President News & Analysis

Stop the Presses: O’Malley Nabs Swalwell Endorsement

by Stuart Rothenberg August 14, 2015 · 12:10 PM EDT

Who knew the Democratic presidential race would be fundamentally changed in the blink of an eye? But that happened recently when California congressman Eric Swalwell, 34, endorsed former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley.

Well, maybe I’m exaggerating a little.

In the email I received from the O’Malley campaign announcing the…

One Last Hurrah for Joe Biden?

by Stuart Rothenberg August 6, 2015 · 10:20 AM EDT

The news that Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. is giving serious consideration to running for president spread like wildfire over the weekend.

That is understandable. Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Democratic front-runner, has not exactly performed like a winner, and growing questions about her character,…

Chris Christie’s Conundrum

by Stuart Rothenberg July 29, 2015 · 10:03 AM EDT

On first glance, Christie’s bio and profile should make him a top-tier hopeful for the 2016 Republican nomination. But he isn’t — at least not right now. In this case, timing is everything.

A former county freeholder and U.S. attorney finishing his second term as governor in a very…

The Politics of Identity Politics

by Stuart Rothenberg July 24, 2015 · 9:00 AM EDT

“I’m tired of hyphenated Americans,” complains Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal in “We’re All Americans,” a television spot aired by Believe Again, the super PAC supporting the presidential hopeful’s bid.

“We’re not Indian-Americans or African-Americans or Asian-Americans. We’re all Americans,” he continues as the audience applauds.

Jindal thinks the way…

Who Will Benefit From the Issues Mix in 2016?

by Stuart Rothenberg July 17, 2015 · 8:55 AM EDT

Every election is different, but they almost always come down to one question: What is the election about?

Some elections are about one or both of the candidates (personality, preparedness or accomplishments), while others are merely about “change.” Some are about the economy in general, or jobs or inflation…

Bernie Sanders: The Latest Version of Howard Dean

by Stuart Rothenberg July 10, 2015 · 9:00 AM EDT

Vermont Sen. Bernard Sanders’ poll numbers in New Hampshire have reporters taking notice and progressive Democrats excited: Bernie is surging!

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg, if you believe the 73-year-old Vermont independent-turned-Democratic presidential hopeful.

“We are going to win New Hampshire. We’re going to win Iowa,…

The Donald Trump Impact: Not so Inevitable After All

by Stuart Rothenberg July 8, 2015 · 8:45 AM EDT

I was surprised by the near unanimity over the weekend about the impact of the Donald Trump comments about Mexican immigrants. Almost every disinterested political observer agreed Trump’s typically over-the-top remarks were certain to hurt GOP prospects in the 2016 presidential election.

I am skeptical about that.

Once again,…

When the Second Time Isn’t the Charm

by Stuart Rothenberg July 2, 2015 · 8:30 AM EDT

I feel bad for Rick Santorum, Mike Huckabee and Rick Perry. They are presidential retreads at a moment when anything that is more than an hour or two old is passé.

John McCain was a retread in 2008 (having lost a bid for the GOP nomination in 2000), as…

Does Scott Walker Have What It Takes to Win in 2016?

by Stuart Rothenberg June 26, 2015 · 10:37 AM EDT

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is widely viewed as a top-tier hopeful for the GOP presidential nomination. But it’s less clear he has the right profile to knock off the likely Democratic nominee, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Walker’s strength in the nomination race comes from his positioning…

The Iowa Straw Poll: Put a Stake Through Its Heart

by Stuart Rothenberg June 22, 2015 · 9:30 AM EDT

The Iowa Straw Poll is dead for 2015. Let’s hope it doesn’t resurrect its ugly head for the 2020 cycle and beyond.

Almost four years ago I wrote a column, “The Nothingness of the Iowa Straw Poll,” in which I disclosed that I had canceled my trip to…