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Tammy Duckworth Says She's No Yes-Woman for Obama
Tweet Share on Facebook September 5, 2012 CommentCHARLOTTE, N.C. --- Tammy Duckworth helped kick off the president's nominating convention with a bang, but that doesn't mean she's a yes-woman for his policies, she says. In an interview with U.S. News, the Illinois congressional candidate and Iraq War veteran expressed concern with one of the signature initiatives of President Obama's first term.
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GOP Seeks to Keep Campaign Focus on the Economy
Tweet Share on Facebook September 5, 2012 CommentWith the Democratic National Convention starting with a strong focus on issues like abortion and equal pay for women, Republicans are still striving to focus the campaign discussion on the economy.
Press releases blasted out by GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney's campaign and the Republican National Committee continue the economic arguments they highlighted last week during their own convention.
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Poll: Mitt Romney Making Headway With Women Voters
Tweet Share on Facebook September 5, 2012 CommentRepublican presidential nominee Mitt Romney appears to have gotten at least one boost coming out of his party's convention in Tampa last week, and that's with women voters.
According to an ABC News/Washington Post poll released Wednesday, President Barack Obama's favorability among women voters has plunged by 7 percent. In April, a similar survey showed 57 percent of women viewing him positively versus 39 percent not. But now, only 46 percent of women surveyed viewed the president favorably, compared to 50 percent unfavorably.
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Lilly Ledbetter Goes on the Attack
Tweet Share on Facebook September 4, 2012 Comment"What a difference four years made," said Lilly Ledbetter shortly after she took the stage at the Democratic National Convention tonight.
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Another Democratic Convention, Another Kennedy Rises to Rouse The Faithful
Tweet Share on Facebook September 4, 2012 CommentCHARLOTTE, N.C.—What would a Democratic convention be without a Kennedy at the podium?
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Cory Booker Fires Up Democrats in Charlotte
Tweet Share on Facebook September 4, 2012 CommentThe 2012 Democratic platform is a mind-numbing 70 pages of policy proposals, but Cory Booker made it exciting. In an energetic speech at the Democratic National Convention, the Newark mayor fired up the crowd in a fiery address announcing the party's platform.
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DCCC Director Doesn't See a "Wave" This Year in the House
Tweet Share on Facebook September 4, 2012 CommentThe Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee isn't counting on a Democratic wave in 2012. In fact, they are not confident they will take back the House of Representatives and regain the speakership this fall.
"Honestly, we have to see where we are [on election day]," says Robby Mook, executive director of the DCCC. "Today, we are in a neutral environment. It is a pretty steep climb in a neutral environment. It's tough."
The Democrats have targeted 25 House Republicans in their "drive for 25" and have 50 red-to-blue districts, spots where Democratic candidates have raised significant funds and are strong enough in the polls to be competitive on election day.
The DCCC says they have a "big playing field" and 66 districts held by Republicans where Obama won in 2008.
But with nine weeks to go, Mook says it's still too close to call for either party.
"If the election landscape shifts, if we go into election day with plus five on the generic ballot, we have a good shot, but today it is a steeper climb."
There have been three wave elections in a row with Democrats winning big margins in 2006 and 2008 and Republicans sweeping the house in 2010 when 87 freshman Republicans were elected.
But Mook says this year look like both parties are going to be clawing until the end.
"The dynamics of the presidential race are going to be very important as the Republicans move out of certain states," Mook says. "That could help or make it more challenging for some of our candidates. Today, we are not in a wave, but two months is a long time."
- Check out political cartoons about the Democrats.
- See editorial cartoons about the Tea Party.
- Check out editorial cartoons about Paul Ryan.
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Goolsbee: More Aggressive Action Needed on Foreclosures
Tweet Share on Facebook September 4, 2012 CommentA former top Obama Administration official Tuesday suggested a more sweeping approach to solving the nation's housing crisis.
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Van Hollen Reveals How Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton Can Sell Swing Voters on President's Second Term
Tweet Share on Facebook September 4, 2012 CommentIf Ann Romney's job during the Republican National Convention was to humanize her husband, GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, former Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman, Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen, says first lady Michelle Obama's task will be to clearly illustrate that she and her husband President Barack Obama are products of "The American Dream."
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'Are You Better Off Now' Answer May Lie in Voters' Memories
Tweet Share on Facebook September 4, 2012 CommentAre you better off now than you were four years ago?
It's the question Republican presidential nominee Ronald Reagan asked voters in 1980 leading up to Election Day and it's the question GOP nominee Mitt Romney and his vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan are asking voters now. In Reagan's case, it won him the White House. But will it do the same for Romney?
"Romney will ask that question and [President Barack] Obama is fighting against history to convince Americans to re-elect him in these economic times," says Jeremy Mayer, a political science professor at George Mason University.
The question's power lies in its simplicity and subjectiveness – it capitalizes on voters' moods and impressions, rather than banking on their ability to scrutinize and decide between rival economic plans.
