...

Posted on November 15, 2006 01:30 PM


The Pence Vision: Confrontational, In Your Face...But Gentle
On Monday, the following vision document will be delivered to House Republicans by staffers for Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN): Pence lays out how he'd draw contrasts with Democrats and work to regain the party's majority. Excerpts: "It is important for...

Posted on November 10, 2006 02:34 PM


Live News Wire
At 4:20, Hotline projects that Al Weed (D) got smoked. CANVASS DETAILS IN VIRGINIA: Canvasses begin tomorrow morning. Some as early as 8 am. VA: No credentials are needed to observe a canvass as a representative of the parties...

Posted on November 8, 2006 03:38 AM


Archives
11:10 pm At 11:04, CNN calls the House for Dems. At 11:03, MSNBC calls Kyl (R) in AZ SEN. MSNBC's Matthews: "That's interesting." At 11 pm, FNC calls that Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) has won re-election, Gabrielle Giffords (D)...

Posted on November 7, 2006 11:26 PM


Control Of Congress Tea Leaves: Six Days Out...
1. If it's about the economy.... Per The Chicago Tribune: "Wages and benefits paid to American workers rose last quarter by the most since 2004, as the unemployment rate matched a five-year low." If it's about Iraq: chaos. 2....

Posted on November 1, 2006 11:12 AM


Hotline After Dark -- The FNC GOTV Edition
One week out, lots of good interviews: Pres. Bush sat down with FNC's Hannity: On the midterms: "You know, in 2002, a lot of the pundits didn't get the off-year elections right. In 2004, a lot of people thought...

Posted on October 31, 2006 07:20 AM


The Saturday Brunch
A special news digest from the staff of the Hotline. Latest NRCC TV Buys…..Hastert on the “clear” choice….Negron notice back up in FL 16…. Bush’s election week schedule…. Updated Race Rankings: House **** Senate **** Governors WHAT'S BREWING Housing market...

Posted on October 28, 2006 10:22 AM


Consultant's Corner: Young Candidates On The M.A.P.
What started off as a favor became a life-changing event for Sam McCabe, a student at TX State Univ. in San Marcos, TX. McCabe, 23, managed the campaign of Chris Jones, a fellow student running for a seat on the...

Posted on October 27, 2006 09:32 AM


Hotline After Dark -- A Fox Guarding Rush's House?
As the Election countdown continues, news outlets continue to profile the big races. The "Playboy" ad in TN SEN continues to get a lot of talk, as does the Michael J. Fox/Rush Limbaugh controversy: NBC's Brian Williams anchored "Nightly...

Posted on October 26, 2006 07:10 AM


Hotline After Dark -- The Night Time Tube Wars Has Never Been Better
As Election Day approaches, TV is profiling the competitive races: "NewsHour" looked at RI and CT SEN. "Special Report" looked at RI and TN SEN. "Situation Room" looked at TN and OH SEN. ABC's Charles Gibson anchored "World News"...

Posted on October 25, 2006 07:25 AM


DCCC To Pop Eyes With New CT 04 Buy?
CT-4 Democrat Diane Farrell is ahead of where she was two years ago at this time when she was on her way to a narrow loss to incumbent Chris Shays. On Saturday, Farrell gave the Democratic response to the president’s...

Posted on October 24, 2006 04:36 PM


The Hotline's Hot House Race Updates
A daily update of ads, polls, trends and analyses from the hottest House races. Updated Race Rankings: House **** Senate **** Governors 1. Air America: A "growing number of GOP incumbents in seats once considered 'safe'" -- including Reps....

Posted on October 23, 2006 04:00 PM


The Big Number: 6
The Big Number: 6 NM Gov. Bill Richardson (D) is going to have some crowing to do after 11/7. That's because his organization, the DGA, is poised for big pickups around the country -- a feat potentially accomplished without a...

Posted on October 20, 2006 01:54 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Single Best Night Interviews In A Year
Lots of good interviews on last night: ABC's Stephanopoulos interviewed Pres. Bush 10/18. Excerpts aired across all ABC News platforms and the net released a transcript: Stephanopoulos: "Tom Friedman wrote in the New York Times this morning that what...

Posted on October 19, 2006 07:30 AM


Why The White House Has To Be Optimistic
Perhaps the biggest danger to Republicans in the wake of all these bad polls is that their volunteer base, so critical to victory in 2004, won't put their hearts in their work. If volunteers become convinced that Republicans will lose...

Posted on October 18, 2006 10:00 AM


Mehlman Pushes Back; Says GOP Is Committed To Ohio
Yes, RNC chairman Ken Mehlman's conference call with Ohio reprorters this morning was "hastily arranged." Mehlman called Adam Nagourney's Page 1 New York Times article "very inaccurate" but refused to "get more specific" because he didn't Democrats to read from...

Posted on October 16, 2006 04:50 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Hodge Podgein' It
TV was a hodge podge of topics last night: North Korea, the NY plane crash, updates on Mark Foley, Mel Gibson's apology and Robin Williams played "Hardball." Some Williams highlights: "Al Gore, much more articulate now, and a little...

Posted on October 13, 2006 07:26 AM


Ballot Initiative Watch
Along with 34 Sens, 435 Reps and 36 Gov races this year, Americans will decide the fate of 204 ballot measures come 11/7. Some of those measures are house-keeping efforts -- raising tax lids, dividing electoral jurisdictions, etc. Others, though,...

Posted on October 12, 2006 02:32 PM


Foley: Blame V. More Of The Same
Yes, Speaker Dennis Hastert is on the offense, blaming liberals and ABC News for aiding and abetting a Democratic power grab. He wants to keep his job. Resetting the dynamics of this story will be hard. Here’s why: The details:...

Posted on October 5, 2006 10:21 AM


The Big Three: Hot Senate Race Updates
A daily update of trends and analyses from the hottest Senate races. 1. Cardin Sees Bush, Steele Smells Trash: After sparring in their first debate 10/3 in MD, Rep. Ben Cardin (D-03) and Michael Steele (R) are attacking each...

Posted on October 4, 2006 01:23 PM


The Saturday Brunch
Mark Foley's fast fall from grace means the GOP now has three House races with replacement candidates ... How close was James Baker to becoming the Rummy replacement? ... Allen's stumbles lead to a Webb fundraising boom ... The best...

Posted on September 30, 2006 09:37 AM


The Big Five: Hot House Race Updates
A daily update of trends and analyses from the hottest House races. 1. You'd Better Watch Yarmuth!: Rep. Anne Northup (R) "unleashed a multimedia barrage." In a new radio and TV ad, Northup says publisher John Yarmuth (D) said...

Posted on September 26, 2006 09:09 AM


What Bill Clinton Wanted To Accomplish
Still wondering what Pres. Clinton was trying to accomplish in his fiery, finger-wagging chat with FOX's Chris Wallace? Look no further than Camp Clinton's explanation. "When Wallace questioned his record on terrorism, he responded forcefully, as any Democrat would or...

Posted on September 25, 2006 01:02 PM


The Saturday Brunch
Bill Clinton v. Fox News.....Everyone's in IA, NH.... Leader Pence? ...Brunch special: On The Download: Do Podcasts Matter? The Brunch is an exclusive Saturday political news digest and tip sheet from the editors of The Hotline. WHAT'S BREWING Polls aren't...

Posted on September 23, 2006 10:25 AM


The Big Number: 5
It's been five years since terrorist attacks hit New York and Washington, and no matter what GOPers or Dems say, September 11th remains high on Americans' minds. We make no political point about the following numbers, but we felt it...

Posted on September 11, 2006 04:38 PM


The Big Number: 30
Pres. Bush is unpopular. This is not news. A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll out this week shows just 41% of Americans approve of his handling of the job, while 55% disapprove. What's more interesting, though, is that, when asked if...

Posted on September 8, 2006 03:19 PM


On The Trail: Could Bush Drop Lower?
It's time to examine when we'll know how things are shaping up in the next 60 days and where we'll find the clues... the real danger for the party in power is that Bush's approval numbers can still go lower,...

Posted on September 6, 2006 12:55 PM


The Hotline's Sunday Snapshot
"Meet the Press" kicked off its Senate debate series with PA. Incumbent Sen. Rick Santorum (R) and challenger state Treas. Bob Casey (D) joined NBC's Russert for the full hour. Casey, asked if he'd still vote for the war in...

Posted on September 5, 2006 11:07 AM


The Saturday Brunch
Today: Ciro's back in ....Another House Republican turns on Rumsfeld.... Allan Litchman's "Letter From A Baltimore Jail"....and much more........ The Brunch is an exclusive Saturday political news digest and tip sheet from the editors of the Hotline. WHAT'S BREWING A...

Posted on September 2, 2006 10:44 AM


The Saturday Brunch
An exclusive Saturday political news digest and tip sheet from the editors of the Hotline. WHAT'S BREWING No one should be surprised: Republicans starting to feel queasy about the President's direction on Iraq and starting to endorse Democratic-ish plans...

Posted on August 26, 2006 10:24 AM


On The Trail: The Second Democratic Frontrunner
The calendar changes, writes Chuck Todd, do more to cement Ex-Sen. . John Edwards's status as the alternative frontrunner than anything else. "Organizationally, Edwards is in the best shape of anyone in Iowa. His close ties to the hotel labor...

Posted on August 23, 2006 03:20 PM


The Big Number: 70
Pres. Bush continues to hover in the mid-to-high 30s in approval rating. He once sank to 30%. But in the latest Time Magazine survey, former Pres. Bill Clinton clocks in job approval ratings of an amazing 70%, up four...

Posted on August 21, 2006 04:14 PM


The Hotline's Sunday Snapshot
Talk of the situation in the Middle East dominated the Sunday shows: Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), on whether the cease-fire will work: "I think there's a realistic chance that it will work. It depends upon whether the United Nations fulfills...

Posted on August 21, 2006 11:14 AM


The Big Number: 8
Friday's Big Number takes a look at two separate polls out of Wisconsin, where Gov. Jim Doyle (D) faces a tough re-election fight against Rep. Mark Green (R). Both campaigns are on the air, mud is flying and the race...

Posted on August 21, 2006 07:35 AM


The Saturday Brunch
WHAT'S BREWING Later today, the DNC will officially approve the addition of NV as an early caucus state, sticking it between IA and NH. The Union Leader is not happy about the new rule that would punish NH for...

Posted on August 19, 2006 08:15 AM


On The Trail: Borrowing From Democrats
It's no secret that the problems for the GOP stem from one issue: Iraq. It's the reason why President Bush's job-approval ratings haven't risen out of the 30s, even in a week when he and his chief global ally, British...

Posted on August 17, 2006 11:00 AM


Hotline After Dark -- One War Or Two?
The situation in the Middle East -- both the cease-fire between Israel and Lebanon and the war in Iraq -- dominated cable talk. But there's starting to be more analysis of how this will effect the '06 election. CNN's...

Posted on August 15, 2006 07:25 AM


The Saturday Brunch
WHAT'S BREWING Pres. Bush's conversation yesterday with Israeli PM Ehud Olmert to negotiate the coming cease fire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon was the two leaders' first conversation in a month. We are shocked, shocked, that the two...

Posted on August 12, 2006 10:14 AM


Politiscope: Too Right or Too Left, There A'int No In Betweens
Tuesday's results put faces on voters' anti-incumbent mood, John Mercurio writes, and revealed that Democrats aren't the only ones being pulled to their extremes All of which must concern a moderate incumbent like Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R), who faces a...

Posted on August 10, 2006 01:21 PM


On The Trail: Something About August....
Has any other primary night (in a non-redistricting year) ever produced three incumbent losses before? Chuck Todd looks at Lieberman's defeat. The search for the elusive swing voter has kept the political consulting world in the money for years. And...

Posted on August 9, 2006 05:43 PM


The Saturday Brunch
WHAT'S BREWING The 9/11 Commission's chairmen -- Kean and Hamilton -- considered probing the Pentagon and the FAA for "possible deception." And " ... that their panel was too soft in questioning former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani -...

Posted on August 5, 2006 10:13 AM


The Big Number: 18
According to a new Mason-Dixon poll, 56% of VAans plan to vote in favor of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, while 38% plan to vote against it, a margin of 18%. That's just 18%. A reader notes these numbers...

Posted on August 1, 2006 03:12 PM


Boehner Urges His Troops To Recognize Voter Anxiety
As they wrapped up summer's work on Saturday morning Majority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) left his Republican conference with some parting thoughts about the August recess. Quoting legendary OSU football coach Woody Hayes, Boehner likens the past few months to...

Posted on July 31, 2006 10:28 AM



The Saturday Brunch WHAT'S BREWING The Hastert/Frist Midterm Gamble: At 1:30 in the morning, the House passed a minimum wage hike (to $7.25 by '09), set the the estate/death tax exemption at $5M (by 2015) and extended business tax...

Posted on July 29, 2006 08:29 AM


Politiscope: A Rude Homecoming
Amid the deceptive silence of August, as candidates enter the crucial weeks leading up to Labor Day, writes John Mercurio, incumbents on both sides of the aisle will head home armed with talking points on a long list of issues....

Posted on July 27, 2006 03:50 PM


On The Trail: '08 Isn't Enough
A handful of 2008 presidential prospects have a lot on the line in the 2006 midterm elections, writes Chuck Todd, and some have a little less to gain or lose, so now is as good a time as any to...

Posted on July 26, 2006 01:40 PM



The Saturday Brunch WHAT'S BREWING We're not just rhetorically with Israel. The "made in the USA" label will be on some of the precision bombs Israel plans to use in the next few weeks. Not every WH '08 spouse...

Posted on July 22, 2006 08:25 AM


Consultants' Corner: Voter.Com 2.0? Or A Revolution?
A diverse group of high-profile names "from the worlds of politics, media and technology" have joined forces to create the "first online community" of the nation's "Opinion Drivers." Set to "go live" in 10/06, HOTSOUP.com will provide a nonpartisan...

Posted on July 21, 2006 12:44 PM


The Big Number: 43
Everyone's talking about a certain survey by Quinnipiac Univ. that shows cable exec. Ned Lamont (D) beating Sen. Joe Lieberman (D) in the primary. But we're taking a look at another part of that poll that spells equally interesting news...

Posted on July 20, 2006 03:56 PM


On The Trail: Sleepless In Washington
What about this election cycle keeps Hotline editor-in-chief Chuck Todd up at night? Could it be the fed-up voter, immigration, or the legacy of Terri Schiavo? Here's number one -- The Democratic GOTV machine. This is at the top because...

Posted on July 19, 2006 05:18 PM


Senate Race FEC Reports: The List
What should we read into the GOP's big financial advantage in the top Dem targeted seats? A Printer Friendly Version Of Our FEC Chart I you spent more than your SEN rival over the past 3 months, chances are you're...

Posted on July 19, 2006 10:07 AM


Reed's Rise And Fall Writ Small
As state party chair, Ralph Reed led GA Republicans to historic victories in '02. They elected a governor for the first time since Reconstruction, knocked off an incumbent U.S. Senator, gained a majority in the state Senate and made gains...

Posted on July 19, 2006 08:41 AM


The Saturday Brunch
Most Saturday mornings between now and the election, we'll bring you a buffet of the latest headlines, tell you what's crossing our transom, and end with a helping of the weekend's tastiest buzz. Thoughts? Comments? Coverage you want to...

Posted on July 15, 2006 11:00 AM


The Big Number: 1
He's one of the most endangered incumbents in the country. He's taken more campaign contributions from Jack Abramoff-related donors than any other member of Congress. Yet in a Dem-sponsored poll, Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT) only trails his Dem opponent,...

Posted on July 14, 2006 02:18 PM


The Big Number: 15
Two polls diverged in a yellow wood... But we're happy we can travel both. Rep. Bob Ney (R-OH) trails Dover Law Dir. Zack Space (D) by 11 points. No, he leads by 4. Those are the dueling claims made by...

Posted on July 11, 2006 05:47 PM



The Saturday Brunch Welcome to another On Call experiment. Most Saturday mornings between now and the election, we'll bring you a buffet of the latest headlines, tell you what's crossing our transom, and end with a helping of the weekend's...

Posted on July 8, 2006 06:50 AM


The Hotline Futures Market: Wyoming
What's the Hotline Futures Market? It's our exclusive look at the up-and-comers in every party in every state. You won't a list like this anywhere else. If you've missed a state, check out our archives. As one might expect, GOPers...

Posted on July 6, 2006 03:33 PM


Send An SMS To The World
The next revolution might not be televised or computerized -- try mobilized. As of Thursday, there are two national political figures starting text messaging campaigns. Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) and John Edwards are the first to implement it in...

Posted on June 29, 2006 08:00 PM


President Persona Non Grata?
President Bush got a much-needed reminder Tuesday that some folks do still like him, writes John Mercruio. Some Republicans, at least. Armed with a strong endorsement from Bush, Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, sailed to a surprisingly big primary win against...

Posted on June 29, 2006 12:47 PM


The Big Number: 3
It's one of the most exciting down-ballot races of the year, and it's tightening. Former Christian Coalition Exec. Dir. Ralph Reed (R), an architect of the GOP's revival in GA, has battled for months against State Sen. Casey Cagle...

Posted on June 28, 2006 03:10 PM


The Big Number: 62
62% of Show-Me Staters would like to be shown the benefits of gov't-funded stem cell research, according to the latest Research 2000 poll, conducted for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. And that number is good news for Aud. Claire McCaskill...

Posted on June 26, 2006 03:43 PM


The Big Number: 12
Take 49. Subtract 37. You're left with 12. So is Rep. Mark Green (R-WI), who has to make up 12% in what many think should be a closer race against WI Gov. Jim Doyle (D). In the latest Wisconsin...

Posted on June 23, 2006 01:18 PM


The Big Number: 50
A new survey by the Bureau of Gov't Research Services at RI College shows that, should more than 50% of the primary electorate be made up of GOPers, Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R) is in danger of losing his seat to...

Posted on June 22, 2006 05:53 PM


The Big Number: 52
That's right, 52% of Americans believe the U.S. ought to set a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. This comes on the heels of last week's NBC/WSJ poll showing that 54% of Americans are more likely to vote for a...

Posted on June 22, 2006 10:44 AM


The Big Number: 28
In the first post-primary poll out of AL, we learn, courtesy of the Mobile Press-Register and the Univ. of S. AL, that Gov. Bob Riley (R) leads LG Lucy Baxley (D) 53%-25%. Not a huge surprise, right? Well, the...

Posted on June 19, 2006 05:03 PM


The Big Number: 37
That's Pres. Bush's approval rating in the latest NBC News/WSJ poll, out today. The number is another example of Bush's continuting uptick , ever so slight that it is, but as Bush rises, things don't look that much better...

Posted on June 16, 2006 09:15 AM


The Big Number: 38
That's the percentage of Tennesseans who know, and have an unfavorable opinion of, Rep. Harold Ford (D) in the latest Zogby poll. 51% of the state views the Sen candidate favorably, which means that while a much higher percentage...

Posted on June 15, 2006 10:24 AM


VA SEN: Confirming Our Suspicions
Reading the various turnout numbers proffered by the blogs and campaigns, we thought it might be worthwhile to contact actual registrars to get actual confirmed numbers. Reaching such individuals in the major localities at around 5 o'clock on an election...

Posted on June 13, 2006 05:34 PM


VA, ME and SC: What To Look For
A mini-guide to today's VA SEN primary, ME GOV primary and SC GOV primary: VA SEN: This is the rare statewide campaign where both sides, speaking for attribution or on background, aren't confident predicting the outcome. The one thing...

Posted on June 13, 2006 01:49 PM


Today's Big Number: 80
That's the percentage of Americans who believe a "series of terrorist attacks resulting in mass destruction" will or could happen within their lifetimes, according to a new Public Opinion Strategies poll conducted for NBC News and the Sci Fi channel....

Posted on June 12, 2006 02:41 PM


The Big Number: 36
Every day, we'll highlight one poll number that we think teaches us something new about the political landscape. Today's big number is 36 -- the percentage of Americans who rate economic conditions in the U.S. as excellent or good, according...

Posted on June 9, 2006 04:16 PM


The Big Number: 15
Every day, we'll highlight one poll number that we think teaches us something new about the political landscape. We forgot yesterday's, so here's a make-up from yesterday's Hotline. Today's big number is 15. Better put, it's 15 and possibly closing....

Posted on June 9, 2006 04:15 PM


Hotline After Dark -- The McCain-Biden Show
MTV celebrated the movies last night but cable was all Zarqawi, all the time. Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Joe Biden were the most visible pols last night. Most of the other guests were retired generals and terrorism experts...

Posted on June 9, 2006 07:20 AM


The Big Number: 73
Every day, we'll highlight one poll number that we think teaches us something new about the political landscape. Today's big number is 73. That's the percentage of Alaskans who view Gov. Frank Murkowski (R) unfavorably, according to an Ivan...

Posted on June 7, 2006 06:31 PM


NRCC's Message On CA 50
From their memo to "GOP friends" (i.e. talking points): Update: With 90.2% of the precincts reporting, Republican Brian Bilbray leads Democrat Francine Busby by 4,814 votes - 49.5% to 45.2%. The Associated Press has called the race for Brian Bilbray....

Posted on June 7, 2006 09:06 AM


The Big Number: 3
Small number, right? Well, it's a modest boost in a president's approval ratings, but it's much bigger news when it's a boost in Pres. Bush's numbers. The latest Gallup poll shows Bush at 36% approval, up from 33% four weeks...

Posted on June 6, 2006 02:36 PM


Super Midterm Tuesday -- Montana Preview
While there may be more eyes in Washington tuned to the San Diego special election or even the happenings in the most important state in presidential politics (Iowa), the most intriguing nailbiter on Tuesday may, in fact, be taking place...

Posted on June 5, 2006 08:42 PM


Super Midterm Tuesday -- California Preview
Talk about living up to its unofficial nickname as the country’s “big enchilada,” there’s no state hosting a more important race in the country than California. The special election to replace Duke Cunningham is the premiere election on June 6....

Posted on June 5, 2006 08:23 PM


Today's Big Number: 50
Could tomorrow's IA Gov primary may deal a set-back to IA Gov. Tom Vilsack's (D) presidential hopes? The candidate Vilsack all but publicly backs, Econ. Devel. Dir. Mike Blouin (D), trails IA Sec/State Chet Culver (D) in every recent...

Posted on June 5, 2006 04:19 PM


Send Down More Artillery, Chuck!
The Big Number: 43 That's the number ex-Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker (R) fetches in the latest poll conducted for his campaign by Public Opinion Strategies (R). Corker, in the middle of a nasty Republican primary race to replace Sen. Maj....

Posted on June 2, 2006 01:37 PM


Spotlight: Worried In Worcester
How far has Tom Reilly fallen? Once considered the inevitable Dem nominee in MA GOV, Reilly is flailing as he heads into the party convention 6/3, accusing rivals of a "concerted effort" to keep him off the 9/19 primary ballot....

Posted on June 2, 2006 01:04 PM


The GOP's Biggest Liability
You know things are bad when the GOP is losing support not just among Dems (hardly a shocker), but among fellow GOPers. The latest Diageo/Hotline poll shows GOPers are less likely now to re-elect their current member of Congress then...

Posted on May 25, 2006 02:06 PM


Hotline After Dark -- Bare "Bones" Edition
It was bare "Bones" on cable last night as pundits hit a variety of topics. "Hardball" led with Pres. Bush's poll numbers. And Chris Matthews turned movie critic, asking his guests: "I have to ask you a political question....

Posted on May 18, 2006 07:17 AM


What If Rush Limbaugh Interviewed VP Cheney And Tossed Not A Single Softball?
Read the transcript....

Posted on May 16, 2006 04:35 PM


Hotline After Dark -- What's That Tapping Sound?
Solving crimes on "CSI," solving the latest wire tapping scandal on cable. The fallout from the USA Today story on the NSA's phone call database continued last night. NPR's Liasson: "The interesting thing to me about this story is...

Posted on May 12, 2006 07:19 AM


NSA Surveillance: It's All In The Transactions...
The National Security Agency has asked some of the nation's biggest telecommunications companies, including giants such as AT&T and Verizon, to give the agency records of all the calls made on their networks. National Journal 's Shane Harris reported in...

Posted on May 11, 2006 01:42 PM


The Hotline Futures Market: Texas
What's the Hotline Futures Market? It's our exclusive look at the up-and-comers in every party in every state. You won't a list like this anywhere else. If you've missed a state, check out our archives. In '10, TX is going...

Posted on May 10, 2006 11:14 AM


Ohio Dems Begin Their Blackwell Invective Hurl
At 3:39 pm, the OH Dem Party calls the election for "angry" Ken Blackwell. They call him: Ken TAFTwell. Their sure-to-ironically-please-and-yet-anger Jim Petro press release is after the jump....

Posted on May 2, 2006 03:30 PM


Coming Tuesday Night: Live Election Coverage
Join Hotline writers and editors, along with Alamanc and National Journal's congressional sage Richard Cohen and the Almanac's Peter Bell, for real-time primary coverage and analysis. We'll learn lots about the '06 mindset after OH's 5/2 primary. What's the...

Posted on May 1, 2006 02:51 PM


The Hotline Futures Market: South Dakota
What's the Hotline Futures Market? It's our exclusive look at the up-and-comers in every party in every state. You won't a list like this anywhere else. If you've missed a state, check out our archives. "Our stables are pretty full,"...

Posted on May 1, 2006 11:05 AM


Hotline After Dark
If "American Idol" doesn't give you something to sing about, you can always turn to cable. Reporters must have filled their cars up yesterday because none of them seemed too impressed with Pres. Bush's gas plan: MSNBC's Shuster described...

Posted on April 26, 2006 10:20 AM


Sunday Snapshot: What You Missed
It was a hodgepodge of topics this weekend -- gas prices, Defense Sec. Donald Rumsfeld, the WH staff changes, the CIA officer fired for leaking to the Washington Post and the new Osama bin Laden tape. ALL ABOUT IOWA AND...

Posted on April 24, 2006 11:21 AM


Latest IN, NC, OH House Race Numbers
OPEN SEATS COMPETITIVE VETERANS FRESHMEN One of the more surprising figures this quarter comes from OH 13 atty. Betty Sutton (D), who raised over $423K -- the most among all statewide challengers. She's spent 30 times more than her biggest...

Posted on April 21, 2006 03:23 PM


Shad Planking: The Future Really Is Now: Updated
WAKEFIELD, VA -- As it does every third Wednesday in April, VA's political epicenter moved 40 miles east from Richmond to the piney woods outside of this small town yesterday. Known more for its free libations and easy access...

Posted on April 20, 2006 10:40 AM


On The Trail Addendum: The Absentee Numbers
For Dems in CA 50, Sue Burnside was charged with the absentee ballot program and she phoned us this morning with some estimates and details of how things worked in the absentee ballot program. The program included targeting permanent absentee...

Posted on April 12, 2006 10:03 AM


The Futures Market: Ohio
What's the Hotline Futures Market? It's our exclusive look at the up-and-comers in every party in every state. You won't a list like this anywhere else. If you've missed a state, check out our archives. After making in-roads into Toledo-based...

Posted on March 30, 2006 10:53 AM


The Futures Market: North Dakota
What's the Hotline Futures Market? It's our exclusive look at the up-and-comers in every party in every state. You won't a list like this anywhere else. If you've missed a state, check out our archives. No one understands ND. Just...

Posted on March 28, 2006 11:25 AM


House Race Hotline Update: Florida
The business of two Dem challengers in FL is business -- literally. The DCCC is hoping their non-political backgrounds provide a compelling narrative against the incumbents' ties to GOP leaders. With high numbers of seniors in both CDs, economic...

Posted on March 27, 2006 01:51 PM


What You Missed On The Sunday Shows: The Is Of March
Immigration and Iraq led the Sunday shows. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) started off the immigration talk with their "This Week" appearance. Tancredo: "We don't actually even need another law on the books. We don't need...

Posted on March 27, 2006 09:53 AM


The Futures Market: North Carolina
NCers on both sides of the aisle are excited about their prospects among members of the law and order community. Dems boast of at least two vets just back from the Middle East who will play a big role in...

Posted on March 23, 2006 09:44 AM


Dispatch From IL
ADDISION, IL -- Tammy Duckworth's election night headquarters are, aptly, in a VFW in Addison, IL, and given Duckworth's unusual background the crowd is a curious admixture of political star power and military fire power: Sen. Dick Durbin is...

Posted on March 21, 2006 10:24 PM


The Futures Market: North Carolina
What's the Hotline Futures Market? It's our exclusive look at the up-and-comers in every party in every state. You won't a list like this anywhere else. If you've missed a state, check out our archives. NCers on both sides of...

Posted on March 17, 2006 08:53 AM


The Futures Market: New York
What's the Hotline Futures Market? It's our exclusive look at the up-and-comers in every party in every state. You won't a list like this anywhere else. If you've missed a state, check out our archives. New York is a big...

Posted on March 14, 2006 03:48 PM


What You Missed On The Sunday Shows
Each Monday, Hotline TV editor Emily Goodin will pack a dozen hours of Sunday show news and analysis into one digestible post. '08 FEVER SWEEPS THE SUNDAY SHOWS After the SRLC, '08 fever hit the Sunday shows. Sens. George Allen...

Posted on March 13, 2006 09:43 AM


Hotline Futures Market: New Mexico
What's the Hotline Futures Market? It's our exclusive look at the up-and-comers in every party in every state. You won't a list like this anywhere else. If you've missed a state, check out our archives. Two up-and-coming young firebrands leap...

Posted on March 9, 2006 11:13 AM



  ON CALL I N D E X • 3/3 - 3/5 » Colbert Seeks Rapport With GOPers LINK » Allen Manufactures A Caucus LINK » Why Dole Loves The Duke LINK » House Race Update: Labor Looming Large...

Posted on March 3, 2006 11:50 PM


Why Dole Loves Duke
From today's Hotline spotlight: We're not buying the GOP spin that the party's united behind Katherine Harris as she fights to keep herself out of the Duke Cunningham hot seat. The irony here is that the Duke-stir could become the...

Posted on March 3, 2006 02:21 PM


Astroturff Reform Dead?
One plank from the stack of lobbying reform proposals that might not make it to the President this go-round: changes to grassroots lobbying laws. Today, it's easy for trade associations and major lobbying firms to conceive and fund so-called "grassroots"...

Posted on March 2, 2006 02:36 PM


What You Missed On The Sunday Shows
A new, free Hotline feature: Each Monday, Hotline TV editor Emily Goodin will pack five hours of Sunday show news and analysis into one digestible post. That's all the news, sound bites, presidential questions, scoops and spin. We watch 'em...

Posted on February 27, 2006 09:58 AM


The Futures Market: Nebraska
With term limits taking effect for the first time in '06, 20 of NE's 49 unicameral Sens will be out of jobs come this time next year. Dems are confident that they'll be able to influence a few elections, but...

Posted on February 23, 2006 09:19 AM


The Futures Market: Missouri
What's the Hotline Futures Market? It's our exclusive look at the up-and-comers in every party in every state. You won't a list like this anywhere else. If you've missed a state, check out our archives. Now, Missouri. The benches of...

Posted on February 16, 2006 10:24 AM


The Futures Market: Mississippi
What's the Hotline Futures Market? It's our exclusive look at the up-and-comers in every party in every state. You won't a list like this anywhere else. If you've missed a state, check out our archives. Today, Mississippi. A number of...

Posted on February 15, 2006 09:58 AM


Warner After Dark
Some unvarnished observations of Mark Warner's 32-minute speech to NH Dems' 100 Club Dinner: * Biggest post-speech compliments from crowd: "Personable" and "clearly loved being governor." * Biggest post-speech complaints from crowd: "Not enough partisan red meat," too "soft on...

Posted on February 10, 2006 11:44 PM


Tracking The '08 Candidates On TV
We watch them so you don't have to. Nothing like a SOTU address to bring WH candidates out of the woodwork. On speech night, nine potential '08ers appeared on 14 different news shows, with several shows booking more than one...

Posted on February 6, 2006 09:13 AM


Sports On The Mind
Though we are a political outfit, we can't help but have sports on the mind going into this Super weekend. And, because we are political junkies, we've managed to find a political hook on Sunday's game. More on that after...

Posted on February 3, 2006 01:01 PM


SCOTUS Superlatives
The last 9 months have produced 2 SCOTUS vacancies, 3 SCOTUS nominees, a judicial compromise, a filibuster vote, and an untold number of memories. The judicial drama that has unfold over the last 9 months will undoubtedly be remembered in...

Posted on January 31, 2006 05:48 PM


THe Futures Market: Iowa
Some GOP sources suggest that '06 may be tough for the party. Dems are excited by the prospects afforded to them by the nat'l landscape and seem poised to re-take the state legislature, where they currently face a tied Sen...

Posted on January 25, 2006 01:29 PM


The Futures Market: Illinois
A number of our '03 stars are either on their way up or building bases to move up eventually. Meanwhile, Dems face an embarrasment of riches in IL 04, where Rep. Luis Gutierrez's (D) expected '07 bid for Chicago Mayor...

Posted on January 23, 2006 08:38 AM


Inside The Numbers II: The RSC Primary
For our second look "Inside The Numbers," we had hoped to compare the support that Blunt and Boehner were drawing from, respectively, the House GOP Whip team and the GOP members of the House's Ed and Workforce Cmte. This, we...

Posted on January 14, 2006 06:05 PM


Maj Leader: Inside The Numbers
In our first look "Inside The Numbers," we examine who isn't, um, inside the numbers. Below, find some of the biggest -- or at least noteworthy -- gets that have not been gotten. And, to both sides, we welcome any...

Posted on January 11, 2006 05:42 PM


Cornyn: Liberals Don't Want Fair-minded Judges
In his opening statement, Sen. John Cornyn tries to comfort Judge Sam Alito: "I am reluctantly inclined to the view that you and any other nominee of this President for the Supreme Court start with no more than 13 votes...

Posted on January 9, 2006 12:00 PM


Schumer's Opening Statement....
In the statement he'll give later this later this afternoon, Sen. Chuck Schumer says the burden on Judge Sam Alito to prove he is a worthy nominee is "triply high" because of the 'swing' justice he's replacing, the sense that...

Posted on January 9, 2006 11:42 AM


Blogometer Special: The Year In Political Blogging
If 2004 was the year that blogs broke into the mainstream, 2005 saw an acceleration of this trend -- even without a presidential election to focus on. Unlike 12 months ago, the word "blog" itself is almost a household name....

Posted on December 23, 2005 04:50 PM


Is Frist The BIggest '08 Loser Of '05?
It seems we've seen a story about Bill Frist like this one from Bloomberg every time the Senate went into recess in 2005. Is it any wonder there are a growing number of smart folks in DC predicting Frist will...

Posted on December 23, 2005 09:00 AM


Hotline: The Year In Politics
And you thought this would be a quiet year? Relive the memories, the heartbreak, the joys and the laughs. The Hotline's year-in-review: 1/2: Under media and Dem glare, House GOPers put the kibosh on a rule requiring caucus leaders to...

Posted on December 22, 2005 02:27 PM


DNC Internal Memo: The Year In Review, '06 In Preview
Dem Hill aides, campaign mgrs and consultants are getting their year-end memo from the Democratic National Committee and its pollster, Cornell Belcher today. The key point, per the memo: "Americans feel the choices being made by the people running our...

Posted on December 22, 2005 01:01 PM


The Futures Market: Colorado
It's Hickenlooper's World, We're Just Lucky To Live In It A number of the GOP stars we watched in '03 have already ascended to higher office by virtue of appointments. While two of our previous GOP stars flamed out in...

Posted on December 19, 2005 01:33 PM


The Futures Market: California's Rising Stars
CA's a big state, and they've got some big stars. Of those we looked at back in '03, just one has yet to make a move for higher office. In fact, one of our stars won election to the House...

Posted on December 16, 2005 10:24 AM


Diageo/Hotline Poll: It's Not Me, It's You
A month ago, all the rage in the pundit world was "when will Cong. GOPers start distancing themselves from Pres. Bush?" Fast forward a month, and it appears Bush is the one searching for distance. -- The latest Diageo/Hotline poll...

Posted on December 15, 2005 01:10 PM


The Declining Bush Mandate
Moderator: Larry J. Sabato, Center for Politics Panelists: --Fred Barnes, Fox News --Carl Cannon, National Journal --Rosiland Jordan, NBC News --Susan Page, USA Today...

Posted on December 1, 2005 02:20 PM


DeLay's Big Day Tuesday
Is there a chance that Rep. Tom DeLay's Texas legal troubles end tomorrow? We're sure DeLay pays his team to be confident, but a variety of sources close to the majority leader are leaning into the idea that it's quite...

Posted on November 21, 2005 12:33 PM


'08ers And The Blogs
Aspiring presidential candidates are dipping their pinkies into the blogosphere. Real blogging is hard. It requires the candidate's staff to accept some measure of unpredictability and to relinquish message control. Many '08 hopefuls have therefore opted for the option of...

Posted on November 16, 2005 03:41 PM


From Today's Hotline: Lessons Not Learned
The Hotline surveyed several dozen D and R pol. strategists and consultants last night and today to collect a list of lessons learned -- and lessons these folks hope their party didn't learn -- from '06. You'll have to be...

Posted on November 9, 2005 04:00 PM


GOP Spin...
RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman's comments, per a release: "Jerry Kilgore ran a tough, focused campaign for Governor of Virginia. Going into the election, Republicans understood that the Commonwealth had a popular Democrat Governor with high approval numbers. Although it was...

Posted on November 8, 2005 11:06 PM


Kilgore: More Omens?
With just over 60% of precincts reporting, Kaine is leading Kilgore 61%-37% in NOVA's biggest locality -- Fairfax Co. And one look "inside the numbers" tells the story. At a swing, suburban precinct, "Sideburn," just a few paces from George...

Posted on November 8, 2005 08:22 PM


NJ: An Overview
As we get geared up for our NJ coverage, we thought we'd first try to get a sense of what info might indicate how the election is turning. We asked some NJ observers -- David Rebovich, the Rider Univ. prof...

Posted on November 8, 2005 07:16 PM


Hotline Preview...
There's no bigger "keeper" issue of The Hotline, than the first one after a holiday weekend. Today's is no exception. The "Spotlight" delves into whether the nat'l mood of anti-incumbency and anti-gov't corruption explains Corzine's recent woes in NJ GOV....

Posted on October 11, 2005 10:58 AM


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